When the time comes to write a combat scene, I break out my trusty fighter combat book and give myself a refresher course. I study the diagrams in the book and try to decide which scenarios fit with the scene I am trying to write. Then I have to make a diagram of my own fight so I have a clear idea in my head of everything that happens. Then I write the scene. This takes me forever! I have such a hard time thinking in three dimensions. I have to ponder and think and study the scene out in my head for days before I can get a grasp on it. I am improving, though. I used to just lift the diagrams right out of the book. Now, at least, I can come up with my own.
It is so satisfying to finish a fighter combat scene. I love to go back and read my old ones and see that, yeah, I really can pull it off! I just have to work really hard at it.
Do you have anything that you love to write about, but that is hard to write?
12 comments:
My villain is hard for me. I have to go places I never intended to go. Heck, I was researching rigor mortis yesterday. Kind of fascinating in a creepy sort of way. But as hard as it has been, I love it! I love his character.
I must know the title of this book so I may search out my own copy. (It could come in handy in another WiP that I have in the queue.)
Glad you're finding these scenes easier and more enjoyable as time goes by.
Sounds exciting! Everything in my last book was hard to write because of all the research (it was a historical of sorts). But I loved every minute of it.
I would love to write about Unicorns. My favorite movie growing up was "The Last Unicorn" (I didn't watch Top Gun until I was an adult. I know, I deprived.)
But I'm not sure that anyone wants to read about unicorns nowadays. So it would be hard to write about.
Thanks for the comments everyone. Stephanie, the book is Fighter Combat: Tactics and Maneuvering by Robert L. Shaw.
Thanks, Angie! Adding it to my list!
I love to write about real social problems, but they are definitely hard to write about. I have to always make sure I'm depicting what's real, not a stereotype.
That is FASCINATING to learn about you. I'd love to see your diagrams sometime! Now I'm all curious about that scene.
You write about fighter jets?! So cool! I think I have a hard time writing any scene with tons of emotion. But I'm working on it!
Wow, Angie, I'm beyond impressed by this. I don't know anything about fighter jets except for Top Gun. So yeah.
I think everything in writing is hard for me. Every word is a struggle. I suffer especially from setting things. Making sure everyone is in the proper position, etc.
I admire all you writers. I never even think that you have to do a ton of research when you write a book. As you can tell I know nothing about writing. When my Best Friend goes to Wyoming every summer and I write her old fashioned long hand letters because she is out in the boonies in Star Valley. When she writes back to me she says I Love Your letters...I feel like you are in my living room talking to me instead of miles away. So even though I am not a writer and never will be I am so HAPPY for you and all your writer friends and that I can read your talent, research and hard work and enjoy every minute of it!!! :D MOM
Thanks all for sharing what is hard for you. I am posting one of my fighter combat scenes so you can judge if I really can pull it off or not!
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