You are creating this manuscript, you are giddy to get to a fight scene you imagined would be perfect for your book, then you read it, and… it feels clunky. Slowed pace. Forced. Boring. What happened?
There is a lot to go through with fight scenes. Before diving into it verify your plot. Check the why is that you want a fight to take place. Is it really necessary? Look for what is at stake. Those it reveals information about the character? It’s power? Strengths? Weakness? After you review everything, then you should dive into investigating your fight scene.
Investigating? Can I just write it? Yes and no. You want this to be good. Did you outline your fight? The outcome? What moves would be used? Powers? You want the fight to feel real. To feel engaging. There are going to be things that you will need to research to check that everything is real. How many hits can a human being sustain? How much can blood be spilled before fainting?
After you check that the fight is necessary, and you investigated, write short and simple sentences. Wait! I wanted to detail everything about the fight. After all, I did all this investigation. Yes, but you want it to be exciting as well. Going through all the details in a fight can make audiences detach themselves from what is going on. I know Tae Kwon Do, but stating that the person twisted their bodies, clenched their buttocks, and grind their teeth while the view pans out, extended their feet, and connected a kick to the opponent’s face… it is too long. I just described a 360-degree kick that the average person would understand if you wrote: The opponent was mesmerized and felt a sting as the character landed a 360 kick. Yet that last sentence can be even shorter.
Simple and short sentences will give you a sense that it is happening fast. It is urgent. A possible sense of desperation. You combine that with what is at stake in the fight and you get a possible memorable scene, that will have audiences engaged and excited. There is no time for thinking much. Unless you are giving one of the characters a breather, finish the fight before moving to another scene or a character thought.
When you review the fight check other factors. Is the sense of danger involved? Can it be more exciting? Look for words that can make up for those short sentences. Blood. Sweat. Tremble. Blurry vision. Words like this can round up all those questions.
In the end, if you need to spice things a bit more or the fight scene is stuck, think of the worst-case scenario. Well, a worst-case scenario that doesn’t affect your story to advance. If death to the character derails your story, then that should not be the worst-case scenario presented. I mean, maybe a hostage situation. The MC lost the magical sword. A reveal twist puts the alliance at its knees. Time is running out. The MC can win the fight but the love interest is thrown out of the rooftop.
Let’s review:
Check if the fight is necessary.
Do your research.
Outline.
Short and simple sentences, no detailing.
Use big words that can tell what’s at stake.
If needed to be exciting, think if the worst case scenario.
If you need a bit more, write in the comments section. Let me know what is working for you. That is all I have for now, so keep writing mis amigos.