 Action/Adventure: May 27, 2020 Issue [#10194] |
This week: Setting the (Action) Scene Edited by: Kitti the Red-Nosed Feline  
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It's the moment you've been waiting for... the big action scene. Where will it take place?
This week's Action/Adventure Newsletter is all about the where and the how.
Kitti the Red-Nosed Feline |
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Lately I've been wondering... is there such a thing as a perfect setting? I think we've all seen the action scenes in numerous movies where the characters end up in a factory/industrial unit, huge tubs of bubbling chemicals beneath them which they could easily fall into, many sharp objects around which could cause serious trouble... a good setting for that final battle, but far too predictable.
I think we've also seen the numerous car chases, speedboat chases, vehicles on fire and/or just about to explode (and will they make it out of there in time or not?) - again, good settings but done many times already. As an audience or reader we already know the outcome, though we might appreciate the special effects.
What to do, then, to be original? Some authors create their own worlds. Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels are set on a Disc, which rests on the backs of four elephants who stand on the back of a giant space turtle. Though the various continents on the Disc have similarities with the continents of Earth, which makes it easy for us to recognize what he is on about and often makes for an entertaining read, the setting is quite unique. And with a world with a high level of magic, the possibilities for original scenarios are endless.
Creating your own world is not an easy task. People have to be able to visualize the scenery, there have to be aspects to it that they can recognize, yet there must be a difference that makes it intriguing. It takes a lot of hard work and detail – think of J.R.R. Tolkien and you will know what I mean. Characters have to be well-developed within that setting. As a reader we have to be able to relate to them and grow a liking or dislike. If the reader is left not caring about them either way, they will not read on. However, if you have the imagination and creativity and dedication it can be very rewarding.
I think the perfect setting for an action scene could depend on your characters. If the action scene is, for example, between vampires and your vampires are of the more traditional kind then it is not likely that it will take place in a flower shop on a bright summer's day (though that could be interesting, actually). If your story is about a city cop chasing a criminal, the action scene is not likely to be somewhere in the Sahara (though that, too, could be interesting).
If your action scene involves a battle, it may be worth considering the lay of the land, and the strategic angles. Which side has the advantage? You could draw a map and have a look at the options for defense, a surprise attack, surrounding the other party, a trap...
No, no inspiring examples here, sorry. I've reached the conclusion that just about any setting can be made interesting if you use your imagination. Stay clear of clichés. Stay true to your characters. If you do use the industrial setting (to name an example), do something new with it. Take a fresh approach. Your readers will appreciate the effort.
If we've read it all before, a story is easily forgotten. If we are presented with something new and exciting, people will remember. Originality goes a long way.
Kitti the Red-Nosed Feline
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Wishing you a week filed with inspiration,
The Action/Adventure Newsletter Team
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