I am practical by nature, and I'd heard that being a…
“I am practical by nature, and I'd heard that being a writer or an artist is a good way to starve! So I was an economics major at Oklahoma State, and then received an M.S. from Cornell in Agricultural Resource and Managerial Economics. I knew if I wanted to write I would do it on my own, but I knew I wouldn't make myself study economics on my own.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker acknowledges practical nature, a desire to write, and a belief that artistic pursuits can be financially unsustainable, leading to a career in economics before self‑studying writing.
In simple terms: Practical person wants to write but worries about money, so studies economics first.
Key Takeaway
Study a stable field before pursuing creative work.
Themes
career
practicality
creativity
financial security
self‑direction
Mood
determined
reflective
pragmatic
Type
advice
strategy
When to use this quote
- college education
- career transition
- self‑learning
- freelance writing
- budget planning
Key Concepts
human capital
opportunity cost
creative fulfillment
Questions to Reflect On
- What steps can you take to fund your writing?
- How can you integrate economics with creativity?
A Different Perspective
Financial stability may limit creative risk‑taking.