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    Write The Fight Right
    Write The Fight Right
    Write The Fight Right
    Ebook55 pages47 minutes

    Write The Fight Right

    By Alan Baxter

    4.5/5

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    About this ebook

    A fiction writer's resource for creating realistic, convincing fight scenes.

    Author and martial arts instructor, Alan Baxter, presents a short, ~12,000 word, ebook describing all the things a writer needs to consider when writing fight scenes. Baxter's experience from decades as a career martial artist make this book a valuable resource for writers who want to understand what fighting is all about - what it really feels like and what does and doesn't work - and how to factor those things into their writing to make their fight scenes visceral, realistic page turners. Baxter won't tell you how to write, but he will tell you what makes a great fight scene.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAlan Baxter
    Release dateApr 4, 2011
    ISBN9781465871770
    Write The Fight Right
    Author

    Alan Baxter

    Alan Baxter is a British-Australian author living in regional NSW. He writes horror, dark fantasy and sci-fi, rides a motorcycle and loves his dog. He also teaches Kung Fu. He is the author of dark fantasy thriller novels, and has had around 50 short stories published in a variety of journals and anthologies worldwide. He’s a contributing editor and co-founder at Thirteen OClock, Australian Dark Fiction News & Reviews, and co-hosts Thrillercast, a thriller and genre fiction podcast. He is director and chief instructor of the Illawarra Kung Fu Academy.

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      Book preview

      Write The Fight Right - Alan Baxter

      Write The Fight Right

      A fiction writer’s resource for creating realistic, convincing fight scenes.

      by Alan Baxter

      My sincere thanks to Laura Goodin for her help with this book.

      Ebook edition

      Smashwords Edition

      First Published worldwide, 2011

      By Alan Baxter

      Cover design by Alan Baxter Copyright © 2011

      The moral right of Alan Baxter to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted.

      Copyright © Alan Baxter 2011

      http://www.alanbaxteronline.com

      http://www.illawarrakungfu.com.au

      All Rights Reserved

      No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the author, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

      WRITE THE FIGHT RIGHT

      Table Of Contents

      About Alan

      About this book

      Footwork & Range

      Reach & Technique

      Guard & Blocks

      Size Does Matter

      Reactions

      The Five Senses

      Adrenaline & Emotion

      The Inevitable Broken Hand

      Intent, Body Language & Psychology

      The Knockout Myth

      Weapons

      Cheat Sheet Checklist

      Example Fight Scenes

      About Alan

      So who am I to be writing a book like this? Why should you listen to my advice? Well, as with everything in life, you should really only listen to the advice that sits well with you, that you think is good advice. But I’ll explain what makes me qualified to write about these subjects and you can decide for yourself what you think about my suggestions.

      I’m a speculative fiction writer and martial arts instructor.

      As a writer, I’m the author of the dark fantasy thriller novels, RealmShift and MageSign, published by Gryphonwood Press. I’ve also penned a number of short stories, published in a variety of anthologies and journals in Australia and around the world. You can learn a lot more about my writing and read some short stories, a novella and the opening chapters of my novels by visiting my website – http://www.alanbaxteronline.com

      While you’re there you can also read my blog and feel free to comment and get involved in the various discussions about all sorts of stuff that I find interesting.

      As a writer, I quickly began to develop a reputation for writing good fight scenes, which is largely due to all the fighting I’ve done.

      As a fighter, I’ve been a lifelong martial artist. I started training in the martial arts as a kid and can’t imagine a life without it. I’ve fought in a variety of tournaments and contests over the years, both in the ring and on the mean streets of life. I was the Wutan British National champion in 1996.

      My first advice to anyone is to avoid street fighting at all costs. If you get into a fight in the real world, it will not go well. Even if you win, you’ll likely be hurt, you’ll feel bad and you may be prosecuted. Of course, if you need to defend yourself, then it’s best that you do know how to fight, which is why I think everyone should study some form of self-defence or martial art. This will also give you the opportunity to fight in safe, controlled tournament environments if you’re drawn to that kind of thing as I was.

      In the meantime, you can draw on my experience here for the fight scenes in your writing. I would never presume to tell anyone how to write, but I can hopefully share some information you can use in your own writing.

      I’m still a career martial artist, head instructor of the Illawarra

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