Ex Libris Kirkland

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First Written 2012
Genre Self-help
Origin US
Publisher Black Irish
ISBN-10 1936891034
ISBN-13 978-1936891030
My Copy library paperback
First Read December 04, 2024

Turning Pro



A followup to the War of Art, Pressfield's more famous book. It's less about you and your calling to make art and the resistance you face - and more just a bracing: hey, dude, put your ass in the chair and do your work. Picked it up as part of my BNB book report series, I don't remember where I got the recommendation. It's fine.

Noted on December 21, 2024

The professional does not wait for inspiration; he acts in anticipation of it. He knows that when the Muse sees his butt in the chair, she will deliver.

Quoted on December 21, 2024

Why is shame good? Because shame can produce the final element we need to change our lives: will.

Quoted on December 21, 2024

[on the nature of epiphanies, how they are painful] In the moment, an epiphany feels like hell. … But what we have gained is the truth. Our bullshit falls away. The scales drop from our eyes. In that moment we have two options: We can reconstitute our bullshit. Or we can turn pro.

Quoted on December 21, 2024


Ex Libris Kirkland is a super-self-absorbed reading journal made by Matt Kirkland. Copyright © 2001 - .
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