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Question: Writing a fantasy series - Fighting!!?
I'm writing and developing a fantasy series!. it's going fairly well, but I think I need some more action!. Specifically, I'd like to have some fighting!.!.!.like sword fighting!. I think it will help with the story too, because right now all the bad guy does is hunt the protagonist and they never really have battles!.
Maybe it's because I was a Naruto fan, but I like it when there is some battling!. It has potential to add a lot more to the book!.
The reason I don't have any is I want to make it kind of realistic (I want it to be about as realistic as LotR)!. I don't think there really would be any grand battles!. How long would sword fights last anyway!? Realistically, do you think it would end with both sides alive and one of them getting away!? Do you think it would get a little annoying if there was more than one fight in which both parties survived!?
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Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Hi JP,
If it's a fight you want, it's a fight you shall have!
Conflict is integral to all stories, and the knock-out, drag-out, beat-em-up variety can be particularly entertaining to read - and write - when you figure out how to do it well!. But the action/fight scenes should be natural extensions of both the plot and the characters' motives!. If you find yourself forcing a fight scene ("insert action sequence here"), it will detract, not add to your story!.
I find that some movie scripts are exceptionally well-written and are a great inspiration for us writers!. The original Matrix script by the W!. Brothers is especially good, although their fighting involves fists and guns, not swords!. If you want a martial arts fight, that's the place to look!.
Here's a scene from the Pirates of the Caribbean which you may offer some good tips!. For the sake of brevity, I've omitted some of the dialogue!.
******************
In responce, Will assumes an en garde position!. Jack appraises him, unhappy to see Will knows what he's doing!.
Jack attacks!. The two men stand in one place, trading feints,
thrusts and parries with lightning speed, almost impossible to
follow!. Will has no trouble matching Jack!.
JACK (CONT'D)
Excellent form !.!.!. But how's your footwork!? If I step here --
He takes a step around an imaginary circle!. Will steps the
other way, maintaining his relationship with Jack!.
JACK (CONT'D)
Very good! And if I step again,
you step again !.!.!.
(continuing to step
around the circle)
And so we circle, circle, like dogs
we circle !.!.!.
They are now exactly opposite their initial positions!.
JACK (CONT'D)
Ta!
Jack turns and heads for the door, now directly behind him!.
Will registers with angry surprise -- and then with a vicious
overhand motion, he throws his sword --
-- the sword buries itself into the door, just above the latch,
barely missing Jack!. Jack registers it, then pulls on the
latch, but it won't move up -- the sword is in the way!.
Jack rattles the latch!. Tugs on the sword a few times -- it is
really stuck in there!. Jack mouths a curse, but when he turns
back to Will, he's smiling!.
Eyes on Jack, Will simply picks up a new sword from an anvil!.
Jack slumps in dismay -- but then he leaps forward!.
Will and Jack duel!. Their blades flash and ring!. Suddenly, Jack swings the chain still manacled to his left hand at Will's
head!. Will ducks it, comes up wide-eyed!.
Then Jack's chain smashes across Will's sword, disarming him!.
Will quickly picks up another sword!. Jack becomes aware that the entire room is filled with bladed weapons: swords, knives, boarding axes in various stages of completion!.
JACK
You need to find yourself a girl!.
(Will sets his jaw)
Or maybe the reason you practice
three hours a day is you've found
one -- but can't get her!?
A direct hit -- and Will coils even more tightly with anger!.
He explodes: kicks a rack, causing a sword to fall into his
hand; uses his foot to bring his dropped sword into the air,
catches it -- and attacks Jack, both blades flashing!.
Jack parries with sword and chain!. Jack's chain wraps around Will's sword; Will twists the handle of his guard through a link, and stabs the sword up into the ceiling --
So Jack's manacled left arm is now suspended from the ceiling!.
Not good!. He parries using one hand, twisting and dodging
around the furnace --
Jack compresses the bellows, blowing a SHOWER OF SPARKS into Will's face!. Jack grabs the chain, hoists himself up, kicks with his feet, knocking Will back!.
Jack uses his full weight, yanks the sword from the ceiling!.
Hurls a wooden mallet at Will, then a second, hitting Will on
the wrist!. Will drops his sword, falls down, gets up --
Jack's pistol is aimed directly between Will's eyes!.
*******************
Of course, this is meant to be an amusing scene, whereas your fight scenes will probably be more serious - but it gives some ideas for descriptions and pace!. Try looking up the scripts of other movies that have wonderful swordfight scenes!. I already looked up "The Princess Bride" and I don't think its descriptions will be useful - they are not so much specific descriptions of the fight, but rather comparisons and descriptions of Inigo's and Will's reactions!. Try Robin Hood (Errol Flynn), Zorro, etc!.
As for making it realistic - remember, you're writing a fantasy!. I have the same tendency to get caught up in research, trying to make my novels as accurate and realistic as possible!. But at some point you have to take a step back and realize that people read fantasy precisely because reality is!.!.!. kind of boring!. Write the story that is more interesting, not more realistic!.!. I mean, Tolkien wrote about dwarves and elves and hobbits getting into battles with giant spiders and big, looming evil eyes!. Come on!.
A final note on writing: when I am writing an action scene, I close my eyes and watch it play out in my mind like a movie, then I write as fast as my fingers can type, just write it all out, not stopping to think or edit myself!. Write first - edit later!. You have to see it, taste it, feel it yourself - that is how your readers get the same experience when they read it!. That is how I achieve natural, in-the-moment action sequences!. Some of my best writing is in my action scenes for this reason!. Try it - it works!.
Good luck and happy writing!Www@QuestionHome@Com
Just a suggestion but maybe the loser isn't killed but rather taken in for an execution!. That will allow you to think of a battle and then add some more excitement after when his friend's come to rescue him!.
I don't know your whole story so I hope this helps!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Well Harry and Voldermort battled endless times with both of them always living and fans never saw a problem with that!.
I love a good battle- I think the secret of a great battle is it doesn't necessarily have to be a long one but you have to build the tension and really get the reader to feel the desperation and the pain!. It's about vivid description!. You really need to choreograph each move!. I think get someone to help you act it out so you have the way it is going to happen clear in your own head so you can make the scene dynamic and descriptive!. also when you act it out you will also get a feel for what is possible and realistic!.Www@QuestionHome@Com