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Writing action scenes is a bit like directing a blockbuster in your head. You want that edge-of-your-seat, popcorn-spilling excitement, right? Let’s break down how to get there, with a little help from some cinema classics:

Know Your Heroes (and Villains): Think John McClane in Die Hard—a tough, witty cop with a knack for getting out of tight spots. Knowing your characters deeply lets you craft scenes that play to their strengths and weaknesses. Imagine McClane without his smart-aleck remarks and daring stunts; it just wouldn’t be the same.

What’s the Mission?: Every epic scene has a goal. Remember the Death Star run in Star Wars? It wasn’t just about flying fast; it was about hitting that almost impossible shot. Your scene needs a clear, compelling objective that hooks your audience from the get-go.

Edge-of-Your-Seat Tension: It’s all about the suspense. Take Jurassic Park. Those raptors are hunting the kids in the kitchen—pure tension. Use deadlines, obstacles, and the element of surprise to keep your readers’ hearts racing.

Vivid, Blow-by-Blow Detail: The devil’s in the details. Imagine the final duel in The Matrix without the slow-mo bullets and the acrobatic flips. Use descriptive language to immerse your readers in the scene, making them feel every punch, leap, and explosion.

Fast and Furious Pace: Keep it moving like the car chases in Mad Max: Fury Road. Action scenes should be a whirlwind of activity, with short, sharp sentences that keep the adrenaline pumping.

Dialogue That Packs a Punch: Think of Arnold’s “I’ll be back” in The Terminator. In action scenes, every word counts. Dialogue should be quick, impactful, and, above all, memorable.

Trim the Fat: Editing is your best friend. If a scene feels more like a drawn-out battle in The Hobbit than a crisp, tense moment in Aliens, it’s time to cut. Keep only what drives the action forward or adds to the intensity.

By borrowing a page from the movie-making playbook, you can transform your action scenes from mere words on a page to cinematic experiences in the minds of your readers. Now, what's the next story beat you're looking to amp up?

Check out this post on why most screenplays get rejected if you want to go deeper.