randomly, part 1 (professional stuff)

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.

randomly, part 2 (personal)

I grew up in suburban NJ, home of shopping malls and supermarkets, among many other wonderous things. But as a city-dweller for the past 8 years, and a happily car-less one for most of those, it's rare that I go to an Actual Grocery Store and load up a car. But since I had Sibling Loaner this week, I did so this morning.

Thus reminding me of two things:

1. Suburban-style supermarkets are kind of awesome, but hauling things in from the car is a PitA (even though I managed to find a parking spot right outside my building).

2. I seriously pay for the convenience of being able to order my groceries at any time of day (or, more often, 3am) and have them delivered, without the cost of owning/operating a car. Okay, maybe that last bit more than evens things out. But still: a car full of foodstuff (fruit, veggies, meats, dairy) for under $100. Yahsssssss.

(but also 3. the quality of meats at my on-line grocery is better than even at the high-end supermarket. And a larger selection of local small producers/farmers, which is more expensive but I can afford to indulge my preferences there. So there's that.)

Snapshot of a Life...

If a picture's worth a thousand words, then here's a blogpost about what I've been up to recently...

(the research-corner of my office, currently given over to material for SILVER ON THE ROAD.  The brown paper on the wall hosts a rotating series of post-its and relevant-to-the-chapter information, while the boards hold things I need for the entire book.  Also note: current research tomes, and Piles of Notes...)