I don’t know about you, but I enjoy a good chase scene, in literature and in media. In literature, I think it’s pretty cool when an unhinged villain is chasing the ‘hero’ or anyone for that matter. Especially when they had all their trust and love into that character, only for it to shatter instantaneously. The risks, the anguish, and the absolute thrill of a chase scene, when done right, can add to the atmosphere you’re trying to create for your story. Same for media, when it’s given attention and not too edgy or soft to where it doesn’t constitute enough to even be a chase scene.

And even if the chase scene is only for a few minutes, to show off a character’s power or ability, they can be enjoyable.

To me, chase scenes, whether you’re writing, reading, or watching them, are fast-pace, precise, illicit shock, and drive the underlying emotion from start to finish.

Fast Pace

They are fast pace in that your characters don’t really have time to take in every bit of their surroundings. They have to be quick on their feet, chasing their target with minimal error. They may also use their talent or skill to help them get from point A to point B.

There’s that sense of thrill you can feel from the character’s emotions, and from the actions written on the page, or seen on screen. In writing my debut novel, Cries of the Dead, there are multiple chase scenes that induce fear as the ‘chaser’ gets closer and closer. They’re quiet, only speaking one worded answers or using disastrous actions to either kill their target or shake them up.

Then there are other chase scenes that occur from one incident to another, getting exponentially more dangerous and even close to death for one or more characters. But it’s in fast procession, no break for anyone as you go from page to page.

Precise and Target Driven

Chase scenes are precise in that there is a target, a means to get to said target, a reason to get said target, and the prime surroundings in that moment to set the scene. Just like meeting scenes or moments of betrayal, chase scenes require just as much attention, if not more depending on the situation the characters are in.

An antagonist or even protagonist can have one person or object they want, for whatever reason it may be, and know exactly how to obtain it. This can be implemented in a chase scene as well, like if there’s a magical orb at the end of a hall, and there are guards giving way to a chase to the antagonist or protagonist who wants that orb more than anything.

Shock Inducing

And sometimes, the situation can illicit shock. Like that from betrayal that can be the main reason for a chase in the first place. Especially if a character finds out a loved one was killed or taken by someone who’s right in front of them, or across them from the bar. Anything to shake them up can add to a well written out chase scene.

Emotion-Driven

When it comes to emotions, we all know that they can provide more intrigue to the turning point of any scene. And it’s no stranger to chase scenes.

Personally, I love it when anger fuels a chase scene, more so if it’s one of realization or a romantic interest chase sort of thing. In anger, the character won’t really listen to much to that angel on their shoulder, nor have any sense of reason. But if your character(s) doesn’t have a moral compass, they might act first and think later. Which might make the story a little more interesting depending on what you’re going for.

Conclusion

To sum it up, a chase scene needs:

to be fast pace;

to be precise;

to have a target;

to illicit some type of shock–to the reader or select character(s);

and to have emotion that drives the chase scene in the first place.

Either way, chase scenes, when done right, can add that extra oomph to your story, and keep your readers on edge for what might happen next.

Happy Writing and stay safe!

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