When we think of action, images of car chases, explosions, and battles often come to mind. Action scenes are not limited to these, however. They include any scene in which physical activity and increased stakes are the main components.

Action scenes immerse readers into the heart of intense struggles between characters or against the setting. They can enhance stories in any genre. Imagine a romance that includes a suspenseful spy mission to find out whether a love interest is cheating. That's an action scene!

Whatever kind of action scene you want to write, they all share one thing in common: they provide a vivid and visceral experience for your reader.

Action scenes are often the most memorable moments in a story, because they engage readers and keep them hooked until the end. When you know how to write action well, you can deliver an emotional punch that sticks with readers long after they finish your story.

The key to creating action scenes that truly resonate with readers is to show not just what is happening in the moment, but also why it matters to your characters. Besides breaking up the monotony of exposition or dialogue-heavy sections of your story, they reveal character traits and motivations by depicting how characters respond to danger.

If you forge this kind of emotional connection between character and story, you can craft action scenes that feel authentic and satisfying for readers, while keeping them glued to the page.

Action in a story is not limited to physical fights. There are several types of action scenes you can use to ramp up the story you're writing. By including a variety of action scenarios, you can keep your stories fresh and exciting while maintaining a high level of tension and suspense throughout.

We'll delve deeper into tips for writing each type of action scene in the next post in this series, but here is an overview:

This type of scene may involve high-speed car chases, races on foot, or even one character pursuing another by air.

Point of view is crucial to this kind of action scene. Will you show events from the viewpoint of the captor/attacker or the intended victim? The scene could involve a police officer (the captor) apprehending a criminal or the protagonist (the victim) falling into the villain's clutches. Each point of view makes the fight to evade capture stir different emotions in the reader.

The physical and emotional stress of trying to escape confinement or a dangerous situation creates fantastic tension that can last beyond the end of the scene.

As in capture scenes, rescues can focus on the victim's point of view or that of the rescuer...or both, if this event covers a sequence of several scenes.

Whether the characters are trying to diffuse a bomb, prevent an assassination, or just get to school before the bell rings, these scenes provide great opportunities for high action.

A team plans and attempts to execute a complex theft, robbery, or reclaiming of some object or piece of information. The reader knows much can go wrong, which keeps the tension rising. Someone could make a mistake that derails the entire plan before the real action starts.

Detectives may sneak into a place to search for clues to a mystery or crime, a secret agent may plant a listening device, or one character may spy on her love interest to find out if he's cheating. Either way, the threat of being caught adds great tension to this point in the story.

In these scenes, characters must battle nature or a dangerous aspect of the story environment.

From battles of the wits to martial arts contests to professional football, this kind of action centers around team dynamics, individual goals, rivalry, and overcoming the odds.

Fight scenes take various forms, from a one-to-one sword fight or back alley brawl with fists to a sweeping battle scenes fought on horseback or in starships.

Action scenes can be thrilling, but they need to have a purpose beyond just creating excitement.

The action and its consequences must be integral to your story, advancing the plot and developing characters. When you write an action scene, always consider its broader context in your story.

These scenes should also be unique and memorable. Avoid cliches and predictable plotlines. Try mixing different kinds of conflict, setting the scene in an unusual environment, and bringing other fresh ideas to your high action moments. These elements will elevate your action sequences, making them worth writing and reading.

Writing a scene that's packed with action and keeps readers invested in the characters is not an easy task. Here are several mistakes that can derail your efforts to create compelling action sequences:

Since high intensity and conflict hook readers, making your story a nonstop thrill ride may seem like the ultimate win. You'll probably even be tempting to fill every action scene with endless fighting, running, or explosions. However, if you do either, you'll risk desensitizing, exhausting, and ultimately boring readers.

Too much action can become monotonous and hinder the story's pace. Instead, build up the tension and release it after suspenseful moments.

All good stories have ebbs and flows between high and low intensity. Create a balance between action and quiet moments that give characters (and readers) a chance to catch their breaths, assess the situation, and process what they've experienced.

