Stoic Philosophy and Writing

Not long ago I read The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday. The premise is based on stoic philosophy, and the author asserts that the obstacle in your way is the way.

I’ve found myself muttering this phrase while out hiking when I encounter a fallen tree on the trail or while driving when I come upon a tractor plugging up the center of the road.

The obstacle in my writing, and for most writers, is finding readers, or more specifically, an audience who value what you write enough to buy it. Not many people want to pay for books or articles (or paintings or movies or music) anymore. Not when they can find so many free versions.

As someone who has plumbed the depths of the Kindle Unlimited catalog, I would argue that the free stuff is free for a reason. It’s watered down. It smacks of mass production or maybe just lazy production. Or it’s a teaser, just giving you a taste of something wonderful in the hopes that you’ll want more and be willing to pay for it. A game of cat and mouse that simply doesn’t fulfill.

But that argument is moot. You can’t turn back the tide. The obstacle is here to stay. You either figure out a way over/through/around it or you turn around and go back the way you came.

Me? I have no intention of going back.

In my attempts to tackle the obstacle, I’ve spent a lot of time on social media. Well, not nearly as much time as the people making money at this gig, but enough to tire out my soul.

But maybe social media isn’t the only way around the obstacle. There are other options—networking, newsletters (subscribe to mine!), writing Op-eds, auditioning for a Reality Show, romancing reviewers, mortgaging the house to hire an expensive publicist, targeting influencers (oh wait, are we back at social media again?) and a million other ways to work with the obstacle.

Can I make the obstacle my way?

Maybe.

Maybe not.

So, I’ve decided to embrace a different stoic philosophy—focus on what you can control and let go of the rest.

The only part I can truly control is the writing. I can work on my writing. I can polish, edit, learn, rewrite. I can ask for critiques; I can read books; I can write every-darn-day to strengthen my writing muscles. And I can clear space in my schedule and my heart to put words on the page.

So I am writing. Today. And pretty much every day. I am consistently showing up on the page knowing that’s the part I can control.

What else can I control?

I can control my reaction to the obstacle and to the people who manage to get past it. I can celebrate their victory and admire their tenacity or ingenuity or luck or connections, rather than let them discourage me.

I can control my definition of success. Very few writers make the bestseller lists or make a real living selling books or even get invited to do book signings anymore. I can find a new definition of success. Am I being true to the voice inside me? Am I putting that truth on the page?

I can control the way I represent myself online or in person (brands are for cereal). I can consistently share my optimistic view of this world. I can lift people up with my actions and my words. I can offer encouragement, support, and advice (when asked) to the people in my path. I can be authentic not just in my writing, but in my life.

I can control my aspirations. I can continue to believe that what I write matters—to someone. I can trust that if I am true to my writing, my words will find the hearts that need them.

Meanwhile, I’m still contemplating that obstacle and how to make it my way. What about you? Can you make the obstacle your way? Or more importantly, what can you control? I’d love to hear about it.

Hey, thanks for reading. I know you’ve got lots of options, so thanks for sharing a few of your minutes with me.

Honored,

Cara

If you’re a writer (or you wanna be) and you’d like some guidance, editing, accountability, or some good old-fashioned encouragement in meeting your writing goals, reach out. I offer one-on-one coaching and editing. Learn more here.

My latest novel, Blind Turn is a mother-daughter story of forgiveness in the aftermath of a fatal texting and driving accident. It won the Womens Fiction category of the American Writing Awards in 2022. Learn more about it and find out how to get your copy here.

If you’re curious about what else I’m up to, check out my website, CaraWrites.com.

If you’d like to subscribe to my twice monthly emails, click here.

If you’re a dog lover, check out my other blog, Another Good Dog. And if you want to know what is really happening in the animal shelters in this country, visit, Who Will Let the Dogs Out, and subscribe to the blog I write there.

I’d love to connect with you on Facebook, twitter, or Instagram, and I’m thrilled to get email from readers (and writers), you can reach me at carasueachterberg@gmail.com.

My book, 100 Dogs & Counting: One Woman, Ten Thousand Miles, and a Journey Into the Heart of Shelters and Rescues is available anywhere books are sold, but if you’d like some help finding it (or want to read some lovely reviews), click here.