Book Review-Them's Fightin' Words

Them's Fightin' Words is a must have for the novelistactions and offers writers ways to connect them.
wanting to add fight scene drama and action to theirGlenn takes writers from a verbal camera sweep to
manuscripts. Author Teel James Glenn pulls his vastthe literary equivalent of a camera slowly tracking in to
fighting experience into this book. Readers benefit froma close-up over the course of a battle. Writing
his combat experience, including eastern martial arts,exercises at the close of each chapter challenge his
the physiology and kinetics of weight training and thereaders to capture fighting moves on paper. Exercises
dramatic story telling from film and stage acting. Forbuild upon one another and lay a foundation for writing
me, his expertise with edged weapons presents noteffective, active and realistic swashbuckling scenes.
only techniques but also the attitude behind the fightingReaders learn how characters fight, and what attitude
mindset. It's a perfect resource for writers who don'tmeans to understand who the characters are and
have a clue how to fight, but want to add fight scenehow they fit into the story's world.
excitement to their fiction.Them's Fightin' Words offers a complete
Privileged to study under a number of great teachers,how-to-write-the-fight package for authors. The text
including Errol Flynn's last stunt double, Glenn became acarries the reader through the mechanics of what to
fight choreographer versed in the dynamics of actionconsider when adding an action sequence to a
acting. He takes that, plus his experience as a stuntmanuscript. Does the fight scene move the plot along,
double, fencing master, and affiliate in The Society ofserve as a diversion, or is it an emotional catharsis?
American Fight Directors, and he breaks fight scenesYou'll have to read his book to learn the four main
down into elemental, easy to understand techniquesreasons to write fight scenes. It takes the writer from
for writers to follow.the how to the why, and includes the appropriateness
The author teaches visual and physical aspects ofof time, place and character within the setting.