randomly, part 1 (professional stuff)

[lagilman]

I think we keep messing up with the use of "professional" vs "established." You can be (SHOULD be) a professional before your first sale. Because the sale isn't the marking point. The sale just says you found the right market for a story.  Your behavior is what makes you a professional.

That doesn't mean you should be a pushover, or a suck-up.  It means that you treat co-workers, peers, and especially underlings with respect (I say especially because the underling you're kind to today may be able to give your career a kickstart ten years from now). And it means that you hold yourself in respect, too.  Because you're the only commodity you've got to trade.

Yes, this is relevant to recent certain behavior by publishing professionals, but it's also a general comment to those starting out who have been told they're "not professional yet."

You're a professional the moment you decide to behave professionally.  Being published and/or established will come when it does.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

I am, I suspect, in the pushover category. Sigh.

[lagilman]

Ah, but being a pushover does not preclude being professional. It just means you (ideally) need a fierce and ferocious agent....

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

:-)
I have a charming and intelligent agent (waves to John).