If you are writing an epic fantasy novel you are no doubt thinking in big broad strokes. This is of course the point of fantasy that is epic. And one of the key components of this kind of novel is the big battle where forces of good and evil typically meet, often at the climax of the story. This article will give you tips on how to write these scenes well and will give you some pointers on the pitfalls to avoid.
The real task when writing a large scale battle scene is to take a lot of visual information and clearly describe it in writing. This can be a challenge but here are some ways that will help you do it in a way that it is understandable and enjoyable by your reader.
Draw Yourself a Map
This is the most important thing you can do. You have to sketch out a map for your own use. It is very important for you to be able to clearly visualize the battlefield, the location of combatants, and the various landmarks. Ask yourself some questions when drawing out the map. Where are the hills, mountains, streams and rivers? Are there any unusual terrain features that you should note? Are there unusual terrain features that are specific to the fantasy world you have created? Are there any bridges over waterways? Are there buildings, castles, or other structures? You should draw these structures right on the map. And if a castle or a keep is a central figure in the battle you should draw it with as much detail as possible. These things are all important because they are military positions, the terrain, structures, bridges and other things all have a bearing on how combat is fought.
Dealing with the fluidity of the Battlefield
A very large battle is not a static thing or a single event entity. There are many things going on over the course of time which could be hours, days, or even weeks. This fluidity and all the changing variables can cause information overload or confusion in your reader. What you can do to help yourself to better describe what is happening over a period of time is to make yourself a small table top simulation of the battlefield. You can draw the terrain on it and then add objects that represent buildings, landmarks, and troops. This is exactly what all generals do and it is something you can do to keep things straight and accurate.
Changing Point of View
Your novel may be written in first person or third person omnipresent and you may want to stick with whatever scheme you are using but in a big battle it is often a good idea to switch between these two views. This switching can add suspense and paint a rich picture for your readers. The first person view can jump from person to person or across enemy lines between "bad" and "good" guys. This will lend emotional impact to the battle.
Using a third person view of the battle will lend a sense of grandeur to the battle and make it more epic. You can do this simply as third person omnipresent or you can even do it from the first person perspective of a bird or dragon flying overhead. The third person view can also be a great tool for building suspense in the battle. The reader will feel anxious and worried if from the bird's eye view he knows there is a secret attack coming from behind that he can see but the warriors on the battlefield cannot see.
Handling the Logistics and Mechanics of Battle
One of the most important things you have to consider when it comes to a large battle is the logistics of everything. Every general in the real world worries about the logistics of getting things to where they need to be. Troops have to be moved and this takes time. And those troops need food, water, and all kinds of other things like weapons, clothing, first aid -and the list goes on and on. They also need large places to camp and to sleep. Remember these things and plan accordingly. Shortages of materials can also make for very intense plot points. Real wars and battles have been won or lost based strictly on availability of supplies. Make use of this.
Magic, Elves, Dwarves, and other unusual things in your Novel and in your Battle
You are writing a fantasy novel so chances are good that you have all sorts of fantasy things in it. Things like magic, elves, dwarves, dragons, and whatever else your imagination stirs up. And all of these things may be a critical part of your battle scene but you have to be careful. Even though it is a fantasy world you have created, it still has to follow rules that make sense. What good is it if a wizard can cast a spell that kills all the enemies? Or if you have creatures that are so well armored they are practically invincible? Everything should have limitations and everything should have consequences. If the wizard casts that terrible spell would he also die? That would be an interesting twist. And what if the invincibly armored creatures moved at a snail's pace and are very susceptible to fire. See what I mean? Set limitations and rules that add to the story and the drama.
And your various creatures may have specific logistical needs. Elves may need to sleep twenty hours a day or dwarves may be useless in daylight and Dragons may need very special food that is hard to come by.
In summary, a fantasy battle on a large scale is a complex organism that moves in a lot of different ways and you, as the author, need to keep all the information straight in your mind so you can convey it clearly to your reader. And you have to do it in a way that makes sense.
Will Kalif is the Author of two epic fantasy novels and is currently working on his third. He frequently writes articles on the craft of epic fantasy writing and you can read his articles on his website at: Articles for Fantasy Writers
If you like medieval and fantasy subjects you can visit his blog: All Things Medieval – Heroic Dreams
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