I ran across an excellent article on an economics blog I follow called “Amateurs versus Professionals.” It very much applies to what I’ve observed about writing, and I imagine it holds true for many other pursuits and professions as well. I thought it would be fun to expand on some of the points made. (Yes, this is totally what I do for fun. Welcome to my mind.)
After reading this list, it occurs to me that much of the difference between an amateur and a professional is a state of mind. This means that even during the earliest stages of a career, we can aspire to professionalism. And I believe this state of mind will make it much likely to eventually find success.
Here are some points I find particularly relevant:
Execution: Amateurs don’t see their work through. They don’t finish. They don’t find the time, or they get distracted by other shiny ideas, or they allow themselves to be held back by their own fears. To a professional, execution is paramount: “Sure, they occasionally abandon a project when they see further effort is fruitless, but the mark of a pro is someone who begins and ends.”
Image: Amateurs are concerned with image, whereas professionals are concerned with their work.
It can be fun to be involved in the industry, to network and name drop and know “important” people. And knowing writers definitely livens up my social life. But it doesn’t matter who you know if you’re not doing the work. It doesn’t matter how connected you are if you are not finishing any of your projects. The work trumps everything else. And professionals know this in their bones.
Confidence: This one is interesting, because if there is any profession in which professionals are insecure, it’s writing. But professionals tend to express it differently. They are less likely to express their insecurity publicly on the internet. They are less likely to make extreme self-effacing remarks in public. They are more likely to be matter-of-fact about their insecurities if they happen to come up. And they are more likely to deal with their insecurities with their close friends instead of with whoever happens to be around.
A writer must have the confidence to envision entire new worlds in her mind. Photo Credit: h.koppdelaney via Compfight cc
Empathy: Professionals recognize we all have to pay dues, we all have to navigate a series of “breaks,” and we all have our own set of problems.
I wince whenever I hear one writer talk about a professional difficulty, only to have another, usually less experienced writer say, “Oh, I wish I had your problems.” NO. Just NO. First off, problem comparing is not helpful. Second of all, that other writer just passed up a golden learning opportunity. Who knows when this “coveted” problem might be your own? Third, the writer sharing the problem is going to notice the lack of empathy offered and the relationship might be weakened as a result.
Talking/Listening: Amateurs interrupt; professionals listen. Amateurs tend to go on and on with a minimum of prompting. They talk for twenty minutes straight about their current project and then never ask about yours. They inadvertently reveal ignorance because they are so busy filling the space with themselves.
One of my favorite things to do in a professional setting is find someone whose knowledge and opinions I respect and get them talking. And then I sit there asking questions and soaking up everything they say like a super-absorbent sponge. The amount of information I get from doing this is priceless. I already know what I have to say; I want to learn about what other informed people think.
What do you think are important marks of a professional?
The Practical Free Spirit 
Interesting article that really breaks down what it means to be a professional (writer).
this all rings true…. focus and attitude forms the professional who happens to have ability….
I think in some ways, it’s not so much about the work for a professional as it is about the reader (the customer). That, to my mind, is the big underlying differences between the professional and the amateur — the focus on the reader/customer instead of the focus on the self explains a lot.
For example, that’s why a professional finishes work — the amateur gets to enjoy unfinished work, but the reader doesn’t. I think that’s also why professionals don’t (or shouldn’t) disparage themselves in public, because by extension they’re disparaging their fans.
I don’t think focusing on the work is necessarily equated with focusing on the self. In fact, I might argue the opposite. For me, I think too much focus on the reader might also serve ultimately as a distraction from focusing on the work, which is more of a butt-in-chair, this is the project I’m working on right now kind of mentality. That’s not to say the reader isn’t important, but the reader isn’t going to matter either if the work never gets completed.
I suspect we’re nitpicking at semantics more than anything else, though. 🙂
I do agree that professionals disparaging themselves in public reflects poorly on their fans, but it also shows a general lack of confidence, which isn’t how I expect a professional to present themselves.
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I think all of this is true, though incomplete. I believe in a transition phase between the two. It’s not a light switch or clear cut. Some people excel in certain areas more than others, seem professional while harboring some amateur tendencies. Maybe I’m alone in that, but I want to believe those heading along the right path to change deserve to be considered something different than those who aren’t.
I think it’s like most things in life: a continuum, not strict black and white. These are some of the attitudes and behaviors that I think can add up to being seeing as a professional. But certainly this isn’t an exhaustive list, and everyone will have their relative strengths and weaknesses.
I think it’s also a multi-dimensional continuum. “Professional” is one pole, but I don’t think all the things you’ve described as “amateur” are the same opposite pole. I’m an amateur at many things — I don’t intend to do them as a profession, and I often don’t see my projects through because it’s not my priority. As such, I’ll defend the idea that “amateur” should only be a value judgement on the work, not the worker; there is nothing wrong with being an honest amateur if that’s the extent of one’s goal.
However, the “focusing on image”, “lack of empathy”, and “talking without listening” things that you mention seem totally unlike my amateurism, and seem to be much more value judgments on the person. (In fact, one of the main joys I get from my amateurism is an appreciation for what I’m hearing when listening to the professionals talk about their work!) As such, I’d find that something like “poseur” seems to be a better descriptor.
I see part of what you’re saying Brooks. The people who’d rather fluff their feathers than put in the effort needed are definitely amateurs. Those who have a sincere interest in the subject matter and enjoy listening to professionals while knowing they won’t be at that level are in a different category. I think “poseur” would be a sub-category within amateur to help explain the spectrum. It does seem like the most obnoxious side of what Amy is talking about.
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I agree with your points. A professional writer does the work regardless of tempting distractions. Knowing that you have a deadline hanging over you is a great motivator.
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