In the novel I have been attempting to write, there's a huge fight scene. However, every time I sit down to write it, thinking I have every thing figured out, I come to realize that it just doesn't....flow right and I get stuck once again. Are there any tips out there for writing fight scenes?
"'Ford," he said, "you're turning into a penguin. Stop it.'" - Arthur from The Hitchhicker's Guide to the Galaxy
1- Realistic movements 2- The character's style 3- Danger
1- Realistic movements
Usually gotten from knowing some basics in fighting technique. If you've never taken self-defence (and I do recommend taking a little of it, just for practical reasons) then look up various techniques for fighting. Books can be a good source, but videos tend to be much better because you see the full movement, and you can really get a sense for what the move entails. This helps your description a lot.
2- The character's style
A combination of "Keep it in character" and "Make sure it fits the person [grammar] you're writing in."
Somebody who's very cold-blooded about fighting, considers it part of everyday life, and/or knows how to fight is going to react very differently than somebody who rarely fights, dislikes it, and/or doesn't know how. Also, a fight-scene written in third person often reads as different than a fight scene written in first person. In my experience, first person fight scenes are more introspective while third person scenes are a bit more focused on the chain of movements.
3- Danger
If it's a major fight, then there needs to be some sort of risk involved and a wonder just what shape the character will be in after the fight scene. Even if it's not that major a fight, danger and injuries are the best way to show even the best fighters get hurt and aren't nigh invulnerable.
Hope this helps!
A writer is a world trapped in a person— Victor Hugo
Ink is blood. Paper is bandages. The wounded press books to their heart to know they're not alone.
