Misty Zaugg's Blog - Posts Tagged "attacker"

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! :D

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,

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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 :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Hi friends,

First off - a couple of you wrote some amazing reviews for our Aftermath books. And Steph and I are so excited! Your enjoyment of our stories is what motivates us to write in the first place. :D

Laurie Harmon said, "Best series Ever read. I could not put down the first 3 books. The writers of these books are genius. If you love post apocalyptic books with real life scenarios you will love this. Great characters action packed. You will not be able to put the book down. I read 3 books in 16 hours. I'm also a speed reader so there you go. Can't wait to read the final 3 books coming in may july and August of 2021. Thank you for writing my favorite #1 best read series yet."

Scott said, "This was a great series starter, it hooked me right from the first chapters. From strong character development and backstories to the action scenes; it made for an intense read. And for a series to follow. Well done."

Thanks to everyone who takes the time to write a little something for new readers browsing for a book to read!
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Taking a hit - Self-defense Tip #13

I'll start this tip with a story:

While serving on a mission trip to Germany in my 20s, I volunteered to teach a self-defense seminar to a group of church women. Helping women and girls learn to protect themselves has always been important to me.

Part way through the seminar, a middle-aged woman shyly raised her hand and asked if there was a way to keep from freezing when scared. She'd been out for a walk along a river in a deserted area. She recounted hearing pounding footsteps behind her. When she looked over her shoulder, she saw a man running directly at her. She described a wave of fear that was so overwhelming it made her completely freeze.

She couldn't move her arms or legs and could barely breathe as she waited for the attack to come . . . and then the man ran on by, a harmless jogger.

But she never forgot that helpless feeling, which motivated her to come to my self-defense class that day.

While freezing like this might sound foreign to many, it is probably eerily familiar to others, especially among women.

It's a simple defensive response, especially when you realize that in the animal world, quick movement can attract predators, while they may not notice prey that doesn't move. It just doesn't work very well against human predators.

So, what lesson do you think I taught in the class that day?

I hit her.

Not like you're thinking :D

I gave her a punching shield and showed her how to stand to brace her body against incoming force. Then, starting with an easy strike, I began hitting the punching shield.

At the start, her eyes widened in shock and fear at even the lightest hit. Pretty soon, though, she narrowed her eyes, looked determined and was able to handle powerful blows.

Once I saw her awesome, new confidence, we put the pad away and moved on to simple punches aimed at her chest. Again, her tentative blocks quickly improved.

She walked out of that class beaming with a new belief in herself, knowing that getting hit wasn't that big a deal, and she could easily fight back in the future.

Many people engage in horseplay and physical sports as they grow up, and have taken plenty of accidental blows, so they know how to shake it off and keep fighting.

But if you're someone who hasn't, and it scares you, it's an easy fear to overcome safely.

Learn to take a hit:

1. Find something dense and soft you can hold. If you don't have a traditional kicking shield or punching bag, roll a few blankets into a tight roll, duct tape old couch cushions together, etc.
2. Put one foot back, turn partially sideways, bend your knees slightly and hold the padding tightly against to your body with your hands out of the way.
3. Get someone you trust to hit the padding. Start easy and slow. Work your way up to force that makes you rock back. You'll learn to adjust your feet and posture to keep from being knocked over.

Next steps:
1. Learn a basic inward block and have your friend reaching out to grab your shirt while you practice a slow block. Advance to blocking slow punches as you get a feel for it and gain confidence.
2. Enroll in a local self-defense class. Even a one-month introductory class would make a big difference

I hope this helps and feel free to send me questions!

Good luck and stay safe out there,

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Misty's Writing Update:

New words! I keep using the same words all the time in my writing.

So now, I watch for new words when I'm reading other books or listening to audiobooks.

Because really, how many ways can you say "she sighed"?

huffed out a breath,
exhaled slowly,
leaned back and let out a slow breath . . .

. . . and then pretty soon, I'm re-using the same phrases again, because people pause a lot during conversations and action when they're trying to decide what to do.

