There is no book quite like the Art of War.
It’s a military strategy book written by a great military leader, Sun Tzu, however curiously enough every single rule that Sun Tzu outlines can be applied to business, relationships, and yes even your life as a writer.
This is because the craft of writing can be interwoven with military strategy.
Unlocking the secrets of The Art of War can empower us as writers with strategic insights to conquer the battlefield of words.
Know Your Terrain
Both the military terrain and the writing landscape are free-for-all battles for survival. Although you can team up you will be up against other competitors.
And this is ok.
Just as you wouldn’t charge headlong into an active warzone with a mop and a colander on your head, you then shouldn’t charge into the writing space without some sort of preparation.
The particular advantage of securing heights and defiles is that your actions cannot then be dictated by the enemy.
Sun Tzu- The Art of War
Knowing your terrain in terms of writing is understanding your genre, audience, literary trends, and expectations as well as what you enjoy writing.
The familiarity of your weapon determines the outcome of your battles.
So spend time scoping the terrain and shining your weapons you never know what the enemy is up to.
All Warfare is Based on Deception
All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.
Sun Tzu- The Art of War
Just as a general strategically conceals their intentions on the battlefield, writers wield nuance and subtlety to captivate their audience.
It’s the art of saying more with less, hinting rather than stating outright.
The spaces between the lines become fertile ground for readers’ imaginations to sprout, fostering a deeper connection with the narrative.
Deception in writing isn’t about tricking readers; it’s about leading them on a journey of discovery.
Skillful deployment of plot twists, unreliable narrators, and unexpected revelations becomes the arsenal of a writer.
By strategically revealing and concealing information, we shape the reader’s experience, keeping them hooked and hungry for the next revelation.
Unity of Purpose
He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.
Sun Tzu- The Art of War
Wielding the pen with intentionality demands a clear and unified vision.
Just as a military leader envisions victory before entering the battlefield, a writer must conceive the overarching essence of their story.
This vision becomes the guiding star, steering the narrative ship through the twists and turns of the storytelling sea.
An incoherent story is a failed story, just like on the battlefield some failures are difficult to come back from.
The plot, characters, and themes should move in synchrony, each element enhancing the others.
Characters become the vessels through which themes are explored, and the plot becomes the canvas upon which characters evolve.
It’s the delicate dance of these components that forges a narrative with resonance and impact.
The Strategic Retreat
The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.
Sun Tzu- The Art of War
Some writers feel shame in editing, feel like they are a failure in some way for needing to edit and revise.
To acknowledge the necessity of revising and editing is to embrace the heart of craftsmanship in writing.
Just as a military commander reassesses their tactics after a skirmish, a writer must scrutinize their words, sentences, and paragraphs.
This acknowledgment is not a concession of failure but a declaration of commitment to the refinement process that transforms a draft into a polished masterpiece.
Sun Tzu’s concept of strategic retreat emphasizes the wisdom of withdrawing temporarily to regroup and emerge stronger.
In writing, this translates to stepping back from your work to gain a fresh perspective.
Much like a military leader assesses the battlefield from a distance, a writer should view their manuscript with a discerning eye after the initial drafting phase.
This strategic retreat allows for a more objective evaluation and sets the stage for effective editing.
In Conclusion . . .
Tzu’s ‘The Art of War,’ lets us gather the spoils of wisdom and embark on our writing journeys with a newfound strategic prowess.
- Understanding Terrain: Knowing your genre, audience, and trends lays the foundation for a successful campaign of words.
- Deceptive Storytelling: The art of deception in writing, breathes life into narratives. Nuance, subtlety, and well-executed plot twists become the writer’s secret weapons.
- Unity of Purpose: Crafting cohesive narratives involves aligning the plot, characters, and themes in a harmonious dance. A unified vision becomes the North Star guiding your literary expedition.
- Strategic Retreat of Editing: Acknowledging the necessity of revising and editing is the writer’s tactical retreat. It’s in this phase that manuscripts transform from drafts to refined works of art.
May the echoes of Sun Tzu’s wisdom reverberate through your narratives, infusing them with depth, purpose, and strategic brilliance.
As you navigate the vast expanse of the literary battlefield, remember that the art of writing is not just about crafting words—it’s about wielding them with intention, strategy, and the enduring spirit of a true wordsmith.
Onward, fellow writers, to conquer the realms of creativity and forge tales that endure through time.
Happy Writing 🙂
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