In the opening scene of my novel, my MC Jared is being chased through the forest by a werewolf.
Usually when I write horror, I do the atmospheric creepy kind. This is my first time writing action, and I need help making it exciting! Please give me advice.
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Mär 30, 2008 - 10 27
I've always heard that in action scenes, you're supposed to use shorter sentences. (Nothing ridiculously short that is drastically different from the rest of the narrative, of course.) Just don't spend time dwelling on little details and keep things more direct. Also, try to incorporate all five of the senses. Can he hear the wolf coming? Is it a cold night? Can he smell something? etc.
Hope that helps!
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Mär 30, 2008 - 12 06
I'd also like to add that make sure the details you include are ones that enable a reader to see the action without slowing it down. For example, Jared, during a particularly unlucky moment may turn a wrong corner and run into a brick wall, but he won't notice details like the fine craftsmanship or the year the building was made...he'd be more likely to notice the throbbing in his head.
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Apr 9, 2008 - 22 12
I loves me some chase scenes.
I like to visualize them. Close your eyes and let the chase play out in front of you, like a first-person movie. Put yourself in the chase instead of your MC - the wolf's breath is hot on the back of [i]your[/i] neck. Unseen tree branches are slashing [i]your[/i] face. What do you see? Is the moon lighting your way? Are roots or rocks waiting to snag your feet and send you into the dirt? Do you dare look around to pick a safer path, or trust fate to keep you safe and keep bulldogging ahead? Do you look back over your shoulder to see how close the monster is, or do you just pump your legs faster? Is the exertion too much - is your breath running short, is adrenaline cramping your thighs? Do you have to pee?
You won't have time to think. Just report what's there. Hopefully the reader will get caught up in Jared's plight, feel his danger as their own.
There's no reason at all you can't make a chase like this both exciting and creepy. The jolts will come from Jared's (read: your) predicament - half a step ahead of death. The creepy can come from tiny snippets of description, which is all he/you will have time to see anyway - shadows in the night, blood pounding in your ears, panic almost as dangerous as the werewolf.
Sounds like the makings of a classic scene.