In adventure fiction readers follow heroes as they set out on desperate missions, fight overwhelming obstacles and often rescuing themselves and others. Our heroes carry out dangerous assignments or missions as save they day. Typically, there is a happy ending with the hero safe and sound. While that might make you think the stories would become stale or predictable, the very best writers in the genre have written stories that thrill readers. The adventure story is one that has to have something happen. There has to be an action and conflict within the type of story. The author has to have the reader identify with the character in the story to draw them in.

Action scenes aren't just for espionage or fantasy novels: almost every story will have some sequences in which the characters are doing things. How do you get the action right? These tips will help.

1. Perform the Action

Get up and act out the scenes, when possible. Sometimes the problem is that you're not describing what a human body actually does in a given situation. If you're describing someone climbing a ladder, then climb a ladder. If it's a fight scene, throw a few punches. Try out a few kicks. If possible, observe or take a martial arts class. How do people tend to fall: on their sides, on their hands? What sorts of exclamations do they make? Do they wipe sweat away, or do they ignore it? How does a body respond when a hand or foot makes contact?

2. Pick Up the Pace

In writing action scenes, the pace must speed up, to match that of the scene. How do you do this? Keep descriptions of anything besides the action to a minimum. This isn't the place for long descriptions of setting or character. Some writers use shorter, choppier sentences, or even incomplete sentences. And describe more than just what your protagonist sees.

3. Keep Dialogue Short

As with all of your fiction, dialogue is helpful for breaking up action scenes. However, when adrenaline is flowing, people don't engage in lengthy discussions. To be realistic, keep dialogue short and snappy when writing action scenes.

4. Make Full Use of Verbs

In the first draft, don't worry about verbs: just get the action down. But in your revision, drag out the thesaurus. This is action, after all, the verbs are the most important words. They give your scene momentum. Take, for instance, this line from the novel In the Woods:

"Footsteps thumped behind me and Sweeney streaked past, running like a rugby player and already pulling out his handcuffs. He grabbed Rosalind by the shoulder, spun her around and slammed her against the wall."

"thumped", "streaked", "spun", "slammed" they're specific actions and they're active verbs, full of energy and focus. Scenes like this are not the norm in life, so the verbs will not be everyday words, nor should they call attention to themselves.

5. Learn from Other Writers

As with all aspects of writing, you can learn a lot by studying the work of writers you admire. How do they get action across? What kinds of verbs do they use? What kind of descriptions? What gives these scenes a feeling of momentum? What kinds of sentences do they use in the faster scenes? Do they use more modifiers, or fewer? And while keeping plagiarism in mind, note what phrases they use in describing certain kinds of action. It can help guide you as you revise those scenes.

6. Create an Adventure Plot Checklist

Adventure and role-playing gamers will happily tell you the importance of an outline. When writing an adventure plot, before setting pen to paper or fingers keyboard it is crucial to know basic guidelines of what your adventurers will face, where they will go, who they will see, how they will get to the end of the adventure -- and why they take the adventure at all

Adventures are as in-depth as the quest. All the people, places and things that you will see along the way of the adventure make it very easy to stray from the theme and overriding plot of your story.

Use this checklist to keep your goals constantly in mind. Answer the questions before you start writing the story. Your story is already written? Don't worry. You can use this checklist when revising a draft of your story. As long as you keep what's important in mind, unimportant but highly appealing pieces of story will fall to the side.

1. What is the purpose of the journey?

2. What kind of world is the story set in? What inhabits this world? Are there any natural aspects of this world that set it apart from our own?

3. How is the adventure presented to the adventurer? Is the adventurer willing or unwilling? Why or why not?

4. What motivates the adventurer to take the first step of the journey? Remember that the motivation must be strong enough to carry them through danger and excitement.

5. Go back to your previous answer. This is a cause, the effect being the start of the journey. Jot down three things that could happen during the adventure. Then write down what effects these things will have on the adventurer and the adventure itself.

6. What is one way in which the terrain being journey through can affect the adventure?

7. What is one way in which nature can affect the adventure?

8. What will season the adventure to make it more interesting? -- Romance, treachery, revenge are all examples of seasoning.

