The Stoic Path of the Writer

Epictetus — ‘If you wish to be a writer, write.’

“If you wish to be a writer, write.” So begins the timeless advice of the Roman philosopher Seneca the Younger on the craft of writing. In one pithy line, Seneca captures a profound stoic truth — one that serves as a guiding light for writers in any age.

To fully appreciate the wisdom hidden within this quote, we must understand the core principles of Stoic philosophy. The Stoics taught that we must accept the things we cannot control and focus our energies on what is within our power to change. As applied to writing, this means directing our efforts toward the process itself rather than worrying about external outcomes. Too often, prospective writers stall because they become preoccupied with questions that Stoics would consider outside of their control — Will anyone read my work? Will I find a publisher? How will critics evaluate my writing?

The Stoics would urge the aspiring writer to silence these worries and instead pour energy into the only thing they have power over — writing itself. Simply write — regularly, diligently, passionsately. Write for the satisfaction of writing. Write to express ideas, to creative imaginative worlds, to discipline the mind in deep focus. If you wish to develop as a writer, then embrace the identity and life of a writer. As Seneca makes clear, the way forward is simple: If you wish to be a writer, write!

Beyond focusing our efforts, the Stoics also stressed the supreme importance of action over contemplation. Writing requires the motion of fingers on keys tapping out words that transmit thoughts onto a page. Too much time spent reading productivity blogs or books about effective writing techniques can become a subtle form of procrastination, providing a false sense of progress. True writers write rather than just think about writing.

This is why Seneca’s quote is framed as an imperative. If you wish to be a writer, write! It is a call to action, jolting aspiring writers out of the realm of rumination into concrete doing. The path to becoming an excellent crafter of words does not originate in the mind but flows from the hand that holds the pen or taps the keyboard.

Finally, the Stoics recognized the value of habit and incremental progress. Seneca wasn’t merely calling writers to do something once or occasionally. He would urge maintaining a daily writing practice, even if motivation lags on some days. By writing constantly over time, ideas crystallize and skills cement. Brick by brick, page by page, small acts accumulate into momentous results. The longest manuscripts begin with a single sentence.

So for all with the itch to write, heed Seneca’s ageless counsel: If you wish to be a writer, write! Maintain daily action. Perfect your craft incrementally. Worry not about what the critics may say but about the words you transmit onto the page. And remember that ideas unwritten remain frozen potentialities, while the written word unleashes power.