How do you write out a fight scene?

[TheOne]

I could use a little help when it comes to writing fight scenes. More specifically sword fights. Do you use sound effects such as "Swoosh" or "K-clang". Or is it best to write out each of the characters' movements in great detail?

[TheXtraordinaryX]

Sound effects are necessary unless you're creating a specific feeling of silence for the fight. The points of impact are like checkpoints that prove something is happening (for comics), if that makes sense. If it's for a novel, just make sure you've written so the audience knows impact was made.

As for specific movements for the characters: it depends on what kind of story you wanna tell and this specific scene you want to create. If it's one of those, 'specific styles for specific characters' stories, then yeah. Big or small, the idea that each character has distinct movements just has to be noticeable. But if this isn't one of those stories, don't bother making a big deal out of each movement. Just keep the stakes up so the audience still knows something is happening.

If it's a fight scene that means something or rarely happens, keep the stakes up as well. Just like the person losing, keep the audience on their toes.

Edit: Oh and if it's a training scene, you can try to make it memorable but it's just a training scene. Just don't let it drag. If you need to extend it for character building, i recommend you cut it up into bite sized segments. Sparring scenes could be treated like a training scene or the ones i described earlier. I don't recommend you connect a sparring scene after a training scene unless the training scene was short and simple. Don't drag it.

[TheOne]

This makes sense. Thanks for the feedback.

[ivanskilling]

If this is for a novel, I would say to keep the sound effect words down to a minimum.

It's better to describe the sound, the fight atmosphere, and the movement using strong adjectives. For example, this is an action scene from my zombie story:

She threw a punch straight at him, wanting to wipe off that apathetic look on his face. Almost as if he had anticipated her move, he dodged to the left, grabbed hold of her arm and slammed it down on the table. His other hand found the back of her head and pushed it face down onto the wooden surface.

She cried out in pain, the side of her face feeling the burn of the impact. Her lips curling into a snarl, she regarded him with a murderous glare. As he bent closer, she jerked her head about but his firm grip kept her face planted on the table.

At the same time, try not to add on unnecessary description until the scene turns into purple prose. That will lose readers and the pace of the action will go slower. Sometimes short sentences are equally powerful and deliver a punch to the gut. So pacing is important!

Another example where in this case, a sound effect does help.

With two hands, she firmly grasped the wire that hit below her hip and pushed it down. Looking back, she slowly lifted her leg and swung it-

“Gnrhhhh!”

The fence shook as an undead man flung himself onto it, his fingers reaching out to grab her. Shocked, she released her grip and the barbed wire bounced back into place. As she hurriedly backed away from the growling undead, a cut on her wrist caused her to hiss in pain.

With no time to lose, she unslung her rifle, aimed it and- click.

Fuck!

No ammunition.

Hope this helps!

[antimekii]

I do believe it is best to write combat in beats? For example, I map out a certain fight scene by having the first contact> the back and forth> the climax> the resolution. Movement between those beats and actions are usually acted out by myself, just so I can see if the attack would connect and so on.

[Drewbie]

It highly depends on how you write it in. If you write it like "The sword swung beneath my chin with a swoosh" I think it makes it sound more childish. Personally I would just cut out the with a swoosh and carry on the fight.
another thing is that it is also important on how you describe pain and people reactions to it. Such as the searing pain of a burn or a punch that knocks their breath away,
If you are doing a fantasy fight then you need to describe how to effects the environment too so that the audience sees the impact even if the attack doesn't hit.

Example
Wind ripped across my body as I dashed across the plains, the gales carving small cuts all across my body, each missed gale carving deep into the ground to my flanks. With just a flick of my wrist, the earth around my feet trembled, earthen spears shooting into the nameless figure before me, Then suddenly, right as I finished my approach, the harsh gales that assaulted me wrapped around my limbs.
Blood sprayed across the grass as I cried out, thrashing about in a weak attempt to escape the slashes. Then finally, they did. Leaving only the stabbing pain of the gashes as I collapsed to the ground.

[Penni]

I would also recommend keeping actual sound effects to a minimum. It can be viewed as distracting for some readers. Not saying you need to eliminate it entirely, but for a fight scene, the reader an picture what is going on with the sound effects.

Something like @Drewbie or @ivanskilling said, I feel would make for stronger writing.

[Kido-san97]

In my early high school manuscripts, every fight scene I wrote was meant for a manga/comic book so I would write onomatopoeia after onomatopoeia to show the artist what kind of impact I was going for. Now that I'm switching to narrative format, I often see people in forums or articles who are strongly against using onomatopoeia in their fight scenes especially in YA or adult novels. However, I do find onomatopoeia during fight scenes in certain novels but at a specific minimum.

Onomatopoeia is more preferred in comics than regular novels, but as the writer, how you want to present a scene is solely up to you. Hell, I still use them in my narratives at times because I want the reader to feel the impact of a certain maneuver or attack.

When I write fight scenes, I like to be specific about my character's movements and positioning. As a fan of pro wrestling and arcade fighting games, the choreography between the combatants is the first thing I plan out.

Like @Xtraordinary said, keep your characters' specific fighting style as well as their personalities in mind during a fight. Ask yourself "What would they do?", "How would they move?", "How far are they willing to go?" Like do they fight honorably, moderately aggressive, or to kill?

Best of luck!

[TheOne]

@Drewbie @Penni @MRD_CROWE97 Thank you all for your feedback. I will take everything into great consideration, so I can improve my writing!

[DualDragons]

This is a weird one for me because i do alot of fighting in my comic. But i do draw them out so they are more visual.

Like said by the others above i'd describe the character's movements if you are writing a fight scene. Without a picture you'll need to give the reader a bit of text so they have a good imagination of what the fight is all about.

I'd not avoid sound effects but try to keep them to a minimum since it might become tedious to read all sound effects (i'm not a writer so i'm putting this from a readers perspective)

I wouldn't do too much dialogue but it might be able to help if you do let your characters speak to set up a mood or set up the stakes.

Finally and this is not limited to written fights, try to keep the fights clear and elaborate. If the readers gets confused on what is going on during the fight you'll lose their concentration.

That's all the advice i can give you as a reader and as a shounen artist myself

[borzoiteeth]

I'd recommend finding some fight choreographic videos! Most fights in real life, if done right, should be short and quick. Unless your audience is thirsting for realism (which many think they do but really don't) you are likely looking to draw out the action for drama. Watching/reading some fight choreography can help you judge what elements you want to have for your work.