Mercy - the Canadian Oxford Dictionary explains the noun as: 1. compassion or forbearance shown to a powerless person, esp. an offender or one with no claim to kindness. 2. the disposition to forgive or show compassion; mercifulness. 3. an act of mercy.
Kindness - definition also from the Canadian Oxford Dictionary: 1. the state or quality of being kind. 2. a kind act.
The act of mercy and bestowing of kindness are linked. But is it compassion or is it empathy that compels the giver-of-mercy/kindness to act? Or both? In the sequel to my novel, The Twisted Climb - Darkness Descends, the 18-year-old main character Jayden is placed in a situation where she can justifiably walk away and provide no kindness, no mercy. But the situation involves her mother. Her demanding, alcoholic mother. The gut-wrenching scene depicts Jayden's mom in a bitter and alcohol-fueled rage as she destroys an item of value. Jayden, who is also a demanding and often bully-ish person, must make a choice. Be bully or be nice? Should she extend mercy to her mom - who does not deserve a merciful act of forgiveness? Or should she respond with similar brutality and unkindness.
This was one of the toughest scenes to put together. Most of The Twisted Climb series involves action and adventure, while the drama revolves mainly around Jayden's home life with her mom. So, what would you do? Show mercy or dole out retaliation?
HEADS UP!
Book 2 from The Twisted Climb action/adventure/fantasy series
has been released!
The Twisted Climb - Darkness Descends
is available online and later this summer
through Chapters/Indigo stores.
Make sure to ask for it!
J.C. Kavanagh
The Twisted Climb, voted BEST Young Adult Book 2016, P&E Readers' Poll
AND
The Twisted Climb - Darkness Descends (Book 2)
Novels for teens, young adults and adults young at heart.
Email: author.j.c.kavanagh@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/J.C.Kavanagh
www.amazon.com/author/jckavanagh
Twitter @JCKavanagh2 (Author J.C. Kavanagh)
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