Your article brought so many memories, and I wish you success. You see there are so many similarities as my husband had to make a similar decision when he finished college. He loved writing but was outstanding in the technological field. Like you, he had to chose. He turned to technology but chose a job with mandatory retirement at 50. He planned a second half to life.
But after reading the interaction between you and Jeff I started considering how the offspring of vampires and zombies would behave. Lately all novels have 2 sequels. Like Jeff said so many books seem to be the same plot with the characters renamed. In one of my husband’s novels he wrote that when success means meeting the standards of others, striving to obtain their approval, the effect is merely food for your own vanity and the destruction of the real value you might have contributed if you wrote your own truth. I think this followed a difference of opinion with his agent about editing.
When I wish you success I don’t think that means having a best seller. I would ask if writing brought you some happiness. Did the experience cause you to explore new talents. Also did you feel good about this creation you birthed. No one else’s opinion matters.
Also take care of yourself. While my spouse did retire at 50, and he wrote a couple of novels and had short stories published, he only had 10 years until his health failed. But he enjoyed both paths and I hope your second half of life keeps you laughing.