gregsabo Posted October 9, 2004 Share Posted October 9, 2004 Hello, I'm writing a fantasy novel involving a lot of fantastical fight scenes. I have a good idea of what I want to happen in the fights, but I need to develop a fighting style for each character. They each use different weapons, as shown: -male with sword -female with staff -male with bare hands -male with single axe I want their styles to be more impressive than effective, as they won't be used in real-life. I would appreciate any links or other references for any reccommmended disciplines Thanks a lot from a martial-arts newbie! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foreveryoung001 Posted October 9, 2004 Share Posted October 9, 2004 Welcome to the board. I do not know much about it, but there is a MA called Capoeira(sp?) that is supposed to be very flashy... flips and spins... I don't know how effective that would be in real life, but it might add the type of spice you are looking for. I'm sure there are others on this board who know more about this art, and might have some links for you. Good luck with the book. Do you have a title, or a basic plot that you would like to share? Student: "Why did you hit that guy with a chair? Why didn't you use your karate?"Master: "Hitting him with a chair was the only karate I could think of at the time."Lesson: Practice until you don't have to think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Dragon Posted October 9, 2004 Share Posted October 9, 2004 how about using unique styles which most people dont know..like arnis(phillipino stick fighting..2 sticks),or getting sum grapplings in there like ju jutsu,aikido,hapkido,etc. ''I know what your thinking.........did I shoot you 3 times? or did I shoot you 472 times?'' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Donkey Posted October 9, 2004 Share Posted October 9, 2004 Yeah, why go for such standard characters and weapons Why not give them exotics like hook swords, monks spade, tri-sectional staff etc. Donkey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shorinryu Sensei Posted October 9, 2004 Share Posted October 9, 2004 If you're sriting a fantasy novel..why not have fantasy arts? Plus you need to consider this,. If you are going to use a style with a specific name which is out there now, then you're going to have people that are taking that system reading (hopefully anyway) your novel, and you're going to have to be accurate in your descriptions of techniques, or people will call * to what you're saying. Are you wiling to do the massive research associated with being able to describe 4 different types of arts and their various application names? My nightly prayer..."Please, just let me win that PowerBall Jackpot just once. I'll prove to you that it won't change me!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Posted October 9, 2004 Share Posted October 9, 2004 I think for sure having one of them performing Capoeira would be pretty neat. A True Martial Arts Instructor is more of a guide than anything, on your way to developing the warrior within yourself!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Warlock Posted October 9, 2004 Share Posted October 9, 2004 I agree with Shorinryu. Being a writer myself, i know full well the biggest mistake is to write about something without having performed sufficient research. Fantasy writing is some of the most 'flexible' writing available, but it should also be considered the one that requires the most research, in order to present a viable picture in the mind's eye of the readers. What i'm saying is, if you don't know the systems yourself, then i suggest you stick with making up styles for your characters to be proficient with. When describing what one or another character is doing, it's also a good idea to stick to 'describing' the actions in somewhat generic fashion, rather than name-calling them and getting caught up in details. Think of the process in writing a confrontation as you would remember one. I.e., details unspecific, with only a few things that stick firmly in your mind of the conflict. Expressing it in such a way becomes much more visceral to the reader... i.e., it shouldn't be expressed in a 'cogent' manner, as much as it should be expressed in a 'gut' manner. What not to do: "Keal lunged back in to a half stance and performed a reverse-punch to the solar plexus of Mako. Reeling from the impact, Mako wheeled back and retaliated with a spinning back kick, only to have it blocked by Keal's upper block" Last comment. I only write about what i know. Fantasy writing allows you to apply what you know, and then to flower it with something 'nobody' but you knows... because you made it up. "When you are able to take the keys from my hand, you will be ready to drive." - Shaolin DMV TestIntro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foreveryoung001 Posted October 10, 2004 Share Posted October 10, 2004 WW, would that be along the same lines of the old quote, "Sell the sizzle, not the steak!"? Student: "Why did you hit that guy with a chair? Why didn't you use your karate?"Master: "Hitting him with a chair was the only karate I could think of at the time."Lesson: Practice until you don't have to think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
47MartialMan Posted October 10, 2004 Share Posted October 10, 2004 Yeah, but the "steak", when done to "taste", is nice to "consume". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red J Posted October 10, 2004 Share Posted October 10, 2004 Coming up with a fantasy style would be a "novel" approach. It gets my vote. I had to lose my mind to come to my senses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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