These brief pauses also add to character development, since they may reveal something about the character'spersonality or backstory through his or her reactions or thoughts.

Remember, your scenes are not just about the action, but how it affects the characters involved. Take time to explore that impact.

The popularity of blockbuster movies often makes us think we need to throw in more explosions or make every fight scene epic. Adding these flashy moments just for the shock factor can distract readers from the heart of your story. Instead of adding depth and meaning, they can overshadow what truly matters...the characters.

So, focus on crafting action scenes that have a purpose—to drive the plot, reveal character traits, or propel the story forward. Then, every element, including those intense moments, will contribute to the overall narrative and truly resonate with your readers.

In the "one-man army" trope, the protagonist defeats an entire group of enemies without breaking a sweat. Not only can this be unrealistic and unbelievable, it also robs the scene of any tension or stakes.

One way to combat this cliched trope is to show the character making mistakes. Show him or her acting first, thinking later. Moments of high intensity often force people to react or make a snap decision that leads to mishaps or more dire consequences.

Be careful when including witty banter during an action scene. This technique may work well in swashbuckling movies or superhero films, but keep in mind that people in high tension situations are focused on survival, not cracking jokes. Besides, in the heat of battle, who has the breath for it?

One thing that makes action scenes hard to write is the need to give readers a vivid picture of complex events—without bogging them down in so much detail they lose track or feel overwhelmed.

Avoid the temptation to describe a character's every move or give a blow-by-blow account of an entire fight. Break up the choreography of your action with dialogue and only highlight key moments in action or fight scenes.

Writers of cozy mystery, romance, or inspirational stories may be tempted to gloss over the details of an action scene. This waters down the impact. Depict events that are crucial to the plot or to a character's arc unfolding in "real time," not summarized, allowing the reader to participate.

One of the biggest mistake writers make when including action scenes is failing to show their aftermath or consequences. Battles lead to injuries that should plague a character in future scenes. High-stakes chases, encounters, or drama will take an emotional toll that may not fully hit a character until later.

Some of the most powerful action scenes are those that lead to unexpected consequences for the protagonist.

When writing action scenes, it’s as important to craft strong sentences as it is to depict mighty characters.

Use powerful verbs, the "action words" of our language. Strong verbs are essential in creating a sense of movement and energy in your scene, so choose them wisely.

Adverbs

Avoid relying on -ly adverbs to describe actions. They weaken your writing by telling rather than showing what's happening.

For example, instead of writing, “he punched quickly,” try using descriptive verbs, such as jabbed or pommeled. This creates a vivid image in the reader's mind and adds more intensity to the scene.

Passive Voice

Also avoid using passive voice, as it can create distance between readers and the events, killing the excitement.

For example, instead of writing, "The punch was thrown by Bob," use active voice and write, "Bob threw a punch." This makes the sentence flow better and keeps the reader engaged in the action.

Using strong verbs and active voice can make any scene much more immersive. so readers feel like they’re right in the middle of all the excitement.

Writing an action scene is not about simply describing the physical movements of characters, vehicles, or objects. It's about creating an emotional experience for your reader. Follow these tips to create a memorable action scene that leaves readers biting their nails in anticipation of what comes next.

Each genre implies different reader expectations for what a story, and its action scenes, should include. For example, thrillers require more tension and high-stakes fights, while fantasy novels may prioritize the creative use of powers or show characters struggling to survive a hostile setting.

Your action scene should also be consistent with the tone of your story. Gritty shootouts and graphic descriptions of battle wounds have no place in a cozy mystery or lighthearted comedy.

A well-crafted action sequence should add to the overall atmosphere of your story and give readers what they expect, but maybe in a way they'll never see coming.

One of the most crucial aspects of writing an action scene is ensuring that it is significant to the story. Every event in a story should push the plot forward and add to its overall arc. A well-crafted action scene can serve as a turning point in your narrative—increasing tension, driving character development, and advancing your plot.

