Keep Your Enemy Closer by Cher’ley

 This Blog  by Cher’ley Grogg

Sun-tzu Chinese general & military strategist and Al Pachino in the Godfather had something in common. They both knew to “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer”.

In my novel Stamp Out Murder, James met some great friends and some people who were potential enemies. The mayor had a bad reputation and James went into this relationship with one hand in a handshake and the other on his wallet.

1942 Admiral Togo with Surcharge marking the Surrender of Singapore (Photo credit: Vintage Lulu)

It’s important in life and in fiction to know your friends and your enemies. When I’m reading or watching a movie, I hope the friend who is about to betray the hero or heroine will change their mind or will actually be doing the mischief for the good of the protagonist.

Sometimes an enemy may not be drastic, it could be someone who doesn’t understand you, someone who wants your position, or someone who just has a rotten nature. Some people put other people down to build up themselves.

As a child I’d sometimes get in an argument or someone would say something mean to me and my Mom would say, “They are only jealous of you.”  I usually ended up in fights, but I should have followed the advice of “How to Deal With Enemies”. Here are a couple of  suggestions from this site.

1. Ignore whatever they say. They are probably only insulting you because they are jealous. No matter what they say, it can’t offend you unless you let it. Just remember when they say something nasty to you, they want you to react. So pretend you didn’t hear it. Don’t acknowledge them or give them any attention for it. If they continue insulting you or bothering you in any way, walk away from them. Don’t look at them or talk to them; just walk away. After a few times of you doing this they will probably get bored and stop picking on you.
2. Surround yourself with friends and people who like you for who you are. These people will make you feel more confident about yourself and you should realize that it doesn’t matter what haters say as long as you have good friends by your side.

As an adult I practice the second bit of advice. I surround myself with people who like me and with people I enjoy being around. Over the years, I have become close to a large group of people. I sincerely try to like and help everyone and it’s paid off in friends.

But fiction imitates life and most of us have encountered people who have wronged or betrayed us so for those people, I write them into a novel and I apply the following:

• How do you deal with difficult people? 

Stamp Out Murder”.

“The Secret in Grandma’s Trunk” This is an especially good book for your Tween Children and Grandchildren.

And please join me on my Facebook Fanpage, that’s managed by one of my most faithful fans: Cindy Ferrell