February 24, 2016

F – Fighting Chance + Excerpt




The Fighting Chance is Beth’s studio where she teaches self-defense. She’s had her studio for five years and is widely respected among those in her line of business throughout Central Florida. She started out as a student when a girl she knew was raped and killed. Later she became an assistant and then became an instructor.

Helping others, showing them how brave and strong they can be is her mission. She hates to see women and children abused and strives to give them all a fighting chance.

Here’s an excerpt in Donovan’s perspective as he views her class.

Excerpt:

The sun was submerging into the horizon, leaking oranges and pinks across the sky. Seeing such a beautiful sunset brought back the memory of the bruised skies from Hurricane Sabrina’s bulking mass.

Amazing how nature can reward us with beautiful things one moment then punish us on a whim.

He entered the studio to the sound of sneakers pounding the blue mat and gloved hands punching protective gear. Corissa, Beth’s front desk receptionist, a young woman with 24-karat gold hair and diamond eyes—a pale gray bordering on translucence—beamed at him as she put down her psychology book.

He glanced at the blue mat where Beth coached seven people on how to get out of a bear hug by lifting their elbows and rotating from side to side as fast as they could. Some connected with the head of their attacker and others didn’t, but the objective was to loosen the hold around their middle so they could spin out of the hug, grab their attacker, and finish with a knee to the groin.

Donovan had been amazed when he saw Beth’s studio the first time. She had done a great job creating her business and studio. White walls with purple words—Strength, Rise, Strive, Live—encouraged her students as they learned to protect themselves. At the far end of the room, Beth had turned the wall into a slate of signatures. Everyone who had ever set foot on the blue mat had signed his or her name. Quite a lot of names were already scribbled in permanent marker.




To read more of these scenes, pre-order Seismic Crimes on Amazon.




QUESTION: If it were real, would you go to Beth’s studio?


34 comments:

  1. You betcha. A girl needs to know how to protect herself. :-)

    sherry @ fundinmental

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  2. I think I would; I agree that a girl (and guys too) need to learn how to protect themselves.

    betty

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    1. Yes! There are men and women in her class. :D

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  3. Everyone should learn how to better protect themselves. Glad we get to see more into her world of self defence.

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    1. We even get to see into Donovan's world of monster truck driving a little. :)

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  4. Truthfully? I'd pull up a Youtube video and learn. =) Not that I wouldn't love to get out a little, but I'm pretty confined these days.

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    1. YouTube videos are helpful. I watched several to learn how to write defense moves.

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  5. Great excerpt, Chrys!! I'm sorry, but I won't be visiting the studio. The last time I stepped into one, I managed the lesson then tripped on the mat and badly sprained my ankle :):) Couldn't walk for weeks :) But I might pop in for a healthy shake if there's one going :)

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    1. Ouch! I wouldn't blame you. Straining an ankle isn't fun.

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  6. I'd probably break myself lol but it would be fun to learn and sounds like one I'd go to if real.

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    1. I think I'd break myself too but I do like to do beginners kick boxing, so it'd be fun.

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  7. bruised skies. Love it. That's some excellent imagery!!!

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  8. I would go to Beth's studio. Self defense is important, especially in a big city.

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    1. Awesome! I bet you'd be one of her top students. :)

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  9. My wife knows some self-defense, but fortunately she's never tried that trick to getting out of a bear hug on me.

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    1. That's good. Wouldn't want you to get hurt. :p

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  10. Have you heard of Damsel in Distress? I think that's what it's called. It's a line of self defense items marketed to women.

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  11. Love this idea! Should be a high school class or two for young girls. They need to be taught early on, not only the dangers but how to deal with them! And as far as I'm concerned the earlier the better!

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    1. Beth started going to self-defense classes in high school because a girl she knew was killed. I agree, there should be self-defense part of gym class.

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  12. And interesting studio, but what's going to happen... I would probably go although I've never been much for martial arts or self-defense classes (but for some weird reason, I dreamed about buying boxing gloves the other night)

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    1. And Beth could teach you how to use those boxing gloves. ;)

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  13. I'd be interested in paying a visit, though there are probably certain things I couldn't do on account of my metal hardware in my right leg. When my best friend and I were being bothered by a bully in fifth grade, her mother taught us how to punch just in case he ever tried anything when he was following us on the way to her house.

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    1. There would be things I wouldn't be able to do with the metal in my back. We could do our best! :D

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  14. Sure, I would. Some time ago, I did consider signing up a self-defence class. But I strain my back very easily these days, so I''d better let it heal first. I think self-defence classes are very important for women, especially those living in big cities.

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    1. Yes, let your back heal first. I know what it's like to have a bad back.

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  15. I defend myself only with words. If that doesn't help, I would run away. I've never been into a physical fight >:)

    Cold As Heaven

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    1. I've never been in a physical fight either, but you never know when you may have to defend yourself.

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