How do you know when you've reached professional status as a writer?

1. 60

   Richard Craigposted 12 years ago

   How do you know when you've reached professional status as a writer?
   
   Is by the first payment you receive, your knowledge on the subject or something else?

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2. 78

   MarloByDesignposted 12 years ago

   I would say when you have a great HubPages score, and your articles are featured on various websites, i.e. you become a featured writer on Money.com or whatever magazine or site interests you.
   
   What a great question, and I believe that HubPages is a great way to advertise your writing skills to other websites, news agencies, or magazine sites.
   
   i hope this was helpful.
   
   ~MarloByDesign
   MarloByDesign.com

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3. 59

   susanlangposted 12 years ago

   Its really a collection of all three for me. In my case much of the subject matter covered in my book required me to have hands on experience in the field related to lawyer ethics. After all these years it has become second nature for me. The sales of a book is many times reflected on how compelling the story is rather then how well you wrote it. All writers put out books with editing blunders no matter how many times they edit it or how long they have been writing. Its just the nature of the beast. Marketing the book plays an important role in sales as does social media done on the internet. I try to find a balance between them. Right now I'm busy traveling on my book signing tour and have covered 4 states so far. One thing I could use help with here on the hubpages, is for the staff to respond to my flagged hub concerns and to stop Maureen Langford from doing any more damage to the sales of my book by her relentless slander and personal attacks on me. Since Maureen Langford has stolen my copyrighted work here on the hubpages website and used it without my permission in order to cause harm to me, she has hurt the sales of my book and is still trying ruin my reputation. Please hubpages staff, if your listening, ban her as soon as possible. Before any more damage is done! I filed a DMAC complaint and faxed it to you yesterday. The hubber Miss Married, has violated your terms of service repeatedly.  Thank you.

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4. 88

   kentuckysloneposted 12 years ago

   "Professional" indicates that you get paid for your writing or even that you make your full time living by writing

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5. 82

   jacqui2011posted 12 years ago

   I have still got a long way to go and a lot to learn, but I would think that you would know you are a professional writer when you can actually earn an income from your work.

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6. 61

   Dennis AuBuchonposted 12 years ago

   The answer to your question is one each of us as writers will determine.  I have been writing for several years and have found what I believe to be success through the amount of views many of my articles have received.  I have several websites in addition to hubpages that I post articles and in one of those I have earned the recognition of a professional journalist.  I earned this badge based on the quality and content of my articles.  Earning a badge such as this is recognition I have reached the status of a professional writer.
   
   In addition the quality, content and principles addressed in my articles provided recognition to be a part of a unique group.  This group is taking a new approach to reporting the news and providing information about local events.

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7. 85

   wychicposted 12 years ago

   You become professional when you get paid. It may be a long time and a lot of work before you become a highly-skilled professional, but you ARE still a professional by the very definition of the word.

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8. 66

   Jessi10posted 12 years ago

   I think Its when you can say that you are earning money while you sleep. Its taken a while, but I am doing it!

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9. 88

   BizGenGirlposted 12 years ago

   When you feel confident about your ability to preform as a writer. Getting hired or paid for your writing is simple a confirmation of your confidence in your abilities. There are plenty of "qualified" writers who could be professionals, but they lack the drive, motivation and/or confidence to be considered "professionals". Likewise, there are plenty of "professional" writers who may not have a huge portfolio of professional work, but that doesn't necessarily knock them out of the professional status ring.

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10. 72

    lone77starposted 12 years ago

    "Professional" means of a profession -- making a living at something. Like a journalist or a bestselling author.
    
    I suppose you could include writers who have made a little money, but that might be "part-time professional."
    
    Knowledge on the subject can help one be "competent," but it's no guarantee.

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11. 0

    Ruach Eishposted 12 years ago

    Technically speaking as soon as you have something published you may be considered a professional writer.  Although some would argue that you need to have two or more works published before you reach that status.  (This is in traditional magazine/book writing rather than online writing).

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