I wasn't sure where to put this thread sot I'm putting it here. I need some advice I'm hoping you guys can supply. I'm writing my first full-length novel. It's going okay but I need some help about writing action scenes and character POV. It is a fantasy story about three adventurers. I have no problem writing scenes from the POV of one character as long as the scene is dialogue-driven. However, often my three characters get into fights with enemies and all three of them are engaged in battle at the same time. How is the best way to write this? Should I write the same fight/action scene three times from three different POVs? Should I stick with one POV? Should I write the scene once with section breaks to differentiate the three POVs? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Writing Action Scenes
- Thread starter kitamurafan
- Start date
Hi, fellow first time novelist! I'm just about to cross the 70,000 word mark on my first novel, which has some fantasy elements and action scenes as well.
I don't know how good my advice will be, as I've not taking a writing class since my freshmen essay writing workshop at NYU almost ten years ago, and as this is the first time I've attempted to write a story longer than a 200 word early reader picture book, but I can at least off my method, in hopes that you could pull something from it. When I write action I watch it in my head first, like watching a movie. You might even want to watch a few well-shot action sequences in films and take note of what the director does: when does he use wide shots? When does he use character POV? Enemy POV? etc.
The following is just opinion, and is very general since I obviously have not read your specific text, so take it as just some general guidelines. I would definitely avoid writing out the action sequence in its entirety from each character's perspective, unless you are specifically trying to make a point about how their perspectives vary. Otherwise readers will be bored reading the same scene three times over, especially when the pacing of your writing should be at its quickest to move the action forward and to promote a sense of urgency. Either choose one character through whom we can experience the scene or, if you are writing in a true third person and thus can switch between perspectives, then write pieces of the fight from each of their view points and weave them together to form the complete scene.
I don't know how good my advice will be, as I've not taking a writing class since my freshmen essay writing workshop at NYU almost ten years ago, and as this is the first time I've attempted to write a story longer than a 200 word early reader picture book, but I can at least off my method, in hopes that you could pull something from it. When I write action I watch it in my head first, like watching a movie. You might even want to watch a few well-shot action sequences in films and take note of what the director does: when does he use wide shots? When does he use character POV? Enemy POV? etc.
The following is just opinion, and is very general since I obviously have not read your specific text, so take it as just some general guidelines. I would definitely avoid writing out the action sequence in its entirety from each character's perspective, unless you are specifically trying to make a point about how their perspectives vary. Otherwise readers will be bored reading the same scene three times over, especially when the pacing of your writing should be at its quickest to move the action forward and to promote a sense of urgency. Either choose one character through whom we can experience the scene or, if you are writing in a true third person and thus can switch between perspectives, then write pieces of the fight from each of their view points and weave them together to form the complete scene.
I wrote a Duckman Fan Fic just for the heck of it.
SND EFX: Ambiet Noise 'Shopping'
SND EFX: Ambiet Noise 'Shopping'
That's just subtle action.
Page 1/1
Scene 1/1
Duckman
Bernice
Ajax
Bernice
Ajax
SND EFX: Ambiet Noise 'Shopping'
Int Shopping Mall Day
SND EFX: Ambiet Noise 'Shopping'
Duckman and Bernice can be seen standing
in the middlle of a shopping mall.
in the middlle of a shopping mall.
Ajax walks into shot and into Duckman.
Duckman
Hello son.
Hello son.
Ajax
Oh hi dad...
Oh hi dad...
That's just subtle action.
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Like anything else, there's no one way to write action scenes-- and, like anything else, the thing to focus on is what's important to the scene and the tone of the novel. And, if it's in the first person, it has to be consistent with the voice of the character. Is it a blood & thunder novel? Then you focus on the cracking bones and flying teeth. Is it character driven? Then you focus on the pain and feelings motivating the fight. Is there some immediacy to the action, like escape or rescue? Focus on the desperation. Is it a dramatic story? Evoke sympathy for the injured characters. Is it a lighthearted tale? Write slapstick .
If there are multiple viewpoints, you can switch back and forth, but refrain from telling the same event over again unless there is specific reason. And short, pithy sentences work best with action.
If there are multiple viewpoints, you can switch back and forth, but refrain from telling the same event over again unless there is specific reason. And short, pithy sentences work best with action.
Action scenes are hard to write so I have no specific advice except to say in regards to
Unless it's like Rashoman. That was pretty cool.
"almost definitely not."
Unless it's like Rashoman. That was pretty cool.
If you want to read a good fight sequence, see if you can get a hold of 'The California Voodoo Game' by Larry Niven & Steven Barnes, part of the Dream Park series (check 'em out, they're good). Right at the end of the novel, there's a fight between two of the main male characters. It's very clearly describe and you can see the action unspooling in your head like a movie. Very well written.
I say, write a fight scene, specify particular blows that motivate the character to strike back i.e. He hit Him so Him hit He back; or specify anything that effects the character i.e. He hit Him giving Him a black eye.
I just invented two characters for the point of this demonstration and named them He and Him.
I just invented two characters for the point of this demonstration and named them He and Him.
I just finished writing my first fight. I've written a couple of action sequences for this book already, but this is the first one in which my main character (whom I am writing in limited third-person) is directly involved -- prior to this she's only witnessed acts of violence. Interesting experience trying to keep the action going while reflecting on her motivations as she fought.
I also neglected to mention that run-on sentences can be useful in action sequences, to convey a feeling of breathlessness.
And this is the first I've heard of "The Dream Park Series." I read Dream Park about thirty years ago and had no idea there were sequels.
And this is the first I've heard of "The Dream Park Series." I read Dream Park about thirty years ago and had no idea there were sequels.
Write the fight as This Fighter and That Fighter jump through the Air kicking Blah-De-Blah's and Blah-De-Bloom's rear. - Unless you wish to choreograph this fight or if anything happens to the plot because of this fight, I wouldn't worry too much about detail.
Be creative, say flew instead of jumped and so forth...
Be creative, say flew instead of jumped and so forth...
Make sure to add special effects. "This Fighter kicked That Fighter in the testicles so hard that he lifted That Fighter completely off the ground; as That Fighter screamed like a castrated pig, This Fighter reached out with his free hand and plucked That Fighter's right eye out of its socket and plopped it into That Fighter's open, screaming mouth, which was slammed shut on his own eyeball as This Fighter uppercut That Fighter in midair at the apex of his crotch-rocketed flight..."
You can just hear the crunch of exploding scrotums and the plop of squished eyeballs.
You can just hear the crunch of exploding scrotums and the plop of squished eyeballs.
Sweet. I'll be adding those to my list.
I love Pulp writing.
I should also add that in some stories, the action detracts from the plot. In at least one instance I can think of, I simply stated "Bedlam erupted" or something and then cut to the aftermath. Of course, if the story is intended to be action oriented, that's probably not the approach to take.
i never forget Greg Cox saying about adapting Underworld movies into novels and how fight scenes were scripted. "she kicks ass" - somehow he had to turn that into narrative...
i write great action scenes, but my characters are paper thin...
i write great action scenes, but my characters are paper thin...
Wow. I saw the first Underworld movie and almost fell asleep during that opening 20-minute gun battle. Kudos to him if he could turn that into something readable.
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