Quality and Realism When Writing Action Sequences

I anticipate that, for those who watch a lot of martial arts movies, the fight scenes in Bridge of Souls may be a disappointment. They will probably only appeal to those who really know about close quarter combat or who demand an intelligent and accurate portrayal of their fights and action sequences.

The fights in Bridge of Souls are unplanned, dirty and over very quickly. Everyone in the fight gets hurt, ribs get smashed, eyes get black, teeth get knocked out, noses get broken and injuries remain sore, long after the fight is over. I also deliberately made each fight a clash of styles as this makes the choreographic movements more demanding and interesting.

This is not at all like the movies, where the hero fights numerous armed and unarmed opponents, who all very conveniently wait their turn to attack. Every person who is hit by a "telling blow" is soon back up and fighting again. The real world is not like that, at all.

Examples from Striking Arts

In terms of traditional striking arts, the part of the body delivering the blow will have been hardened by repeatedly hitting a hard surface. Deliberately breaking and healing the bones (called an osteoblast and osteoclast process) until, after numerous years of daily practice the bone becomes 9 times harder than concrete.

The strike technique itself will have been developed, again over years of practice, to deliver an impact that has been recorded at hundreds of foot pounds of force. To put this into context, 50 foot pounds of force, in the correct location, can kill a bull elephant.

Examples from Grappling Arts.

Similarly, the grappling arts develop their locks and throwing skills over years of practice.

They can deliver a lock that will rupture the joint permanently. Crippling, maiming or killing the opponent instantly. Techniques directed at the neck can cause unconsciousness, permanent brain damage or death.

The throwing techniques can be delivered with such force that the impact on hitting the floor, wall or ceiling is similar to being hit by a family saloon car traveling at 50 mph.

Deadly Serious

Once such a technique, from either form of martial art, is delivered the result is potentially deadly. It is not a game, although many martial arts have been transformed into less lethal sporting variants.

My goal when writing Bridge of Souls was to make everything as realistic as possible. My fight sequences are based on my own real world expertise of over 35 years practice. I realise that some readers will prefer high fantasy in their fights but for those who demand quality and realism in their action I think Bridge of Souls will be a delight.

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