Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Action Adventure Fiction: Expert Tips for Success

Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Action Adventure Fiction

Diving head first into action-adventure fiction writing can be both thrilling and challenging.

As you get into the ins and outs of creating captivating scenes and engaging characters, it's crucial to be mindful of some common pitfalls that might hinder your storytelling.

By steering clear of these mistakes, you can ensure your readers are fully immersed in the high-octane world you've crafted.

Some of the the most common mistakes writers make when writing action and adventure fiction is falling into the cliche trap, not thinking big enough, flat characters, lack of originality, poor pacing, failure to establish stakes, and over reliance on coincidence.

We have talked a lot about what goes into writing a good action adventure, but today we will address the many mistakes to avoid when writing action adventure fiction.

Common Plot Issues in Action & Adventure

While crafting an action-adventure fiction can ignite the imagination and fuel the adrenaline of readers, it's not without its challenges.

As we continue our exploration of the intricacies of this thrilling genre, it's essential to delve into the potential stumbling blocks that can hinder the impact of your storytelling.

In this section, we will uncover some prevalent plot issues that often plague action and adventure narratives.

From the overused clichés that dull the edge of excitement to the lack of complexity that leaves characters feeling one-dimensional, and the plots that struggle to maintain believability, we will navigate the treacherous terrain of these mistakes together.

Cliches

In action and adventure fiction, it's crucial to avoid relying on cliches.

For instance, the "Damsel in Distress" trope and the "Invincible Hero" can make your story feel stale and unoriginal. Instead, strive for unique and fresh ideas or twists on familiar concepts.

Try to subvert expectations whenever possible to keep your readers engaged and surprised.

But I need to mention something here.

Cliches and tropes are not bad in and of themselves. What makes these things bad is a lack of creativity on the writer’s part.

You can take a common trope like "The Chosen One" trope, "The Hidden Heritage" trope, "The Band of Misfits" trope, etc., and do something so unique and creative with it that readers never recognize it as being a trope at all.

It’s imperative that you know what has been done and how, then you are better able to individualize it in a creative way.

Lack of Complexity

Another common issue is when the plot of an action & adventure story lacks complexity. A story that's too straightforward and predictable can bore your readers.

To address this, incorporate subplots and plenty of unique and exciting characters. This adds depth and helps your readers invest in your fictional world. Remember to weave these elements seamlessly into your main storyline, creating a rich tapestry that draws readers in.

One of the best aspects of this genre is how vast the stories can be, how intricate the plots can become. Action & adventure on a small scale can feel underwhelming.

I’m not saying a highly-focused action adventure can’t be good. I’m just saying.

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Not Believable

Finally, it's essential to maintain a sense of believability in your action & adventure story.

Even within fantastical settings, your characters should face realistic challenges and consequences. Avoid creating situations where characters easily escape from danger without any tangible consequences.

Strive for internal consistency in your world-building to ensure that your readers can suspend disbelief and immerse themselves in your story fully.

Keep your characters' abilities and limitations in mind as you craft the plot, ensuring that their actions and reactions are credible. The section below on Over-Reliance on Coincidences will help you more in this area.

Character Development Mistakes

Stereotypical and Cliche Action & Adventure Heroes

It's always essential to avoid creating characters that seem too stereotypical or cliche. Your readers have seen the tough, silent-type hero with a mysterious past or the hyper-intelligent female sidekick before.

Break the mold and bring your characters to life by giving them unique quirks and motivations, flaws and strengths that are realistic and relatable.

Here are some action adventure character cliches you might want to avoid:

• The Brooding Hero

• The Femme Fatale

• The Wise-Cracking Mercenary

• The Strong-willed Princess

• The Rogue with a Heart of Gold

• The Tough as Nails Bad-Bitch

• The Mysterious Stranger in a Cloak

• The Jaded Veteran

All these characters could very well work in your story, but it will take a vast amount of creativity and effort to make them appealing and believable.

Flat Antagonists

Flat antagonists make for uninteresting stories, but they are all too common in action and adventure fiction.

These villains are evil for evil's sake, without any understandable motive or complexity. To avoid this pitfall, give your antagonist a relatable motivation, even if it's twisted or misguided. Show their backstory and how they became who they are.

By doing so, your story becomes more engaging and encourages critical thinking.

Antagonists are more important than most people think. They are the key to unlocking a great plot and a great character arc for your protagonist.

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No Character Depth

In the adrenaline-fueled world of action and adventure fiction, it's all too easy for writers to become enamored with intricate plots and heart-pounding action, inadvertently sidelining the development of their characters.

But overlooking the importance of character depth can lead to a lack of emotional resonance and reader engagement.

Characters are the beating heart of any story, and their complexity is what makes readers truly invest themselves in it. By delving into the depths of a character's motivations, fears, and desires, writers can make authentic connections with their readers.

