Books Quote by Garrison Keillor
“Writing is the main gig and teaching and performing are sidelines, an excuse for not writing more. Working on a novel and on an opera make me seriously want to retire and find a volunteer job as a docent at the zoo explaining to schoolchildren where frogs go in the winter.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Writing life, 2008
The author prioritizes writing over other pursuits, feeling overwhelmed by side projects and dreaming of a simpler, volunteer role.
In simple terms: Writing dominates; other tasks feel like excuses.
Key Takeaway
Focus on core work, limit distractions.
Themes
writing
career fatigue
dreams of simplicity
Mood
humorous
self‑deprecating
Type
personal
reflective
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- opera work
- teaching
- performing
Key Concepts
creative burnout
career transition
volunteering
Questions to Reflect On
- What would you delegate to regain writing time?
- How can you integrate teaching without sacrificing writing?
A Different Perspective
Side projects can dilute focus and cause burnout.
![“Socrates and then Archesilaus used to make their pupils speak first; they spoke afterwards. 'Obest plerumque iss discere volunt authoritas eorum qui docent.' [For those who want to learn, the obstacle can often be the authority of those who teach]” quote by Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/05d/michel-de-montaigne-142_authority_socrates-and-then-archesilaus-used-to-ma_751517.jpg)