Without relevance to the plot, an action scene can stall your narrative or come across as gratuitous filler. You want your readers invested in every word you write. If they feel like they're slogging through unnecessary scenes, you risk losing their attention altogether.

Keep the scene relevant by tying each sequence back to a specific plot point or using action to reveal character traits and motives.

Quick exchanges during fight scenes can showcase character relationships and give insight into their personalities.

Short, snappy dialogue is a useful tool to make your action scenes more dynamic without reducing the pace or excitement. But remember to avoid excess banter!

An action scene is only as exciting as the stakes that are involved. These stakes could range from life or death situations, to emotional turmoil, to a simple character's goal.

Without clear and compelling stakes, readers won't feel invested in the outcome of your action scene.

Establish what is at risk early on in the scene and why it matters to your characters. Are they fighting to protect someone they love? To save their own lives? To prevent a disaster? Once you know what's at stake, you can ratchet up the tension by introducing obstacles that make it harder for your characters to achieve their goals.

High stakes for your characters, especially personal ones, will create an emotional connection with readers and make them care about what happens in your action scene.

To create conflict, think about what's driving each character in the scene. Is there a personal grudge between them? A difference in ideology or values? Are they competing for the same goal?

The action can also reflect or deepen a character's internal conflict. Tying the two types of conflict together (internal and external) will add depth and complexity to your scene and make readers more invested.

You can also add variety to your action scenes by incorporating different sources of conflict or obstacles for characters to overcome. This could involve environmental obstacles or forcing the character to defend herself with unfamiliar weapons.

Action scenes are not just moments of adrenaline-fueled excitement. They can have a significant impact on the rest of your story.

The decisions characters make during these scenes can alter the course of their journey, changing who they are and creating new conflicts.

For example, if a character chooses to use lethal force during an action scene, this decision could weigh on him throughout the rest of the story. It could cause him to question his morals and values or change how other characters relate to him.

However, if a character fails to act when she had the chance to prevent something terrible from happening, it could create feelings of guilt or regret that drive her behavior in later chapters.

The choice to act or failure to do so can also affect the wellbeing or survival of others or impact the society.

Fights, natural disasters, chases, and other types of action can also cause injuries. Do NOT forget to show characters dealing with and recovering from those injuries in future scenes.

By planning how an action scene will affect your story's trajectory, you can use these moments to propel your characters toward transformation.

In general, an action scene should move at a fast pace to keep your reader hooked. However, nonstop intensity, even within a scene, can dilute the impact of key moments.

Alternate between pulse-pounding activity and brief periods of calm to can create an adrenaline-fueled scene that keeps the suspense as high as the immediate tension.

For your audience, the action happens only as fast as they can read your description of it. So, keep your sentences short and snappy, make paragraphs brief, and avoid excessive detail. This is not the time for flowery description.

Create Balance: The perfect pace for any scene hinges on balancing action and story development. Action scenes must move the story forward.

To avoid bogging down the pacing and diluting the impact of the action, depict only the most important moments of the scene.

Consider which actions, reactions, situations, and turning points have the strongest effect on the characters—in this scene and afterward.

Instead of choregraphing every move, show moments of near disaster, small victories that keep the character going, injuries a character sustains, pivotal actions that turn the tide of the scene, or split-second decisions that lead to ongoing consequences.

Before you write the scene, make sure the pivotal characters are well-developed and that their participation in the action is believable.

Readers won't be invested in the outcome of the scene unless you give them a reason to care about the characters' fates before it begins, so make them 3-dimensional. (To help with this, grab your FREE copy of my R.E.A.L. Method to Creating Unforgettable Characters.)

Also ask yourself if this character is the best fit for the scene. Can this person execute the actions in a realistic way? Would he or she do so in the first place?

Pro tip: Research how different types of people respond physically and emotionally in high-pressure situations.

To bring an action scene to life, you must pull readers inside the head of your protagonist or viewpoint character. The most effective way to do so is to use a technique called deep point of view.

