Writing the Fight Scene by Rita Karnopp

 

When it came time to write my first fight scene I stared at the screen and panicked.  Me, write a fight scene?  What do I know about fighting?

Fighting scenes … just like in the movies … can get too long and boring. You have to give it just the right about of oomph!  And know when it’s over!

Make sure each action furthers the situation and add more than just blows to the chin or the gut.  There must be significance - consequence – and even worth to the fight.  What are the stakes?  How will the results affect your character and those around him?

Should your story include a fight scene?  Ask yourself a few questions before committing to add a fight scene to your story.

Is the fight necessary?  Is there another way to resolve the conflict?  Will this fight show your character flaws or strengths?  Is the fight a live or die situations?  Is it cultural? 

When a fight scene is necessary – When there is no other way to de-escalate the situation – then ask yourself these questions:

• Where will the fight take place?
• Who will be fighting and is anyone handicapped (such as a broken arm or is there more than one against your character?
• Who do you want your reader rooting for - and who will win?

 Do you need a big fight or a skirmish?  Not all fights are the same.  The more significant a fight is to the story as-a-whole, the more detailed it needs to be.

Sometimes a simple blow to the chin is enough to deter a would-be attacker – and one sentence may be all it takes to take care of the situation.

What if your story revolves around – climaxes – when the fight takes place – the winner rules the world.  You’ll need a more elaborately, detailed planned leading up to – and the fight – and then the aftermath.

To make your fight interesting, remember to include a lot of the emotional baggage that led up to the fight.  Who is affected, and will the fight give them satisfying retribution?  This fight must give the reader a chance to savor each blow.

On the other-hand, will this fight create different emotions, such as disgust and disappointment?

Perhaps you want to write a humorous brawl -  In my book Destiny’s Shadow, Laura realizes she’s pinned to the ground when her long dress becomes heavily saturated by the dung infested, slick mud in the middle of the street. Two drunkin’ cowboy decide to come to her rescue … and it ended up being one of the funniest scenes I’ve ever written.  If you’re laughing while writing – there’s a good chance your booklover will laugh while they are reading.

When writing the big-fight scene – The story has been leading up to this point - it’s the crisis (major turning point) of your story.

Keep in mind that you’ll want to create a sort of roller-coaster ride for your reader – the anticipated win – but several setbacks before the conquest.  But don’t go in there and start slugging away. The reader will quickly get bored with it. The temperament and intensity of the fight should change several times.  Give the reader glimpses of a win – then oh no – he’s going to lose.  It’s the twists and turns in the action that will keep your reader gripped in the scene.

Nearing the finish - show determination and drive but give a twist like perhaps your character has second thoughts – maybe he shouldn’t kill the guy – he could just break him?

There are ways to give more life to a big fight scene.  Change the opponents or even the type of weapons being used.  What is the terrain like – is there a cliff edge nearby?  Are there motorcycles nearby that result in a chase-down?  All can heighten the drama.