What do you do when writing battle scenes?

[BolianAuthor]

Nerys Ghemor,

In regards to the actual writing o a battle, scene... I try to just write it as if I were describing a battle scene from TV... just try to write as visually as possible, and keep the pacing of the battle consistent to what you would see on TV.

In my own experience, Star Trek and BSG have very different styles of depicting battles, and I try to emphasize the visual traits of each, when writing either Trek or BSG battle scene.

Also, it helps me to "get in the mood", by listening to fitting music... with Trek, I listen to Adiemus, or the ID4 soundtrack... with BSG, I listen to Aqua Vitae. Hope this helps a bit.

-BolianAdmiral

 

[captcalhoun]

i try to be as visual as possible as well. possibly why my characters tend to be rather paper-thin and 2D at best.

i really ought to be either a scriptwriter or a comics writer...

 

[Gibraltar]

Nerys Ghemor,

In regards to the actual writing o a battle, scene... I try to just write it as if I were describing a battle scene from TV... just try to write as visually as possible, and keep the pacing of the battle consistent to what you would see on TV.

In my own experience, Star Trek and BSG have very different styles of depicting battles, and I try to emphasize the visual traits of each, when writing either Trek or BSG battle scene.

Also, it helps me to "get in the mood", by listening to fitting music... with Trek, I listen to Adiemus, or the ID4 soundtrack... with BSG, I listen to Aqua Vitae. Hope this helps a bit.

-BolianAdmiral

BolianAdmiral brings up a great point. Music can be a wonderful creative aid in crafting action sequences and combat scenes. The tempo can put you in the correct mindset to articulate the necessary action and carnage.

 

[fleetcaptain]

I honestly believe music does help you out in a way. Whenever I'm listening to it and if say I have an idea about something, I will either write it down or draw something since I'm an artist and have something going on in my head. But I guess it also depends on what type of music it might be.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

I've already got music picked out for the space battle (though if I say what music, it WILL provide a spoiler as to the maneuvers in question).

But for the ground battle...I'm not quite sure. What music have others used that works?

BTW, I did start filling in the space interludes that take place during the ground battle...writing out of sequence is helping some. But the ground part still doesn't want to move quite so much.

 

[BrotherBenny]

Clint Mansell's original "Requiem for a Dream" has a very dirge-like quality and is perfect for a battle sequence IMO. That track especially but the whole album is brilliant.

 

[BolianAuthor]

I've already got music picked out for the space battle (though if I say what music, it WILL provide a spoiler as to the maneuvers in question).

But for the ground battle...I'm not quite sure. What music have others used that works?

BTW, I did start filling in the space interludes that take place during the ground battle...writing out of sequence is helping some. But the ground part still doesn't want to move quite so much.

When I was writing the massive ground battle on Betazed, for the Entomalians story, I listened to a LOT of Ennino Morricone... especially the theme from The Mission. That really helped a lot.

When writing the Entomalians saga, I found myself listening to mostly 3 artists... Adiemus, David Arnold (ID4), and Phil Collins. When I write for BSG Urantia, I listen to any of the BSG albums available, Aqua Vitae, or Enoch Train. Now that I've been writing Shades of Gray, I find myself listening to a LOT of Enya's new Christmas album, as well as some Danny Elfman, and Vangelis. If I were to assign an "opening title theme" to Shades of Gray, it would be Aquatic Dance, by Vangelis.

-BolianAdmiral

 

[Gibraltar]

One of my martial favorites is Promentory from the Last of the Mohicans soundtrack: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1ryJDVuZ6k

And I'll second you on the excellence of The Mission soundtrack, which is also one of my favorites (though strangely, I've never actually seen the movie).

 

[SLWalker]

At least one of the Braveheart soundtrack, maybe more. Some of those get the blood going.

 

[Admiral2]

I have an action mix I play in a loop. Among the songs are Will Smith's "I'm Coming!", 2Unlimited's "Are You Ready For This?" and the main theme from "24".