Funny thing, I heard another audiobook use "ragged breathing" while on a run last week, and I got all excited to jot it down when I got home for the next fighting scene that challenged my character.

Feel free to shoot me some new ways to describe and of the following: sighing, pulse pounding, ragged breathing . . . and the one that gets me all the time . . . smiling! LOL.

Happy reading out there!

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Hi friends,

Wow! Who knew so many of you had bald eagles in your area! I loved hearing your stories about them. Thanks to:

Scott in Wisconson
Bre in Michigan
Karl near Arkansas River
Lynne in Kansas

I think it's pretty cool that the eagles are making such a comeback. :)

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Your Voice as Self-Defense: Tip #14

This is a great self-defense tip for those who may feel shy and unsure of themselves. It doesn't require any special skills and is easy to practice. Plus, if you can learn to project confidence when you speak, you can divert an attacker before the attack even happens.

You've probably all seen some type of karate practice where the students let out loud "kiai" cries as they punch and kick.

This yell serves a few purposes:
• helps them hit harder
• tightens their core muscles to protect against getting hit
• can intimidate their opponents

When I teach self-defense seminars, the girls and women often think it's a bit silly to let out a karate yell. I remember a fit of giggling when I tried teaching a 'kaia' to a group of teenage girls.

So, we picked a compromise: a short direct phrase that lets an attacker know that you're serious. Here are a few of their favorites:
• Back off!
• Jerk!
• No!

Pick one you like and practice it in the mirror. Meet the attacker's eyes and bark out the command with as much force as possible.

You can combine the command with a strike if someone has already grabbed or attacked you. Or you can preempt an attack before it happens.

Example scenario: Heading to your car after a movie, you notice a man watching you from a bench. After you walk by, he stands and begins to follow you. You stop and turn to face him. He meets your gaze and you feel threatened. You quickly figure out the best path to get around him and back to the crowded movie theater.

Meeting his eyes, you lift up one hand and tell him to, "Back off!"

He looks startled, and his eyes go wide as he stops. He mumbles something and then with a shrug, he shakes his head and walks away.

Keeping an eye on your surroundings, you hurry back to the theatre and ask someone to accompany you to your car.

A confident voice and demeanor can discourage an attacker before he engages.

Stay safe out there and I hope you're enjoying your summer!
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Misty's Writing Update:

This week I dug into Amazon and Bookbub to find a bunch of authors who write similar post-apocalyptic fiction so I could send advertising to their readers.

I also brushed up on some of my image creation skills - thanks to my graphic design daughter - and designed a handful of advertising images. Hopefully they'll grab people's attention!

It's quite a different skill set compared to the author side of the business.

It draws on my inner marketing and business persona, which I also enjoy.

So, we'll see how well I can pull it off. In any case, I'm always learning!

Happy reading this week!

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

P.S. Click below to follow me on Bookbub so you'll be notified when my new books come out:
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Hi friends,

Good news! Deadly Escape, the second book in our Virus series is coming out on Friday. Thanks to all of you who've already pre-ordered the book!



Deadly Escape: Book 2 in Escaping the Virus

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How do you get out of a grab? Hit first! Self-defense Tip #15

So, you've probably heard the old adage that the best defense is a good offense. Turns out that works pretty well in self-defense situations, too.

Now, the caveat here is that the best choice is always to avoid or get away from the dangerous situation first, if you can.

But let's say someone has grabbed you and is pulling you into a room, toward a deserted area or even into a vehicle.

Most people's first reaction is to focus on the grab and try to break free. They'll jerk their arm back if someone has grabbed their wrist or try to wrench their shirt free of an attacker's grip.

It turns out, there a much easier way to make someone let go of you.

Hit them. And make it hurt.

Once you decide you need to fight back, make sure to move fast, strike hard and without warning.

Instead of trying to pull your arm free, use the other to snap a fast heel palm right to the nose or slam the side of your hand into their throat.

