{"id":1522,"date":"2019-11-21T15:52:00","date_gmt":"2019-11-21T15:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.writingroutines.com\/?p=1522"},"modified":"2019-11-21T16:11:18","modified_gmt":"2019-11-21T16:11:18","slug":"guy-snodgrass-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.writingroutines.com\/guy-snodgrass-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"Fighter Pilot Turned Author and Speechwriter Guy Snodgrass On The Art of Writing, His Extensive Research Process, and The 4 Keys Of Speechwriting"},"content":{"rendered":"

Who:<\/b>\u00a0Guy Snodgrass<\/span><\/p>\n

Claim To Fame:\u00a0\u00a0<\/b>Guy Snodgrass is a former fighter pilot and TOPGUN Instructor turned author and executive speechwriter and communications director. He is the founder and CEO of\u00a0Defense\u00a0Analytics, a\u00a0strategic\u00a0advisory and consulting firm, and author of\u00a0Holding the\u00a0Line: Inside Trump\u2019s Pentagon with Secretary Mattis<\/em><\/a>. Guy has\u00a0written for the\u00a0Washington Post<\/i>,\u00a0USA Today<\/i>,\u00a0and\u00a0Politico<\/i>,\u00a0and has appeared on Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, and others as a national security and\u00a0foreign\u00a0policy expert.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where To Find Guy:\u00a0<\/b>Amazon<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0LinkedIn<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Praise For Guy:\u00a0<\/strong>“This is the memoir America wishes Jim Mattis had written.”<\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0The Washington Post<\/p>\n

\n

When<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0where<\/a>\u00a0do you like to write? Are you the\u00a0same-thing-every-day kind of writer<\/a>\u00a0or can you write anytime, anywhere?<\/h3>\n

My first few years as a writer occurred while still serving as an active duty naval officer (a fighter pilot, of all things). When I wasn\u2019t flying fighter planes, I found myself whisked into jobs working as a speechwriter for a four-star admiral running the U.S. Navy, followed by another job working as communications director and chief speechwriter for then-Secretary of Defense James Mattis. The military is unique, in that officers have career diversity. We have \u201cat sea jobs,\u201d which typically means you\u2019re deployed on a ship overseas, and \u201cashore jobs,\u201d which is where you spend a year or two flying a desk.<\/p>\n

The military being what it is\u2014driven and demanding, with a 24\/7\/365 mentality\u2014means that you have to be able to write anytime and anyplace. I even found myself writing a speech to be delivered to the State Department from the cafeteria in a hospital while my dad was undergoing surgery. Not ideal, but I\u2019m thankful that I was able to write flexibly, irrespective of time and place.<\/p>\n

Much of this ability centers around my lifelong adherence to stoicism<\/a>, a philosophy popularized by the writings of Marcus Aurelius<\/a>, an emperor of Rome. Aurelius believed in taking the world as it is, not as you wish it to be. A helpful worldview when serving in the military, and doubly helpful when you realize that deadlines cannot be fought against. Far better to simply adjust accordingly and perform as well as possible given any situation.<\/p>\n

This shifted somewhat when I retired from the Navy in 2018.<\/p>\n

Now, better able to control my own destiny, I prefer to write late at night and early into the morning. I use the day to research and read, mulling over how I feel about a topic or contemplating how I want to write to bridge the divide between a certain subject matter and the audience I\u2019m writing for. Then, once the family has gone to sleep, I can usually find the clarity and peace required to write quickly.<\/p>\n

Could you talk about that researching process<\/a> and how you collect and organize material from your reading that you may want to dedicate more time to thinking over or writing about?<\/span><\/h3>\n

I\u2019m very self-conscious about writing if I don\u2019t feel that I\u2019m an expert. This is a natural offshoot from my military background,\u00a0where we\u2019re trained to only speak (or write) if it\u2019s from a position of strength, which means that it should be underpinned by facts. Because of this, I pursue an extensive period of research, casting a wide net to pull in as much information that I can find during a first pass literature review. I\u00a0usually print, staple, and underline each of these passages. In many cases, this means I wind up with a\u00a0hundred or more packets to read through and consider.<\/span><\/p>\n

On my second pass, I only retain the material that I feel provides depth to the project. These are then hole-punched and put into several three\u00a0ring binders for each of access as I write. The rest of the\u00a0print outs typically head into the circular file.<\/span><\/p>\n

This differs from my writing process, where I like to lay entire draft chapters out on the floor or on the dining room\u00a0table, a technique I picked up from my last boss, Secretary of Defense James Mattis. Doing so enables me to take in the entire chapter in one glance, which works wonders when\u00a0considering overall flow and length. Viewing all the pages at the same time helps to highlight weak areas, portions that are\u00a0repetitive, or\u00a0\u201csystematic\u201d issues like a weak opening or closing, or poor transitions.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a system that has\u00a0served me very well.<\/span><\/p>\n

Do you have any\u00a0pre-writing rituals<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0habits<\/a>\u00a0before you sit down to write?<\/h3>\n

