My work as a photojournalist was pretty physical, which was one thing I loved about it. I carried about 20lbs of gear with me wherever I went. I climbed ladders to get the shot. I lay on the ground. Sometimes I ran, cameras bouncing on my shoulders while I tried to get into position. I was strong and quick. I wore jeans and Keens to work and privately scoffed at the television journalists who had to gingerly step through gravel or mud in their high-heels to get to a story. I might not look great in a pencil skirt, I...

    For much of my life I aspired to a career where I could be creative every day while someone else handled the distribution and business side of things. I went to college to become a writer with the idea that I would spend much of my day immersed in the inner workings of my characters and wrestling with language. I grew up loving to read and happiest alone and quiet. I liked to draw; I liked to be outside. I did not like meeting strangers or trying to figure out how to talk to them. I was most comfortable...