If you’re writing a thriller novel, you’ll need to know how to write fight scenes that are both exciting and believable. In addition, a fight scene needs Conflict, Purpose, and Reason to be effective.
In this blog post, we will discuss each of these elements and give you some tips on creating an action-packed scene that your readers won’t forget!
The three essential ingredients for a good fight scene
Conflict is what makes a fight scene interesting. It’s the driving force that keeps the action moving and leads to dramatic scenes of violence and suspense.
However, for conflict to be compelling, it needs to be purposeful.
That means your characters need a reason to fight, whether it’s revenge, defending their loved ones, or self-defense.
How to create conflict and tension in your fight scenes
You can create tension in your settings in several ways.
One common technique is to place your characters in dangerous or compromising situations.
Another way to add pressure is by using suspenseful music and sound effects in your writing.
You can also use short, punchy sentences to create a fast-paced feeling.
Here is an example of a physical violence scene:
Jess, a physically strong woman in her early 30s, had given the police a description of a man who was one of their most wanted.
The police had tried to catch him for a long time, and now it looked like they finally had something solid on him.
When Jess agreed to testify, they put her in a safe house for protection. She had seen this man in action and always stayed on guard.
She was in her kitchen boiling water when she heard an unusual sound. She reached for the pot. In the next instant, a man swung around the doorframe. There was a heavy gun in his hand, leveled right at her.
Jess reacted on instinct and flung the boiling water in his face. He screamed and blinked furiously, trying to keep his aim steady.
Jess darted out the other side of the kitchen and ducked behind the sofa. She heard him coming after her. She grabbed an iron candleholder from the coffee table and hurled it at him.
The man cried out and clutched his forehead. Blood seeped through his fingers and into his eyes. She’d blinded him for the moment. That gave her a chance.
Looking to escape, she knew she couldn’t get past him and out the front door. She quickly scanned for something she could use as a weapon. Grabbing a duck bookend from the bookcase, she slipped back into the kitchen while the man was still dabbing at the blood running down his face.
She heard him coming closer and quietly moved to the other end of the kitchen. She peeked out, couldn’t see him, and made a mad dash for the front door.
But before she reached the hallway, he was there, blocking it, throwing himself on top of her, flattening her to the floor. With lightning speed, she smashed the bookend into his face, sending the duck’s beak through his nostrils.
His body slackened, and he dropped the gun. Amy grabbed it, kneed him hard in the groin, and scrambled away as he folded with a groan.
The noise from the fight had attracted neighbors, who quickly called the police when they saw Jess standing there with a gun pointing at a bleeding man on the floor.
What purpose each fight scene should serve
The purpose of the fight scene will determine how it’s written. For example, if the fight climaxes the scene or chapter, it needs to be longer and more detailed.
If it’s just a tiny part of the story, you can focus on the action and keep the description short.
No matter what, your fight scenes should always serve a purpose in moving the story forward or learning something about the character’s personality.
Here is an example of a good fight scene:
-On the phone with a neighbor friend, Rebecca was in the kitchen when she heard a loud crash from the living room. She told her friend something had happened and to wait while she checked it out.
Rebecca’s husband was on the floor, holding his stomach and bleeding badly. “Help me,” he said weakly.
Rebecca knew how to treat injuries and quickly assessed the situation. She also knew that someone was watching them.
As she ran for the phone, the attacker came after her, knife in hand. Rebecca grabbed a kitchen chair and hit him over the head with it. He dropped to the ground, unconscious.
“Call 911,” she said to her friend before running back into the living room to help her injured husband.
The importance of reason in great fight scenes
The reason your characters fight determines the tone and style of your fight scene.
For example, if your characters fight for a noble cause, the scene will be more heroic and dramatic. But if they’re fighting out of greed or hatred, the fight will be darker and more violent.
No matter the reason, every fight scene needs to serve a purpose.
Here is an example of a battle scene:
Rusty kept a careful eye on the traffic as he drove south on the mountain highway at dusk. A few cars had passed him without slowing and vanished into the distance. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
He’d soon be buying a flight to Barbados and starting a new life. God knows he was paying Neil enough for the papers to skip the country.
It had gone fully dark when a car with its lights off suddenly drove up beside him and tried to force him off the road. Rusty tried to escape, but the other car was faster. It moved him farther and farther to the side until he ran into a thicket and stopped. The other car pulled in behind him.
Rusty slipped his gun into his sleeve and waited for a door to open, expecting to see Monty’s thugs.
Instead, Neil stepped from the car. The double-crossing sonofabitch was going to muscle him. Neil waved for him to get out.
“What the hell is this?” Rusty stepped from his car and moved toward Neil. “You told me to meet—”
“Don’t move,” Neil snapped, pulling a gun. “Show me the money. Thirty grand.”
