Thanks to all of you who responded to my professional vs. amateur question. I think Alan Chin sums it up best:
“Profession and amateur are both labels. When we push the egos out of the way, we are simply all writers. Some get paid more than other, but pay is not the only conpensation. Bliss is a good reward for doing what you love at your own damned pace.”
Alan, hope it’s OK to quote you and to give the link to your blog. I’d add that treating writing as a profession involves discipline and perseverance – something I don’t have much of at the moment. I got seduced into playing Spider solitaire – anyone else have that problem with computer games? They’re a horrible waste of time, yet somehow I’m unable to stop, even though for me they’re a guaranteed depressant. I wrote a poem about it called “Skinner’s Last Laugh,” which I’ll post one of these days on a poetry page.
I hope all the mothers out there had a wonderful Mother’s Day.
Enid Wilson says
When I feel unprofessional and down, I read happily ever after romance.
In Quest of Theta Magic
Marvin D Wilson says
I’d have to agree with Alan. Nice of you to shout his blog out – he does a nice job, as do you. 🙂
Elle Parker says
I like a good electronic card game once in a while…it can help to clear my head. Now….putting it AWAY can be a whole ‘nother story!
Elle Parker
http://elleparkerbooks.blogspot.com/
Jane Kennedy Sutton says
Sometimes when I find myself staring into a blank screen, I allow myself 3 games of solitaire, in hopes of an inspiration – unfortunately, if often turns into many more games!
Jane Kennedy Sutton
http://janekennedysutton.blogspot.com/
Alan Chin says
I’m happy that you found my thoughts useful. And thanks for posting my URL.
As for the computer games, I like to play hearts. I find that every once in a while, I need a distraction. Hearts only takes five minutes to play, but sometimes it makes a world of difference.
Alan Chin
Writer, Island Song
http://AlanChinWriter.blogspot.com
K. A. Laity says
Yep — sometimes the magic works and sometime it doesn’t. As long as you get back to it — even a few words at a time — you make progress. It takes persistence, and as long as you want to do it, you will do it.
Karen Brees says
I play spider when I’m wrestling with a plot problem or thinking about what I want a character to do next. It’s a way to distract my conscious mind and let the subconscious have at it.
I may be away from cellphone contact for the next 12 days. I will answer posts as I am able.
Destineers says
Sometimes you just need mindless activity so you can get back to it…
Great quote from Alan!
NA Sharpe
http://nasharpe.blogspot.com
Charlotte Phillips says
Alan gets gold stars from me! A great attitude is a necessary tool for all writers.
Char
Linda Suzane says
Spider is my obsessive compulsive got to win one game before I can start to work and one game before I can turn off the computer and then I can judge how depressed I am and how poorly the work is going by how many more games I have to play. I wish the computer didn’t have the game, but if not Spider, I’m sure something else.
julielomoe says
I’m glad I’m not alone. I still want to write a brief blog today, but first just one win at Spider. I wrote a poem about it I’ll have to post one of these days.