Write The Fight Right

by Alan Baxter

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.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference, Action, Martial Arts

43 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 4, 2011

About the author

My book rating system:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Brilliant, I bloody loved it!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Really good, highly recommended.
⭐⭐⭐ - Enjoyable, well worth a read.

I don't talk about ⭐⭐ and ⭐ reads because I only talking up the good stuff. That's why my Goodreads rarely has anything under a ⭐⭐⭐.

Bio: Alan Baxter is a British-Australian multi-award-winning author of horror, supernatural thrillers, dark fantasy, and crime. He’s also a martial arts expert, a whisky-soaked swear monkey, and dog lover. He creates dark, weird stories among the valleys of southern Tasmania.

Fond him online at www.alanbaxter.com.au

Reviews

[J.F. Penn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love fight scenes in books and movies. Now I want to write them effectively in my own novels. Alan's book basically takes you through what you need to be aware of in order to write a decent fight scene, things that you would never even consider as a "normal" person who has never thrown a punch outside Body Combat gym classes.
Important aspects such as :
* the importance of footwork and range
* being aware of surroundings and setting so you are prepared - and of course as a writer, we can set up the physical environment to make a fight scene more effective
* throwing and grappling as important techniques - it's not all punching and kicking
... and so much more.

There's also the psychology of fighting which is fascinating to me - Alan writes "Fighting is constantly responding to chaos" which in itself is a beautiful phrase. He also talks about sizing up everyone you walk past, assessing their strengths - these are amazing insights into someone trained in techniques that can give our characters rich detail.
Basically, you need to invest in this book if you want to write a fight scene that thrills your readers and also helps reveal your character.

[Lori McKinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a writer, not a fighter, and this was a great little book of tips for those who write, not fight. I highlighted quite a bit of the book, only to find a cheat sheet checklist at the end which summed up most of my highlights. This will be something I refer to when rewriting my fight scenes. Well worth the quick read!

[Brianna Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ignore this book's unfortunate cover; this is actually an excellent resource on how to write realistic fight scenes. Someone recommended it to me, and now I recommend it to you: If you're a writer, and you write fight scenes of any sort, read this. It's short, but I learned a lot from it.

[Dave Versace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alan Baxter is a writer and a kung fu instructor, and if that sounds like a handy combination, it is. Write the Fight Right (WtFR) draws on his experiences in the dojo and the odd real-life street confrontation to help writers bring a touch of reality to their fight scenes.

Baxter helpfully breaks the book into several sections, broadly starting with how fights actually unfold in real life, and in particular showing which factors are the most important in determining the outcome (footwork, reach, training, size and – crucially – the ability to not be where the other guy is throwing a punch). The second set of chapters describe the physiological elements of a chaotic punchup – adrenaline rushes, the effects of pain, getting knocked out – and the mental side of things - how fear and anger matter, what a fighter might see and hear, the psychological benefits of training and so on. The final part deals briefly with weapons, with the take-home message that pulling a knife or a club or a sword out is an orders-of-magnitude escalation of a violent situation, to be avoided at all costs by anyone with a shred of sanity. The book is rounded out with a helpful checklist, summarising the things a writer could consider in putting together a fight scene.

Throughout the book Baxter keeps his eyes firmly on bringing these elements out in tight, well-focused writing. There’s a lot to consider but his advice is not to overegg an action scene: “Don’t try to use everything , but pick and choose things that suit the kind of fight you’re writing or the kind of environment you’re setting the fight in. Also think hard about your characters and what kind of experience they have and what sort of personality they have, which will affect their reactions and perceptions of fighting.”

Baxter has a good nose for the sorts of clichés used by writers with little to no experience of physical altercations (me included) and exhorts the reader to get rid of them. It’s all good, sound advice written in a practical and no-nonsense style. Baxter comes across as a natural teacher; his explanations are clear and his conversational language gives the whole piece the air of a convivial bar conversation. WtFR isn’t a long book – more like a longish essay – but it is a readable and useful reference work for writers whose genre fiction includes a good splash of biffo.

[Nerine Dorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and to the point, Write the Fight Right says exactly what it does, and Alan Baxter offers a valuable resource to any author who might need to write combat scenes.

Though real-life experience will always beat theory hands down, there is enough information here, presented in a highly accessible, no-nonsense style, that clears up many areas that might be an issue in fiction.

Baxter really takes a broad view – talking about movement, blocking and how fighters’ physical attributes matter. He gives a breakdown on how a real fight is not the same sort of clean, linear type of situation as one expects after having seen movies. Fighters’ concerns are not limited to opponents, but also to the potential dangers apparent in their environment.

