M.L. Olmstead

Currently, I am fully immersed in the writing of The Knights: Lost Stories, which is Book 2 in the series, and its one rollercoaster of a ride. I find myself having to take a break after writing a chapter because of the intensity of the scenes. I suppose I really put myself fully into what I am creating.

All of the positive feedback I have received about Book 1 has motivated me to put everything I have into each sentence on the page. Which brings me to today’s musing. Fight scenes. Oh how I have always enjoyed watching a splendid choregraphed fight on my favorite tv shows and movies. Visually, you can make any fight amazing, but what happens when you don’t have the camera or the drawing to depict the desired action? How do you translate the movements in your head through words alone? The author must convey enough physical description of the action that the reader understands what the fight looks like; however, the scenes have to be quick. No wasted words. If the scenes read like an instruction manual, you have lost the reader.

The Knights: Lost Stories is pretty heavy on the battles, so its very important that no two battles are the same, and that means more than just technical description. In my opinion, the most interesting aspect of fighting in entertainment is the philosophy. Why are the people fighting? Who are they fighting for? What are the moral implications of this engagement? Did the good guy cross the line?

I’ve been preparing to write one of my most intense fight scenes yet, and I have been unable to type a single word. I have just been visualizing and analyzing the scene over and over again. Asking myself some of the questions I listed above and more. I’ve closed my eyes while acting out some of the moves. Should he be moving to the right or the left? Is his response to the attack possible? What happens now that certain lines have been crossed?

I certainly hope you will all join me when Book 2 comes out. It’s going to be a crazy ride.