You can stomp hard on the top of their foot and even add a scrape down the shin to this move.

The goal is to cause sudden unexpected pain in your attacker, which makes them instinctively let go of you to protect themselves.

That's when you take off, running toward a safer and more populated area.

It's a simple and very effective technique: Cause sudden pain in your attacker and they're likely to let go long enough for you to escape. :D

Stay safe out there!

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Misty's Writing Update:

Searching for Shelter has 193 reviews! Almost 200! I can't believe it. :D

Neither Steph or I has ever had 200 reviews on a single book.

So, if any of you have a few minutes to help us reach this awesome milestone, we'd love it:

Review Searching for Shelter!

And in the next few weeks we've got a few more books coming out:
• July 30th: Deadly Escape: Virus #2
• Aug 20th: Searching for Victory: Aftermath #6 and Finale
• Sept 19th: Deadly Rescue: Virus #3

Check out all my books here!

I hope you're enjoying some fun summer reads!

Happy reading this week!

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Hi friends,

We said goodbye to our third this week as he left on a two-year, self-funded mission trip for our church.



There were more than a few tears at the airport as we said goodbye, particularly the six-year-old who doesn't like change. As we drove away, she tearfully insisted that she wanted him to be 17 again . . . so he wouldn't be leaving yet. :(

I can't believe I've sent three adults off into the world now. The house feels a bit empty with only three kids left at home. :)

And, thanks again, for your tips on staying connected with adult children. Using social media and scheduling virtual visits on the calendar were two of my favorites.
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Back hammer fist: Self-defense Tip #16

This is one of my favorite moves to teach in a self-defense seminar, because if you can swing your arms while walking, you already know how to do this move.

Basically, you clench your fist and then swing it swiftly down and back to hit an attacker's groin or inner leg.

It works best against a rear grab where the attacker has pinned your arms and thinks you can no longer use them to fight back.

Wrong.

1. Take a small step to the side with your left foot (if you're left-handed, flip these instructions). This puts your opponent's groin directly behind your right arm and hand.
2. Close your right fist and swing down with a fast, hard blow, like you're trying to drive a hammer into his groin or thigh = thus the name: hammer fist.
3. Simultaneously yell or make noise to attract attention and help yourself hit harder.
4. Hopefully the sudden pain causes the attacker to let go.
5. Get out of there, fast.
6. If you're still not free, try using a head butt with the back of your head, a back elbow strike, or a hard stomp to the top of their foot. (These have been mentioned in previous newsletters)

Your goal is to cause as much pain as fast as possible until you're free and can escape.

Practice: Have a friend hold up an old couch cushion or a rolled up sleeping bag and stand directly behind you. Practice the step to the side, followed by the strike and yell. Repeat until you feel confident.

Then try with a friend grabbing you strongly from behind. Practice again, but don't actually hit your friend. This is to train yourself not to panic when being grabbed and to instinctively fight back with an effective move.

Good luck and stay safe out there!

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Misty's Writing Update:

Remember last week I was going to try writing more than one first chapters of my new litrpg series?

LOL.

I wrote chapter one . . . and then chapter two . . . and then started chapter three.

I don't know if I want to try a different chapter one, because I like the one I came up with.

But I think I'll still force myself to do it, as an experiment, anyway.

Then my plan is to have my teenage boys and my husband (who all love reading Brandon Sanderson) read the two and give me a verdict.

Stay tuned!

In other writing news, Deadly Rescue, the third and final book in our Escaping the Virus trilogy is almost here. Ten more days!!



Steph and I are pretty excited about how well the series has done. You're the best readers, especially those of you who took the extra time to post a review!

You're the best!

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Hi friends,

Wow! I'm loving being a grandma, but I kind of forgot how tiring the interrupted sleep thing is. LOL. Turns out sleep math is strange. 2 hours of sleep plus 3 hours of sleep plus another 3 hours is NOT the same as 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep in a row!

But when tiny, adorable eyes are staring up at me at 3 in the morning . . . it's heart-melting!

