Being a 'Professional' Writer

Lots of people write but would hesitate to describe themselves as writers. They think that the term 'writer' can only be used by professional writers, those who write full-time and depend on it to earn their living. But is there such a clear-cut divide between those who write for a living and those who earn their keep from some other job and write for pleasure or pin money?

Perhaps we can find the answer to this if we reflect on what both types of writers are aiming to do. Both are aiming to be creative with words, whether it is by educating or informing through non-fiction writing or by creating new characters, new worlds and new settings as fiction writers.

Both categories of writer want their words to be read, whether it is by their family, friends and fellow class members or by thousands of strangers. I imagine both groups would be pleased to be paid or rewarded for their labours, though full-time writers would feel more pressure to make money from their writing so that they can support themselves and pay their bills.

Showing 'professionalism', the desire to be businesslike, efficient, and reliable in their work is another area where the full-time writer may appear to have the edge, but really, it's a good idea for all writers to demonstrate that they are serious about their writing and that they take the sort of care that editors and agents will be looking for.

Being accurate, editing one's work to eliminate errors and sloppy writing, thinking of how the needs of the target publication and its readers should be the concerns of everyone who aspires to write, at whatever level.

So whether you're a 'professional' writer or someone writing for the joy of it, do your best, show you mean business, and make sure that your writing shines. As you develop in your writing, you'll start to feel that you deserve the title 'professional writer', even if you do have a different day job.