For example, “Platoon” selected a section of a company to go on patrol in the Vietnam jungle, night and day, to tell the story of young American foot soldiers and particularly, the growth of one particular named Taylor. Then, think of your story within the context of a particular moment in the war. The action that arises from the characters, i.e., what each character does, moves along the plot, defines character, and produces story theme and meaning. You have already arrived at most of the story, since story is about character and relationships. Look at what you did in the first paragraph. QUESTION: What do you think is one thing many battle/war scenes get wrong? Here’s a list of the best war novels to get you started. Reading is one of the best ways to improve your writing, regardless of your topic. If you’re not sure your battles have a realistic edge, read other books in the genre. When In Doubt, Read Military Memoirs And Fiction If you find yourself writing a familiar battle scene (one soldier dragging another to safety, or one person dying in another’s arms), be sure to mix up the action with your own unique perspective. Falling back on clichés is sometimes the easy way out. While every genre has its tropes, be aware of choices that lead to scenes that are overly familiar. By spending the extra time and doing the research, you’ll have a story that resonates with authenticity and powerful details-especially if you’re writing military fiction.Īvoid clichés. If you’re writing historical fiction or even memoir, check (and recheck!) your facts. You might not respect your antagonist’s decisions, but by understanding them, you’ll bring depth and emotion to your work. Whether you’re writing about a perpetrator of violence or a victim, dig deep within your own personal capacity for empathy to tease out elements that will make all of your characters human, relatable, and real-even the villains. If you need to make a choice about your character’s actions that happens to align with stereotypes of violence, make sure you do so with caution. Some people may laugh others might be offended. If your violence is comic, be cautious of subtext. Sometimes, the familiar smell of coffee and a campfire can be more emotionally powerful than the less familiar smell of a lit cannon fuse. Whether you’re writing about the trenches of World War I or the Time-Space Wars of the Zygine Galaxy, pay attention to the little details of everyday life. If not handled properly, big battles can feel impersonal and lead to “action fatigue.”įocus on the details. However, remember that “epic” doesn’t necessarily mean emotionally engaging. Allow your narrator a moment to look around at what’s going on so that your reader can also see what’s happening. Capture the vastness of a battle by showing us a wide view of the action. The key is to be aware of your choices and why you’re making them. Of course, you may be going for “offensive” in order to make a point about your subject, but violence that’s heavy on detail needs to have a point. Graphic, explicit scenes can become offensive when they’re overdone or unnecessary. #STORYWRITING INTERROGATION TIPS HOW TO#Here’s how to write battle scenes that are accurate and effective.Ĭonsider whether certain violent elements need to be included. But writing about war can be tricky: Some readers might be sensitive about graphic depictions of war and violence others may have a hard time understanding what’s happening if you don’t go into detail. Both fiction and memoir writing have endeavored to make sense of (or even see the senselessness of) violent conflict.
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