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How can I write a hand-to-hand combat scene that is not too brief or detailed?

Asked by: David Roberts

How do you write a good hand to combat scene?

The Four Most Important Factors in Realistic Fight Scenes

  1. Blocking. Readers have to know who is where when. …
  2. Terminology. This depends on your reader. …
  3. Fighting Style. Just like dialogue should stay true to character, so should the fight. …
  4. Clarity. A fight scene is one of those things that grabs a reader and drags them deeper.


How would you describe hand-to-hand combat?

Hand-to-hand combat (sometimes abbreviated as HTH or H2H) is a physical confrontation between two or more persons at short range (grappling distance, or within the physical reach of a handheld weapon) that does not involve the use of ranged weapons.

How do you write a simple fight scene?

Here are some tips:

  1. Write in shorter sentences. Shorter sentences are easier to digest. …
  2. Mix action with dialogue. Don’t just write long descriptions of what’s happening. …
  3. Don’t focus too much on what’s going on inside the character’s mind. Introspection happens before and after a fight, not during.
  4. Keep the fight short.


How long should a written fight scene be?

A helpful rule of thumb for writing a fight scene is that it should take about the same time to read as the encounter would in real life. Most fights only last a couple of minutes, which means you should devote no more than one or two pages to a given fight.

What is another word for hand-to-hand combat?

What is another word for hand-to-hand combat?

fistfight fight
brawl fisticuffs
run-in scuffle
skirmish slugfest
tussle clash

What does it mean by hand to hand?

Definition of hand-to-hand



(Entry 1 of 2) : involving physical contact or close enough range for physical contact hand-to-hand fighting.

What kind of hand-to-hand combat does the army use?

Most armed forces teach some form of unarmed combat, often a type of mixed martial arts where military personnel learn a combination of techniques including Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Krav Maga, grappling, and basic self defense against weapons in hand to hand combat.

How do you draw a fight scene?

That can make a big difference to the flow of your fight scene and that is changing your arm of action that your character is using to throw a punch or throw a kick from panel to panel.

What makes a good fight scene?

Your fight scene has to be part of your overall narrative, not a diversion from it. The key elements of a good story—character development, rising conflict, and detailed worldbuilding—must not be abandoned just because a fight is happening.



How do you write an intense scene?

10 Tips for Starting Strong Scenes

  1. Start with the setting. …
  2. Use visual imagery. …
  3. Drop the reader into the middle of the action. …
  4. Write a character-driven scene opener. …
  5. Summarize past events. …
  6. Introduce a plot twist. …
  7. Keep the purpose of the scene in mind. …
  8. Rewrite until you’ve found the perfect scene opening.

How do you write a touching scene?

6 Tips for Writing a Sad Story

  1. Tap into your own emotionality. …
  2. Know the difference between sentimentality and truth. …
  3. Leave room to be surprised by specific detail. …
  4. Pair strong emotions with ordinary ones. …
  5. Use backstories to add weight. …
  6. Use sad moments to further character development.


How do you write a traumatic scene?

Show the characters processing their trauma and trying to resolve their issues. How do their brains connect the moment to reminders of the past? Give your characters a backstory, but don’t let the traumatic event dictate their entire lives. Real people never want to be defined by a single thing that happened.

How do you write a grip plot?

6 Quick Tips For Writing Gripping Scenes



  1. Structure your scenes to maintain good pacing. …
  2. Create a strong sense of place through setting and time. …
  3. Allow characters’ motivations to drive scenes. …
  4. Include plenty of conflict and action. …
  5. Incorporate aspects of thematic significance.

How do you make a boring scene interesting?

This is how to keep your story fresh and exciting in every scene:

  1. If You Can, Trash It. Your first choice should always be to get rid of any in-betweens that don’t advance your plot. …
  2. Introduce Personality: Make It about Character. …
  3. Introduce Action: Make It about Drama. …
  4. Introduce Questions: Make It about Suspense.


How do you write a scene scene in a novel?

At the beginning of each scene in your outline, make note of the following:

  1. The number of the scene within the overall outline.
  2. The name and/or brief summary of the scene.
  3. The date of the scene within the story.
  4. The character whose POV (point of view) will be used.
  5. The setting(s) in which the scene will take place.


How do you end a scene in writing?

Writing scene endings: 6 ways to entice readers



  1. End scenes with surprise. …
  2. Finish a scene with a situation implying consequences. …
  3. End scenes with suspenseful action. …
  4. Finish scenes with a hint of what’s to come. …
  5. End scenes with the tension of arrivals or departures. …
  6. Finish a scene with the consequences of an earlier action.

When should a scene end?

Whenever an event has been completed and there is a sense of closure, the scene ends. This usually falls together with people meeting at the beginning and separating at the end of a scene, or with arriving at a location and leaving it, but is does not have to.

What do you put at the end of a chapter?

But today, we’re just looking at how to end a chapter.

  • A Graceful Cliffhanger. The cliffhanger is probably the most famous type of chapter ending, but I want to give you a variation on it. …
  • Ask a Question. …
  • Create an Arrival. …
  • Write a Description. …
  • Create a Mystery. …
  • Use Revelation/Surprise. …
  • Crack a Joke. …
  • Add to the Theme.

How do you end a cliffhanger chapter?

There are two main ways to end a chapter:

  1. End with a cliffhanger. Cliffhangers pose big questions at the end of a chapter or section. …
  2. End at a natural pause. If you’re not writing a cliffhanger ending, stop at the moment you’ve fulfilled your narrative promise to the reader.




How do you close a chapter with someone?

How do you close a chapter? Closing a chapter in life

  1. Take Time to Reflect.
  2. Accept What Happened.
  3. Note Down Lessons.
  4. Plan For the Transition Chapter.
  5. Refocus on Your Priorities.
  6. Distance Yourself.
  7. Talk to Someone.
  8. Hold Close Support.

What is an example of a cliffhanger?

Popular Examples of Cliffhangers



One has his ex-girlfriend Rachel in it and the other has his current girlfriend, Bonnie. The last scene of the episode shows Ross choose a door and walk into it. The season ends and audiences are left guessing whether he chose Rachel’s room or Bonnie’s.

How do you write the last chapter of a novel?

How to Write a Satisfying Ending for Your Novel

  1. Know your ending before you start writing. …
  2. Build tension in the leadup to the end. …
  3. Try different endings on for size. …
  4. Leave room for interpretation. …
  5. Ensure that your ending makes sense. …
  6. Evoke emotions. …
  7. Make sure your ending resolves the storyline.


How do you write a powerful ending?

Here are three strategies from columnist Leonard Pitts for writing powerful kickers.



  1. End with a twist. Give readers a surprise, and take them in a direction they didn’t expect.
  2. End with a quote. A great closing quote is rare. …
  3. End with the beginning. Plant your kicker high in the story, then circle back to it at the end.


How does Nya spend her time?

Nya spends her time walking to get gourds of water for her family (1985) 2. What is happening around Salva as he runs away from the school? Salva sees smoke and flames, and many people were walking and running with him.