The Art of Crafting Compelling War Stories: Tips and Techniques for Writers
- Daniel Hallissey
- Nov 17, 2024
- 3 min read
War stories depict the various aspects of armed conflict, including civilian and political interactions, espionage, and combat. These stories can be based on historical events, fictionalised accounts, or speculative scenarios. The central theme of war stories is the violence and conflict that takes place during war. War stories also explore themes around camaraderie, dehumanisation, the generation gap, and the profound psychological scars left by the horrors of battle.

Themes Explored in War Stories
The narrative must revolve around the war, its causes, the beliefs of the warring factions, and those beliefs’ consequences. War stories also focus on the human element of armed conflict, highlighting the best and worst of human nature as well as the struggles, sacrifices, and moral dilemmas that arise during combat. These stories also provide insight into the strategies, weapons, and techniques used in battle, as well as the impact of war on individuals and society. War stories aren’t solely for entertainment – they also serve to create empathy for the reality of war and its consequences.
Pro-War Narratives
Pro-war narratives depict war as a heroic and necessary endeavour, characterised by patriotic and nationalistic protagonists who are willing to make sacrifices for the greater good. These stories often portray the enemy as ruthless and lacking respect for individual life and liberty. They frequently emphasise the intense personal experiences of soldiers in combat, including danger, love, loss, and the difficult decision to kill for one’s group, culture, and way of life. Some pro-war narratives romanticise the bond between soldiers in war, portraying it as a core experience of combat and a source of courage. However, it should be noted that these narratives may glorify and simplify the complexities and realities of war, and may not provide a complete or accurate picture of the true nature of conflict.
Anti-War Narratives
Anti-war narratives focus on the negative consequences of war, highlighting the emotional and physical suffering it causes for all involved. These stories portray the futility and trauma of war, and its destructive impact on individuals, families, communities, and nations. They emphasise the emotional toll of conflict on soldiers and civilians, the loss of life, and the destruction of homes, communities, and society. They may also point out the moral and ethical dilemmas involved and the problems that arise when conflicts drag on without a resolution. These narratives aim to convey the harsh reality of war and its devastating effects on humanity. They may portray the physical and psychological toll of war and provide powerful critiques of the glorifying or romanticising notions of heroism and glory associated with warfare, serving as poignant reminders of the human cost of conflict and the need for peace. However, although anti-war narratives focus on the negative consequences of war, there can still be moments of hope and positivity – for example, a story about the Second World War might portray all of its horror but at the same time make the more positive point that the war brought an end to an evil regime.
Ordinary Individuals in War Stories
Many war stories feature ordinary individuals who are called to fight for a greater cause and are willing to make sacrifices for the sake of others. These characters are often depicted as heroic and brave but are also often betrayed by their leaders and find themselves in difficult and terrible conditions. The focus of these stories is on the emotional impact of war on these characters, particularly on the bonds formed between squad members and friends. The mentor, often a high-ranking officer or leader, plays a crucial role in guiding the protagonist and their allies. The story often centres on the characters’ struggle to find common ground, deal with differences, and make sacrifices. Death is an inevitable part of war stories, and the deaths of characters, including members of the protagonist’s core team of allies, serve to drive the story and the emotions of the characters.
The Impact and Resonance of War Stories
War stories resonate with us for their ability to explore complex human experiences and emotions, moral and ethical dilemmas, brutality, the resilience of the human spirit, the cost of violence, and the pursuit of peace. They provide insight into the human condition and allow us to connect with the past and with people who have faced the horrors of war, even if we have no personal experience of it ourselves. They force us to grapple with questions about the nature of good and evil, the morality of violence, and the choices people make in extreme circumstances. This exploration of ethical themes can be intellectually stimulating and thought-provoking, especially when war stories educate us about the past or hold up a mirror to contemporary society. Despite the specific context of war, these stories often touch on universal themes such as love, friendship, family, and the search for meaning. This universality makes them relatable to a wide audience.
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