Where does Action fit into a chapter?

Akuma · Jun 28, 2007

This may sound like a dumb newbie question but. . .
Is there any traditional role where action fits into a chapter?

Of course, ideally, the entire book should be action. But I'm talking climactic stuff, the epic battles, the run in with zombie bounty hunters, but not necessarily the climax, i.e., of the entire book. In a chapter, is it appropriate for it to be where the author thinks it fits, whether that be in the beginning or middle? Or prolonged to the end of a chapter to keep the reader turning pages?

Not that I'm saying there is some kind of rule to this (a misconception with writing, as you know. Wait, then it's not a misconception. . .) but good books tend to have the order "action leading to climax-climax-resolution".

Again, I'm not saying there may or may not be a rule to this, but, while a man can lasso and saddle a duck, it takes very few to ride that duck and make it look damn good.

Zoombie · Jun 28, 2007

The things should happen when they happen. Write it, then put in chapters at good places that seem right to you. No one is going to stop reading your book becuase halfway through a chapter, the zombie bounty hunter's show up and start blowing stuff up.

I mean...that's just silly to think of!

mscelina · Jun 28, 2007

I've never heard of a man lasooing and riding a duck, but I'd be willing to bet that no matter where it turned up in a chapter it would grab my interest.

Relax. Just write it. The action will take place when and where it's supposed to in the storyline. There is no right and wrong. Just do it.

Good luck.

Akuma · Jun 28, 2007

I agree; normally, I never think of stuff like that--like Zoombie said, it's silly.

But I recently realized one of my chapters began with action and wondered if I had actually been doing this writing thing incorrectly all these years.

And, yes, that chapter must begin with action.

Zoombie · Jun 28, 2007

Actually, I had a chapter begin with sex. That works too.

mscelina · Jun 28, 2007

Sex counts as action....usually.

Zoombie · Jun 28, 2007

It was more cute and adorable and very very...inexpirenced, than actiony.

Robert L.B. · Jun 28, 2007

Zoombie said:
The things should happen when they happen. Write it, then put in chapters at good places that seem right to you. No one is going to stop reading your book becuase halfway through a chapter, the zombie bounty hunter's show up and start blowing stuff up.

I mean...that's just silly to think of!

Not to mention that would pretty much sink your entire book if it were true.

Azraelsbane · Jun 28, 2007

I would suggest writing the story that comes to you, and keep in mind that you don't want to go too far without a decent amount of action. I realize you're asking about placement of "semi-large" events, but I find that stories that most often catch my attention are those that have a nice flow of action throughout and build to the climax-resolution.

The one thing I truly despise in writing is when I read an... I dunno, 800 page book, and the climax and resolution (aka, epic battle scene & ending sequence) take up a max of 5 pages. I feel jipped when writers do that. Those are also the ones that usually have a steady flow of action with no build-up. So it's: minor incident-minor incident-minor incident-the world is about to explode-ok, glad we averted that now let's go immediately back to our normal lives as if nothing happened.

Sorry for the rant. Can you tell I just wasted my time on a book like that?

Zoombie · Jun 28, 2007

What book?

Azraelsbane · Jun 28, 2007

The Demon You Know by Christine Warren (I think that's her name).

I know... I know... It's some sort of paranormal romance attempting to be decent fantasy. I should have expected nothing less as I wandered over to the smut side of the street, but it had a pretty cover! (And this one was only like 350 pages, so I exaggerated).

One of my favorite books Wizard's First Rule does practically the same thing but with the romance side of things. I'm not sure if it's actually that one or Stone of Tears (Goodkind's 2nd in the series) but one of the main plots is Richard and Kahlan "getting together" and then it happens in one sentence. I am all for skipping sex scenes, but when an author makes such a huge deal about the act itself for hundreds of pages I expect to see some returns! LoL

Okay, now that I sound like some horny teenager I'm going to crawl into my little hole of shame.

Zoombie · Jun 28, 2007

Sheesh, that's terrible. I read a book that had a big build up...then paid it off, tottally. That means I choose better books than thou.

So you know, it was Tinker, by Wen Spencer. That had a male lead so attractive and cool, I think I'd have crawled into bed with him. And I'm a guy!

Azraelsbane · Jun 28, 2007

You want attractive and cool male leads? Read Anne Bishop's The Black Jewel Trilogy. I would have jumped into... Oh wait, I'm female. Not quite as convincing. :Shrug:

Thanks for the book suggestion. My problem is that I've run out of books from my fav authors. I need some new ones, and I'm mucking around until I find another that strikes my fancy

Zoombie · Jun 28, 2007

Oooh, Tinker is good. And weird...very weird. In that kind of strange, enticing way that makes you want to read.

And it's set in Pittsburgh, my all time favorite city ever. Mostly because of its residents. Or, to be more specific, one of its residents. And by that I mean, George A. Romero.

katiemac · Jun 28, 2007

I agree; normally, I never think of stuff like that--like Zoombie said, it's silly.

But I recently realized one of my chapters began with action and wondered if I had actually been doing this writing thing incorrectly all these years.

And, yes, that chapter must begin with action.

I'll agree with everyone else and say the action belongs where the action belongs.

Could you imagine if no chapter opened with action? Let's say one chapter ends in an action cliffhanger ... then the next chapter switches scenes. You have to get to the end of a whole second chapter to get to the resolution of that first cliffhanger! Granted, many books do this to keep the tension going, and sometimes it works. But putting in those extra, filler scenes "just to keep the readers turning the page" isn't going to cut it for a novel that doesn't need it.

mscelina · Jun 28, 2007

Azraelsbane said:
You want attractive and cool male leads? Read Anne Bishop's The Black Jewel Trilogy. I would have jumped into... Oh wait, I'm female. Not quite as convincing.

Thanks for the book suggestion. My problem is that I've run out of books from my fav authors. I need some new ones, and I'm mucking around until I find another that strikes my fancy

Especially not with Daemon Sadi...you wouldn't have had a choice....

Jacqueline Carey--her Kushiel's Dart series. Big payoffs there.

Zoombie · Jun 28, 2007

I've heard rumors about Kushiel's Dart...is it really as sex packed with jam as I've been told?

Azraelsbane · Jun 28, 2007

Thanks!

Daemon...Lucivar... *drools on the keyboard*

Okay, back to packing my house up (I hope).

mscelina · Jun 28, 2007

Yes it is...and just about anything you could possibly ask for. I think her books are beautifully well-written--so much so that the sex doesn't seem over-the-top to me, although I can see where some people might be made uncomfortable by it. I will also add, for the benefit of this thread that (once again!) I have assisted in hijacking, that a great deal of her action is 'cerebral' but that the hard-core action when it occurs is extremely well-done.

Which does lead back to the point, actually...if you're looking for huge sword fights and battle scenes, she has them...in places. BUT, the development of her characters is so interesting that I read right along with them for a long time. Her character development becomes the action if you know what I mean.

*sighs in jealousy and goes back to disembowling harpies*

Where does Action fit into a chapter?

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