In a post on Writers Helping Writers, Emily Young offers advice for writing great action scenes. Her tips include:
- Ask what your characters want. Consider the reasons your character is wading into a fight and ask what they will do if they win or lose. Who else will be affected by either outcome? “Once you know what your character wants, you’ll have a better idea of what’s at stake – what they stand to lose – if this scene doesn’t play out the way they hope,” Young says.
- Know how the scene will change your character. Win or lose, the fight should bring about an emotional change in your character. Consider how their perspective, esteem, or goals will change as a result.
- Give your fight scene its own arc. The principles of structure – inciting incident, rising tension, and payoff – will help you maintain the scene’s drive.
- Master action choreography. Young recommends studying self-defense, reading survival books, mapping out your scene with action figures, or even inviting a friend or family member to a mock battle.
