When writing a war scene, should I put in details of how the war goes or just let

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Somewhat Stupid

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the reader to imagine it? And the war is medieval, swords, shields, those stuff
Writing a novel for fun
 
Particularly for medieval war scenes, even writing 'for fun,' I think descriptions of these scenes should be included. Once, at least.
That is a good part of what makes reading about such times interesting.

You can find a good jousting scene in "The Once and Future King" by T.H. White in the first several pages, between King/Sir Pellinore and another knight who shows up in the field.

You can attend a Renaissance Faire and watch the jousting there, ask the 'knights' what their equipment is called, including what the horses may be wearing as gear. (These faires are usually in the summer).

You can read "Timeline" by Michael Crichton, to see what happens to modern people who have studied medieval times when they actually enter those times. Like White's book, this is a good book anyway, and a faster read.

It will be fun to write out at least one battle scene. I suggest you go for it.
*If you don't want to, you sure don't have to... remember that as well.
 
What do you mean details of how the war goes? To me, if you're actually going to write a war scene, you have to include battle details...who's fighting, how they're doing, etc. in order to actually write the scene. There will always be some imagination involved, depending on how you write it and where your focus is during the battle. I'd try reading some books with medieval battle scenes for ideas.... Sword of Truth series by Goodkind, Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R Martin, or just The Once and Future King by T. H. White (which is a classic King Arthur book and should be on everyone's reading list anyway), to name a few. Happy writing
 
try to just have the gist of things like how each person is going, any tactical movements, and any other important things.

I tend to turn off when it is too descriptive: he punched and dodged she kicked and flipped and he landed face down, etc. But that is my personal prefernece; I want to imagine the fight scenes in my head the way I like them and just get told the tactical and general movements which occur.

Good luck and send me a copy when you're finished!
 
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