Action plays a very important role in every one of my books. Hard to avoid it, given that my main character is a half-demon assassin, right? I love a good action scene. There's nothing that gets the blood pumping like a duel—sword, magic, gun, or spaceship—and it can be a lot of fun to read. But a lot of hard work goes into making that action scene work. There are so many components to action scenes:

• The actual movements and action
• The tightness of the sentences to keep the action moving
• The important details of the surroundings and environment
• The characters' reactions, emotions, and thoughts

Writing a good action scene is actually a lot harder than you'd think! Thankfully, I had a chance to talk with some fellow authors about how they put together awesome action scenes. I was also fortunate enough to sit down with a real-life professional long swordsman and get some behind-the-scenes details on how to do sword fights (I write fantasy, remember?) the right way. Check out the AMAZING video below, and hold onto your sword belts for a whole lot of fascinating information on writing quality action scenes:

Some Resources Mentioned:

www.wiktenauer.com -- great place to find historical information on swordplay Holmgang YouTube Channel -- crazy German warriors

The Panelists

Nathan Grepares Nathan Grepares is quite probably the feistiest longsword fencer from Texas! Since 2010, he has competed professionally against some of the top European and American fencers. He is an instructor for a Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) club. On a weekly basis, he leads students through training exercises and fitness routines to help empower them and instill confidence, as well as engender a knowledge and appreciation for history and martial culture. His experience frequently causes him to be invited to events across the globe to share his knowledge and skills with other practitioners. Watch him fight (guy on the left): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1-f53EMlF0 For more information: http://mindhost.tumblr.com/post/143575963597/nathan-grepares-quite-probably-the-feistiest Agnes Jankiewicz A.A. Jankiewicz (known to most as Agnes) hails from the city of Pickering, Ontario. Her debut novel ‘Q-16 and the Eye to All Worlds’ was published as part of her thesis project at Durham College as part of the Contemporary Media Design Program. Prior to that, she graduated from York University with a BFA in Film Theory, Historiography and Criticism. When she’s not busy plotting the next great adventure, writing, doodling, tinkering in the Adobe suite programs or mellowing out with her friends, she enjoys walks with her four-legged companion Meesha. She is currently working on the next instalment in the Q-16 series. Website: www.aajankiewicz.com Matt Posner Matt Posner is a writer and teacher from Queens, New York. He is the author of the multi-volume School of the Ages series, about America's greatest magic school; of How to Write Dialogue, a manual for writers; and the co-author of advice manual Teen Guide to Sex and Relationships. Matt's new novel is Squared Circle Blues, about the rough and rugged lives of professional wrestlers in the 1980s. Website: http://schooloftheages.webs.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/schooloftheages , http://www.facebook.com/squaredcircleblues Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/schooloftheages, http://www.twitter.com/SquaredCircleB