A few years ago at a writing conference, a young woman introduced herself. “Hi. I’m ‘Sally’. A writer wanna-be.” (I’m substituting a fictitious name today, but this was her introduction then.) Sally was shy and lacked confidence. She even said the word “writer” with reluctance, as if uttering it in broad daylight was taboo. My heart immediately ached for her. I wanted to respond, “No, Sally. …