It is very easy to stray from the adventure plot,so first and foremost, keep in your mind that the quest is about the person and the adventure is about the journey. Secondly, reference your checklist often as you write. You'll find that the combination of both things at the forefront of your mind help you to distill the story into an essence that is simply irresistible.

Beyond the horizon are places we'll never see,
A beauty overlooking our glee filled eyes sweet pea.
I can tell you this without truly knowing,
If you sit and listen, to the gentle wind blowing.

One day you'll understand.


Beyond this world there is a better space,
A place forever in a state of grace.
It's so amazing and goes by with everlasting ease.
Watch the sunrise and breathe in the fresh breeze.

I need you to understand.

Beyond this lie is a never confessing truth,
The killing of unborn hopes for wasted youth.
A place where you are loved for yourself,
Where makeup is stored away on a backroom shelf.

Maybe you'll understand.

Beyond this rat race are things that will blow you away
Nature taking place and a world of content every day.
Realize that time rests in the palm of my unsteady hand.
I need to get away from the stressful daily demand.

I hope you'll understand.

Beyond this ignorance is a knowledge worth learning.
And a whole other world continuously turning.
In my mind this world within me is slowly dying.
A world that could be independent, free, and trusting.

I know you'll understand.

Beyond these worries, a heart is set free traditionally,
To experience, and to love unconditionally.
Stop and think where you stand in your mind,
Who honestly cares for you, and how you could be so blind.

I just hope you'll try to understand.
 

Ari was certain he could hear the blood sliding down the blade of his sword before falling gently drop by drop staining the marble floor beneath his feet.

The man looked deep into his eyes, gripping his gaping wound, seeking understanding.

"Why?" he asked.

Leaning close like death himself, Ari whispered, "You drank my coffee."


The above is the only thing that I was able to write. I have written other stuff, mostly about being a resident of the back burner when it comes to certain people. The other stuff is about coming to terms about the reality of things. I have been reaching out to extended family members which has been nice. It is weird to look back on old photo's and remembering all that went on when we were children.

I have also been in contact with old classmates from my elementary school days, and that has really been weird. Just seeing everyone after all of this time has been enlightening, with some unforeseen links with other people, but for the most part all has been well in that respect.

There is so much I want to say, but just don't know how to voice the words that are so fresh on my mind. I wrote a couple of Newsletters that went over well with everyone of WDC. I' be writing another soon, around May 16th.

Recently, I was asked a very personal question that through me for a loop, but I allowed myself to be honest with myself about everything. I opened my heart about a personal matter, and for the first time in a long time I felt a weight lift that had settled unbeknownst to me.

Well, it's time for me to hit that old dusty trail...

Night WdC.
 

It seems like when I think things are finally getting on track something comes along and throws a wrench in my plans. I hate complaining about anything, and I go above and beyond the call to deal with things so I don't have to bother anyone. It just hasn't been a very good time as of late which has put a hindrance on my writing. It is bad and everything seems to be snowballing, fast. On a good note, though I'm not sure I mentioned it before, but my friend Steph is pregnant, and doing well. She's having a little boy. I'm happy for her and her boyfriend, even though I dislike him I know that he's a good father.

This latest situation that came up has made things worse for me, and now I wonder just who I can trust.

This is late, but it was an anniversary for me yesterday on becoming a Moderator of Writing.com two years ago. I couldn’t believe it when it happened. It was one of those things that totally takes you by surprise. I was having a conversation with a friend when I received congratulations to which I had no idea why. I couldn’t have been happier to become a Moderator although there were some who didn’t feel I deserved the opportunity. Still, yesterday was a special day for me.

The days leading up to Easter has been an experience for me in many ways, most of which I was able to reconnect with old friends, and found some very disturbing things out about other members of my family. It’s funny how close we all used to be when we were kids going through a traumatic experience, but now if you look at us you could never really tell, only in fleeting moments that only last in the blink of an eye.

There are times when I want to be brutally honest here, but there are some things that are just too raw for just anyone to see. I have noticed something else over the days leading up to today as well. There are people who have a connection to my family, and yes many think they are just being protective of the members they choose to speak out for, however, what many have to understand is that even though we may not be as close as we once were to speak against any of us in a bad way won’t go without a strong verbal reprimand.