The Character's Headspace

Readers need to experience more than the characters' physical actions and reactions. Focusing on the viewpoint character's thoughts, feelings, sensory experiences, and internal reactions throughout the scene creates a sense of immediacy, builds tension, and increases the reader's empathy with the character.

Warning: Don't fall into the trap of head-hopping! Stick to one character's thoughts and emotions, unless you are writing in omniscient point of view.

Character Voice

Another way to immerse readers in your character's head is write all descriptions and prose (the non-dialogue parts of the scene) in your viewpoint character's voice. Write with the slang, comparrisons, and word choices this character would use when speaking.

Show, Don't Tell

Avoid the urge to state character emotions outright or summarize actions like a list of facts. This is a story, so use sensory detail, body language, internal physical responses, and on-stage action to show readers what's happening.

Don't be afraid to slow the pace a little, if necessary, to show rather than tell.

An action scene is more than just a physical altercation or daring escape. It's an opportunity to connect with readers on an emotional level.

Make sure something is at stake for your characters beyond their physical well-being. Maybe they're trying to save someone they love, or perhaps their sense of honor is on the line.

But don't rely solely on external factors to create emotional connections. Use your character's internal conflicts and personality quirks to give readers a deeper understanding of who they are and what drives them.

Maybe your protagonist has a fear of heights, and a rooftop chase scene forces her to confront it. Another character's anger issues may lead him to make a snap decision that impacts the rest of the story and changes him forever.

When you make the stakes personal, you create a tension that goes beyond adrenaline and keeps readers invested in the outcome.

Every great action scene needs a vivid, immersive setting to truly come alive for the reader. Whether it's a backstreet brawl or an epic escape from a distant planet, the right environment can add depth and texture to your writing while helping you keep track of the various moving pieces.

What kind of action do you want to write? Is it fast-paced and agile, or slow and methodical? Consider how the setting can enhance those qualities or create obstacles for the characters.

For example, if you're writing a chase scene through a crowded city street, you might describe the blur of vibrant colors and sounds of the bustling crowds, heightening the sense of chaos and urgency.

However, if your scene is a battle of wits and intellect against an evil genius, you might create an eerie landscape that reflects the villain's twisted mind.

To make your readers feel like they're right in the middle of the action, your scene should include all (or most) of the five senses. In other words, don't just describe what characters see or hear, but also what they smell, taste, and feel.

Since sight dominates most of our focus in the real world, we tend to gloss over or leave out other crucial senses.

For example, you might mention the sound of a fist hitting flesh during a fight scene. But if you also describe the jolt of the impact with vivid detail, readers will almost feel it. The taste of blood in a character's mouth afterward will add another layer of realism to the scene.

Smells can add tension or urgency. For instance, the stench of an enemy's breath shows that he's gotten way too close.

By using more of the senses in your scene, you'll not only make it more believable and engaging, but also enable readers to experience every moment alongside your characters.

Clarity is essential in action scenes. Readers need to grasp exactly what's going on and be able to visualize character positions and movements to feel immersed in the scene with the characters.

Use concise wording and simple terms to avoid confusion. Vivid imagery has its place, but it shouldn't compromise clarity.

To write fight scenes that grip readers' imaginations and pull them deep into the story, we need to follow a few techniques beyond the basic tips for writing other types of action. (Visit the blog in the next few weeks for an in-depth post on how to write a fight scene. Until then, here are a few tips to get you started.)

First, remember that fight scenes should serve the story. They can detract from the overall plot if you only add them because you think readers expect it.

Also, take special care when describing the choreography of fight scenes. Blow-by-blow descriptions of every move won't give the reader a clearer picture of the action, but the opposite. It’s also important to consider the characters involved and their unique fighting styles--but again, not in too much detail.

Finally, make sure the characters have a clear reason for the fight. Whether it’s a personal vendetta, a battle for survival, or something else entirely, the best fight scenes begin with strong character motivation.

By keeping these things in mind, you can create compelling and impactful fight scenes that keep readers in the thick of the action.