In a post on the SFWA blog, Chelsea Mueller says that fight and kiss scenes are more similar than you might think. “If you have the craft skills to tackle a battle, you have the foundation for a romantic scene, too,” she says. She suggests five ways a fight scene is similar to a romantic moment.
- Fighting and kissing scenes are turning points. “Whether you’ve built a romantic arc or have been setting the stage for a showdown, what happens in this scene will change everything,” Mueller writes. “In a fight, someone will win or lose, there will be a toll, and the plot will move forward on a new path because of the scene. The same applies to romance. After that kiss, the relationship isn’t the same.”
- Both types of scenes demonstrate relationships in a high-pressure way. “Fighting and kissing scenes are catalysts for relationships,” Mueller explains. “But more than that, these scenes require characters to interact when emotions are running high—and often, the truth may be laid bare in the process.”
- An emotional backbone elevates these scenes. Both types of scenes put big emotions on the page and serious consequences. We don’t need a play-by-play, but we should see the emotions and motivations behind the characters’ actions.
- Gratuitous can be fun! “While the craft elements that build powerful, plot-purposeful fighting and kissing scenes push your chapters to do more—move the character arcs forward, progress the plot—that doesn’t mean you ignore the good stuff,” Mueller writes. “Pause and relish the teasing touches in the kiss. Take the time to use the found weapons in the alley in the middle of your street brawl.”
