Class Notes: Writing Gripping Action Scenes
Getting the Most Out of This Course
1. First, please remember that there is no one way to write an action scene. These are guidelines not rules.
2. To that end you will get the most out of the course if, rather than memorizing what is said here or read on a
blog or in a book, you take the ideas shared here and apply them by analyzing the action scenes and writers
work who YOU LIKE. This empowers you as a writer. This class is designed to help you do this.
3. You are learning to write an action scene IN YOUR AUTHORIAL VOICE AND STYLE. Please keep this in mind
and think relationally about all advice given.
4. Practice and read! This is how you will best learn
Defining an Action Scene
1. The Oxford English Dictionary defines “Action” as “The fact or process of doing something, typically to
achieve an aim.”
2. Most often people think of action scenes as scenes in which one of the following general things is happening:
a. A fight
b. An escape
c. A rescue
d. A chase
e. A shootout (fight with firearms)
f. A large battle
g. A heist (evading security or stealing something)
h. A race
i. A sports competition
3. Actions scenes compress action into small amount of story time
4. Elements that generally are present in action-oriented scenes:
a. Narratively Urgent
b. Textually/stylistically Fast moving
c. High stakes
d. Competitive
Making a Relevant Story Event
1. An event is a turning point, a change.
2. Events can be external or internal
3. Questions to ask yourself:
a. Does this scene advance my plot?
b. Why does this scene need to take place HERE. (if you can lift it out and put it elsewhere without
affecting the narrative then you don’t need it)
c. What do my readers learn from this scene?
d. What is the result of this action? – change in a character? The reader has a deeper understanding of
the character?
4. In general, you want your protagonist or main character in the scene.
5. Make the conflict personal for both the protagonist and the antagonist
6. The best action scenes are actually more about emotion, not less.
Writing Action Scenes Class Notes 1
© Barbara Vance [Link] [Link]/Barbara
Provide Context
1. Consider setting up why something will be challenging.
2. You can provide context as it relates to the characters involved, the situation, the setting. Remember—
nothing happens in a void and what we think of something is generally determined by circumstances other
than the thing itself.
Consider the Characters
1. Think about unique aspects of characters, including:
a. Skills or training
b. Experience
c. Physical fitness or traits
d. Knowledge
e. Clothing or props
f. Weaknesses
2. Use action scenes for character development!
What are the Odds?
1. Part of what makes an action scene suspenseful and engaging are the odd we think the characters have.
2. Odds tend to favor characters with certain traits
Who Are We Rooting For?
1. Readers like to see characters succeed if they have already secured the moral high ground. They like to root
for characters who deserve to win because they have redeemable qualities.
Brainstorm What Can Go Wrong
2. It can get rather dull if your character always wins or if everything goes according to plan. Generally it can be
helpful if there are impediments to success.
Setting the Scene
3. Where you set your action scene matters because the terrain has a big effect on what your characters can
do.
4. What is the most interesting place for your scene?
5. Have a clear picture of setting in your mind
6. Be sure to think about your location from the character’s perspective – what enhances this as an action
scene?
7. Consider mapping out the action so you are really able to write it. If you are focused on where and how
character are moving, this could help you.
Educate Yourself on the Action
1. Familiarize yourself with the action taking place.
2. Think of sensory details to enhance realism.
Writing Action Scenes Class Notes 2
© Barbara Vance [Link] [Link]/Barbara
Pacing and Wording
1. Short sentences
2. Location of words in your sentences
a. Word location can create emphasis
3. Verbs
a. Choose specific verbs
b. Resist trying to come up with a lot of exotic verbs – look for normal words
c. Verbs to be wary of
i. State of Being Verbs
ii. Verbs that rely on adverbs
iii. Verbs with -ing suffixes
Simplicity and Information Management
1. remember that trying to describe every single action and reaction will slow the pace down and your reader
will become trapped in a bog of Too Much Information.
2.
Dialogue
• To accelerate dialoged, get to the point. Be direct. Avoid descriptions
Point of View
• Don’t forget sensory details – zooming in speeds things up
• Writing inside the action makes things more immediate
• Writing outside gives you context
Writing Action Scenes Class Notes 3
© Barbara Vance [Link] [Link]/Barbara