How To: Writing Action Scenes

When I was writing Scarlet Tides, I had done a lot of research. Their clothes, food, mannerisms, ship layouts and terms, weapons, the world in the 1700s, etc.

One thing I was a little unsure of was the action scenes.

Was it enough? Too much? Was I doing something wrong? I'm sure we've all had those thoughts. This is what has helped me, and I hope you find it helpful, as well.

Today, I'm going to talk about what helped me with writing fight scenes.

• Write in shorter sentences. Shorter sentences are easier to read and speeds up the pace of a story.

• Mix action with dialogue. Don't just write long descriptions of what's happening. Share the verbal exchange between your characters.

• Don't focus too much on what's going on inside the character's mind.

• Keep the fight short. Fights should never go on for pages (unless there's an epic battle between armies and not individuals).

• Remember show, don't tell. Hit them with all the senses: Hear, smell, taste, and touch.

Stay tuned for more tips!

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About Alice Night is a Pacific Northwest author, who reads as much as she writes. When she is not spilling her words on a page, she is traveling, freelancing as a photographer, and spending time with her family.

As a single mom, she hopes to encourage young readers that anything is possible. ​ Alice is also an editor who provides support and constructive feedback for fiction writers. She encourages writers to strengthen their unique voice and offer professional guidance. Clients feel confident and ready to publish after working with her.