Writing Action Scenes

Writing Action Scenes: "Writing action scenes can be troublesome --especially for romance writers, who are accustomed to thinking in terms of emotions and relationships-- because as a rule action scenes don't include much if any introspection or exposition. When your characters are in the middle of the action, they don't have time to think about what's happening. And if the author interrupts the action to explain the action, the pacing can slow to a crawl or come to a dead stop."

My writing the last few days has taken on a slow, molasses quality, and I'm looking for some inspiration on writing actions scenes to spice up a few that are too - drippy.

Kung Fu Monkey: Writing: Action Scenes: "Don't write action scenes. Write suspense scenes that require action to resolve."

It's good to know I'm not the only one that struggles with writing action scenes.

Writing action scenes, Scenes and pace, Tips on writing action scenes: "
1. Pace is everything.
2. Sentences should be short and sweet.
3. Descriptions should be kept to a minimum. When it’s time to end the scene, these come back into play.
4. The characters’ actions should be in terms of action and reaction. He shot, she ducked, etc.
5. Use carefully chosen, action filled words – think action verbs here."

A few more good tips:

Writing.Com: Writing fight scenes: "

Action-Reaction
The rule of thumb is to have each action-reaction have its own paragraph, although that’s not always possible. Sometimes the sentences are too short for their own paragraphs and can be combined.

Short sentences = fast reading flow
Use short sentences and phrases to make reading flow run faster. Long, descriptive sentences slow the reading pace. In a fight scene, you want your reader to be skimming the page, rolling with the punches, swinging with the kicks. Fast reading pace is essential. Use only a phrase or a sentence for each move, at most two short sentences. You can also combine short phrases together, since each phrase will still let the action gallop along.

Be creative, be efficient
Be creative with your sparse prose. Since you only have a sentence or so for each move, you need to be innovative with how you describe it. Use imaginative verbs to convey more than just the action. “He crunched his fist into her face” paints a vivid picture of both the blow and the pain it causes."