Writing Realistic Fighting Scenes, and More

“An invaluable source I will be referencing again and again.”“Jam packed with information.”“Inspiring and funny.”“Made me rewrite all my fight scenes.”Loren W. Christensen has been training in martial arts since 1965—jujitsu, arnis, karate, kung fu, Muay Thai, boxing, and what he calls 'street-fu,' i.e., dirty fighting. He used his skills as a Military Policeman in Saigon during the Vietnam War and as a street cop for 25 years in Portland, OR. He's been there, done that, and has the scars to prove it."Too many novelists and movie and TV writers get it wrong," Loren says. "They either boringly write, 'John punched Bill in the jaw,' or they construct silly cartoonish fights." He says realism is far more thrilling and memorable. Reviewers of his fiction agree: "real world," "exhilarating," "not for the squeamish," "street accurate," "innovative," and "memorable.”In this infinitely-filled book, you will learn about real violence, how and where to study it, and how to put its reality on the page, visually and with succinct writing that engages and thrills.The longest chapter, "Mind and Body Targets," examines vulnerable targets from head to toe and shows how your characters can assail them with punches, elbows, claws, knees, kicks, head butts, and everyday objects to hurt a little, a lot or to terminate.Bonus:~ Loren's inspirational autobiography~ Self-publish or traditional?~ Agent or no agent?~ Choosing a narrative voice~ Psychological effects of violence on your characters (and you)~ Lots of photos, prompts, and tipsContentsIntroductionSection One: One Guy's JourneyChapter 1: AutobiographySection Two: Writing NecessitiesChapter 2: DisciplineChapter 3: ReadersChapter 4: Should You Seek Out a Publisher or Self-Publish?Section Three: On ViolenceChapter 5: Learning about ViolenceChapter 6: The Reality of ViolenceChapter 7: Motivation to FightChapter 8: Fighting Principles and TechniquesSection Four: Your FightersChapter 9: Narrative VoiceChapter 10: Your Fighters' AbilitiesSection Five: The FightChapter 11: Body and Mind TargetsSection Six: ExcerptsChapter 12: Examples of Formatting a FightChapter 13: The Aftermath of Violence on Your CharactersConclusion Read more