I write best when listening to electronic dance music. There\u2019s something about the fast tempo that enables me to zone out and focus solely on writing.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s funny how habits form. I can point back to high school and grad school, where I would listen to loud music while writing my thesis or writing software (I was a computer programmer for many years). Something about wearing headphones<\/a>, listening to music<\/a>, and shutting out the external world enables me to write very quickly.<\/p>\n

Do you struggle at all with that dreaded enemy of writing:\u00a0writer\u2019s block<\/a>? Do you think such a thing exists?<\/h3>\n

Yes, I do.<\/p>\n

I originally thought it was just because I wanted to procrastinate on assignments. Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow, right?<\/p>\n

But I\u2019ve come to learn that I have to be in a certain mental space to write. I have friends who can sit down and write for 2-3 hours at a time, every day, without fail. In my case, I tend to agonize internally over my subject matter and my approach to it. I can\u2019t just sit down at a keyboard and write\u2014it feels too wasteful if it\u2019s undirected.<\/p>\n

Instead, I think deeply about the material. At some point, usually after a day or two, I\u2019m primed and ready to go. At that point, I can write late into the night for about 4-5 days before needing to step away and think again.<\/p>\n

Although a bit sporadic, the process bears fruit. I was able to write my first book, clocking in a ~340 pages, in just over 2-1\/2 months using this method.<\/p>\n

When did your aspirations to become a writer begin?<\/h3>\n

I\u2019ve written sporadically since I was a child, but I didn\u2019t really enjoy writing until college, and that was largely computer code while programming. There was something elegant about taking hard to understand subjects and then writing in a way that others could interact and learn from.<\/p>\n

At some level, I\u2019ve wanted to write since I was young. As a voracious reader, I marveled at how some of my favorite authors: Isaac Asimov, Tom Clancy, Robert Jordan, and Walter Isaacson, among many others, could write books that both educated and engaged the reader. The best books, in my mind, are the ones that you fall into, that can draw you into the story.<\/p>\n

I genuinely wanted to become a better writer after attending the U.S. Naval War College. Donna Connolly, a professor and director of their writing center, was generous in spending time with me as I focused deliberately on improving my abilities. That year made all the difference.<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

You were a speechwriter for former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. Can you tell us about your process for drafting a speech\u2014how you keep the writing in the voice of the person you\u2019re writing for, how you think about the audience you\u2019re writing for, etc.?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Mattis was easy to write for.<\/p>\n

We shared a common background (both military members and \u201cwarfighters\u201d, operators who have experienced combat). Moreover, Mattis has years\u2019 worth of his own writings, speeches, and interviews, which made the process of learning his thoughts and worldview relatively easy. And, like me, Mattis has also adhered to stoicism throughout his career path. It\u2019s easy to write for someone when you can spend more time on the subject matter and less time on trying to modify your writings to match someone else\u2019s.<\/p>\n

My thoughts were recently published in a book about the Pentagon. I was asked to write the chapter on speechwriting, and I broke the process down into four \u201cchunks.\u201d<\/p>\n

First, \u201cKnow Your Boss.\u201d\u00a0 Study them closely, focusing on their persona (learning their voice) as well as their preferences (how they like to communicate). You\u2019ll never succeed if you\u2019re fighting your boss.<\/p>\n

Second, \u201cKnow Your Outcome.\u201d\u00a0 Put simply, what are you trying to achieve? Knowing the desired outcome leads to a strategy, and a strategy will align all of your resources and efforts to achieving the desired outcome. If you know your destination, it\u2019s hard to be driven off course by distractions.<\/p>\n

Third, \u201cKnow Your Audience.\u201d\u00a0 Who is your boss speaking to? What is their worldview, and what do they expect to hear? How can you shape the speech so that you can provide your message while doing so in a way that the audience can accept?<\/p>\n

Finally, \u201cKnow the Message.\u201d\u00a0 The remarks are the vehicle that will bridge the divide between your boss, the audience, and the desired outcome. This is where developing a compelling writing style becomes helpful.\u00a0 It also means understanding how to be repetitious in a good way.\u00a0 As the saying goes, \u201cTell the audience what you are going to tell them, tell them, and then tell them what you\u2019ve told them.\u201d Along with the positives come the negative\u2014be wary of any \u201cthird rails\u201d that will immediately turn off your audience. An unreceptive audience is less likely to accept what you have to say, unless you are being provocative on purpose.<\/p>\n

Holding The Line<\/em><\/strong><\/a> is your first book. Did you find your routine and process differ at all versus how you approached speechwriter?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The overall process was similar in many ways.<\/p>\n

In 2014, I wrote a white paper on talent management and retention for the U.S. Navy<\/a> that went viral, primarily because it was seen as daring to call senior leaders into question.<\/p>\n

That experience backed up the worldview I\u2019ve held about writing ever since: write about something the audience is naturally interested in, underpin it with facts and research, then wrap the entire thing in a compelling narrative<\/strong>. It\u2019s a way of looking at the art of writing that works for me.<\/p>\n

