The Write Practice
How to Write a Fight Scene Readers Will Love
Today's guest post is by Stephanie O'Brien. Stephanie is a lifelong fiction author who loves experimenting with different genres, subverting common clichés and tropes, and picking stories apart to see what makes them work. To see more writing tips, as well as Stephanie's novels, comics and music videos, visit her website. You can also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter @Stepha_OBrien.
If your story involves one or more fight scenes, you have a great opportunity.
How to Write a Fight Scene Readers Will Love
You can thrill your audience, change the course of the plot, and reveal new depths to your characters . . . or you can bore your viewers to tears, and make them wish that the battle would please just end already.
Writing a great fight scene can be a challenge, because you can't rely on music, visuals and spectacular explosions the way some movies do. But you can create a battle that not only makes your readers hold their breath, but also impacts their emotions in a way that lingers long after they finish the book.
6 Tips for Writing Better Fight Scenes
I'm going to give you six tips for how to write a fight scene well, so you can keep your audience on the edge of their seats while giving a whole new level of depth to your story and cast.
Tip #1: Use creativity, not just mindless fisticuffs.
Two characters punching each other can be somewhat entertaining, for a few brief moments.
Two characters weaponizing their environment, using their superpowers in unique and clever ways, and coming up with plans to turn their opponent's power against them can be absolutely fascinating, for far longer than that.
When you're writing a fight scene, I encourage you to put some thought into the attacks, and-if it fits the characters' personalities-to have the fighters use the powers and weapons at their disposal in unusual, smart and creative ways, rather than simply hitting or shooting at each other.
And speaking of fitting the characters' personalities . . .
Tip #2: Show off the combatants' personalities.
If a character is stern, practical and disciplined, have that show in their fighting style with efficient movements, precise attacks, and "dirty" but pragmatic tricks.
If they're passionate and fierce, you could have them rush wildly at their opponent, make big and aggressive movements, and try to overwhelm their foe with a frenzied barrage.
Or you could flip that script to show hidden depths in your characters. Maybe Ms. Calm and Practical brings out her wild maniac side in combat, or Mr. Passionate and Fierce suddenly becomes very cold and focused when he gets into a fight.
Using the fight to give your viewers insight into your characters adds an extra layer of detail and interest to the conflict, and it's a great opportunity to show who your character really is in a high-pressure situation.
It also adds an extra level of realism, and show that you've put some thought into how their personality shapes their fighting style.
Tip #3: Use the fight to create character development.
A cocky, competent warrior could discover for the first time that she isn't the top of the food chain; there's something more powerful than her out there, and she has to improve herself, ask for help, or accept defeat.
An uncertain wuss could find that he's stronger than he thought he was, or that his cunning makes up for his lack of courage or brute force.
A person who prides herself on her kindness and gentleness could find a level of darkness and violence in herself that she didn't know existed, or a person who thought he could kill an opponent easily could realize that it isn't so simple when he's required to take a life for the first time.
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Writing tips
RandomJust some tips on writing your novels or stories. I know how hard it can be to start, to create your characters and to keep track of your characters. I wrote this book with the hope that I can help at least one person. Enjoy it! Please note that not...
