Fanfiction Authors Anonymous (ffaa) Forum In desperate need of help!

I don't know if anyone has noticed this or not, but I'm in the middle of writing a "The Legend of Zelda" fan fiction. So, I've the whole thing planned out and in the third chapter(which is where I am now) I decide there's going to be a big sword fight between Link and an OC....I have no earthly clue how to write a sword fight and make it interesting. If anyone lend me any sort of advice/help on this pathetic dilemma, I will be forever in your debt.

Thanks,
~Silver Wolf

Its the same one I was reading earlier right, or did you start a new one?

Yea it's the same one. I've redone this about a million times and still can't see mto get it the stupid fight to be interesting...T_T

Why don't you link me what you have... ^^ haha link.. sry its been a long day. Anyway send me what you've got via e-mail and I'll let you know how it is and I'll help you out a bit. I'm super happy to do it and it will help me take my mind off of 5th grade Volleyball! ;p

Welcome to the club brother, sit down in that corner over there and scratch your head like the rest of us aspiring action writers are doing.

There's a guy on here who writes some of the best action scenes I've ever read. If he's still here, search "DMS" and read some of his stuff, some people are just good at writing action scenes.

Basically I learned how to write mine by reading other people's writing and just trying to immitate it, even start out by copying it if I have to. What I've learned about action scenes is the literature like descriptions and flowery speach has to be kept to a minimum and you have to use sharp words like "careening" and "crashing" "slashing" "swashbuckling." But it's kinda like the Matrix, that whole "don't try to bend the spoon" thing. You can't describe what the fight scene is like, you have describe the fight. I don't want to read that "the fight was so intense it made me pee my pants." Okay, but what happened during the fight? I want to see the fight, not feel it, I know they say show not tell in school, but you have to walk a fine line with action scenes. Try not to spend too much time on one action either, you need to keep the pace fast, really fast. Hope this helps.

So sorry for not getting back to both of you on your comments, I've been a little...preoccupied with keeping myself from shooting my classmates(lol). Liz(hope you don't mind me calling you that), when I get a chance I'll send you what I have but I can guarantee that it won't be very good(The "link" thing...I do it sometimes too, you can't help but make fun of him because he's so freakin' cool lol). Nicole(hope you don't mind either), thank you for the reference:). When I get a desent version of the fight I'll send it to you if you'd like me to:D.

Hi silver sorry i havent posted sooner.

 

When i write a fight (the few i've done have been lightsaber or sword so kinds similar) i use short sentances maybe even only one or two words, a writing friend of mine said it helped speed things up in a readers mind. I also use a lot of descriptive words like parried, thrusted, dodged. Also remember that in close combat people will use there bodies as well so i occasionally throw in a kick here or there. and i use any form of large object i.e a wall and play it out there at times in he shadows the fighters are casting, i tend to think of it as dancing albeit with sharp swords, so i try and keep a lot of fluid motion on the go, always have one character dodging or parrying, then finding an advantage and trying to press it home. To be twarted and the dance continues: Below are a few quotes i think might help, or give you an idea. 

 

"I realised quickly I didn’t have an advantage at all, he was tiring me out. I kicked him backwards, a few feet not far. But it gave me enough space to focus my thoughts and disconnect myself from my emotions."

 

"His sabre ignited the twin blade of pure hatred, joining mine dancing around the room; our shadows cast high above us on the walls. Playing out our battle to an imaginary audience."

 

"The battle raged back and forth across the room, the light from the two sabres, seemed to play out the fight across the walls and ceiling. "

 

Hope these give you a few ideas, and im sure what ever you come up with will be awesome :) looking forward to reading it.

 

Steve

SW glad i could help, hope the story finally clicks, i know how frustrating it can be when something doesnt click into place... just keep going with it and im sure you will get it :)

yea....I do appreciate it. I eventually decided to sort of...go AROUND the fight and not really type out the fight itself but I hear it's pretty good:P. I'll probably have the next chapter by this coming Thursday after a five month hold I think it needs the pace needs to be quicked, don't you? Lol. Anyway, thanks again.