Here's what I tell my students: I believe that every human being with normal language skills and motivation can make a good living as a working pro. I also believe all working pros have the right answers to the following questions.

Note: This is not a timed test, but the results will definitely appear on your permanent record.

Please answer "yes," "no" or "coming soon" to each of the following questions.

1. I own a computer, printer (laser or ink-jet, not dot-matrix) and professional word processing program.

[] yes
[] no
[] coming soon

2. I own a market book for my literary genre--'2004 Poet's Market (Poet's Market, 2004)', '2004 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market (Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market)', etc.)

[] yes
[] no
[] coming soon

3. I have identified the kind of books and the publications I want to write for; I subscribe to them, own recent back issues, or visit them regularly online.

[] yes
[] no
[] coming soon

4. I have designated a specific time during which I write at least five days a week.

[] yes
[] no
[] coming soon

5. I write in a workplace that I have set up especially for writing.

[] yes
[] no
[] coming soon

6. I frequently use the Internet as a research tool.

[] yes
[] no
[] coming soon

7. I have my own business letterhead and business cards.

[] yes
[] no
[] coming soon

8. When writing, I regularly use my own dictionary, synonym finder, grammar and usage guides specific to my genre.

[] yes
[] no
[] coming soon

9. I have discussed my writing ambitions with my significant others.

[] yes
[] no
[] coming soon

10. My goal is to write, not just to see my name in print.

[] yes
[] no
[] coming soon

Scoring Guide
8-10 yes. You have overcome the basic obstacles to freelance success: finding time, making a clear commitment, getting organized and getting wired. Put on some coffee. Crank up the tunes. And tell editors to watch their in boxes.

7 to 4 yes. How does it feel, sitting on that fence? Just testing the waters? That's fine. Take your time. But at some point know that a commitment must come. At some point, a reckoning with the heart must take place. Use the tools in books like 'The Freelance Success Book : Insider Secrets for Selling Every Word You Write (Write It, Sell It)' and 'The Renegade Writer : A Totally Innovative Guide to Freelance Writing Success' to made a firm decision, yea or nay. And remember: the key to making any decision work is what you do after you make it. Be firm, be committed to the direction you've taken, never look back.

3 to 0 yes. You're just starting out. That's fine, too. Hopefully it's clearer now that there are important differences between writing as a hobby and writing as a profession.

Comments
1. Deduct a half point if you share your computer with family or others. If you're going to write professionally, you need your own tools, not borrowed ones.

2. The first time you buy one of the market books like '2004 Writer's Market (Writer's Market, 2004)' you quickly realize that you must find your niche in the freelance world. That means two things: (a) identifying and nurturing your areas of expertise and interest; (b) immersing yourself in that specific world.

3. Understanding and writing for specific publications is the key to success. Although we all start with the dream of "being a writer," that grand dream can quickly turn into a grand illusion unless we learn to shape our writing for a specific outlet—whether a group of similar magazines, a book genre or TV show format. Each has its own "code" that you must break before publishing in it successfully.

4. and 5. Discipline. All writers struggle with it to some extent, and the struggle is never over. But it does become more of a nuisance than a roadblock. Like the urge some mornings to skip brushing your teeth. You may be tempted, but you know the outcome of your laziness will stink.

6. As an ad for theWashington Post says, "If you don't get it, you don't get it." The Internet is the most important advance for freelance writers since postage stamps.

7. At some point, you're really gonna wish you had these, although they may seem vain and superfluous to you now. I promise that some day you will be embarrassed that you don't have them, and then you will go out and get them immediately after.

8. Again, every profession has its tools. Your toolbox must include: 'The Synonym Finder', 'The American Heritage® College Dictionary, Fourth Edition', 'The Chicago Manual of Style: The Essential Guide for Writers, Editors, and Publishers (14th Edition)', 'The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law'.

9. Same goes for getting on a weight-loss diet: It's not real until the world knows about it. You need to identify who supports you and who doesn't. Don't be surprised at who ends up in the second category.

10. The thrill of seeing your name in print wears off after it happens a few times. What will replace that motivation when it does? Hopefully the answer has something to do with the satisfaction of practicing your craft and the importance of using writing to help make sense of the world, yourself, and your place in it.

More Getting-Started Books
'Ready, Aim, Specialize!: Create Your Own Writing Specialty and Make More Money'. Read and heed the message about the need and rewards of specializing.

'Damn! Why Didn't I Write That? How Ordinary People are Raking in $100,000.00...or more Writing Nonfiction Books & How You Can Too!'. Want to make real money as a writer? Three words: books, books, books. They lead to the best magazine assignments.