Hi friends,

First off – thanks to Adam who wrote in and mentioned to be careful not to use toilet tank water during an emergency if you have a grey water system. He sent me an awesome description of his own water collection set-up that made me jealous! 😀

You guys are send the best emails!

And just a quick note that Combat Origin, Book #1 in my dystopia series is at $0.99 and free to read in Kindle Unlimited for those of you who are new to my blog.

Combat Origin by Misty Zaugg

Jessie C left a really nice review on Amazon: “Fun read, was intrigued by hints of a larger plot in the epilogue. World was reminiscent of Divergent/Alita battle angel, but the tone was more Ready Player One with a street fighter theme.”

There are five books in the series, so lots to read if you enjoy the first. 🙂

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The Back Elbow – Self-defense Tip #12

Today’s self-defense tip is a fun and easy one – the kind I like the best.

Do you know how to pump your arms and elbows when you jog or run?

. . . then you already know a great move to fight back against a grab from behind: the back elbow!

Imagine an attacker who grabs you around the waist and tries to pull you back off your feet or into a waiting vehicle.

Bend your arms, just like you do when you run, and then slam your elbow back into the attackers solar plexus (the central area just below the sternum that will know the wind out of someone).

To be most effective, you might need to either twist a little or take a step to the side with one foot to line your elbow up better with the center of the attacker’s body.

This is where practice comes in. Have a friend grab you from behind – gently to start – and take a little time to figure out how to hit the correct target with your elbows.

Once you have a bit of confidence, have your practice partner get some padding – a punch of tightly rolled towels, an old couch cushion, etc., and then practice striking with your elbow quickly and at full force.

Don’t forget to copy the motion you use when you run. It’s the most efficient and powerful way to do this strike. Winding up or bringing your elbow up and away from your body will only decrease the strength of the blow.

Have any of you had to get out of a grab? What worked for you? I’d love to hear your stories!

Stay safe out there,

All the best,

— Misty 🙂

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Misty’s Writing Update:

We started Searching for Victory, Book #6 with a handful of very happy chapters for our big crowd of characters. Now, I won’t spoil what follows, but you know things don’t ever stay easy and happy in post-apoc novels.

But I’m curious about your opinion on the start of a novel.

Does it have to be crazy, in-your-face danger? Or is that only the first book in the series and you don’t mind a happy start to the later books?

We figured by book 6, the finale of the series, it would be nice to see a few things work out well for the characters . . . at least until the next big disaster. LOL.

And for everyone who has been leaving reviews on books 1 and 2 in the series, I’m sending you a virtual high five. You are helping us so much!

Happy reading out there!

— Misty 🙂