 Action/Adventure: August 22, 2007 Issue [#1902] |
  Action/Adventure
This week: Edited by: Puditat  
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Life without action is static, and by necessity, it would therefore be dead. Action writing takes the normal and shares it for all to live vicriously.
Adventure is the spice: the exciting, adrenalin-pumping, thrill that makes one feel so alive. Everyone has an adventuresome spirit. Maybe dreams of excavating some long-lost treasure, visiting a new country, or trying a new flavour of potato chip.  Some of us prefer our adventures to come between the pages of a book, and many of us like to write that adventure.
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Most of us know that research is necessary to a writer's occupation. Whether it be how to write a new form of poetry or to check what year a particular historic battle ended, accuracy of facts is essential. Inaccuracies in a storyline may leave your readers feeling misled. Of course, I am not saying you cannot bend the truth, or even break it, but there should be some logical explanation within the story which makes the situation or 'fact' believable.
Book and Internet Research
A writer's research tools include a dictionary and thesaurus, and other reference books related to the art of writing. Then there are the tools required for the subject matter. Encyclopedias, almanacs, and 'How to" books are merely the tip of the iceberg. In this day and age, the internet makes research much more convenient, though sometimes the conflicting information presented by competing websites can be a nightmare.
So, we're all prepared to find out the type of weapon employed by sailors in 17th Century Europe, or what the life span of a Blue-tongued lizard is. Great! However there are other types of research we can do which are particularly useful in the Action/Adventure genre, and I don't mean going out and getting shot so yiou can describe how it feels.
Experiential Research
If you have the opportunity, try doing something. Take, for example, a proposed scene where a character has to hide in a hole for half a day. The writer could find a suitable place and make notes of everything -- What does it feel like? What do you see and hear? How difficult is it to keep quiet? How long does it take muscles to cramp? etc. It would not be necessary to do it for the complete time, but even 10-15 minutes should provide a better insight into the character's discomfort.
Observational Research
Watch the world. Make notes of what you see. A world of mannerisms, verbal tones, accents, and language usage, walking styles, clothing, trends and extremes, and more is right there waiting to be observed. Popular choices for writers to play the observation game is in airports or shopping malls. Anywhere is a good place to try though. If a guy wants to write a scene about the interaction between 2 teenage girls and he has no sisters, then a seat by the trendiest teen fashion store at the mall would be a great place to start.
Observational research can also include watching television and movies. Watch how characters portray their emotion and actions. What is beleivable and what isn't?
Engaging the reader in an action and adventure story is aided by having clear scenes that they feel like they are watching, rather than reading.
If we relay information that we've read, the reader is reading that information, much as they would any other encyclopedia.
If we relay an experience we've had or seen, then the reader can be shifted into our world and see through our eyes.
We can write.
We can even write well.
Add a little research and it may just provide an extra zing in your combo of words.
Happy writing and researching. |
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 Points well made, Great Newsletter that will cause some thought.
monty31802
I'm glad you thought so. 
Hi, im new here. Really helpful newsletter and advice. Thanks!
Liam Porter
Welcome to Writing.com. Glad you enjoyed the newsletter. 
interesting and helpful. Thanks!
andromeda
You're most welcome. 
A very illuminating news letter. I'm glad I joined writing.com
Klm
We're glad you joined, too. Write on!
This was the newsletter that I always wanted to read and see how movement can effect the whole story and character development! Thank you again for the awsome and ultra helpful newsletter! I always could find thousands of words for description, but never for movement! I need a Thesaurus, because I really need to achieve the effect that you showed in your examples with the artist. Shattering! Great job!
likenion
 Thank you! glad to help where I can.
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