In the collective imagination, trading and novel writing seem to belong to two opposite worlds.

 One is technical, cold, rooted in numbers and financial markets.

 The other is creative, human, grounded in imagination and words.

 And yet, when experienced from within, these two disciplines share far more than most people realize.

As a former soldier turned professional trader, and now author of geopolitical thrillers (BLACK SCOPE), I’ve discovered that trading and writing share a similar mental framework.

 Two solitary, demanding worlds… but profoundly connected.

🎯 Discipline: A Shared Foundation

Whether in front of a 1-minute chart or a blank page, discipline is king.

 In trading, you have to follow a strategy, stick to your plan, and respect your money management.

 In writing, you must move forward chapter by chapter — even when inspiration fades.

 In both cases, consistency is far more powerful than motivation.

📊 Observation, Patience, and Timing

A skilled trader waits for the right setup. He observes, letting the market come to him.

 A skilled writer waits for the right narrative moment. He lets his characters grow and evolve.

 In both worlds, you have to learn to listen to the silence, to avoid forcing things, and to act with precision when the time is right.

💥 Mental and Emotional Management

Both trading and writing force you to face yourself.

 You doubt, you take hits, you question everything.

 You must learn to manage failure, overcome fear, and keep going.

The market has no mercy. Neither does the reader.

 You have to master yourself to remain effective — whether facing a loss or a harsh review.

🧩 Strategic Creativity

Some say trading is an exact science. It’s not.

 There’s intuition, scenario-building, and context decoding — just like in a good plot.

 Writing a thriller is about building structure, planting clues, and maintaining tension…

 Just like a trader builds a setup with key levels, volume zones, and reading the behavior of other participants.

✍️ Two Solitudes… One Freedom

At last, the trader and the writer share something rare: absolute freedom.

 No set hours, no boss — only an inner standard that must be upheld.

 You have only yourself to rely on… and it’s this very solitude that forges the greatest victories.

🚀 In Summary

Trading and writing are two solitary arts, two ways of confronting yourself.

 But when mastered, they offer the same treasure: clarity, control… and the creation of value — be it financial or literary.

Jeremy LATHURAZ

 Author of the BLACK SCOPE series

 Independent trader & advocate for tactical simplicity