People who fight get hurt. If you take a hard enough knock to the head, there’s a chance you might experience concussion – and you’re certainly not going to bounce right up like a jack-in-the-box to carry on fighting as if nothing is the matter.

Baxter touches on the psychology of fighting, and also how the addition of weapons can change the game considerably.

Having hung out with martial arts and weapons enthusiasts, I already see much of what Baxter shares as common sense. What I did like was how he’s ordered the information, so this slim volume is a good refresher, and it certainly helps to have all the information laid out so clearly.

If you’re looking for a *very* basic introduction to hand-to-hand combat, then I recommend this book. It’s certainly proved to be a useful reminder because there’s no way in hell I’m going to try any combat classes – I’m much too much of a shrinking violet for that. (And, besides, getting beaten up is what the characters in my novels are for.)

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very nice little reference for authors who want to write realistic fight scenes but lack the training or street-fighting background to draw on their own experience. I heartily wish that the writers who create a lot of the fight scenes in books, movies, and TV entertainment would learn some of this stuff: I've lost count of the times I've had my suspension of disbelief wrecked by watching or reading about people doing ridiculous things that in real life would be more likely to disable themselves than their opponents, or that would be just plain impossible.

I recommend this e-book for any author writing a story which includes fight scenes, even if you do have some training and experience. Never hurts to get a fresh look. And for those who are lucky enough to have lived peaceful lives, a really good reference.

[Rich Weatherly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers today demand action, at least a certain amount of it when they read. Write the Fight Right, offers up a rich collection of tools writers can use to create realistic fight scenes.

What I liked most were the discussions on psychological and physiological aspects of fighting. Even if you are not a fighter, you will be able to relate to his discussion of the adrenaline dump and responses to fight or flight scenarios. If you've ever broken a bone or been 'knocked out', you will relate to his message.

I consider this a valuable resource and one more important addition to my writer's toolbox. I highly recommend it.

If for no other reason, enjoy the fight scenes!

[Kristian Thoroughgood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short & functional: this is not the worlds most engaging 'writing tips' book, but still solid advice with some exceptionally useful guidance on drafting fight scenes. Covers some basic fight considerations (footwork, movement, blocking,) as well as how to write this action well (how much detail? Action or reaction). Author clearly knows what he's doing.

Great summary of the main points at the end. A 4 star reference book - I liked it.

There is a slightly longer review of this book (and some other books on writing advice) here: https://uncertaintales.wordpress.com/...

[Roseanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alan does a great job highlighting the show vs. tell dilemma every writer faces while writing scenes. More specifically when writing action/fighting scenes. I highly recommend this quick read to any writer, published and aspiring, who could use a little edge in their action wording.
Well done, Alan.

[Kay Camden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straightforward, clear, and useful. Easy for people who aren't professional fighters to understand. I wish I had read this years ago. And the bullet list at the end is extremely helpful--it provides a quick refresher before I write a fight scene, and gives me something to easily refer back to.

[Kev Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A handy reference guide I'll be coming back to.

[Rose Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book so authentic. As a writer of the occasional fight scene. It was great to get the facts straight from a professional.

[Caitlin Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read books on writing compulsively, though I don’t always leave reviews. This is about the 50th book I’ve read on writing. Understand the weight of what I mean when I say, this is one of the most useful books on writing I’ve ever read. It was concise and saturated with invaluable knowledge for any writer.

I’m currently working on the fourth book in my series and there is a lot of combat involved. One of my biggest concerns is making my stories realistic. Which means when a person gets hurt, I’m studying for days to make sure their treatment and the result of their wounds is accurate.

When I was younger I had to rewrite a large section of my book because I thought when someone got shot, it happened like in the movies. Flying through the air and crashing to the ground from the force of the bullet. I was stunned to find out that’s not how it works at all. It took weeks of studying to figure out what really went on after. I went through medical documents, videos, and texts on the subject. From what I read in this book it’s a lot more like martial arts than you’d think. Damage usually depends on the gun type, caliber of bullet, distance, and the accuracy and skill of the person with the weapon. Just like throwing your first punch, it’s more challenging to shoot in a straight line than many tend to think. The recoil alone throws off your aim, and unless you’ve trained regularly, you’re not likely to hit your target even at close range. Another thing that surprised me was how common it is for people to bleed-out without realizing they’ve been shot. Which follows with what was written about knife fights here. Knives are something it’s difficult to find information on. From my research I know they’re capable of causing worse damage than a bullet, but I’ve found more useful information on knife fights in this book than in a week of reading through medical research papers. Even though that wasn't the main focus.

