I'm an author. A real, live paid-for-my-writing author

Using the strictest of terms, I became a professional writer in college. That was the first time anyone paid me for something I'd written. I was on the staff at The Shorthorn, my college newspaper, and I was paid by the column inch. For every inch of copy that I wrote I was paid between one and two dollars. I don't remember the exact amount. But that's when I first became a professional writer. That was nearly 20 years ago.

But it wasn't until this weekend that I became a professional author. That's when I received my first check from Amazon for sales of Chasing Filthy Lucre. It's not for much money. I could treat Gina to a fast food meal out somewhere and that's about it. I knew the check would be small since my sales aren't at blockbuster levels. Things seemed to be picking up at the end of last month and I have already sold a book in August, so I'm hopeful. But I've been paid for sales from a book I've written. Using the strictest terms, I'm a professional author.