Fight Scenes
A well-executed fight scene doesn’t just captivate with intensity and speed up pacing; it reveals character and sets the tone for future challenges. As characters experience the physical and emotional chaos, readers become more invested and drawn deeper into the story.
fighting styles
Before writing the action, understand your characters’ backgrounds, skills, and motivations. Their strengths and weaknesses shape how the fight unfolds. For example, pairing a martial artist with a sword-only fighter would end quickly and one-sided.
If your characters have specific fighting styles or use weapons, research these techniques. Understanding the mechanics of combat will enable you to describe movements with authenticity and enhance the scene’s realism.
Set the stage
The environment shapes the pacing and style of the fight. A narrow alley, a grand arena, or a dark forest each creates different challenges. Remember that strategically placed objects can become weapons or obstacles, adding conflict or giving someone an edge.
goals and stakes
What does each character want from the fight? This could be victory, escape, protection of a loved one, or any other motivating factor. Then heighten the tension by establishing high stakes. The outcome of the fight should have significant consequences for the characters and the overarching plot.
Choreograph
Balance action with reaction. Show the characters’ movements and attacks, but also emphasize their responses to strikes and the evolving ebb and flow of the battle. Keep the pacing dynamic by incorporating moments of intensity and exhaustion.
Engage the senses
Use all five senses to bring the fight to life. Describe the sounds of clashing weapons, the taste of adrenaline, the scent of sweat, and the tactile sensations of impact or pain. Connect the physicality of the fight to the characters’ emotions. Express their fear, determination, or desperation through their actions and reactions.
vocabulary
Words like parry, feint, thrust, and counter add clarity and realism. Vary your language to avoid repetition. Instead of always saying “hit” or “strike,” try “slash,” “lunge,” or “deliver a blow.” For inspiration, Wordnik has a great list.
dialogue
A few sharp lines of dialogue can break up the action and add tension. Taunts, threats, or emotional outbursts reveal character and give readers a moment to breathe during fast-paced action. Dialogue can also mark a turning point and signal when the fight is coming to a close.
wins & Losses
Increase the tension throughout the fight. Don’t let your protagonist win too easily. Even with plot armor, they can be injured or outmatched. Keep raising the stakes so readers can’t guess the outcome.
End with a decisive and satisfying moment. It doesn’t have to be a win, because even defeat can teach your character something useful. They may learn their opponent’s weakness, or they could use the fight to delay their enemy from achieving a goal.
Less is more
Fight scenes in novels can’t replicate ones in movies or anime. Don’t try to describe every movement because this will slow the pace and become tedious. Focus on the dramatic turning points and let readers imagine the rest. Avoid overusing fight scenes. Even with variation in characters, weapons, and stakes, too many can feel repetitive. Limit them so each one matters.
Tips
- Maintain consistency with each character’s skills and traits.
- Add surprises and twists to keep readers on edge.
- Use dialogue to reveal emotions and motivation.
- Let the action rise and fall in rhythm.
- Show vulnerability to make characters more relatable.
- Use the setting creatively as part of the action.
- Keep the pacing moving by focusing on key moments.
Final thoughts
A great fight scene adds tension, character depth, and emotional impact. It doesn’t only speed up the pacing and move the story forward, but also allows readers to experience danger, thrills, and fear alongside the characters.
