\"Writing.Com
*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/11596
Action/Adventure: October 05, 2022 Issue [#11596]




 This week: Writing Battle Scenes
  Edited by: Jayngle Bells Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Hi, I'm Jayne, here with another installment of the Action/Adventure newsletter.


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B083RZ2C5F
Product Type:
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
Not currently available.


Letter from the editor

Conjure up the notion of a fictional “epic” battle scene, and a large swath of the writing community heads straight for the fantasy genre, while another sizeable group trots off to the lands of historical fiction. Why is that?

Sure, castles and dragons are a lot of fun. But so are space operas, westerns, supernatural beings, and even steampunk. That list is not exhaustive, of course, serving only to illustrate that an epic battle – assuming the story builds to that conclusion – can go nearly anywhere.

When I say ‘anywhere’, I don’t actually mean ‘anywhere and everywhere’. Battle scenes require careful coordination both within their own boundaries of action, and within the context of the story. A constant battle, without any breaks, is hard on your readers. They need a little breathing room, a little more to the story, and certainly a lot more to the characters. Otherwise, why would we care if one wins over the other? We wouldn’t.

It’s important to establish your character relationships and goals ahead of and between battle scenes. Before this gets called out for being too cliché, let’s be clear it doesn’t mean characters on the same side have to like each other. But if they don’t, will one save the other in battle? Why or why not? We need their motivation.

No matter how many characters are headed into battle, your main and major characters have to have a reason to be there. What’s the grudge or other kind of motivation? Just as importantly, what’s the point of their story in relation to the bigger picture? How do their actions, either directly or indirectly, affect the outcome of the story? If they have no ultimate purpose, make sure you aren’t giving them too much space. It can sidetrack the reader and get them invested in a character with a dead end.

There are few things worse than getting invested in a book, only to find your favourite character ends up as little more than a piece of set decoration. On top of that, it wastes critical word count on something that ultimately doesn’t matter. If it’s not pushing your story forward, consider limiting the stage-prop characters, or eliminating them altogether by sliding their actions and conversations into characters that have a vested interest in the outcome – for themselves, and for you, the writer.

Next issue, we’ll talk about a fight scene vs a battle scene, and how to help your reader keep track of what’s going on.



Editor's Picks

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2282290 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2280785 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2278289 by Not Available.


 The Wild West News Open in new Window. (E)
A 16 year old girl goes on a quest to find 50 good men for an all woman town.
#2279333 by starrygirl Author IconMail Icon


Create your story:

 
Image Protector
FORUM
World Weavers' Workshop Open in new Window. (13+)
30 exercises to help you outline the setting for your novel
#2274535 by Tileira Author IconMail Icon


Write your story!

Image Protector
FORUM
NaNoWriMo Write-A-Thon Open in new Window. (ASR)
A NaNoWriMo fundraiser... compete as a NaNo writer or donate by sponsoring one!
#1546312 by Jeff Author IconMail Icon


Find a story prompt!

Image Protector
STATIC
Contest Clues Open in new Window. (E)
List of WdC Writing Contests, Challenges, Activities. Clues To What's Open, What's Closed!
#2221492 by 🐕GeminiGem🎁 Author IconMail Icon


Nominate a story!

Image Protector
SURVEY
Quill Nomination Form 2024 Open in new Window. (E)
Nominate someone for a Quill!
#2145930 by Lilith 🎄 Christmas Cheer Author IconMail Icon

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B083RZ2C5F
Product Type:
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
Not currently available.


Ask & Answer


*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: B00KN0JEYA
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/11596