Customer Reviews

The Art of War for Writers: Fiction Writing Strategies, Tactics, and Exercises

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When writers put words on paper, they are going to war--especially war with the voices in their head that tell them NOT to put words on the paper. In a little book loaded with insight, James Scott Bell has written a powerful prescription for every writer--whether they are fiction writers or nonfiction writers.

Following the pattern of Sun Tzu and his classic, THE ART OF WAR, Bell divides his book into three parts: reconnaissance or the mental game of writing, tactics or the writing craft and finally strategy or advice about the publishing business. The first and the last section are universal principles for any writer (fiction or nonfiction) while the tactics section is mostly specific to fiction writers.

A skilled communicator, Bell mixes examples from other writers, his own personal stories and profound wisdom. I suggest you read this book at least twice. Once with your highlighter to mark many pages, then a second time in daily little chunks to inspire you to write the words only you can write.

The final pages of this title turn to five words from Sun Tzu, "The commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage, and strictness." With clarity and simple words, Bell challenges the writer in all five areas and these words are crafted from his years of experience in the publishing world. I loved this sentence in the courage section on page 258, "You have it inside you to fight this fight. Write, think about what you write, then write some more."

I highly recommend this book for writers of every persuasion.

James Scott Bell has done an immeasurable service to writers everywhere. This little book is chock full of sage advice. Loosely based on the ancient classic The Art of War he consistently nudges the reader with nuggets of wisdom that are hard to assail.

The book is flooded with amazing quotes. I kept saying to myself, "Oh that's a good one, I'll have to use that in my next presentation." But after saying that a dozen times in only a few pages I began to to realize the extraordinary wealth found in this book.

While the subtitle indicates the book is written with the novelist in mind the information is universal. Every non-fiction writer can glean much from these pages too.

I was also impressed with the interior design. The publisher went to great lengths to make the reading experience enjoyable. A deft use of two color printing creates accents in all the right places. And the page layout is easy on my old eyes. Thank you Writer's Digest for an example of top drawer publishing.

Whether you are a novice or a published veteran in the industry there is something for you. The novice should return to the book again and again and practice what they have read! The experienced writer will find a great refresher course in ideas, but can also glean new insights to common problems.

Review originally found on my blog: [...].

I'm a small-time conniseur of books on writing. I have two dozen on my shelf right now, not to mention the ones I gave away or otherwise discarded through the years.

The advantage that The Art of War for Writers has over Story (another book I read on writing this year) is that it is much smaller. [23 cubic inches vs 93 cubic inches. Not that I rate books by their volume. I rate them by how large an insect or animal I can kill with them. So this is really a roach-killing book vs a mouse-killing book.] Why is that an advantage, you ask?

Story sat on my shelf for two years untouched because it was daunting to even think about having to wade through it. The Art of War for Writers, on the other hand, is small and inviting. And, even better, it's divided into 77 little topics of 2 to 4 pages of advice. I started reading it almost before I got it all the way out of the bag.

But there is one thing they have in common: Both are great books on writing. And another thing: Both are keepers - books you'll want to refer to in the future.

The book is divided into three sections:
* Reconnaisance: advice on getting mentally, physicall, emotionally, and practically ready for the life of writing and for sitting down to write
* Tactics: advice on how to write well
* Strategy: advice on how to sell your work and thrive in the post-publication world

There's not a false note anywhere in the book. The only fault I could find was the omission of my excellent advice for aspiring writers: Quit now and avoid the rush.

SPOILER ALERT! Instead, he ends the book with "Onward. Keep fighting. Keep writing." Much more encouraging. Which is one reason why he's creating books on writing and I'm not.

Bell also writes best-selling novels (so he knows whereof which he speaks) and is an erstwhile fiction columnist for Writer's Digest. He's also a lawyer. And a ukulele player. [Or should that be an ukulele player? These things are so tricky.]

I'd say this is a must-have for any writer, aspiring or veteran. I wish I'd had it 20+ years ago. It would have eased the pain of getting my novels out the door.

I own (and love) both of James Scott Bell's How-To books, Plot & Structure, and Revision & Self-Editing. They're meaty, full of practical teaching and exercises for new and experienced novelists.

The Art of War for Writers is a different animal. While this book also teaches and includes a number of hands-on exercises, it's more like sitting down with a wise old man (not that Jim Bell is old, mind you) and soaking up his expertise. Again and again--because the book is set up in quick, pithy snippets that can be consumed in-between demands on your time. I found myself looking forward to sneaking away for a chapter or two between my own bouts of writing and errand running.

The inspirational quality of Bell's pointers will make readers feel they can write their passion. But my favorite quality in this book reminds me of a scene in Moonstruck, when Cher's character smacks Nicholas Cage's love-struck character across the face and yells, "Snap out of it!" Bell dispels a number of misconceptions about novel writing, encouraging new writers to face reality and pursue success anyway.

The book is visually attractive and would make a lovely gift book for any writer, novice or otherwise. If you're a writer or would like to be one, you'll want your very own copy, so you can mark it as you read. Why? Because the information Bell gives makes such perfect sense as you read it, you'll find yourself thinking, "Well, of course! I'm bound to remember that." But you won't. You'll want to come back to this little red gem time and again, to refresh, re-arm, and remember what makes a novel great. Highly recommended.

