"Yay writing I love writing yippee :)" *a fight scene comes up* "aw what the fuck man what is this what the hell >:("
I've so much respect for people who make fight scenes because I think they have unlocked a sixth sense of some sort. Or perhaps made a deal with a fairy
Writing fight scenes is hard. I think my biggest piece of advice is to like.
Write is as boring and as plain as possible. Dont even add dialogue. Write exactly how the fight plays out in a step by step format. Example: A punches B in the face. B attempts to block but is too late. A tries to hit again. B manages to redirect the blow.
just clinical, boring. This is your blueprint.
Then, what I've found to help is that you don't want to constantly describe the fight scene. Describe what they're feeling in the moment, what's hurting. Try to avoid being as clinical as your blueprint.
A punches B in the face. B attempts to block but is too late. A tries to hit again. B manages to redirect the blow.
2. A swings their fist before B can successfully block, leaving them staggering with a pain in their cheek. As A swings back their arm again, B reacts quicker this time, managing to hit their arm before it could reconnect with their face. It hits the wall next to their head with a painful thud.
Then you need to add your POV character's thoughts in. Make it more than just action.
3. A swings their fist before B can successfully block, leaving them staggering with a pain in their cheek. It is painful, they never knew that A could hit like this. Gritting their teeth and ignoring the pain that brings, they redirect their focus onto A. As A swings back their arm again, B panics and reacts quicker this time- albeit sloppy. They manage to hit their arm before it could reconnect with their face. Beside them, it hits the wall next to their head with a painful thud. They wince as A howls in pain.
Then, of course, your characters are in an environment.
4. A swings their fist before B can successfully block, leaving them staggering with a pain in their cheek. Their shoes scrape against the concrete as they try to get their bearings. It is painful, they never knew that A could hit like this. Gritting their teeth and ignoring the pain that brings, they redirect their focus onto A, their expression a bit menacing in the low lighting. As A swings back their arm again, B panics and reacts quicker this time- albeit sloppy. They manage to hit their arm before it could reconnect with their face, though they end up painfully hitting the brick wall behind them. A's fist hits the wall next to their head with a painful thud, a sick noise next to their ear as their knuckles split and blood smears on the brick. They wince as A howls in pain, staggering back towards the opposing wall.
Then you can add dialogue.
5. A swings their fist before B can successfully block, leaving them staggering with a pain in their cheek.
"Shit-" They curse. Their shoes scrape against the concrete as they try to get their bearings. It is painful, they never knew that A could hit like this.
"What's wrong, B? Does it hurt?" A taunts, a sick grin on their face.
Gritting their teeth and ignoring the pain that brings, B redirects their focus onto A, their expression a bit menacing in the low lighting. As A swings back their arm again, B panics and reacts quicker this time- albeit sloppy.
They manage to hit their arm before it could reconnect with their face, though they end up painfully hitting the brick wall behind them. A's fist hits the wall next to their head with a painful thud, a sick noise next to their ear as their knuckles split and blood smears on the brick. They wince as A howls in pain, staggering back towards the opposing wall.
"Fuck!" A screams, clutching their fist.
And then for final changes, you want to avoid saying words like "hit", "kick", "punch", as much as possible. Add more details where they're needed.
6. A swings their fist before B can successfully block, leaving them staggering with a pain in their cheek.
"Shit-" They curse. Their shoes scrape against the concrete as they try to get their bearings. It is painful, they never knew that A could hit like this.
"What's wrong, B? Does it hurt?" A taunts, a sick grin on their face.
Gritting their teeth and ignoring the pain that brings, B redirects their focus onto A, their expression a bit menacing in the low lighting. As A swings back their arm again, B panics and reacts quicker this time- albeit sloppy.
They manage to redirect their swing before it could reconnect with their face, though they end up painfully colliding the brick wall behind them, knocking some of the air out of their lungs and leaving them coughing. A's fist strikes the wall next to their head with a painful thud, a sick noise next to their ear as their knuckles split and blood smears on the brick. They wince as A howls in pain, staggering back towards the opposing wall.
"Fuck!" A screams, clutching their fist.
or this is how i do it at least. Synonyms are your best friend, looking up how certain injuries feel will help. Action words are also your best friend. You want to describe as little as possible in the long run, you have to trust your readers to fill in the gaps. Try to avoid starting sentences with the word "suddenly" too.
im still not the best at writing fights myself, so this isn't the best guide, but i hope its at least a little helpful.
