In Romance Novels

I have strong adventure elements in most of my Regency Romance Novels.

For the first part of the regency era, it’s the French Revolution. Then it’s the Napoleonic War. My characters are affected, and often they are involved in the fight.

So, while there are some lovely romantic moments and a few kissing scenes (another post), I often must write an action scene, or three.

Excitement! Danger! Risk! I want your heart to beat faster and your eyes to race through the words.

But there is a paradox involved in writing action scenes. The faster the action, the slower I must write. An immersive action scene is measured in details. You need to feel like you’re there. The sounds, the smells, the emotions, fear, or horror, or sorrow. These all must be there.

That kind of experience won’t come if I scrimp on words or if I hurry through the scene.

These scenes can be some of the more difficult for me to write. I have to imagine myself in the situation. Sometimes I have to stand up and move around to “block” the movement. I have to visualize where all the characters are in the room, or hall, or woods. Which way are they facing? How much light is there? And where is it coming from? What is under their feet?

And many, many more details. Not all of this will make it into the scene, but I have to know all of it if I am going to show you the danger, the anticipation, courage.

What have you read recently that had your heart pumping and your pulse racing? Please share. I am always looking for good action writing–Even in Romance.