A well-crafted character not only adds emotional weight to the plot but also becomes the driving force behind the narrative's success. Striking a balance between complex plots and deep characters is the key to crafting a truly immersive action-adventure experience.

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Poor Pacing

When I’m editing action adventure and related stories, one of the most common mistakes I come across is poor pacing.

A well-paced story balances action sequences and character development, keeping the reader engaged throughout. As the author, you should ensure that your action scenes are neither slow nor confusing, and also avoid long periods of exposition that derail the story's momentum.

One of the key elements to maintaining good pacing is striking a balance between action and lulls.

While it's essential to depict high-intensity action scenes, you should also allow for moments of character introspection or scene-setting. By doing so, you effectively maintain the story's momentum, alternating between different levels of intensity to keep the reader engaged and invested in your characters' journey.

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Think of it this way:

We are told that you can boil a frog by slowly raising the temperature of the water—they will sit in the water until they have boiled to death because they never notice the increase.

But if you try to put them into water that is already boiling, they'll get the hell out of there.

Now, I'm skeptical of the validity of this boiling frogs thing. However, it is still a useful metaphor. We don't want our reader to get comfortable in the boiling water, we don't want them to not notice the high-energy moments because the pace has been so steady.

We want them to cool off to room temperature, so when they get to the big moments, they can feel the burn!

There is a trick to this though, while the beginning of the book allows for longer portions of down time (after the hook that is), as you move toward the climax the periods of respite should be getting shorter and shorter.

The moments of intensity should get bigger and bigger.

Now, when it comes to the action scenes in adventure, they are often too slow or just plain confusing. To avoid slow or confusing action sequences, it's important to be clear and concise—always keep the reader oriented in the scene, following the character’s movements.

But you also must allow room for the reader’s imagination by not bogging them down with too much information like a NFL play-by-play for the blind.

Similarly, another common issue to avoid is excessive exposition.

While it's crucial to provide necessary information about your characters and the world they live in, doing so for extended periods can lead to slow pacing.

Instead of using long paragraphs of explanation, try to intersperse crucial details throughout the narrative to avoid overwhelming the reader. By incorporating information organically into the story, you maintain the reader's interest, encourage their curiosity, and enhance the overall pacing.

Avoid information dumps like a stray dog with mange, and keep your readers engaged by showing rather than telling.

By paying attention to these pitfalls, you'll improve your action adventure fiction's pacing, ensuring a thrilling and engaging read that leaves readers eager for more.

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Failure to Establish the Stakes or Raise Them

Especially in action and adventure fiction, it's essential for you to establish the stakes right away and then continually raise them throughout.

Failing to do so can result in a lack of tension and suspense, making your story less engaging for readers.

To avoid this pitfall, planning before you begin writing is going to be your friend.

First and foremost, make sure to clearly define the stakes early on in your story, plan how and when you will do this in an outline. This can be accomplished by presenting your protagonist with a significant conflict or challenge. The outcome of this conflict should have a profound impact on their life—whether it's a matter of life and death, the fate of their loved ones, or the future of their world.

By doing so, you're giving readers a reason to care about your story and root for the protagonist.

Next in your planning, ensure that your stakes are not static throughout your story. As the plot unfolds, gradually raise the stakes to maintain tension and keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Is the plot point you are currently planning more intense than the one before, or at least the acting as the catalyst for something more intense?

You can do this by introducing new conflicts, complications, or adversaries that challenge your protagonist even further. Make sure the reader understands what your character has to lose throughout the story and put on the pressure by making it a very real possibility that your characters can fail.

Don't be afraid to put your protagonist in impossible situations.

The more your character has to overcome, the more invested readers will become. However, it's crucial to strike a balance between raising the stakes and remaining credible in your storytelling.

Avoid making exaggerated or false claims that can damage your story's integrity.

But also remember to show the consequences of failure.

Demonstrating the impact of not meeting the stakes helps readers understand the severity of the situation and maintain their emotional investment in the story.

By effectively establishing and raising the stakes in your action adventure story, you'll create a thrilling, suspenseful experience that keeps your readers hooked from beginning to end.

Poorly Written Action Sequences

Ok.

We talked about pacing your action scene, but there are many other issues to avoid while writing them other than pace and possible confusion.

First, ensure that your action scenes are grounded in reality. While it's tempting to write unbelievable stunts that defy the laws of physics, doing so may leave your reader unconvinced, to say the least.

When crafting your sequences, stick to what's possible and believable. If your story demands extraordinary feats, provide adequate justification and background information. Like the ability to fly?

Keep your action scenes focused on clear objectives.

A well-written action sequence should have a purpose, whether it's to advance the plot or develop a character (preferably both). Be specific about what the characters are trying to achieve, and ensure their actions and choices align with that goal.

