Writing I need help with action scenes

[NixolasZinn]

As the title says "I need help with action scenes". More specifically, I need help with shootouts, and in general, what could I use as a reference to help me make them. But saying it right now, I can also use help with fighting scenes with historical weaponry, and well tavern brawls as I actually don't know any of the terms for close-quarters fighting... pretty much, anything that I can use as reference material, mind suggesting it?

 

[Deleted member 29316]

Ever tried reading the classics like LOTR and Narnia? You could get some references there for CQB.

 

[Draculus-del-Viafat]

There's already a thred like this where people share their tips on writing action scenes. That's what I've written there.

When describing a fight, I rarely concentrate on feelings or emotions, but talk about action itself and never go too detailed. I wouldn't write too much about how John raised his hand and swinged it in the air, hitting Frank in the right cheek. I'd just write that John punched Frank in the face and sent him down.
Also I don't use short sebtences in both situations and always try to describe a scene in big ones, but not too big. The common construction will be something like C1's action - C2's feeling - C2's reply action - C1's feeling, and all over again, with some additional details. Both in fight and sex scenes I try to be as natural in depictioning as possible and always try to avoid repetitions, so each new action is actually NEW. I divide scenes into paragraphs, each paragraph is a change in the scene, for example the change in characters' dominance over each other, getting into another position, or using new weapons that wasn't used before.

You can read the thread, maybe it'll help you.
I wouldn't start counting down all the books with good action scenes that I've read in my life (because that's damn a LOT), but I can recommend Leigh Bardugo's books (as she is my favorite author) 'cause she's got great action descriptions in her Grisha Trilogy, and in her Crooked Kingdom there's a whole chapter 27 dedicaded to a guy fighting, check it out, it's called "Inej". I think you can learn a lot from it.

 

[Chad_B]

This is a very good breakdown. Watch it a few times. I usually watch it again right before I'm about to write some action.

 

[vanta_luxe]

For guns, try to describe carnage, such as wood splinters flying, the pause and inevitable reaction after realizing one has been shot, the thoughts one might have while in the middle of a gun battle, the rush to reload and the tension of having to outsmart your enemy.

If your character has special skills, maybe expound on how they use that skill to sway battle in their favor. Just a few thoughts off the top of my head.

 

[NixolasZinn]

Ever tried reading the classics like LOTR and Narnia? You could get some references there for CQB.

Seems like I should finally give those books a read, cheers mate

There's already a thred like this where people share their tips on writing action scenes. That's what I've written there.

You can read the thread, maybe it'll help you.
I wouldn't start counting down all the books with good action scenes that I've read in my life (because that's damn a LOT), but I can recommend Leigh Bardugo's books (as she is my favorite author) 'cause she's got great action descriptions in her Grisha Trilogy, and in her Crooked Kingdom there's a whole chapter 27 dedicaded to a guy fighting, check it out, it's called "Inej". I think you can learn a lot from it.

I figured that out late that there probably would be a thread on it already, but I wanted to ask as a just in case there was something someone wanted to add that wasn't already said... Plus I believe I remember someone telling me a few years back to read 2 specific books... I think it was the Art of War for some knowledge, and some sort of Tom Clancy's book for gunfighting.... could be wrong

This is a very good breakdown. Watch it a few times. I usually watch it again right before I'm about to write some action.

I'll give it a watch after I shower, cheers mate

For guns, try to describe carnage, such as wood splinters flying, the pause and inevitable reaction after realizing one has been shot, the thoughts one might have while in the middle of a gun battle, the rush to reload and the tension of having to outsmart your enemy.

If your character has special skills, maybe expound on how they use that skill to sway battle in their favor. Just a few thoughts off the top of my head.

The problem is what is too much, too little? I don't know, hence I ask. It's like making food for the first time without any experience. I'm a newbie in this the aspect of writing in my eyes, hence I ask my seniors for advice. I thank you for your pointers however

 

[vanta_luxe]

The problem is what is too much, too little? I don't know, hence I ask. It's like making food for the first time without any experience. I'm a newbie in this the aspect of writing in my eyes, hence I ask my seniors for advice. I thank you for your pointers however

That's something you'll gain with experience. The good thing is, the more you do the more you will develop a feel for these things.

 

[Maple-Leaf]

That's something you'll gain with experience. The good thing is, the more you do the more you will develop a feel for these things.

Experience... If only I had such a thing.

 

[Deleted member 34529]

Experience... If only I had such a thing.

*Ding*
[You have gained experience by turning letters into words]
[You have gained experience by forming sentences with words]
[+1 experience point]
[+1 experience point]
[+1 experience point]
[+1 experience point]
[+1 experience point]

*Ding*
[You have levelled up]
[New Skill Tree unlocked: <<Grammar: Sub-art - punctuations>>]
[You have unlocked: Ellipsis]

 

[Deleted member 29316]

@NixolasZinn Ah, I also checked out some Tolkien works that might help you, and I think, the Hobbit (especially the dwaves' scenes) might help you with your concern (the tavern one as well as the battle scenes).

 

[NixolasZinn]

@NixolasZinn Ah, I also checked out some Tolkien works that might help you, and I think, the Hobbit (especially the dwaves' scenes) might help you with your concern (the tavern one as well as the battle scenes).

Seriously, thanks mate. I hope I can properly use them as a reference for some ideas I had. Maybe after researching for a month or few I can make a piece of work that doesn't disgust me with how many mistakes I made. I know I shouldn't be that hard on myself, but alot of these issues are me not proofreading my own work, so I really don't have many excuses... sorry for rambling. Again thanks mate

*Ding*
[You have gained experience by turning letters into words]
[You have gained experience by forming sentences with words]
[+1 experience point]
[+1 experience point]
[+1 experience point]
[+1 experience point]
[+1 experience point]

*Ding*
[You have levelled up]
[New Skill Tree unlocked: <<Grammar: Sub-art - punctuations>>]
[You have unlocked: Ellipsis]

I use Ellipses far too much when chatting online. Though thanks for the laugh