Writing strong and engaging action or fight scenes can be a daunting task. However, by following these key tips and tricks, you can keep your readers glued to the page and prevent them from losing interest in your book.
If you are writing any type of thriller, fantasy, adventure, crime, or horror narrative, it is likely that you will include some type of action or fight scene which involves your characters. These sequences are often used for plot resolution and are built up to be extremely important moments in your story.
From shootouts between criminals and police to escaping unusual creatures in a haunted house, there is a wide variety of intense action scenes that could pop up in a story. We’re going to have a look at some broad writing techniques that will guide you in almost all scenarios.
Writing tips for action scenes
Create a sense of urgency and danger
The best action sequences are those that make the reader feel like the characters are in real danger. Use descriptive language to convey the stakes of the scene and create a sense of urgency.
You can also add a ticking clock or a deadline to ratchet up the tension. Great examples of this are in horror movies like Saw, or fantasy adventures like Lord of the Rings. They all have some sort of looming threat that forces the hero to act quickly or there could be dire consequences.
The sense of urgency and danger adds an element of necessity to the character’s task. It is crucial not to overdo this, though, as not every scene needs to have life-and-death stakes. But if you play around with this technique in your writing, you will find ways to balance these moments with intricate character and plot development.
Dialogue in action sequences
Using clever dialogue can be an effective technique for revealing characters and moving the plot forward in these scenes. Through their words and actions, characters can reveal their motivations, desires, and personalities, adding depth and nuance to the scene.
Dialogue can also be used to build tension and suspense, as well as provide moments of humor or levity amidst intense physical action. It’s important to remember that action scenes are often fast-paced and frenetic, so it’s important to keep the dialogue short, punchy, and to the point. This can help to maintain the momentum of the scene and keep readers engaged
When writing dialogue for action scenes, it’s important to consider each character’s unique voice and way of speaking. This can help to differentiate characters and make them feel more real and relatable to readers. Additionally, using subtext can add an extra layer of meaning to the dialogue, as characters might say one thing but mean another.
Show, don’t tell
In an action sequence, it’s important to show the reader what’s happening, rather than simply telling them. These moments should tap into your audience’s creativity and imagination, so give enough details that they can visualize it playing out.
Use vivid imagery and sensory details to paint a picture of the scene and bring it to life. Describe each little movement in detail, this will make the reader feel like they’re right there with the characters, experiencing the action firsthand.
Be aware and focus on the point of view you are writing from. When writing an action-packed moment or fight scene, one mistake is completely leaving a character’s thoughts out of the equation. If you are worried about pacing, briefly explain a weakness or opportunity your character notices instead. You can do this by describing their eyes darting to something they can use to their advantage.
Use short, punchy paragraphs
Action sequences should be fast-paced and frenetic, so it’s important to break up the text into short, punchy paragraphs. This will help create a sense of momentum and keep the reader engaged. Varying the length of your paragraphs can also help create a sense of rhythm and pace.
When it comes to action scenes, readers want a sense of urgency and speed. Short paragraphs can help achieve this, as they make the text more scannable and easier to digest. This is particularly important when you want to convey a quick-moving action scene.
Varying the length of your paragraphs can help create a sense of rhythm and pace. Short paragraphs can help to convey a sense of quick, snappy action and can also make your writing look more visually interesting on the page. This can help to draw the reader’s eye and create a more dynamic reading experience.