Hi friends,
Big day today!
If you missed out last week, Deadly Lockdown is still 99c right now before we bump it back up to $2.99
. . . AND Searching for Resistance, Aftermath Book #5 just came out today! 😀
Deadly Lockdown by Misty Zaugg & Stephanie Mylchreest
$0.99 Special Today!
Thanks to all of you who posted a review! Keep them coming!
Scott: “Thrilling and suspenseful story! This is a strong series opener, good character development and action mixed with lifelike scenarios make for an exciting read.”
Barbara: “An exciting, pulse pounding story you can’t put down.”
Debbie: “A gripping storyline of survival, of unbelievable atrocities, of nonstop peril and danger, of hope, of friendship and family “
Kindle customer 001: “I read this over a holiday weekend. I couldn’t put it down! The characters are well developed and the story will make you think. You really have to read this!”
Searching for Resistance: Aftermath #5
New TODAY! FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
And then only one more book to complete April and Rita’s saga of surviving the collapse of society. Searching for Victory comes out August 20th! Thanks for all your support!
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Do you have a shield lying around? Weapon Tip #8
This week’s weapon tip is a blend of how to defend against a weapon and improvising with things in your environment.
What household and workplace items can be turned into a defensive shield to be used against an attacker who may or may not have a weapon? (excluding firearms)
Possible scenario:
When the doorbell rings early one morning, you don’t answer it because you’re busy and not expecting anyone. A few minutes later, you hear the front door open and when you come around the corner are startled to see a man in your entryway rifling through the drawers of the dresser there. He is holding your car keys in his hands. He drops them to quickly pull out a knife and threatens you.
What’s your best response?
Obviously to run out a rear or garage door and call for help if you have no one else in the house to protect.
If you can’t, how can you protect yourself against a knife to break past the man and get to safety? What ‘shields’ do you have lying around?
Ideas:
- The barstool from the kitchen behind you. Think ‘lion tamer’ and use the legs of the stool to keep the attacker at a distance so you can escape unhurt.
- Items with thick material – think small blanket, towel, thick coat, etc. Quickly wrap it around your blocking hand and arm and use that to deflect the incoming knife while using your other arm and legs to kick and strike until you can get free.
- Ranged weapons: Ever hear that the best defense is a good offense? Grab that heavy can of beans, the glass paperweight, the electric pencil sharpener or other fist-sized heavy object and throw them as hard as you can at the intruder.
- Keep the attacker at a distance: A knife or club wielder is most dangerous when you get within range of the weapon. You can strike and jab with long items to keep them at bay. Ideas: Umbrella, broomstick, shovel, mop, etc.
What do you think? What other household or workplace things could you use as shields and defensive items if attacked?
What about right now?
Scan your surroundings. What three items could you use if someone were to break in to attack you?
Send me your list, and I’ll put it in next week’s newsletter. 😀
Stay safe out there, and thank you again for supporting my writing so I can continue to create more stories!!
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Misty’s Writing Update:
What’s a trope?
I’d barely heard of the word before I started writing. But now, I realize how important the concept is to create stories readers will enjoy.
So, what is it?
It’s really just a general concept or idea that we find in fiction. It can reference the plot, character, settings, etc. And tropes can differ considerably depending on the genre of fiction.
A few examples from different genres:
- Orphaned main character at the bottom of society who rises to the top by the end of the book/series/movie.
- Main character has unusual power that attracts the attention of powerful bad guys.
- Bully bad guy who gets his/her just desserts in the end.
- A side character with a secret persona that is revealed over the course of the book/series.
- Friend turned betrayer.
- Best friend turns into love interest.
- The main character solves a problem or wins a battle by thinking creatively outside the box and not using the normal tools to solve the problem.
- A wise mentor provides little nuggets of guidance at just the right time to nudge the main character toward success.
- Main character almost gives up, but succeeds by refusing to quit.
And the list is endless!
Once I understood the concept, I started noticing them in the books I like reading and have been jotting them down ever since.
Now, I’m working on including my favorite tropes in the outline of my newest fantasy, litrpg series.
Question for my fantasy and litrpg readers out there: What are your favorite tropes you like to see in books? Let me know, and I’ll add them to my outline! 😀
Happy reading this week!
— Misty 🙂
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