This also laid to rest concerns I had with another book in the series. Where an untrained woman punches a much larger man. She ends up breaking her fingers because she's never thrown a punch before. One of my beta readers told me they weren’t sure that could happen, though another loved it, so I ended up keeping it. Even though I did my research, I began second guessing whether I’d done the right thing. That is, until reading this book. Thank you for restoring my confidence in the fragility of phalanges.

The advice I gained from this book will likely play a large role in improving the combat scenes in my current work. Many of my writing friends struggle with fight scenes. I’ll be sure to recommend this book to them.

Thank you for teaching me today.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear, concise advice

A good reference for writers needing to polish their fight scenes.
Interesting insights into physical techniques & mental aspects of combat. The working examples helped understanding how to apply advice to writing. Includes a useful cheat sheet too.

[Sean Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear instructions and useful insight

Short and sweet, gets to the point with no fluff. If you're looking to write an informed fight scene this will give you the tips you need.

[Pete Aldin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful and easy to follow. A book I’ll return to as a reference tool again and again.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful! Short and to the point, with reasonable explanations of why something would or wouldn't work.

[C.E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent little book. Alan uses his years of experience in martial arts to deliver a short and to the point guide about writing believable fight scenes.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic resource that makes you think not only of the physical but also the psychological ramifications of fighting and how they can impact your characters (and as a result your story).

[Linda Chism · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of a kind manual

Excellent info on physical and emotional responses to violence against the body. This book will help me as an author.

[Bernie Gourley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was going to pan this for being the wrong book, but then I read through the blurb (and even the subtitle) and realized that it was largely my fault that I got the wrong book. Furthermore, I recognized that the information contained in this tiny e-book is good and that it’s packaged in a concise form. I, thus, concluded that this is the right book for someone—just not me nor many of you. I’ll, therefore, devote the bulk of this review to differentiating for whom the book will be beneficial and for whom it won’t. Because of the dearth of books on the topic I was interested in, I can imagine others erroneously purchasing this book and having (the albeit tiny) $2.50 worth of buyer’s remorse.

I purchased this book (and another one that returned on the search for “writing fight scenes”) because I’m rewriting a chapter in my novel in which fight scenes are prominent. I realized that there is a fine art to writing a good fight scene, and that I could use some help in being more effective at it. One needs fight scenes to have fast pacing and to be visceral. At the same time, one must avoid getting bogged down in detail even in the face of multiple attackers or unfamiliar and complex weaponry. This book won’t help you one iota in this regard, and, to be fair, it says in the blurb that the book will not help with one’s writing.

The book is about what it’s like to be in a fight and how to separate Hollywood myth and misconception from reality. As a long-time martial artist with both military and law enforcement training as well as an avid reader, there was nothing new or interesting in this book—though there wasn’t much I would disagree with either.

Three criteria for readership:
1.) You haven’t witnessed or experienced a fight (outside the choreography of the silver screen) since middle school. This book describes the experience and effects of fighting and what skilled fighters try to do in close-quarters combat. It aims to help writers purge theatrical nonsense from their fight scenes and inject some verisimilitude.

2.) Your fight scene is a standard 20th/21st century brawl. What is discussed is one-on-one fighting--unarmed or with weapons that one might see wielded today. One won’t gain insight useful in historical fiction, or anything that doesn’t echo today’s form of fighting.

3.) You don’t want to put a lot of time or effort into reading and / or researching the subject. The author does advise the reader to take martial arts or self-defense classes as a superior way to learn what he is trying to teach. What this book has going for it is that it’s only a 43 page (and a couple dollar) investment. If one is interested in getting a much deeper understanding of the topics covered, I would recommend a combination of Lt. Col. David Grossman’s On Killing in conjunction with any number of full-length martial arts books (I’m reading Bruce Lee’s Tao of Jeet Kune Do presently, and it’s certainly an excellent candidate.)

To summarize: this book is useful to teach one about realism in fight scenes, and not about structuring such scenes. There are only three examples (2 short and one long) in the book—none from what would be considered exemplary works. If you’ve taken a martial art or had military or law enforcement experience, there’s unlikely to be anything new or intriguing in this book. Even if you just watch MMA regularly and / or read about fighting or combat, there’s a good chance you won’t learn much.

However, if watch Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon or Rumble in the Bronx and say, “So that’s what a fight looks like,” you should definitely give this book a read.

[K.M. Weiland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooner or later, most authors are faced with the necessity of having a character throw a few punches. A streetwise cop taking on thugs or a hunky gentleman saving his damsel—whatever your cuppa, the nature of conflict demanded by good fiction means characters often end up getting physical with each other. This is a good thing, since no conflict means no story. But what isn’t so good is the fact that many of us are uninitiated in the cold hard facts of fighting. We take our cues from Hollywood’s overblown, highly unrealistic action—and, as a result, we fail to present the necessary telling details to convince our readers that our fight scenes are the real deal.

