On Writing Action

We love action. In fact, we love it so much that entire categories of film have been created to cater to our fascination with it. Much of our intrigue with action arises from visual mediums like movies, anime, and video games. When we envision action sequences, we think of iconic actors like Bruce Willis or Keanu Reeves battling adversaries in their quest to achieve certain objectives. However, it's important to note that these action sequences are often crafted not by the screenwriters themselves, but by choreographers and directors. It makes sense that those who understand the visual aspects of the medium would excel at creating captivating action scenes.

But where does that leave us writers, especially those who don't specialize in screenplays? We share the same love for action as anyone else, so how can we effectively translate this beloved technique onto the written page? In prose, it's challenging to recreate the same level of excitement that Hollywood produces, primarily because meticulously detailing blow-by-blow action can quickly become tedious and potentially boring for the reader.

To write action effectively, we must first understand what we aim to achieve with the story. As storytellers, we are already proficient at portraying conflict. The issue lies not in whether or not to engage in conflict, but rather in how we can translate "action" into conflict within prose. Sure, we could write that Prot threw a punch at Anta, and Anta dodged it before countering with a sidekick. However, such a description lacks the impact it would have in a visual medium.

We still need to grasp how the action connects to and develops the existing conflict. This understanding must come first. Otherwise, we might as well write about sparring exercises at a boxing club. Any action we incorporate must contribute to the larger conflict among the characters. That being said, how can we create action sequences that are genuinely exciting and enthrall our readers?

I personally adhere to three guidelines when writing action sequences: Slow down, Work in Beats, and Move Toward a Goal.

1. Slow down the action: This may appear counter-intuitive since action is typically fast-paced and exhilarating. However, slowing down the narration allows us to delve into more vivid descriptions of the scene and the characters' physical and emotional experiences. We can highlight the movement of relevant objects that advance the scene, without resorting to excessive detailing just for the sake of it.
2. Work in beats: The most effective approach to an action sequence is to break it down into smaller scenes or beats. Each beat serves a specific purpose and revolves around a mini-goal. Let's say we want to describe a thrilling car chase. While car chases excel visually, it's essential to make them equally gripping on the page. We can achieve this by focusing on the smaller goals the characters are trying to accomplish within the larger sequence. Each mini-scene presents an obstacle, and the characters must overcome or bypass it. For example, the hero's initial goal might be to enter the car while being pursued. We can then describe the hero's interactions with the car, keys, pedestrians, etc. Does he successfully achieve this mini-goal, or must he find an alternative solution? Once he's in the car, another obstacle arises: the car won't start (a classic trope). By breaking down the action into beats, we maintain a sense of urgency and tension.
3. Move toward a goal: Continue progressing through the sequence of events until the hero either reaches their destination or is thwarted. Throughout each mini-scene, the incremental progress toward the ultimate goal or inevitable destination should be palpable. Each beat should build upon the previous one, leading to a climactic ending.

Next time you find yourself writing an action scene, I encourage you to try this approach. I've found it to be the most engaging way to convey this aspect of a story. We can effectively captivate our readers with action in a manner that rivals the enjoyment we derive from visual mediums.