Avoid mindless, gratuitous action that only serves to inflate the word count.

Use precise language to describe the movements and actions taking place. Vague descriptions may confuse readers and prevent them from fully engaging in your story.

For example, instead of writing the hero punched the villain, consider saying the hero threw a mean right hook, connecting with the villain's jaw. This level of detail can help readers visualize the action, making it more immersive.

Remember, no lifeless play-by-plays!

Over Reliance on Coincidence

In any fiction (but it seems to be a big issue this one for some reason) be careful not to fall into the trap of over-relying on coincidence or deus ex machina to resolve your plot points.

While some amount of coincidence can add excitement and unpredictability to your story, using it too often can come across as lazy and unbelievable.

Deus ex machina = when an unexpected, implausible event or character intervenes to resolve a seemingly unsolvable problem.

When developing your story, keep in mind that readers appreciate believable resolutions to conflicts. Avoid resolving tense situations or getting your characters out of trouble by conveniently introducing a new character, object, or event that comes out of nowhere.

Coincidence is the poster child for “unsatisfying” and “contrived” fiction writing techniques.

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Explore alternative ways for your characters to overcome obstacles.

Focus on their skills, relationships, and growth throughout the story. Always keep everything connected. Do they need a specific skill to win the final fight against the antagonist? Then they better learn it earlier in the book!

By doing this, you not only create a more engaging and dynamic narrative but also foster deeper connections between your readers and your characters. Look to what you have already developed in the story for a solution, don’t look externally.

Finally, if you do choose to include coincidences in your action adventure fiction, ensure they serve a purpose and enhance the overall narrative. For instance, a well-timed coincidence can reveal hidden connections between characters or set up intriguing plot twists.

However, always be mindful that coincidences can rub readers the wrong way fast.

Inaccurate or Insufficient Research

One common mistake is neglecting to conduct thorough research or using inaccurate information.

Let’s face it, this is an issue for all genres equally.

Too often writer’s settle for “good enough” research and not deep and thorough research.

This can cause inconsistencies in your story and potentially break the suspension of disbelief for your readers. As a writer, your job is to immerse your audience in the world you have created, and accurate research is an essential component of this process.

You should strive to understand the essential rules of worldbuilding and the importance of researching the various aspects related to your characters and their journey. Whether your adventure takes place in a modern setting, a historical setting, or a fantastical one, it's crucial for you to know the geographical, cultural, and political contexts that affect it.

Next, consider the action sequences. (Here we go again with the action scene mistakes).

This involves not only researching weapons, fighting styles, and tactics, but also studying human anatomy and the physics behind the action. Your readers will easily spot implausible or unrealistic action scenes, and these inaccuracies can detract from the overall story.

You might not even realize they are unrealistic though unless you have done the research.

Also, think about your characters' expertise and backgrounds. If your protagonist is a skilled archer or a military strategist, ensure you research the intricacies of their skills and represent them accurately in your writing. Failing to depict a character's abilities convincingly can undermine their believability and damage your readers' investment in them.

The gods forbid that one of your readers actually is that thing you screwed the pooch on!

Research isn’t a chore. Embrace the opportunity to immerse yourself in the world you're trying to build. Your writing can only benefit from the richness of accurate and sufficient research, enhancing your action-adventure fiction and keeping your readers on the same page as you.

Final Words

As an action-adventure fiction writer, your stories should keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Here is a final high-level summary of what we talked about today:

Pace: A well-paced action story keeps readers engaged and tends to be quicker moving than most genres. Don't let your action scenes drag on too long, but also be sure to balance them with quieter moments that allow for character development and emotional connection.

Characterization: Even in action-packed stories, your characters need to be fully realized and relatable. Give them strengths, weaknesses, and motivations that feel authentic, which will help your readers become invested in their journey.

Settings: The worlds you build should be immersive and richly detailed. Make use of vivid descriptions and unique locations that add depth to your story without overwhelming your readers.

Plot: Forge a plot that combines high stakes, unpredictability, and compelling twists to ensure your readers stay hooked. As you write, ask yourself if each scene contributes to the larger narrative and moves the story forward.

Remember, your readers crave excitement and escapism, and it's up to you to deliver that experience in your action and adventure fiction. But don’t forget to make it meaningful and purposeful so it has a lasting effect on your readers, and keeps you in love with the story long enough to get it done.

What are the common themes in action & adventure fiction?

Action & adventure stories often incorporate themes that revolve around ideas like the battles between good and evil, quests for redemption, the triumph of courage, sacrifice for the greater good, or the pursuit of justice. But there is so much more to it than centering your story around a vague theme. Learn all about weaving themes and motifs in your action adventure story to take it to the next level here.

Next: Adventure Themes & Motifs