Hi friends,
Your votes for favorite Dystopia series were about tied between Hunger Games (27 votes) and Divergent (23 votes) with an almost four-way tie between Red Rising (9), The 5th Wave (9), Lunar Chronicles (10) and The Selection (9). Hopefully that gives you a place to start if you haven’t read some of these series.
Here are the suggestions from your fellow readers for additional dystopia series they enjoyed:
- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (Did you know she just published the sequel? “The Testaments”)
- The Wall Series by Alison Ingleby
- Delirium by Lauren Oliver
- The Maze Runner by James Dashner
- The Giver by Lois Lowry
- Birthmarked by Caragh M. O’Brien
- Out of Orbit by Chele Cooke
Thanks for the suggestions! I enjoy finding new series to fall in love with.
We just started up the fall semester with our local homeschool co-op and I’m teaching a self-defense class to a fun group of twelve kids ages 7 – 17. The cool thing to me is that there are eight girls in the class. I love when girls and women take the time to learn how to defend themselves. You might say it’s my lifelong project. I’ve taught free self-defense seminars since my teens and in as far away places as Germany and California.
I always teach that the best self-defense technique is: Don’t be there!
If you can recognize and avoid a dangerous situation, you’re so much safer than if you have to fight your way free.
Dangerous behaviors – Part II
Would you like a list of warning signs that predict violent attacks . . . so you could avoid danger?
In his book, “The Gift of Fear“, Gavin deBecker lists seven pre-incident indictors, which are behaviors or events that come before violence. If women can learn to understand and notice them, they can avoid the dangerous situation altogether.
An attacker usually wants to get his victim alone and away from witnesses. To do that, he has to be charming and/or convincing and will often use these techniques.
Watch for clusters of them, as a single incident isn’t always a danger sign.
When someone uses multiple of the techniques to overcome your objections and convince you to do something you’re not comfortable with, be warned!
(If you missed the last episode introducing “Discounting No” and “Too Many Details”, feel free to catch up by reading it here: Identify an Attacker by What He Says)
1. Loan Sharking: offering help you didn’t ask for and then counting on you feeling obligated to agree to their request.
2. The Unsolicited Promise: They promise to do (or not do) something when you didn’t ask for a promise. In general, you can count on the promise being broken and the person doing the exact opposite.
Example Scenario:
Once upon a time . . . you are walking to your car, two large bags of groceries in your arms.
“Hi ma’am,” says a well-dressed man with a smile. “Let me help you with those groceries.” (Unsolicited help – beginning of loan sharking)
“No, thanks,” you say. You’re in a hurry and don’t really want any help. (At this point, most people just being kind will move on.)
“Are you sure?” he says, still keeping pace with you as he points at the bags. “They look heavy. I promise I’m a nice guy just trying to help.” (Discounting “No” & Unsolicited promise. Translation = “I’m NOT a nice guy.)
“I’ve got this,” you say, wondering if you should just let him help. The bags are kind of heavy. “Thank you, though.”
“Seriously, ma’am,” he says with a shoulder shrug before he holds out a hand. “No need to do everything yourself. I’ll just carry this one.”
Before you can object, he takes a bag of groceries out of your hands. It’s too embarrassing to demand it back. It’s easier to just let him carry it. Besides, you’re almost at your car. (Discounting No & Typecasting-coming in next episode)
Finally you reach your car, pop the trunk and put your bag in the back. You’re relieved when the charming man places the other bag carefully beside the first. Maybe you were getting all worried about nothing.
As you open your door, he starts speaking again and really looks like he needs help.
“Hey do you mind giving me a quick ride to the bus stop up the road?” he asks.
You waver. He did help you with the groceries after all. But, something just doesn’t feel right.
“I’ve only got 15 minutes before my bus leaves and there isn’t another one for an hour. I’ve got to get to this new job on time or else the boss might fire me. I promise it won’t take you much time at all. You know how it is on the first day . . . blah, blah . . . too many details . . . blah.” (Too many details – Part 1. Loan Sharking-completed by asking for your help. Unsolicited Promise. Translation = It WILL take a lot of time, especially if he attacks you along the way.)
You finally notice all the pre-incident indicators from that author lady’s newsletter and without another word, you spin, jump in your car, lock the door and drive away!
You wonder how on earth a complete stranger almost talked himself into your car. Thinking back, you start counting the pre-incident indicators and realize what happened.
Nice going, you! But creepy, huh?
Keep an eye out for these techniques and take a little time to train yourself to recognize them.
It’s particularly fun to pick them out of Marvel movies. How many times does the villain discount no or make unsolicited promises. 😀
If you find a good example, email it to me. I can even include a mention in the next self-defense newsletter.
Stay safe!
Quick Writing Update:
I almost have the ARC copies of Combat Outbreak ready to send out. Just over two weeks and counting down to publication day. I can’t believe I’ll have three published books, soon. Thanks for your support!
Combat Impulse, Book 4 is a week away from going out to beta readers.
Kindle Unlimited page reads (free for subscribers) have been picking up for Combat Mind, Book 2! Thank you!
And an even bigger thank you to the six awesome fans who took the time to post a review on Amazon for Combat Mind. It only takes a few minutes and is a big help so new readers know what to expect. Thanks!
Happy reading,
— Misty 🙂
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