For the book, I went a few steps further, considering how a mass audience was likely to perceive it. I also considered the second and third order effects\u2014how would the book play over the course of years?\u00a0 Would it stand the test of time? Considering these questions led me down a significantly different path than just a quick, one-shot story.<\/p>\n

What were some of the key lessons you learned that you would apply to a future book project?<\/h3>\n

The sheer importance of research and networking while writing a book.<\/p>\n

I reached out to hundreds of mentors and others that I respected, including other authors. I realized quickly that I wanted to learn as much about the process of writing a book as I could, in order to use others\u2019 experiences to guide my efforts.<\/p>\n

This approach paid off handsomely. It resulted in a much better work than I would have been capable of on my own, and I forged some terrific friendships along the way.<\/p>\n

What\u00a0books<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0writers<\/a>\u00a0have most influenced the way you think and the way you write?<\/h3>\n

I was a voracious reader at a young age. When I was eight or nine, I started in on sci-fi books by Isaac Asimov and mystery books by Stephen King. I also enjoyed immersive platforms like\u00a0Robert Jordan\u2019s Wheel of Time series<\/a> (14 books!) that spans around 10,000 pages. Neil Stevenson<\/a> is another long-form writer that I enjoy. I\u2019m fascinated by writers that have the ability to really draw you into a good narrative, the type of book that you fall\u00a0into and become\u00a0totally engrossed by.<\/span><\/p>\n

This\u00a0passion for fiction\u00a0writing informs my own writing on\u00a0non-fiction subjects, pursuing a path that is equally\u00a0informative as it is enjoyable and entertaining.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of my favorite resources and reads are:<\/span><\/p>\n

Meditations<\/em><\/a> by Marcus Aurelius<\/span><\/p>\n

Grant<\/em><\/a> by Ron Chernow<\/span><\/p>\n

Kissinger<\/em><\/a> by Walter Isaacson<\/span><\/p>\n

Make Your Bed<\/em><\/a>\u00a0by Admiral Bill McRaven<\/span><\/p>\n

The 48 Laws of Power<\/em><\/a> by Robert Greene<\/span><\/p>\n

The Art of War<\/em><\/a> by Sun Tzu<\/span><\/p>\n

The Three-Body Problem<\/em><\/a> by Cixin Liu<\/span><\/p>\n

Principles<\/em><\/a>\u00a0by Ray Dalio<\/span><\/p>\n

Lend Me Your Ears: Great Speeches in History<\/em><\/a> by William Safire<\/span><\/p>\n

And because of my military and policy background, I also enjoy works from General Dwight Eisenhower, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Admiral Chester Nimitz, and presidential historians such as Jon Meacham.<\/p>\n

What is your\u00a0advice to aspiring writers<\/a>?<\/h3>\n

The same advice that I often gave to the young fighter pilots and Sailors that I led for many years: Remember, nothing worthwhile is ever easy.<\/p>\n

If you want to be good at something, stick with it. Learn as much as you can. Build diverse networks and be fearless in asking others for help or support. You\u2019ll be amazed at the sheer number of people who are willing to help you achieve your fullest potential.<\/p>\n

When it comes to something you\u2019re passionate about\u2026 never, ever, give up.<\/p>\n

___________<\/p>\n

Ready to create a writing routine of your\u00a0own?<\/h3>\n

Sign up now and receive our free guide\u00a0\u201c12 Essential Writing Routines To Help You To Craft Your Own<\/span><\/a>.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Learn from the routines of superstar authors\u00a0Stephen King, Gertrude Stein, John Grisham, Ernest Hemingway, Neil Gaiman, and many more.<\/em><\/p>\n

Get the free guide\u00a0here!<\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Who:\u00a0Guy Snodgrass Claim To Fame:\u00a0\u00a0Guy Snodgrass is a former fighter pilot and TOPGUN Instructor turned author and executive speechwriter and communications director. He is the founder and CEO of\u00a0Defense\u00a0Analytics, a\u00a0strategic\u00a0advisory and consulting firm, and author of\u00a0Holding the\u00a0Line: Inside Trump\u2019s Pentagon with Secretary Mattis. Guy has\u00a0written for the\u00a0Washington Post,\u00a0USA Today,\u00a0and\u00a0Politico,\u00a0and has appeared on Fox News, CNN, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1523,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1522","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-non-fiction"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nFighter Pilot Turned Author and Speechwriter Guy Snodgrass On The Art of Writing, His Extensive Research Process, and The 4 Keys Of Speechwriting - Writing Routines<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.writingroutines.com\/guy-snodgrass-interview\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Fighter Pilot Turned Author and Speechwriter Guy Snodgrass On The Art of Writing, His Extensive Research Process, and The 4 Keys Of Speechwriting - Writing Routines\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Who:\u00a0Guy Snodgrass Claim To Fame:\u00a0\u00a0Guy Snodgrass is a former fighter pilot and TOPGUN Instructor turned author and executive speechwriter and communications director. He is the founder and CEO of\u00a0Defense\u00a0Analytics, a\u00a0strategic\u00a0advisory and consulting firm, and author of\u00a0Holding the\u00a0Line: Inside Trump\u2019s Pentagon with Secretary Mattis. 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