Show Don't Tell Description- Part 5 Fight Scene Verbs

by Elva Cobb Martin

It is so important to write fight scenes in the show versus tell mode and that's something I've studied since I have fight scenes in my novels.

Here are some strong verbs I've collected to help show fight scenes:

assault, apprehend, aim, arrest, ambush

bushwhack, blow, block, batter, butt, bump, bash,

clenched jaw, charge, crouch, crash, collide, collapse, clutch, choke,           clobber, capture, conk, claw

dodge, dive, deliver, drive, duck, dash, dance, daze, dart

explode, enjoin, elude, evade

fumble, flick, flay, flip, 

growl, grunt, gyrate, gouge, grapple, grate, gasp, grasp, grab,

hack, harass, hesitate, hover, hurl, hurtle,

inflict, injure, jab, jump, jounce, jerk, kick, knock, kill

lash, lunge,

melded, maul, maim, mangle, mutilate, maim, nail, nick, nip,

panic, paralyze, parry, pin, pitch, plunge, poke, pounce, prod, propel,       pry, pummel, pump, pound, punch

ram, ransack, rattle, reel, repel, repulse, resist, retaliate, retreat,           retrieve, rip, roll, rush,

saw, scamper, scatter, scrape, scuffle, seize, sever, shave, shear, shield, shock, shout, shove, sidestep, skid, skirt, slacken, slam, slap, slit, slash, smack, snap, snarl, snicker, sock, sprint, spin, stagger, stamp, strip, stroke, stumble, stun, subdue, surrender, swagger, sway, swerve, swat,    swing, sidestep, strip, shoot, stab, stun, scratch, snatch

tackle, taunt, tear, terrorize, thrash, throw, tackle, tilt, tip, toss, tout,           trap, trip, tug, tumble, twist, throttle, thump

vanquish, vaulted,

wedged, whacked, whip, whirl, wiggle, wreck, wrench, wrestle,

yell, yank, yelp, 

zap

Here's how I have described my heroine swords-woman, Marisol, in a scene in my wip:

Marisol joined swords with the pirate. Blow after blow clanged through the room and sparks flew from the steel blades as the two moved in a macabre dance. The man's dark eyes widened and his growls grew louder as Marisol met every advance with a precise defense. 

She proved too fast, agile, and accurate for the larger man. Before all the women were out in the passage she whacked a strike on his chest, slashing into his baldric. He snarled and lunged toward her but she easily sidestepped his thrust.   

Thanks for stopping by. Do you have some strong fight verbs to add to our list? Please share by clicking on the small icons below.

Blessings,

Elva

Elva Cobb Martin is vice-president of the South Carolina Chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is a former school teacher and a graduate of Anderson University and Erskine College. She has two inspirational novels published with Lighthouse Publishers of the Carolinas. Summer of Deception, a contemporary romantic suspense, and an historical romance, In a Pirate’s Debt. Both have spent time on Amazon’s 100 Best Sellers List for Women’s Religious Fiction. She has indie published a Bible study on Amazon, Power Over Satan, on the  believer's authority in Christ. Decision, Charisma, and Home Life have carried Elva's articles. Jim Hart of Hartline Literary represents her. She and her husband Dwayne are semi-retired ministers. A mother and grandmother, Elva lives in South Carolina. Connect with her on her web site http://www.elvamartin.com,on Twitter www.twitter.com/ElvaCobbMartin; Facebook http://www.facebook.com/elvacobbmartin;  and Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/elvacobbmartin

 Link to her romance novels and non-fiction works on Amazon:http://amzn.to/2pOgVHI