The Consummate Professional

I suppose when most people think of professional writers they think of people like Stephen King, Nora Roberts, and J.K. Rowling. Successful writers with more than one title on a bestseller list. My own idea of a professional writer is far more...elastic.

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When You've Gone Pro

Being a professional writer means different things to different people.  In the writing world, some writers have come to define professional as qualifying for membership in a professional writing organization. This often means you have to have been published by an approved publisher or magazine paying professional rates.

I'm going to be up front for a moment. I  do not believe you can solely judge professionalism based on who someone's publisher is or what magazine they were published in. How many of you, for example, consider Snooki a professional author? She would absolutely qualify for membership in one of those professional writing organizations.

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MGR: Professional Writer

I had a little trouble with this month's topic, but I created something "on the fly."  Check it out, if you dare.

Man in a hut

I have thought long and hard over this month’s topic. For days I just wanted to pass this one, because if there is one thing I’m sure of, it’s that I’m not a professional writer. Differently from everybody else, I’m not sure if I’d ever want to be. But then I think I should elaborate the thought a bit more so we could all be on the same page on this.

You can continue reading here.

The Professional Writer

Professional Writer - there’s a nice title, huh? I’ve always wanted to be one, but it’s only been the last few years that I’ve discovered what the title means.

As a high school student, I had visions of lolling about the typewriter (yes, I’m that old) and attending conferences in a tweed jacket.
Come to think of it, that’s about all I could see at the time… Hmmm…

I considered myself a better artist than a writer, though, so my young adulthood was all about pen & ink, graphite and Prismacolor pencils. When I hit college in my late 20’s I fell in love with airbrush. I dropped my psychology major for a fine arts major in a hot minute.

(No, not really. It took three terms of serious soul-searching before I made that decision. I’m nothing if not anal retentive.)

To continue reading, head over to Redhawk's site, In Shadows

Professional Is as Professional Does

 The topic of being professional is one that I return to again and again. Not because I'm some great sage able to impart my wisdom to writers far and wide, but because in writing about it, I continue to refine my own thoughts about what it means to be professional.

In my prior life as a Physical Therapist, being professional meant holding to ethical practice, advocating for patients and their goals, contributing as a member of a health care team, and seeking out opportunities for assessment and continued learning.

For over 20 years, I practiced as a professional PT, learning and growing as a clinician, performing my job to the best of my abilities.

When I made my career shift from clinician to writer, many aspects of my life changed. Certainly, my commute got easier, if you don't count the traffic jam of two dogs trying to trip me up on my walk across the living room. Particularly hazardous when holding coffee! I can go to work these days in sweats or even PJ's. Hooray for writers working at home without dress codes! Everyday is casual Friday!
(Continue reading on Once in a Blue Muse) 

Defining a pro

I've talked about pro levels of sales on my blog before. Today, I'm just pointing out behaviors that make anyone professional, regardless of where they stand on the publication ladder. Read more on my blog

Blowing Your Own Horn--Or Not

   In our culture we are taught that we should not brag about our accomplishments.  We even have an old saying, “Don’t blow your own horn.”  (to continue click here)