The Art of War for Writers is a must have for writers of all levels. As a published author, I wasn't sure I would benefit, but what I found was an excellent book on craft that helped me focus on new strategies and better ways to deal with my writing career. Bell gives tips on all aspects of writing in his book, but focuses primarily on ways to craft a better story. The writing is what it is about whether you are published or not. If you want to get better at writing, then read James Scott Bell's insightful book filled with advice from a publishing pro. -Tina Ann Forkner, Author

I didn't have high hopes for THE ART OF WAR FOR WRITERS. I mean, seriously, after REVISION AND SELF-EDITING and PLOT & STRUCTURE (which I credit with changing my life), what was left for Mr. Bell to cover?!

Well, I was wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong. THE ART OF WAR FOR WRITERS is a MUST-READ for everyone who writes or hopes to write.

Other reviewers will comment on its prophetic parallel to Sun Tzu's THE ART OF WAR, its nifty three-part structure which covers Reconnaissance, Tactics and Strategy for writers, its convenient-to-carry-with-you-at-all-times packaging or its perfect-for-bathroom-reading sized essays (What? No one mentioned reading it on the pot?! An oversight, I'm sure.).

And the other reviewers are right. All those things make this a stellar book worthy of your reading.

But I think the real reason you should read THE ART OF WAR FOR WRITERS is because it's the antidote to what ails every writer I know -- a chronic (or at least occasional) case of Headupmybuttitis. Maybe you're the exception, but all the writers I know tend to get their heads stuck in dark and stenchy places. We spend hours, days, sometimes years obstructed, bearing no... um... fruit at all. And it's tough to get out of that place.

An occasional sufferer of Headupmybuttitis myself, I have found that keeping my head on straight is at least eighty percent of the writing process. And that, my friend, is where Mr. Bell's latest book shines. A twenty-year writing veteran and a prolific producer of words, he shares wit and wisdom that will provide encouragement and enlightenment and keep you on the path to accomplishing your writing dreams.

I say gulp down THE ART OF WAR FOR WRITERS in one curative dose and then return to it daily like the miracle medicine that it is. It'll make your writing more regular.

I'm sure of it.

James Scott Bell is well known for his fiction and for his books designed to help writers turn their rough fiction to a polished published novel. "The Art of War For Writers" is intended to provide the writer with a field manual for writers built around the themes of: Reconnaissance, tactics, and strategy.

I especially benefited from Part II, "Tactics." I enjoyed the tips, quotes, and examples from some of my favorite authors: John D. Mac Donald, Robert B. Parker, Steve Martini, and Sue Grafton. The chapters dealing with the importance of story and of character development are invaluable.

Bell models the art of drawing the reader into the narrative through his choice of format, pacing of information, illustrations, summary statements, and suggested writing exercises.

Compact, comprehensive, and reader friendly, "The Art of War for Writers" is an important contemporary resource providing tactics and exercises for today's writer. A handy manual of information, instruction, and inspiration.

The Art of War for Writers is the best book on writing you'll ever read, and I don't say that lightly. Before cracking it open I knew it would be good. Great, even, because Bell's reputation as an author and writing teacher precedes him. However, I didn't realize how pitch-perfect this book truly was until I dove into it. After ten years in the business and fourteen published novels I've read a lot books and articles on writing craft, business, and inspiration, but have never found all three rolled into one accessible volume. Bell covers everything succinctly and and accurately in a format that's quick and easy to read, yet is filled with in-depth analysis. This is now on the top of my list of writing books, and I highly recommend it to both new and veteran writers.

I've come to realize that if James Scott Bell pens a book on writing, I want to be first in line at the store.

His Plot & Structure and Revision & Self Editing are two titles that I'd pack if I knew I was going to be stranded on a desert isle. I can't recommend them highly enough. I usually read books on writing with a yellow highlighter in hand so I can find key points again...but with both of those books, I pretty much ended up with solid yellow pages.

And now, Bell has come out with a third-- The Art of War for Writers: Fiction Writing Strategies, Tactics and Exercises. It has the most unique and intriguing approach ever--and is absolutely packed with excellent information. I love this book! It has loads of solid, nuts and bolts advice for left-brain people like me who love practical advice, but it goes so far beyond that. I read it cover to cover, and now I'm going through it a second time. There isn't a square inch of wall space in my office that isn't covered by overflowing bookshelves, and I have over a hundred books on writing. But if I could only keep six of them, the three writing books by Bell would make that list, hands down.

This latest book is just the right size and price to be a perfect gift for my critique buddies this Christmas. But shhhhh....don't tell!

This book will prove a valuable guide for anyone who is just getting to started to writers who have already been published. Writing is not just a skill, or hobby, or even a career it is a way of life. Styled after Sun Tzu's Art of War this book enables potential writers with essential skills required to move from basement writing for your friends to becoming a successful published author.

Part One: Reconnaissance starts with the mentality a writer should have. It reminds us that writing is not only a passion but a business and should be treated as such. Part One encourages the writer but not unrealistically.

Part Two: Tactics gives advice on how to obtain your goal. It covers more about the craft.

Part Three: Strategy takes on the basics of publication. It provides helpful tricks and hints to enduring the process.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to write. It was fun and easy to read and came with a lot of really helpful information!