How to write Action Scenes + A small tip on how to be a better RolePlayer · 4:58am Dec 4th, 2015
As a couple of friends have asked me, especially when I were to describe a scene that I imagined from a game, but with more detail, or even a re-writing of some events that happened in a D&D game I run/ran, some of my friends have said... "Wow man. That's kind of believable. I mean, minus the magic, or the crazy stuff. How'd you think of it without it being so friggin' long or ... drab?"
Well, I recall reading an article about it some time ago.. i wish I could friggin' remember where I saw it, but essentially I applied basic logic/Newton's law. The whole, "For every action there's a reaction." Heck, it goes for Roleplaying as well. Single line answers don't even CUT it. I mean, if SOMETHING is happening, there is a thought process.
ie. Narrator: You are suddenly jumped upon by a timberwolf! Its wooden body click and clack as the thick wood hit against each other as it bears down upon you, it's jaws open wide as the stench of rotted wood and seep through between it's sharp, jagged wooden teeth! It pins you to the floor as it gnashed at your face. What do you do?
Some folks who don't know how, or are intimidated (yes, this is actually a thing. Most veterans, or even some new roleplayers, who are writers, CAN Wall-O-Text and scare off people.) will probably come up with something I consider, "Not even bare minimum."
Re: I gasp in shock and shake it off.
See, the thing is with every ACTION, there is a RE-action. So you can easily think up of something your character would do or say.
Re: "Oomph!" a gasp of breath escaping my chest, as I was dropped to the floor. My eyes rolling in their sockets as I thought to keep my wits about me, only for sharp wooden teeth to come into my view. Hefting my legs under the Timberwolf, I heaved with all my might to kick the wooden wolf off of me, scrabbling to right myself up.
So yeah, there's always an Action, a Thought, perhaps even Dialogue for every post. So that's *at least* Two-Three sentences.
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Anyway, back onto the writing aspect...
You might want to even the odds in combat. Maybe a small scratch, or a barely missed dodge. Perhaps parry for parry, blow for blow. UNLESS the point is to establish how much stronger or competent the other is. an example would be, The upstart pretty boy gets soundly trounced without a sweat by the veteran, or the showoff mage gets stunned by the meek awkward cleric. Otherwise it's just drab and boring. You'll have a Mary Sue/Gary Stu being op godlike lulz. Try to make the odds even and fair, otherwise, like I said... Just "bleah."
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Try to imagine, your scene. The WHOLE scene. Just everything in general. Try to see it in HD, or through your characters' eyes. Both of them. let them 'drink' in the scenery. Lightning flashing, steel clashing. The shields reflecting the light of the sun. Otherwise stuff just doesn't flow right, as they trade. But again, try to have it make SENSE. Like... did they really need to backflip over a table? Was it necessary to use a spell there? I mean, they might be rogues/assassins, or magical proteges, but remember PHYSICS still applies. They may be skilled, and may be more combat maneuverable than a guy in huge chunky plate armor, but it does have to fit their style. Unless they're being showboaty.
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And another is... try to know the lore that you have come up with, or that is "canon." Physics applies, no matter what you make up, as even in a setting on Mars, there's still physics. Just different. And try to remember your own canon. Was someone injured before-hand? Do they have a limp? Maybe a magical burn out? A scar? Self-conscious/muscle reflex to hide something on their body? The little details in what you write, can apply much more in the future! Especially if you write about combat styles, as they may not 'change' overly, but there's a difference between Fencing, and general swordsmanship.
That's pretty much it from me for today, but good luck everyone, and keep writing.