Battle scenes make epic computer-generated graphic scenes in movies. They can devour a great deal of screen time. The same theory should not be applied to a book. Don’t insert a battle to increase the page count or because you think the script calls for it. Whether you write a court battle, a paranormal melee, or a gang encounter with police, make certain your battle scene serves a purpose. When a battle is fought, it should result in change. One side should lose or gain: 1) Information. 2) Weapons. 3) Access. 4) Prisoner. 5) Critical team member. 6) Strategic position. 7) Ally. 8) Enemy. 9) Cohesion as a team. 10) Division as a team. Writing the details of a battle covers more pages in a book than seconds on film and it is easy to lose the reader with the choreography. The further you move the verbal camera  from the protagonist, the less the reader cares. He is more inclined to skim past the choreography to get to the point...