Hi friends,
Quick question: Did you leave a review on Amazon for our new book, Searching for Shelter!?
If so, THANK YOU!! It’s up to 24 ratings which makes a huge difference for new readers trying to decide if they’ll like it. 😀
Here’s the link if you meant to leave a review and haven’t had a chance:
Leave a Quick Review: Searching for Shelter
On to a quick and effective self-defense tip, since I haven’t done one of these in a while:
Pretend to submit, then don’t! (Tip #11)
This tip takes advantage of an attacker’s natural tendency to underestimate someone smaller and maybe weaker than him . . . especially if she suddenly acts really afraid and pretends to submit to his demands.
Example scenario:
______________________
You had to park at the far end of the parking lot because it was full when you arrived at the movies (back when we could go to the movies). When you leave, it’s pretty dark and deserted back there.
You fumble your keys out of your purse and just as you get them in the lock, someone grabs you from behind, one arm pinning your arms to your front and the other arm wrapped around your throat.
“Don’t make a sound, or I’ll hurt you,” a voice hisses in your ear. “Come with me.”
The man pulls you backwards, in a direction toward the even emptier side of the large movie theater, both of his arms tight and pulling hard enough to hurt.
“Don’t hurt me,” you say in a pleading voice as you go along with the man, putting up no resistance at all. “I’ll do whatever you say.” You try to relax all your muscles and not fight.
After a few more steps, he relaxes, thinking you’re afraid and compliant. The arm around your body and the one around your throat sag just a bit.
It’s what you’ve been waiting for.
You push with your legs, straightening suddenly in an upward lunge as you simultaneously smash your head up and back right into the man’s face, making the back of your scalp suddenly sting. At the same time, you stomp back a rapidly until you get one of his feet.
The man howls in pain, both hands loosening as he reaches for his injured face and hops on one foot.
Wasting no time, you pull free and run at full speed back toward the movie theater’s lobby yelling for help.
Next time, you vow to pay more attention and either ask for an employee to accompany you to your car, bring a friend or find a closer parking spot.
______________________
Hopefully, you’ll never be grabbed in a parking lot, but this simple idea can help you create the perfect opportunity to break free from a stronger opponent.
Good luck out there – and thanks again for posting reviews for us!
All the best,
— Misty 🙂
______________________
Misty’s Writing Update:
We’re halfway through writing the first draft of Searching for Resistance, Book 5 of our Aftermath series. Steph and I are throwing our characters into all kinds of trouble. <queue evil chuckle and rubbing hands together> 😀
The big question is how much the conflict will spiral out of control as Rita is in trouble and April and company are racing to help.
How do you think main characters should get out of trouble in a story?
- Save themselves by digging deep for the strength, cleverness or skills?
- Be rescued by family, best friend, love interest, group of friends, etc.?
- A combo of both – get themselves most of the way free, but leave a bit of the rescuing to their friends to help with.
I’m sure there’s a case for all three in different stories with different main characters, but I’m curious which scenario you enjoy the most. Send me a quick note. 🙂
Enjoy reading this week!
— Misty 🙂
Recent Comments