To be perfectly honest, I’m tired of people bringing my name up in conversation and having things to say about me when they really don’t know me. Not that I would take the time to have anything to do with them mind you.

Today has been particularly bothersome due to a simple misunderstanding. Have you ever had one of those days where you just feel alone and really need someone to talk to who doesn’t judge you?

One of the things that I hate to be trying to have a conversation with someone and they become distracted with television. I know I have done this before, and since I realized this I have done well to keep that from happening by making an honest effort to just focus on the person I’m talking to. When I find I’m in a conversation with someone who has become distracted by something I usually extract myself from the conversation to find something that I can give my full attention to, so whoever it is can finish watching whatever it is, and then I’ll come back later for a conversation that is better received.


I hate getting my hopes up for something and telling people about it only for it to blow up in my face. I got a huge dose of reality today from a surprising source, and it has definitely made me rethink a few things.

I took an exam earlier, and didn’t do as well as I thought I would have. I’m disappointed right now, but I think just speaking about things in general will help my mood overall.

 

An email I received

17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like."I wowed 'em," he later told his father, Bruce. "It's a killer. It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote." It also was the last.

Brian's parents had forgotten about the essay when a cousin found it while cleaning out the teenager's locker at Teary Valley High School . Brian had been dead only hours, but his parents desperately wanted every piece of his life near them-notes from classmates and teachers his homework.

Only two months before, he had handwritten the essay about encountering Jesus in a file room full of cards detailing every moment of the teen's life. But it was only after Brian's death that Beth and Bruce Moore realized that their son had described his view of heaven. "It makes such an impact that people want to share it. You feel like you are there." Mr Moore said.

Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.

The Moores framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. "I think God used him to make a point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it," Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. "I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him."

Brian's Essay:

It’s April already, and this new year of 2012. I find myself questioning many things, and of course my sanity is one of those. My family is changing in many ways, mostly the children that I once new are turning into adults that have their own style and choices that will take them into the future to follow a destiny all their own. There are times when I wish life came with one of those instruction guides that helps you make certain decisions on how to deal with situations every once in a while.

More to be added soon....
 

How long had he been dreaming? How long had he climbed this endless spiral staircase? Somehow, he knew her room was at the top...

England had been devastated by war, and Tristian head of the once-proud Christo legacy, was devastated by a betrayal that cost him everything. But then he met someone, someone who took him in and sheltered him in his hour of need, and suddenly none of it mattered. Her name was--

"Symantha!"

He awoke with a start to find himself in a dark dungeon cell, thick with grime and the stench of death. He had no memory of how he had gotten there, but that wasn't important-- he had to find Symantha.

When Tristian burst out of the prison, everything outside looked different than he remembered...but no matter. This world was but a fleeting dream, destined to be transformed into a new and better place--a world twisted to the needs of he and his beloved.

A force of madness was loose upon the world, a man who would stop at nothing to find his beloved.

His teeth found his first victim easily enough, but the life that was taken would only satisfy his thirst for a short time.

"Don't worry, Symantha... I'll be with you soon."


 

Relationships of all kinds are like sand held in your hand. Held loosely, with an open hand, the sand remains where it is. The minute you close your hand and squeeze tightly to hold on, the sand trickles through your fingers. You may hold onto some of it, but most will be spilled. A relationship is like that. Held loosely, with respect and freedom for the other person, it is likely to remain intact. But hold too tightly, too possessively, and the relationship slips away and is lost. ~ Kaleel Jamison
 

All I’ve done for most of the day is read. When I woke up, I read for an hour. I received some good news from my lady, and then had to contemplate my feelings on it. Then I read for about four hours. I had a conversation with a friend, and then read for three more hours. I found myself in various positions reading. I finally sat on the couch and read for another three hours.

All I have to say, is that I feel as if I've been lost in another world. There is a conversation that I'm dreading, and knowing that I feel this way I probably won't bring it up until I absolutely have to. Sigh, the joys of being an adult, and having to make adult decisions...Sometimes I wish there was a manual for such things.