Writing the Fight
The Fiction Writer’s Guide to Martial Arts Combat
Write the Fight is a nonfiction guide for authors who want to write better, more authentic martial arts action scenes.
Written by Jimmy Richardson, the book teaches writers how to move beyond generic “punch, block, kick” fight scenes and create combat that feels cinematic, character-driven, and style-specific. The central idea is that the words must become the camera, showing the rhythm, attitude, physics, and emotional truth of each fighter.
The book covers:
- How to make each martial art feel distinct on the page
- How to build a fighter’s combat identity
- The “5 Pillars” fighter bible system
- How sentence rhythm affects action scenes
- How injuries and recovery should matter
- How to design fights that reveal character
- Martial arts style profiles for writers
It is built for fiction writers who want their action scenes to feel exciting, believable, and unique—not like a bland list of moves.
Write the Fight is a practical guide for novelists, screenwriters, and storytellers who want to create realistic, cinematic martial arts combat. Drawing from classic kung fu cinema, action storytelling, and the development of The Savage Chronicles, Jimmy Richardson shows writers how to turn fight scenes into powerful character moments.