Strategy vs. Tactics for Writers

Strategy and tactics aren’t synonyms, though in casual conversation they are often used as if they were. It’s understandable; they’re both about planning your actions so you can win. The difference, as I understand it, is that strategy is about planning to win the war; tactics are about planning to win the battle or encounter.

In other words, strategy is about the big picture – what to do overall; tactics is about the immediate, constantly changing situation right in front of you – how to do...