Often times as writers, we rush through an action scene. It happens so quickly in our mind’s eye that our fingers can’t write it out fast enough. However, these five tips will help improve the action scenes in your manuscript:
1. Develop the Protagonist
Beforehand: When readers are invested in the
well-being of a character, they’re more likely to hold their breath as that
character fights (literally or figuratively) through an action scene.
2. Develop the Antagonist:
Likewise, when a reader believes in the evil capacity of the antagonist, then
the reader will fear the villain who is committing the action more than the
action itself.
3. Convince the
Characters: If an action scene is a bit hard to
believe, don’t try to convince the reader; instead, convince the characters of
the reality of the situation.
4. Break the Scene into
Four Still-Shots: Imagine a photographer at the scene of the
action. Which of his photographs (still-shots) would be the four most important
ones?
5. Improve Those Four Still-Shots:
Really explore those images. What are the small sensory details that are only
noticed upon closer examination? What is your protagonist feeling in each of those
still-shots? Don’t go easy on yourself as a writer. Push past the surface
details and shallow emotions. Describe the moment as richly as possible to
allow the reader to fully experience the scene.
Take your time with this process. In order to give the reader the fullest experience
possible, we need to go back and revise not only that one action scene, but also the
details of the manuscript leading up to that scene. The result will be worth the effort.
These are interesting tips that I hadn't heard before. Thank you. I particularly like the idea of "still shots"; I'm going to apply that. I get the message about building sympathy for the protagonist prior to the action scene, but often it's good to start with an action scene where we have to get the reader on side right away. A big challenge!
ReplyDeleteGreat advice. I hadn't heard of the still shots idea before, but I like it.
ReplyDeleteHi :-)
ReplyDeleteI've just found your blog on the A to Z Challange site.
I too like the idea of the 'still shot'. The coreography of action scene is always hard to pull out, very easy to confuse the reader. I think the 'still shots' may help pin down the important parts.
Good advice--I have difficulty with getting the words right in these sorts of scenes, but the idea of selecting a moment in time is helpful.
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