[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fQsf944-FIOPIU-XoAI1d2Uw7Uoh87qWH5LvvL4gLHQo":3,"$f0ISsYvfO2rJQrazhj2kbBpmqeWH9IYP0ukXUgPVn43A":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},74699,"Michael Kroft","M",3,null,"michael-kroft",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":76},[14,32,57],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":9},670413,"Novelist: A person who has more than a dozen novels in the works and thinks it would be novel to finish one.",2,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[22,27],{"id":23,"tag":24},3382110,{"id":25,"tag_name":26},60,"writing",{"id":28,"tag":29},3382109,{"id":30,"tag_name":31},7898,"novelist",{"id":33,"quote_text":34,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":35,"source":36,"quote_tag":37,"commentary":56},523168,"At middle age, I decide to give up on my dream of being an astronaut and follow my second, to be a writer. Also, I heard there was no smoking in the space station.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[38,41,46,51],{"id":39,"tag":40},2882267,{"id":25,"tag_name":26},{"id":42,"tag":43},2882265,{"id":44,"tag_name":45},2454,"middle-age",{"id":47,"tag":48},2882266,{"id":49,"tag_name":50},10378,"smoking",{"id":52,"tag":53},2882264,{"id":54,"tag_name":55},28511,"astronaut","**The Backstory**\nThis quote is attributed to Michael Korda, a British-American novelist, editor, and former publisher of Simon & Schuster. Korda's decision to pursue a writing career at middle age was likely influenced by the tumultuous times of the late 20th century, marked by social change, technological advancements, and shifting cultural values. As a veteran of the British Army and a prominent figure in the publishing industry, Korda's mid-life career shift reflects the complexities of navigating multiple passions and identities.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nThe quote reveals a counter-intuitive truth about the nature of ambition and identity. On the surface, Korda's decision to give up on being an astronaut may seem like a defeat, but it actually highlights the tension between idealized aspirations and the imperatives of practicality. By acknowledging the impossibility of his astronaut dream due to the \"no smoking\" policy on the space station, Korda pokes fun at the absurdities of ambition while also revealing the often-overlooked importance of adaptability and flexibility in pursuing one's goals.\n\n**How to Use This**\nIn today's fast-paced, ever-changing professional landscape, this mindset can be applied by embracing the idea of \"good enough\" – recognizing that sometimes, the pursuit of perfection can be a hindrance to progress. By being willing to pivot and adjust your goals, you can stay focused on what truly matters while avoiding the pitfalls of all-or-nothing thinking.",{"id":58,"quote_text":59,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":60,"source":61,"quote_tag":62,"commentary":9},520807,"You write once and you can call yourself a writer, but it takes three novels before you can call yourself a novelist. The first two could have just been lucky. One day, I will finish my third, and one day, I will be a novelist.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[63,68,73],{"id":64,"tag":65},2872029,{"id":66,"tag_name":67},2170,"writer",{"id":69,"tag":70},2872026,{"id":71,"tag_name":72},7481,"lucky",{"id":74,"tag":75},2872027,{"id":30,"tag_name":31},{"currentPage":77,"totalPages":77,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":78},1,10]