Showing Not Telling: Action

Sometimes we all get so caught up in the showing not telling rule that we become obsessed with it and reject anything that doesn't hold true.
There are exceptions. Action scenes are one of them.

Several aspiring writers I've talked to all claim they're terrible at writing an interesting action scene. When I ask why, most shrug and say that they just don't "have the knack for it."
What I've discovered is that most fear telling too much.

When writing an action scene, feel free to tell. It's dastardly difficult to show all the time; impossible in some cases.
Let's examine an action scene;

Max yelped. The bullet had hit him. He stumbled. He clutched his shoulder and ran. More shots echoed from behind. One narrowly missed his heel and sent sparks flying from the concrete. Max dove to the side and under an overturned car. He fumbled with his own gun and tried to take of the safety with one hand. Another shot slammed into the vehicle above his head. Max ducked.

Now let's try to add some showing to the scene;

Max yelped as hot lead seared his flesh. He stumbled, using the hand not clutching his shoulder to stop his fall. More shots echoed from behind, forcing him into a run. Sparks flew up from the concrete as a bullet narrowly missed his heel. Max dove to the side and under an overturned car. His free hand fumbled to take his own gun off safety. Max ducked as another shot slammed into the vehicle.

If you'll notice, not every sentence is showing. But there's enough sprinkling of it to make it interesting while maintaining the pace.

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Writing What You Know

I've often heard the phrase, "write what you know." Until recently, I didn't understand what that meant.

This "rule", when taken literally, would prove too limiting. After all, how many of us have been kidnapped, fought a dragon, flown to the moon, traveled back in time, or saved the world? Not many.

You don't need to experience something to write about it. The whole story does not have to be familiar to you. But, as a human being, there are some things you do know.

Emotions
We all feel. You know what it's like to be furious, depressed, and euphoric. You can take this knowledge and use it to gage your character's reactions.
What's it like to lose a loved one? How did you feel?
If your character is going through the same ordeal, you can describe the pain and loss because you felt it.

Setting
In Twilight by Stephanie Meyer, the reader is given a glimpse of Phoenix, Arizona. This was something Meyer knew well, since she grew up there.
Granted, you don't have to live somewhere to write about it. But we can draw conclusions based on what we do know.
For example, I've never been to New York City. But I know what it's like to be in other cities, therefore I can assume its loud, busy, crowded, and vandalized.

Observations
For fantasy writers, writing what you know can seem impossible. You don't know what it's like to stand by a river in a fictional world. But you do know what a river is like. You know the feel of water, the gentle pull of the current, the muddy bottom. We can base our impossible worlds on things that we know from this one.

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Choosing a Notebook

Your writing tools are the keystone of your creativity. The notebook and pen you choose are important.

I like to choose a cheap  spiral notebook. For me, those fancy moleskin notebooks put too much pressure on the writer. You feel like every word has to be brilliant. But brilliance is impossible in a rough draft. Save your money. A notebook from Walgreens works just as good, and you feel more relaxed scrawling in it.

The paper quality is also important. There's nothing so frustrating as erasing a hole in your masterpiece. Choose paper that won't tear easily.

I would suggest getting a thick notebook. When I started writing in my three subject notebook, I thought there was no way I would fill all those pages.
I did.

On the subject of composition notebooks; just say no. The paper comes out too easily. If that's the way you like, than fine. But be sure to number your pages or it'll all be a mess. I chose to write my 1st novel in a composition. After the binding broke it took me two days to decipher my handwriting and put my worn novel back into chronological order. (I'm still not 100% sure it's right.)

Depending if you're spatial or not, the color is relatively important. I try to choose a color that matches the mood of the story I want to write. (Hence, black notebooks tend to lead to YA fiction.)

But the most important aspect of a notebook is that it has to work for you. You're the writer. Try to find a notebook that makes you excited every time you see it. A notebook that you can carry around without feeling stupid. A notebook that reflects your personality. A notebook that will inspire you.

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Finding Time to Write

It's a problem every writer will face. There is no magic solution. You need to change something; you need to make time, or find time.

Writing entails using every available moment. There are times when you're sitting around doing nothing. Use that time. Utilize your lunch breaks, time in the waiting room, the bus, or the dull parts of a professor's lecture. And if you think it looks lame walking around with a notebook, there's nothing stupid about an intelligent person fufilling their dreams.

Or make time. Clear out your schedule. Hey, instead of spending three hours on Facebook, why don't you write? Decide not to watch that movie, and use those two hours to your advantage.
I'm not saying cut all communications with family and friends. You have to gage for yourself if a certain activity is worthwhile.

In addition to all that, set aside a specific time to write each day. Try to write daily, even if you're not inspired, even if you'll end up trashing everything you wrote anyway.

It takes dedication.
How badly do you want to get it finished? To get it published?
Only the most determined of writers succeed. Decide now to be that writer.

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Arming your Character

Picture by YagaK.deviantart.com

Whether villain or hero, characters need the means to defend themselves.
Or attack.

Non-Violent
Who uses this: Physically weak people, cowards, those confident enough in their mental strength, characters not used to weapons.

Non-violent defenses are primarily based on wits. Rather than use weapons or brute strength, these characters rely on their intelligence and cunning to get themselves out of trouble.

Examples: Planning, lies, persuasion


Violent
Who uses this: Characters who are strong, bloodthirsty, skilled, or have no other choice.

These weapons are are used to cause physical damage. Often, the weapon your character prefers represents their personality.

Knife/Dagger: Sleek, careful people favor this. It's easily hidden and practical for small, quick attacks.

Sword: This usually brings to mind  a well-built, often noble, character. While the sword can do more damage, it's not as easily secreted as a knife. The thickness of the sword depends on th character. Are they one to use a heavy broadsword or a lithe rapier?

Axe: Only the strongest can weild this. Very obvious and dangerous. Tends to result in a bloody scene.

Bow/Crossbow: What better way to attack an enemy than from a distance? While the bow is easy to carry, It's effectiveness depends on the archer's skill. A crossbow is heavier, but can be used by the untrained to deliver heavy blows.
Quick, wiry characters are most often seen with a bow while the crossbow is more for the strong character.

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