Fortunately, we have Alan Baxter on our side. In this fast read (12,000 words) professional fighter and author Baxter shares his expertise in the friendly manner of two friends taking a morning coffee break. His down-to-earth voice and self-effacing wisdom is so darn likable, you might almost forget this guy is lethal—except for the fact that he’s packed this book with an insane amount of useful details about how to recognize, initiate, survive, and win a fight.

He explains up front that no book, especially one of this size, is capable of teaching you how to fight or even how to nail all the details of your characters’ fights. But this is the perfect place to start. He explains the basics of physical confrontations, the psychology behind the action, and the all-important “what not to dos.” When I started the book, I wasn’t sure what kind of information I was going to find; I was half-expecting a relatively un-useful list of kicks and punches. But Baxter goes far beyond that. Not only will your characters be better fighters by the time you’ve finished reading this book, but you’ll have picked up a few good self-defense tips for yourself. In short, I highly recommend this book. Five out of five stars.

[Karen Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a lot to be said about the common writing tip, ‘write what you know’, and Write the Fight Right by Alan Baxter is testament to that. Alan is a writer, but his passion for the martial arts truly comes through in this book. His knowledge and understanding on the subject makes this book a resource I’m grateful to have purchased.

All writers have to face a confrontation at some time, or their characters do at least. I find it one of the hardest things to write, so when I found out about this ebook I was quick to get a copy because I need all the help I can get. Also, in a fight or flight situation, I’m the ‘flight’ type of person. I’ve never been in a punch up of any kind…except with my younger brother when we were kids, but that doesn’t really count as those ‘confrontations’ were never serious. I’ve never had any self-defence classes either, so I have no experience to draw from. If faced with a precarious situation my first option would be to flee, if that wasn’t possible I’d probably die of fright.

Write the Fight Right is written in a way that kept me enthralled. Honestly, the words flow so nicely and I was pleased to see little examples which reinforced what the author was trying to get across. He touches on things that a novice to fighting wouldn’t even consider when writing a fight scene. And most importantly, he brings the fight alive on the page and made me believe I could do the same!

If you are a writer, then I highly recommend this book. It’s a resource you cannot be without, especially writers who are not fighters.

[Tarl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up after hearing about it on the Dead Robots Society podcast. As I often include fight scenes in my fiction, I was interested in seeing what would be suggested and what helpful hints I could glean from this piece.

Though “Write the Fight Right” is a short book, the quality of information packs quite the punch. (sorry for the pun, couldn’t resist) Baxter covers all the important things required to write an excellent fight scene without going into a boring excess of detail simply to take up a word count. Instead, the reader is treated to powerful little facts that when implemented, will enhance any and all fight scenes.

Another nice thing about Baxter's book is that at no point is it ever boring. Baxter keeps you moving from one section to another in a logical fashion. Baxter also repeats himself, but he explains that fact in the opening sentences of this book, and believe me, the repetition helps drill it into the reader's mind. By the time I got to the final check list, I already knew most of them by heart and was already making mental notes on how I would use them in my next story.

In the end, "Write the Fight Right" is a short, wonderfully written resource that any writer should pick up if they are expecting to write any scenes involving fist fights. Worth every penny!

[Jamie Maltman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and to the point, like a good fight scene. Baxter does a good job weaving in his martial arts and writing experience to give fantastic tips on creating believable, visceral fight scenes that will bring the reader into the heads of your characters, instead of following in the footsteps of completely unrealistic Hollywood depictions.

Thanks Alan, I've got some great notes to apply in my next revision cycle on my current book. And thanks Joanna Penn for interviewing Alan so I could discover his work.

[Kathleen Marineau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alan Baxter is very clear in explaining the reasons behind hand-to-hand fighting techniques. He includes why the scenes in most films are not realistic and recommends alternatives. From my nursing background I most appreciated his explanation of the body's autonomic response to the fight and how trained fighters deal with it.

This book is not long, but is packed with information. No word is wasted, therefore your time is well served.

[Auden Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. This is a great resource for anyone wishing to make their fight scenes better. Halfway through the book and it already had me rethinking my action scenes. I highlighted nearly half the book. I'll definitely be rereading one. To top it off, it’s a quick and easy read.

[nothinghereanymore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this guide fairly useful in writing a fight scene. I would prefer more examples. I suppose it's best to simply take krav maga classes to actually experience a fight, and write from personal experience.

[K.M. Weiland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for any author who writes action scenes.

[Cat Sheely · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who writes and want's to know just what it is like to be in a fight, what moves there are, how long it takes etc this is an excellent book and a brilliant reference to get it right.