Steven Pressfield: Turning Pro

A follow-up to Pressfield’s earlier The War of Art (and so some extent Do The Work), in Turning Pro the author expands on his approach to creative work. Where Pressfield defined the constraining forces preventing the production of creative work before under the umbrella name “Resistance”, here he develops his thesis into separating two approaches to creativity, that of the amateur and that of the professional.

     Basically, the professional shows up on time and does the work. Then they do some more. The amateur does none of these things. That hat-wearing person at that party who held forth at length about their never-ending novel-in-progress? Amateur. That person who stayed home instead and finished one? Professional.  

     Part autobiography, part manifesto, part call to arms, part self-help book, Turning Pro may be less essential than The War of Art, but if you buy into Pressfield’s gung-ho approach, plus if you’re in need of something of a kick up the arse then you’ll get a lot out of his words here.    

Pressfield, Steven. 2012. Turning Pro (New York: Black Irish Entertainment), 132 pages, 978-19368911030