How to make another fight scene feel engaging?

[LilRora]

So I've been writing a story and I got stumped recently. Whenever I try to continue from where I left off, I don't know what to write in another fight scene. The story isn't really focused on fighting, but I would like it to be meaningful to the plot, or at least worldbuilding. I don't have any ideas though and I guess what I'm asking is how do I make a fight scene that doesn't feel like a meaningless brawl and would interest a person who's there for romance or whatever else (apart from adding character interactions in the middle, I know that much).
For more context, the story is in a fantasy VR MMO, the fight is with monsters, and the MC is fighting alongside her girlfriend.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Writing - [Tutorial] Writing ACTION 1: The Trick to Writing Action Scenes that Work

The Trick to Writing Action Scenes that Work: Action THEN Reaction! The #1 Most Common cause of Confusion in Action sequences...? Putting the Reaction BEFORE the Action. WARNING! This tutorial is NOT meant for those do Creative Writing. This essay was originally written for writers seeking...

forum.scribblehub.com

Writing - [Tutorial] Writing ACTION 2: The Plug & Play Method

Writing Action Scenes: The Plug & Play Method Writing ACTION 2 ☕ WARNING! This tutorial is NOT meant for those do Creative Writing. This essay was originally written for writers seeking to be professionally published authors. As a multi-published author, I have been taught some fairly rigid...

forum.scribblehub.com

 

[LilRora]

Writing - [Tutorial] Writing ACTION 1: The Trick to Writing Action Scenes that Work

The Trick to Writing Action Scenes that Work: Action THEN Reaction! The #1 Most Common cause of Confusion in Action sequences...? Putting the Reaction BEFORE the Action. WARNING! This tutorial is NOT meant for those do Creative Writing. This essay was originally written for writers seeking...

forum.scribblehub.com

Writing - [Tutorial] Writing ACTION 2: The Plug & Play Method

Writing Action Scenes: The Plug & Play Method Writing ACTION 2 ☕ WARNING! This tutorial is NOT meant for those do Creative Writing. This essay was originally written for writers seeking to be professionally published authors. As a multi-published author, I have been taught some fairly rigid...

forum.scribblehub.com

Well, thanks, but I was looking for something less general and more relevant to this one thing. I've well over 200 thousand words on all my stories altogether, and I know quite well how to write action scenes in general.

 

[Amok]

plot. stakes. have the monsters invade palace through sewers to consume the empress, have monsters start attacking trade routes for some unknown reason and mc and co. happen to be in an attacked carriage. mc's girlfriend's family member gets abducted. their childhood village gets burned down and they want to punish the culprits.

all depends on world and mc/lover's motivations, heck, if one seeks a reason and a scenario anything much can fit depending on your definition of 'meaningful'

 

[HappyVainGlory]

So I've been writing a story and I got stumped recently. Whenever I try to continue from where I left off, I don't know what to write in another fight scene. The story isn't really focused on fighting, but I would like it to be meaningful to the plot, or at least worldbuilding. I don't have any ideas though and I guess what I'm asking is how do I make a fight scene that doesn't feel like a meaningless brawl and would interest a person who's there for romance or whatever else (apart from adding character interactions in the middle, I know that much).
For more context, the story is in a fantasy VR MMO, the fight is with monsters, and the MC is fighting alongside her girlfriend.

Five minute thoughts from me:

1. Do you really need a 'fight' scene? If you're just doing action for action's sake, stop and think if it's necessary.
   
   
2. Since this is a VR MMO, is your character too strong? There really isn't any tension if he is, so fight scenes would definitely fall flat. To fix this, give him a reason to fight. Maybe overpowered boss spawn, unique modifiers, etcetera that are outside of the character's comfort zone. Or have his girlfriend be in danger/separated.
   
