Just a writer with a painting degree, learning how to doodle (in German)

Confession: I have a four-year degree in visual arts. But I’m really a language person. I always have been.

Hence the whole author thing. Makes sense, right? And yet I graduated from a rigorous studio art program.

Look — I’m suggestible, I love working with my hands, and I have a deeply ingrained work ethic (strong Protestant/German roots, perfectionism in family of origin, etc. etc. etc.). I could’ve ended up in any college degree program (ADHD), but I was drawn to the intense discipline,...