Hopefully my little granddaughter will figure out the day/night thing pretty soon so all of us can be a little more well-rested.

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Self-defense Tip #17
Being rude can be safer!

Women are often trained to be polite and accommodating in social situations, but that can backfire when being targeted by a predator.

In those cases, learning to say 'No' forcefully, holding up a hand to stop someone, or simply leaving a dangerous situation - all somewhat 'rude' behaviors - can be life-saving.

I'll give you a few ideas to mull over and let me know what you think:

1. Your date asks, "Can I come in for a few minutes?" You've been feeling uncomfortable with him all evening. The polite thing would be to acquiesce . . . but not the safest. Instead, give him a confident 'No' followed by moving into your house and locking the door. No explanation necessary. Trust your instincts!
2. "Excuse me, miss?" asks a man in a polite voice while approaching you in a dark parking lot as you walk to your car. Politeness would dictate that you stop and see what he wants. It would be safer to ignore the man or shake your head as you continue on your way without stopping. You are under no obligation to stop and talk.
3. A co-worker at a party leans in for a hug you don't want. Do you suffer through it with long-suffering politeness? No! Instead try one of these: side-step, use a humorous 'Not happening' if you're having a hard time with being too abrupt, or even a quick heel palm to the chest, just solid enough to interrupt his motion will work wonders.

Many women have been drilled on polite manners throughout their lives until it is second nature, and the confident but abrupt actions listed above will sound difficult and even wrong.

If you've felt that way before, take some time to run through a few example scenarios and find ways that you can stand up for yourself and stay safe.

If you have a scenario you need suggestions about, just ask! I'd love give you a few ideas or see what our readers can come up with collectively . . . maybe a new "Ask Misty" feature. :)

Or if you've been in a situation where being forceful and strong (sometimes called rude) has helped protect you and get you out of a bad situation, please share with all of us. Success stories are encouraging!

It's not rude to stay safe!

I hope this concept is helpful to mentally prepare ahead of time to stop a dangerous situation from escalating. Be safe first, and polite second. :)

***

Well, new mom and I are trading off during the night so we're both a bit sleep deprived, but smiling all the time at the new cutie.

I hope you're having a happy week!

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Misty's Writing Update:

Baby is off to her first doctor's visit. I've turned on some music and am enjoying pounding out another chapter in my book. I find that upbeat music seems to help the words flow better and the story grow faster.

What about you? Do you work to music? I could use some suggestions for upbeat tunes that would be a good backdrop to writing action scenes.

And I'm also really enjoying this world building after spending so long writing in "the real world" during my post-apoc series. With this one, I can pretty much make it all up - the tech, the transportation, the food, the monsters, the laws, the magic . . . all of it! :)

While it is definitely more time-consuming than writing a story set in a current American city like St. Louis, it's really a burst of creative freedom that makes me smile.

Enjoy your reading this week!

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Hi friends,

I hope the new year is treating you well and anyone sick or with illness in the family recovers quickly!

And a quick note: if you'd like Amazon to let you know when my new books come out - go here and click the "Follow" button under my name.

Misty Zaugg Amazon Page

Today's self-defense tip is a quick and simple one.

If you're paid much attention to self-defense ideas, chances are you're heard about putting your keys between your fingers and using a "Wolverine" fist to strike out at an attacker.

As I've always recommended with new techniques, please test and practice them for yourself - gently, at first please. If you try striking like this against a rolled-up towel, you'll quickly find that the keys often shift up and down like levers and can hurt or cut the skin between your fingers.

Even worse, the head of the key will dig quite painfully into the inside of your palm, worse the harder you hit.

The third reason this technique is a bad idea? You have to get close enough to punch an attacker to use it.

Instead, the time you spend carefully interlacing the keys between your fingers during a dangerous situation should probably be spent running toward safety.

