In the latest in her great series on writing fight scenes for Writer’s Digest, Carla Hoch offers advice on getting your characters out of a fight when things aren’t going their way. While you want threats to your character to seem impossible to overcome, they should still have a chance at surviving.
“Give your character an out and do not be unyielding on that concept,” Hoch says. “Just remember that seemingly impossible means that survival is possible and what you want for the scene may not be what your story needs.” That out might be a shot in the dark or a moment when the victor turns their back, thinking the fight is over. If your hero is the victor, they should never turn away from a defeated enemy unless they are certain there’s no fight left in them.
But what about your defeated opponents? Unless you’ve reached the absolute end of your story, you probably want to give them an out as well. Hoch recommends:
- Creating a moment. Fans of true crime know that survivors often escape their attackers by taking advantage of a small opening – a distraction, an open door. “Some tiny detail becomes the giant key to escape,” Hoch notes. “It’s the same for your character who desperately wants out of a fight.” A moment is also enough time to fight back.
- Finding a buffer. Put something between your combatants – a tree, a piece of furniture, or even other people. “That can give the defending character a moment to rest, devise a way to escape or attract attention for help,” Koch explains. If this cover won’t stop the opponent’s weapon – like a gun – give your character something that will impede the line of sight. Even something as simple as turning out the lights in a room can make it harder for your assailant to take aim.
- Creating an exit. The scene of the fight has to have some kind of exit, or even the victor will be trapped within its confines. “Always walk through your scene first person and look around,” Hoch recommends. “Find your exits or create them for the characters.”
- Finding a weakness. Let your character find a weakness in their assailant or use their strengths against them. Hiding is one way to escape a larger opponent. Climbing can thwart a smaller one. An unthinking opponent – like a large animal – can be outsmarted. Use those opposable thumbs!
