/lit/ - Literature

>>12701901
I remember Conan having some good action scenes. Of course, the trick Howard used (and which most modern fantasy writers seem completely oblivious of how to apply) was not spending a lot of time on details. Rather than informing the reader of what exactly happened he instead tried to get the feeling of the fight across. Often we're simply told in broad strokes what went down, and sometimes we don't get to know at all.

In particular I remember a scene in one of the earliest stories where Conan, as a mercenary, is about to take part in a large battle against an invading army. The actual battle is almost glossed over completely. Instead, Howard describes the sound of clashing steel and soldiers screaming out in pain as the two armies clash into one another. Then, Conan is confronted by some intimidating dude -- possibly the prince of the invading country or the leader of the army -- and not even then does Howard go into details. Instead he only briefly mentions that Conan raises his shield and describes how sparks fly of it as his opponent's weapon crashes into it over and over again. During it all, Conan slashes with his dagger in front of him, and we're not even told if he actually hits anything, because Conan himself doesn't have time to notice. The scene is concluded with a statement about how Conan did not remember how he had survived, but when he came to, the battle was over and his opponent lay dead before him.

The point, I guess, is that you should show, not tell. Descriptions are only good as long as they help set the mood. They do not carry a story on their own.