If you'd really like to use your keys to help you fight back, here are a few more practical ideas:

1. Hold them so one pokes out the back or pinky side of your fist, like an ice pick. Works well when jabbing an attacker who comes from behind to grab you. The sharp pain will hopefully make him let go so you can escape.
2. Hold the keys with a single one held by the thumb against the joint of your closed index finger, like you would hold a knife to stab forward. Similar to a knife, it can be used to jab at face, eyes, hands and other vulnerable places not protected by clothing and muscle.
3. Create a ranged weapon. You know those long lanyards people like to attach to their large bundle of keys. Those are a perfect weapon to sue from a distance. Lash out with the bundle of keys toward the face, head and hands from a distance, giving you a better shot of getting away.
4. The best way to use your keys is to have the correct one ready so you can quickly enter your car or house without needing to pause in a vulnerable position for very long. Make sure to keep an eye on your environment as you're opening the lock. A back kick can be very effective from this position if attacked from behind. But more on that next time! :)

Good luck on preparing and building confidence in defending yourself. Each little step helps!

Enjoy your new year!
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Misty's Writing Update:

I'm back!

I had a very nice 3k day this week where the story kept flowing so well, I just ignored the list of things I needed to do.

Taking my diabetes and kidney stone medication a few hours late is not a good thing, but I'll try to do better next time.

My main character in the story, a teenage street kid, has finally arrived at the mage academy as a conscripted student who has unlocked a secret magic no one has seen for generations.

He's cagey enough to know he needs to hide it, and the chapter I just wrote listed out all the class and training options for the first-year mages. It was pretty fun to brainstorm how you would go about training mages to get strong as quickly as possible in an empire short on mages and being overrun by hordes of beasts.

So, a question for my fantasy academy fans out there. What kind of classes would you love to see in a magic academy?

Shoot me some suggestions and they just might make it into the story!

Happy reading this week!

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Hi friends,

I love hearing from you and enjoy your feedback on my newsletters. Please keep writing.

In response to my self-defense tips, a reader mentioned how empathy might help turn an enemy into an ally - and I agree!

Many times, showing a bit of kindness or understanding can help defuse a volatile situation. Recognizing cues and body language can also aid in recognizing early warning signs when discussion can still be effective.

I hope I've always made it clear that deciding to use violence to defend oneself is a very personal choice, and I support wherever anyone on the spectrum someone chooses to stand.

Personally, I consider hurting someone else as the very last resort, only to be used after doing my best to recognize and avoid dangerous situations, talking my way out or just leaving an escalating confrontation.

Would you be surprised to hear that I've never used my martial art skills "in real life" to fight off an attacker?

And yet, they have kept me safe on many specific occasions. Both my knowledge, confidence and negotiating skills have enabled me to avoid and/or exit situations that could have turned dangerous.

My heart hurts to know that 1 in 6 women in America is a victim of a completed or attempted rape, and I plan to always use the bit of influence I have to teach women and girls how to protect themselves from that horrific experience.

I'm curious what you think? How can we both be safe and also try to exemplify the decent values we try to pattern our lives after?

Food for thought.

And on a more practical note, it is valuable to decide your personal comfort level with violence and fighting back before you find yourself in a dangerous situation where hesitation might make the decision for you.

Please be safe! <3
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Misty's Writing Update:
So, what would you think of a magic academy class that mixed meditation with a study of anatomy? Plus, a medical torso model named Freddy? LOL

Well, if mage students want to use their elements to heal their bodies during battles, they'd better know what exactly is under their skin. No cheater healing spells in my books!

How else would I get to slip some fun medicine and anatomy into my stories?

Oh, and are you curious about the inspiration for Freddy?


He is based on the medical torso I bought to teach my kids anatomy while homeschooling. He's made of painted plastic and full of realistic organs all fitted together like a 3D puzzle under the skin and rib cage front piece.

Too bad none of my kids were medically inclined and mostly endured my lessons with grimaces and wincing.

I wonder if they'll be appalled or think it's funny that Freddy has made an appearance in one of my books. :D

What do you think?

Happy reading this week!

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website