 Action/Adventure: May 14, 2008 Issue [#2388] |
  Action/Adventure
This week: Edited by: Puditat  
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Life without action is static, and by necessity, it would therefore be dead. Action writing takes the normal and shares it for all to live vicariously.
Adventure is the spice: the exciting, adrenalin-pumping, thrill that makes one feel so alive. Everyone has an adventuresome spirit. Maybe dreams of excavating some long-lost treasure, visiting a new country, or trying a new flavour of potato chip.  Some of us prefer our adventures to come between the pages of a book, and many of us like to write that adventure.
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Refresh Your Writing{/soze}
Readers do not want to read a story that is the same as another, and as writer's we want to write a tale that is unique. Further than this, readers do not want to read something that uses the same language as every other story. One of the most enjoyable aspects of writing for me is in finding unique ways to describe scenes, action, setting, and characters. There is something satisfying in taking a cliche and turning it into a vibrant representation that fits your story like a glove. (See how my sentence took a turn into a cliche?)
Many cliches are found in similes (where 'like' or 'as' is typically used) and they are one of the easiest cliches to mess with.
So let's look at the process of turning a cliche into something more expressive of your writing skills and your story. I will start with the cliche I used above...fits like a glove.
1. We need to recognise the intent of the phrase, which in this case is to show a close or perfect match between two things.
In a simple simile such as my example, we simply need to take the two key words - 'fits' and 'glove' - and replace them with more interesting comparisons. This can be a simple word-for-word substitution as in 'covers like spandex', but can become even more exciting if we allow ourselves to add in a few words - sticks to the curves like a wedding band on a new bride.
These two examples are much more creative, but do they relate to the sentence or scenario I used the original cliche in? Not so well. So while the new phrases are much more interesting, they do not help convey my meaning in the original sentence.
2. In creating an alternative phrasing, we need to maintain the intentions of the original as well as the relevance within our scene.
So, let's try some another option. 'complements your story like a made-to-order dustjacket.' This not only shows a close connection between the two elements, but heightens the identification with the elements themselves by appealing to the readers knowledge or emotions about the subject.
Writing Exercise:
Here are some cliches that are quite happily found at home in the action/adventure genre. Use them to exercise your writing powers. Do not limit yourself to direct word substitution, but use as many words as required to convey the same intent as the cliche. Have fun!
Send me your best original alternatives to the cliches below and I will share the ones I think are the most creative in the next newsletter.
- opened up a can of worms
- like greased lightning
- a hollow victory
- he kicked up a storm
- in cold blood
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 Good advice for the different writers of all manner of action and adventure stories. Infusing a little humanity makes those characters easier to like.
Take care and Write on!
Jay's debut novel is out now! 
Thank you! 
Puditat,
Fantastic information on increasing the emotional impact of a story through characterization and sub-plot lines. You articulate so well what a writer can do to up the reader's sympathic interest in the story. Thanks for the helpful tips!
NickiD89 
You're very welcome. I'm glad the information was useful to readers. 
Great newsletter, it is so helpful, I'm glad you wrote it!
Little Scribbler
It was very much my pleasure. 
You're exactly right--emotion is the key! I'm constantly searching for that perfect character, and that perfect emotional situation.
Coolhand
Isn't it great when that pique of excitement hits when you know you've got it right? Thank you for the feedback.
Good points in this newsletter. The reader/audience will also care much more about a character if they can relate to them. We've all been in awkward situations, been caught telling lies, waited at the DMV for hours only to find you're standing in the wrong line, etc. When the reader can relate to the character, then they care about him/her. So make something happen to your heroine/hero that we can all relate to. Happy writing.
mlarsen05
Absolutely! Thanks for the comments.
Pudi!
What an outstanding newsletter! I loved the way you explained adding emotion to any story. Really good stuff,
billwilcox
Awww, shucks. Thanks, Bill.
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