Resource Lightsaber writing tips

Hey guys, i was wondering if anyone had tips how to write a really intriguing lightsaber battle. Mine have gotten a bit boring an I'm not really happy with it. Should i add more details, like verbs and such?

 

Here, this thread might help. Lightsaber Duels

 

Personally, I'd like to read a lightsaber duel without any verbs.

 

For action, short sentences make things move faster. The scenes read faster that way.

 

Door. He. Red. Blue. Kriff! Floor. Boot. Fist. Wall. Bruise. Flash. Pain. Kark!

Sorry - sounded fun. Back to the topic.

 

Mix in force power attacks.

 

I think watching sword movies helps with the lightsaber stuff. And reading up on all the forms on Wookiepedia. The different tendencies of the forms can really be tailored to character tendencies. Go watch The Last Samurai, open up Wookiepedia and have a read, and see what you come up with.

 

Nice!

 

You might also want to check out "Duels for Dummies", an article at fanfic.theforce.net.

 

I love lightsaber duets. Personally I prefer duets to solos. What? Why does everyone always look at me like that?!

 

I've found this article on realistic violence in writing quite helpful in general.

I find myself bored with lightsaber duels quite often, in fanfic and profic both. I guess the whole "he feinted right, slashed left, she sidestepped deftly and caught his blade on hers, blah blah blah" just doesn't hold my attention. I find that injecting thoughts and emotions into it so it's not just a fight but actually important to character development as well often helps. And keeping the sentences short simulates the very quick succession of actions during a fight as well. Keep it simple, keep it straightforward.

Greg Keyes and Timothy Zahn are usually quite good at writing logical, easy-to-follow and interesting fight scenes. If you know any other authors who do it well, read their stuff and try to see how they do it.

Also, choreograph the fight properly, make sure the moves make sense, and make sure that you can follow the action. Then write it so that the reader can follow it, too. Make sure each action has a logical and realistic reaction. Portray the characters' thoughts and instincts, the adrenaline rush and its effects, etc. Find ways to tie it into the storyline, etc.

Uhm. That's the best advice I can give spur-of-the-moment. I'm still learning fight scenes myself.

 

Write in sound effects.

Clash, hum, etc.

I'm still trying to figure out the word for the sound it makes when sharply swung, and each of the 3 ignition sounds (ANH-ESB Luke, ROTJ Luke, and Vader Sith)