The Eight Sentences:
“Abortion isn’t my choice.”
“Why not, I thought you were pro-choice.”
“You’ve known me a long time, Debert, I believe a woman should be free to choose—so I made a choice. You know how I was raised and by whom—you know my religious background is nonexistent, what I know about man and God and law I’ve learned in classes and from books I’ve read. How many people do you know that can say that 100% of their visits to churches have been as tourists?”
“None.”
“I’ve visited courtrooms to study body language, seating arrangements and behavior more than I’ve been into churches, and speaking of body language, when I can feel something inside me kicking and moving around on its own, without my conscious influence, well, for me, that’s life and I’m not going to end it. You never know, it could turn out to be the president one day — or better yet, a great world leader.”
The Back Story:
At this point in her life, Claudia has already made a career choice and has two notches on her gun. For more on her decision to kill for a living but to give birth to her child, please check out my wife’s blog HERE.
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November 15, 2014
FCEtier
FCEtier 
33 responses to “Claudia chooses life and death”
FCEtier
November 19th, 2014 at 06:39
Thanks to everyone who has commented.
Your thoughts have bolstered my confidence in my ability to deal with controversial subjects.
ED Martin
November 18th, 2014 at 22:44
I like how she presented her choice – very strongly without being confrontational.
Although I’ll second a previous comment – generally abortions are done in the first trimester, and kicking isn’t usually felt until halfway through the second trimester. Maybe she hears the heartbeat instead (usually happens late in the first trimester) and that’s what solidifies her decision?
FCEtier
November 19th, 2014 at 06:37
No room in 8 sentences to explain, and I should have mentioned in the back story, at the time of this snippet, Claudia was in her third trimester.
jtsuruoka
November 18th, 2014 at 17:45
Excellent… you pretty much captured the whole crux of the issue in a very short space.
caitlinstern
November 17th, 2014 at 01:10
I bet it will be interesting, growing up with her as a mom!
FCEtier
November 17th, 2014 at 06:01
Yikes! I should have included the fact that Claudia put the child up for adoption in the back story. It was covered in a previous snippet. Sorry.
Nurses and doctor took the child in the delivery room to another floor for exam and lawyer for adoptive parents took the child home as soon as docs cleared it to leave. Claudia never saw the child nor knew its sex.
caitlinstern
November 17th, 2014 at 15:22
That’s definitely the safer choice for the baby, I’d say. She’d be a dangerous mom to have.
catherinewinther
November 16th, 2014 at 19:07
Powerful and professional writing. Really wonderful stuff.
kelworthfiles
November 16th, 2014 at 18:03
Nice! Yes, I agree that part of the right to choose is the right to choose to have a baby even under less than ‘ideal’ circumstances. Great character moment, thanks for sharing.
emmygatrell
November 16th, 2014 at 17:34
Great snippet! I love learning more about her.
Karysa Faire
November 16th, 2014 at 17:02
I agree with all the comments above, 100%!
Just wanted to add that abortions generally happen before a woman could feel the movement of the fetus/child/baby, especially if it’s a first pregnancy.
veronicascott
November 16th, 2014 at 16:03
Your character definitely comes across as a full blown human being. Nicely done, weighty subjects.
elainecsc2013
November 16th, 2014 at 15:04
Tweeted and FB.
FCEtier
November 16th, 2014 at 15:16
Thanks for the shares!
elainecsc2013
November 16th, 2014 at 15:01
I wouldn’t have expected this from Claudia. She has a great deal of depth.
FCEtier
November 16th, 2014 at 15:16
Claudia is full of surprises!
I’m happy that so many are getting to know her well enough to react as you did.
Teresa Cypher
November 16th, 2014 at 13:45
I like Claudia’s character. This was something I didn’t know about her. A controversial subject, for sure. You like to tackle them, huh? You do a good job of presenting them. Your wife’s post was a good one as well. 🙂
FCEtier
November 16th, 2014 at 15:06
Thanks, Teresa.
We baby boomers seem to all have a bit of renegade in our genes. We grew up before political correctness was born. In the deep South, we called it “manners.” But even good manners never prevented bringing up touchy subjects.
Thanks for checking out my wife’s blog — it was her first after a year’s hiatus — a year without writing.
burnsmillie
November 16th, 2014 at 12:33
Love it Chip. Last line made me chuckle : )
FCEtier
November 16th, 2014 at 12:49
Yeah, Millie, that last line sums up my thoughts on politics! LOL
Karen Michelle Nutt
November 16th, 2014 at 11:53
Love the reasoning behind the decision. Enjoyed the snippet.
Cecilia Corona
November 16th, 2014 at 11:19
Great snippet as always!
Lisa Medley
November 16th, 2014 at 10:48
Our body, our choice. Still not an easy decision. Great 8!
Frank Fisher
November 16th, 2014 at 10:45
Great story for such a controversial topic. I agree that every woman has the right to choose. Good snippet 😀
Author Charmaine Gordon
November 16th, 2014 at 09:28
Powerful eight. ‘feel something inside kicking and moving on it’s own’ touched me. She’s a many faceted woman. A killer in every sense but the most important one.
Sarah W
November 16th, 2014 at 08:47
Siobhan put it best, Chip—the right to choose is the right to choose the best choice for one’s own personal circumstances.
I also like how this isn’t really an argument, but a statement of fact. It’s very Claudia. 🙂
FCEtier
November 16th, 2014 at 08:50
Thanks for the comment about the argument. I like to bring up controversial topics from one character’s point of view in an effort to make readers examine their own choices. In “The Presidents Club,” I had about a dozen characters to work with. Fun and challenging!
chellecordero
November 16th, 2014 at 03:05
Very well thought out reasoning, almost pragmatic. I like that she has made a coice on what she feels is right for her and not because a group tells her which way to think. Great snippet, a very interesting character.
nicolettehugowriter
November 16th, 2014 at 00:43
I love a character that has their own moral code….its always so interesting to get into their head. Great snippet.
Patricia Preston
November 15th, 2014 at 22:00
Great snippet. I think the character shows both wisdom and understanding of the path she decides to take.
Iris B
November 15th, 2014 at 21:52
Dang that’s a great argument …. love today’s snippet Chip! Well done.
siobhanmuir
November 15th, 2014 at 20:05
It is every woman’s right to choose, and no two will make the same choice or for the same reasons. Good snippet, Chip. 🙂
Jennifer Reynolds
November 15th, 2014 at 19:19
Interesting snippet. I like the way she sees life. 🙂