"Writing became an obsessive compulsive habit but I had almost no money so I thought about being an urban firefighter and having lots of free time in which to write or becoming an English teacher and thinking about books and writers on a daily basis. That swayed me"

David Guterson’s reflection reveals a deep, persistent urge to write, so powerful it took on the qualities of an obsession or compulsion. Writing was not just a pastime or career ambition for him; it became a habitual need, perhaps even a driving force in shaping his identity and choices. At the same time, he confronts a practical concern: the lack of financial means that so often plagues early or aspiring writers. Instead of indulging in fantasies of literary grandeur, Guterson faces the real-world constraint of limited income, which forces contemplation of alternate careers.

He considers becoming an urban firefighter, imagining that such a job, despite its demands, might offer blocks of free time suitable for writing. There’s an irony in this thought, the intense, dangerous, physically-exhausting life of a firefighter is rarely paired with creative pursuits, yet Guterson’s need to write is so absolute he tries to fit it alongside even unlikely professions. This notion reflects both the sometimes romanticized view of creative dedication and the lengths to which artists will go to nurture their craft.

The other option, teaching English, appeals for more harmonious reasons. This is a path that allows immersion in books and writers on a daily basis, aligning his vocation with his avocation. The chance to spend his days engaged with literature, thinking and talking about writing, shapes his decision. The phrase “that swayed me” signals the turning point: the practical and spiritual converge, and the lure of a life steeped in literary contemplation draws him more than the alternative. The passage as a whole encapsulates the tensions many writers experience, between financial necessity and creative desire, between the realities of work and the dreams of artistry, and hints at the ways people turn pragmatic decisions into fulfilling, creative lives.