<p>I don’t have much to add except to say there are many scientists who became writers and contributed to society that way. Stephen Jay Gould and Oliver Sacks come to mind, but there are many others.</p>
<p>I think JHS’s post is most to the point: you can choose any path as long as you embrace the risks that come with it. I made a decision to get a PhD. in English instead of attending law school. I had been accepted to Columbia for both careers. I, too, wanted to be a writer, but I didn’t want to take the risk of earning my living by writing.</p>
<p>I have never regretted my choice although I don’t earn a lot of money. I haven’t established myself as a writer, although I have had some things published. However, though college teaching I have spent each work day discussing literature, ideas and writings with over one hundred students each semester. </p>
<p>I have friends who chose the more secure path of law school (it isn’t anymore) and friends who chose the less secure path of full-time professional writer. Each is happy with her choice.</p>
<p>The professional writer has written for magazines, ghost-written books, and published books we would call popular culture. She has earning less than a third of what I do a year, but she has been quite content. The lawyer earns triple my salary and has enjoyed her work.</p>
<p>I think we all knew the risks we were taking in making our choice.</p>