   
3. If the fight is dragging on and you're spinning your wheels, scrap it and start again. Focus on what the point of the fight is and make the actions move towards that goal. Is the MC fighting for his life? To escape? To protect his girlfriend? Keep your focus on that and try not to stray away from it.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

A physical fight is a last resort for me. Modern people can work out their differences through other means such as contests or games. In a domestic dispute, it's wise for one party to storm off and calm down until things can be discussed in a more rational state of mind.

 

[LilRora]

Five minute thoughts from me:

1. Do you really need a 'fight' scene? If you're just doing action for action's sake, stop and think if it's necessary.
   
   
2. Since this is a VR MMO, is your character too strong? There really isn't any tension if he is, so fight scenes would definitely fall flat. To fix this, give him a reason to fight. Maybe overpowered boss spawn, unique modifiers, etcetera that are outside of the character's comfort zone. Or have his girlfriend be in danger/separated.
   
   
3. If the fight is dragging on and you're spinning your wheels, scrap it and start again. Focus on what the point of the fight is and make the actions move towards that goal. Is the MC fighting for his life? To escape? To protect his girlfriend? Keep your focus on that and try not to stray away from it.

I've no idea how you did it, but I think you adressed all three problems I have and was only aware of one. Got me thinking hard and I think I know what to do now. Thanks!
PS: How did you know she's too strong?

 

[TheEldritchGod]

Style.
The mc will win. We know this. So we want to know how. Less is more for the mc, but more is better for the BBE. Have the bad guy come riding in on a dying moon while firing galaxies like throwing stars. They are fighting on the world "where infinity goes to die".

The MC IS ARMED WITH A TOOTHBRUSH.

Now just figure out a believable way for the MC to win.

I leave that part up to the apt pupil.

 

[BluePheasant]

Style.
The mc will win. We know this. So we want to know how. Less is more for the mc, but more is better for the BBE. Have the bad guy come riding in on a dying moon while firing galaxies like throwing stars. They are fighting on the world "where infinity goes to die".

The MC IS ARMED WITH A TOOTHBRUSH.

Now just figure out a believable way for the MC to win.

I leave that part up to the apt pupil.

The head of the toothbrush could be pulled out, and hiding behind that, there was a large needle made of titanium. The MC darted that toothbrush at the monster, and the needle pierced its skin. It automatically injected the monster with a highly poisonous substance. The monster instantly melted down to a load of gooey liquid.

 

[SilvoidVorstellung]

So I've been writing a story and I got stumped recently. Whenever I try to continue from where I left off, I don't know what to write in another fight scene. The story isn't really focused on fighting, but I would like it to be meaningful to the plot, or at least worldbuilding. I don't have any ideas though and I guess what I'm asking is how do I make a fight scene that doesn't feel like a meaningless brawl and would interest a person who's there for romance or whatever else (apart from adding character interactions in the middle, I know that much).
For more context, the story is in a fantasy VR MMO, the fight is with monsters, and the MC is fighting alongside her girlfriend.

I would like to recommend this video to you, have a look.

 

[HappyVainGlory]

I've no idea how you did it, but I think you adressed all three problems I have and was only aware of one. Got me thinking hard and I think I know what to do now. Thanks!
PS: How did you know she's too strong?

A bit late of a response, but usually the scene falls flat when there isn't tension. If it's an action scene, that lack of tension usually comes from one the pov side being too strong and not being threatened. It's also why most amateur stories/fanfics can seem a bit dry since it's just nonstop steamrolling. Good for comedic effect or every once and a while, but not for serious moments.

 

[TheEldritchGod]

The head of the toothbrush could be pulled out, and hiding behind that, there was a large needle made of titanium. The MC darted that toothbrush at the monster, and the needle pierced its skin. It automatically injected the monster with a highly poisonous substance. The monster instantly melted down to a load of gooey liquid.

Well yeah... if you wanna go for the obvious solution. Then again, subverting expectations is so 2016.

 

[Erysion]

Carefully.

 

[TheEldritchGod]

You could describe it as very violent sex. Been done to death, but it could work.