: Re: Where to find some good examples of combat or action scenes? I always learn a lot about about writing by reading other works and following their examples. Right now I'm very bad at writing

@Carla500

Vote Up Vote Down

There are different approaches.

David Gemmell and each of the Druss books.

Gemmell had the ability to write very simple but entertaining heroic fantasy. His Druss character was the best of them (Waylander close 2nd) because Druss was this indomitable force of will and strength on the battlefield.
Probably the best large action scene is in The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend at the Skeln Pass. Gemmell was at the top of his game writing these scenes.

JV Jones and her character Raif Sevrance. There are two specific battle scenes that completely engage me every single time I read them.

Raif at Duff's Stonehouse. The way Jones writes this scene and what follows is mesmerising. Raif slowly descends into a mindless rage, where all that matters are the hearts of his enemies (and hearts being a big deal).
Raif on the Bluddroad, when the Wagons are attacked. This is memorable not so much for the battle scene, but for the preceding buildup to the battle. The way Jones makes real the almost-slowing-down of time before the battle, spending time describing the snow, the horses, the sweat.

Robert Jordan and Rand al'Thor

Book 6, The Battle of Dumai Wells. One of the greatest battle scenes and culmination of "tension" in fantasy that I have read. Astounding piece of work that is at the very top of my memories of reading WOT years ago.

George R R Martin (GRRM)

There are so many scenes of battle / violence in his ASOIAF books that serve as memorable. Even the first prologue-ish chapter in the very first book has a sword-fight. Cataloging them is too crazy.
Advice: Read the ASOIAF series with the mindset of studying how he writes his action.

(0)

Login to post a comment!