“We said twenty.”
“Twenty grand will hide you from Monty. If you want to hide from Pedretti, Monty’s boss? That’ll cost you thirty.”
“Who the fuck … Okay, okay. Hey, come on, put the piece away. I’ll give you everything I have. Twenty-two thousand. Search me, search the car. You won’t find more than that.”
“Where is it?”
“Pockets, money belt.”
“Take it out. Nice and slow. Put it on the ground and back off.”
Rusty did what he was told.
“Turn around and lie on your stomach. Arms over your head.”
“Chill, man,” Rusty said. He turned and let his gun slide into his hand. “I won’t argue about the money. There’s no need for this bullshit. I thought we had a deal. What about the junk?”
“Arms over your head!” Neil yelled.
Rusty swung around and fired. The shot hit Neil in the arm, and his gun went flying.
Neil didn’t miss a beat. He rushed at Rusty, slamming into him and trying to pry the gun from his grip. He could only use one arm, but being larger than Rusty, he began to overpower him.
Then Rusty pulled a knife.
Use strong verbs and sensory details
Here are a few boxing matches with just enough detail:
1: From the first punch, the air was electric. Fists flew through the air like missiles, connecting with stomachs and faces with sickening thuds. I could hear the grunts and see the sweat flying as they fought.
The fighter on the left was fast, but the one on the right was faster, using his speed to his advantage, dodging and weaving around his opponent’s punches.
Then, suddenly, he landed a powerful uppercut that sent his opponent reeling backward. I could see his eyes widen in shock as he realized he was about to lose.
But it was too late. The other fighter pounced on him, landing punch after punch until his opponent lay motionless on the ground. The crowd erupted in loud cheers, and the fighter raised his arms in victory.
2: The boxer circles his opponent, dancing on the tips of his toes. He feints to the left and then comes in with a powerful right hook.
His opponent ducks and weaves, trying to stay out of reach. But the boxer is too fast – he lands another punch, this time to the gut: the victim doubles over and gasps for air.
The fighter raises his fists in victory, knowing he’s won this fight.
The scene described above brings the fight to life through strong verbs and sensory details.
By using words like “dances,” “feints,” “punches,” and “victory,” the author has effectively created a picture in the reader’s mind.
Additionally, including phrases like “ducks and weaves” and “gasps for air” help further engage the reader.
3: The fighters circle one another, gauging the distance and studying each other’s movements. The air is electric with anticipation.
The first fighter makes a sudden move, lunging forward and throwing a powerful punch. But the other fighter is ready and quickly ducks out of the way.
The second fighter charges forward, unleashing a flurry of punches that seem to rain down on his opponent like a storm. But again, the first fighter can dodge them all.
The fight continues like this for a few minutes, both fighters taking turns attacking and dodging. But eventually, the first fighter seems tired and starts to falter.
The second fighter sees his chance and strikes, landing a powerful punch right in the first fighter’s face.
The first fighter is knocked to the ground. The second fighter stands over him, triumphant.
4: He swings his arm back then thrusts forward with a powerful punch. The air rings with the sound of his fist colliding with flesh. Her head snaps back as she stumbles backward.
He advances on her, looming over her like a predator. She tries to scramble away, but he grabs her arm, twisting it behind her back until she cries out in pain.
Tips for writing realistic and believable action
When writing fight scenes, it’s essential to be as natural as possible. Here are a few tips to help you achieve that:
Make sure your characters are physically capable of the actions
You don’t want your protagonist to be able to do a backflip when she’s only in good shape enough to do a cartwheel.
Avoid describing movements your character couldn’t make
If someone is attacked from behind, they’re not going to have time to do a complicated spinning kick.
Take into account the laws of physics
If someone punches someone else in the stomach, they’re not going to go sailing through the air like they were hit by a truck.
Always take into account the surroundings of the fight scene
Try to use the surroundings to your advantage.
A character trying to fight in a small, cramped room will have a much harder time than a character fighting in an open field. The surrounding of the fight scene can also add to the tension.
The fight scene between Neo and Agent Smith in The Matrix is the best fight scene I’ve ever seen. It’s so well-choreographed and intense.
Conclusion
To write fight scenes that are both exciting and believable, make sure you include conflict, purpose, and reason.
Use strong verbs and sensory details to bring the fight to life. Make sure your characters are physically capable of the actions they’re taking.
Avoid describing movements your character couldn’t realistically make, and consider the laws of physics when writing about physical altercations.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to write compelling fight scenes that will keep your readers on the edge of their seats!
If you’re working on your first novel and are looking for more help with your writing, please check out my other articles at https://ullahakanson.com/blog/
Best of luck with your writing!
Ulla