Being A Pro
Summerset Maugham (1874-1965) became a noted English writer, penning popular short stories, plays and novels, many later became movies thrusting him to worldwide fame and wealth.
Before carving his place in the pantheons of writing he studied medicine in Germany and became a doctor in 1897. But the Muse had her own ideas and he published his first novel in 1900.
As his work gained recognition and status, novels like Cakes and Ale, Of Human Bondage, The Moon and Sixpence, in 1924 he earned $2,500 for a short story.
Don’t bother to convert that into today’s dollars unless you are a closet masochist.
In his book, “the War of Art Break Through and Win Your Inner Creative Battles,” Steven Pressfield, defining professionals and professionalism, writes:
“Someone once asked Sommerset Maugham if he wrote on a schedule or only when struck by inspiration.
“I write only when inspiration strikes,” he replied. ‘Fortunately, it strikes every morning at nine o’clock sharp.”
That’s a pro.”