Forum: Writers


Subject: Help with battle scene

darkness_02 opened this issue on Jun 28, 2007 · 2 posts


dialyn posted Sun, 01 July 2007 at 1:17 PM

This is not my genre so feel free to ignore my comments.  This is a duel rather than a battle so one thing I would suggest is sticking to Luke's point of view rather than starting with Gargo and suddenly switching.  In a short scene, focus is important.

I think you are depending on everyone being familiar with the universe of Star Wars so you've not given any useful description of the combatants.  Maybe that's tucked into a previous scene.  

One thing that struck me odd was the metapor of the cars and animation. I don't know if there are cars in Star Wars, but,if not, I wouldn't use an automobile analogy to describe the clash.  Use comparisons consistent with Star Wars or you will push people from the fantasy back into the real world. 

I realize you are having a challenge with the punctuation and spelling so I won't address those problems.  You will want to have someone help you with the proofing.  Writing is a challenge at the best of time, and there's nothing wrong with having someone else look at your work (many professional writers do so there is nothing wrong with asking for feedback from family or friends).

Here's the main thing.  There doesn't seem much physical action here...it is mostly about the mental battle inside of Luke's head, as far as I can determine. Then Luke cuts Gorgo down....but that is a very weak image for the end of a duel.  Is Gorgo sliced in half?  Use description. Don't tell me he was felled...show me what happens, how a light sabre hits its target.  Is Gorgo dead?  Or wounded?  I really don't know.

If it were me, I would try to have some scene before this one where I address the internal battle Luke is having with the darkside, and then try to have a more acton packed duel so I don't stop the action with characters not doing anything but thinking at each other.  Maybe they circle each other.  Maybe they hit some part of the chamber to show their strength. They need to do something.  

Use all your senses.  What is seen? How does it smell?  How does it feel (cold, hot)? What do they hear?  Make the picture complete for the reade.

If you watch any action movie, the characters are in motion.  They often demonstrate the internal struggle with speech so, perhaps, some dialogue would help.

      "You can't fight the force of the darkside," said Gorgo.  
       But Luke did desperately try to push the evil away.  "It's not too late.  Fight the darkside, Gorgo.  Return to the light. I'll help you.  We can help each other."
      Gorgo laughed. The harsh sound echoed madly in the chamber and Luke knew then that Gorgo was lost to the light.

Okay, that's not great dialogue, but I hope it gives you the idea. The characters have to do something more than stand there.

Perhaps someone more familiar with Star Wars than I am posts to your thread. I don't write battle scenes myself and so can offer a few ideas in the way of useful advice.

No matter how much or how little advice you get here, don't give up.  Keep writing.  Reading (listen to audio versions would be great for giving you the rhythm of how a scene works) and writing are the best way to improve your craft.

Good luck!!!