H is for Hair-Raising!

Today's entry in the Blogging From A-Z, April Challenge, is "H" is for Hair-Raising! I love a good action scene. Something that makes my spine tingle and my breathing hitch up as I worry for the character and fret for their survival.

One of my favorite movie scenes is in Michael Crichton's, Jurassic Park movie where the RV is hanging over the edge of the cliff and the main character is on the window…and then the spider cracks start webbing out from under her. Yikes! I was nervous.

I’ve been writing and *cough* re-writing a climactic scene in my book, Ruby Dawn, where the heroine has to rush into a building to stop the hero from being killed. She’s just an ordinary gal in an extraordinary situation. Do or die, she has to cowboy-up and be brave, whether or not she feels brave. The building is buckling after an explosion she set off accidentally, the hero is tied to a chair injured, and the antagonist knows she’s on her way in and he's waiting for her.

I’m working on it, but it’s difficult. I want the scene to move quickly, but not so quick there's not enough time to build tension.  On the other hand, a climactic scene that moves too slowly...is boring.

Pacing, I’m told, is the key to these scenes. The clock is ticking, the consequences of failure devastating, and the obstacles seemingly insurmountable…these are the elements of a nail-biting, hair-raising moment in your character’s life. Wicked Wordsmith has a great article on the elements of a suspenseful scene, if you're interested.

My question to you readers out there is this: What is your favorite Hair-Raising scene? It could be from movies, books, or real life. Let me in on why it affected you so much. I’d love hear from you. Until next time…Go Write!

Dont forget to sign up for the Primal Scream Blogfest - Your Most Heart Pumping Scene, here on April 19th. The Blogfest will take place on May 5th...can't wait!

Photograph by Orin Zebest, Uploaded March 11, 2008. Photograph by Jeff Kubina, Uploaded August 9, 2006.