Discipline: The Secret Sauce to Indie Author Success

From The Productive Indie Fiction Writer:

When we say that, “discipline is destiny,” this is what we mean—that discipline is both predictive and deterministic. It predetermined that Marcus would not only be a great emperor, but a great man too. Just as it assured that the final chapters for the cautionary tales of history—Napoleon, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, King George IV, and sadly even Marcus’s own undisciplined son, Commodus—would be marked by self-inflicted destruction.

So it goes for all of us. If you want to know why things are the way they are in your life right now…look to your level of discipline. It got you here, for better or worse. If you want to know how things are going to go for you in the future…your discipline will take you there.

From Daily Stoic, August 29, 2022

In the writing world, we love to throw around words like inspiration and creativity. We talk about the muse as if she’s a fairy godmother with a flair for fiction, flitting in to bless our projects with midnight revelations and magical bursts of energy. But, let’s be real for a minute—if you’re waiting for the muse to grace your word processor, you’ll be lucky to have a solid page by the end of the month.

There’s a harder truth at play, and it’s summed up perfectly in this quote from The Daily Stoic: “Discipline is destiny.” The Stoics had a knack for cutting through the noise to deliver the unvarnished truth, and this is a hard pill worth swallowing.

When you read this quote, there’s an unavoidable implication: you are where you are right now because of your discipline. It’s both a comforting and uncomfortable idea, depending on how your writing journey is going. Cranking out a book a year and steadily growing your readership? Discipline brought you here. Stuck with a manuscript from 2018 collecting digital dust? Discipline—or lack of it—brought you here too. But the encouraging part? Discipline can take you where you want to go.

Discipline is Destiny: How Does It Apply to Writers?

In the quote, there’s a comparison between two types of historical figures: those who built legacies (like Marcus Aurelius) and those who self-destructed (think Julius Caesar or Commodus). What separated the great from the cautionary tales? You guessed it—discipline.

It’s not just about talent, luck, or divine intervention. Marcus Aurelius didn’t write Meditations because he was inspired to keep a motivational journal for the ages. He wrote because he showed up, again and again, probably on mornings when he would’ve preferred to sleep in. He acted, not based on whims, but with discipline guiding his hand.

For writers, discipline is waking up early to draft when you’d rather scroll TikTok. It’s setting a word count goal and hitting it even when your creative well feels drier than a three-day-old scone. Talent might get you started, but discipline is what keeps you at the keyboard, pushing through those middle chapters that feel like wading through literary quicksand.

How Discipline Shapes Your Journey

When the quote says discipline is predictive and deterministic, it’s not an exaggeration. You don’t need tarot cards to foresee your future as an indie writer—just look at your current habits. If you’re constantly prioritizing excuses over action, those half-finished drafts will likely stay in limbo. But if you’re consistent in your commitment to writing, editing, and marketing your work, then destiny has a clear path carved out for you.

You might be thinking, “Great, but discipline is hard.” That’s true. It’s hard for everyone. But it’s also the most democratic thing in the world—it’s available to anyone who chooses it. Your talent, or your lack of it, is not the limiter. Your discipline is.

Takeaway: Start Small, Stay Steady

So how do you apply this practically to your own writing life? Here’s a quick and dirty guide:

  1. Set Clear Goals: Define what success looks like for you. Is it finishing a draft in three months? Publishing two books a year? Knowing your goal makes staying disciplined less vague and more purposeful.
  2. Create a Schedule (and Stick to It): Whether it’s 500 words a day or 5,000 words a week, put that plan in your calendar and honor it like a doctor’s appointment. Don’t let the day’s whims dictate your work.
  3. Celebrate Progress: Discipline isn’t about punishment; it’s about progress. When you hit your goals, acknowledge the win, even if it’s just treating yourself to a latte or a long walk in the park.
  4. Accept the Tough Truths: If you’re not where you want to be, look in the mirror. Be honest with yourself about your discipline level. The good news? You can change it.

In the end, the Stoic message rings true: discipline is destiny. If you want to know where your writing career is headed, take a look at what you’re doing today. Not where you plan to be, or where you dream you’ll be, but what your daily actions say about your future.

Remember, you don’t have to be the next Marcus Aurelius. But if you can take even a fraction of his discipline and apply it to your craft, you might just surprise yourself with how far you can go.

The Productive Indie Fiction Writer

Dedicated to helping indie fiction authors get more out of their writing and their lives, in three major areas:
Productivity & Organization
Fiction Writing
Indie Publishing

Get inspired today.