McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft

Fight Scenes

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gatordave96:
I've been using John Clements' "Medieval Swordsmanship - Illustrated Methods and Techniques" as my "go to" guide for writing fight scenes, but wondered if any of the other writers out there have any good sources that they use and would be willing to share.  I'd prefer to find something with illustrations since I learn more visually.  Any help would be welcome.

Also, do you have a feel for how many major fight scenes you like to see in the average novel?  Some of the worst crap that I've ever read seems to have some sort of fight scene every other chapter.

Aminar:
I go out and fight...  Simulated combat isn't too hard to find(Between Boffer and Paintball) and even a few hours of fighting helps teach the basic mentalities that go into fighting.  Spend a day a week at it for a year and you'll know most of what you need to.  As long as you're writing from a soldiers perspective at least.  You'll need something separate for real fear, but otherwise the exercise is great and your action scenes will get eighty times better.

LizW65:
Blocking out a fight as you would a dance or other theatrical performance can also be a great help in terms of where you want all the participants to be at the start, where they move/end up, and so on.

Aminar:

--- Quote from: LizW65 on August 22, 2012, 03:33:06 PM ---Blocking out a fight as you would a dance or other theatrical performance can also be a great help in terms of where you want all the participants to be at the start, where they move/end up, and so on.

--- End quote ---
Just remember that fights aren't pretty or coordinated.  Fighters can be.  Duels can be.  Battles aren't.  Battles are messy and confusing and terrifying and when you die its probably to someone you didn't know was there.

Quantus:
I guy I know wrote this which is at least illustrated.  Some of it isn't exactly practical per say (like the handstand board break that his wife is so proud of).  But it does offer an accurate view of the mechanics involved.

Edit: Fixed link

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