I grew up in Pittsburgh. My family’s roots are in Italy and Poland. They came through Ellis Island like millions of others to find a better life. They worked hard, and expected that their offspring would benefit from the move they made to this country. One thing they didn’t expect, I think, was that one of them would become a writer.

I began my academic life at the University of Pittsburgh in the pharmacy school. My father had been a pharmacist, though he died when I was three years old. I guess I wanted to prove to myself that I could follow in his footsteps. But I was also an artist, having attended art classes every Saturday morning at the Carnegie Museum from the age of ten onwards. But being an artist didn’t quite fit in with making a living.

Feeling that I wasn’t being true to myself, I left the pharmacy school and transferred to Wesleyan University. There I met Annie Dillard, who encouraged me to be a writer. Being a writer is even worse than being an artist, but I couldn’t help it. She was right. She uncovered me. She sent me to Hollins College, where I received an M.A. in their English and creative writing program. I won several awards there. I’ve been writing ever since, in addition to being married with two kids. I also maintained a full-time day job at Yale University as a medical illustrator and graphic designer.

So, yes, it is possible to be a writer, but you must carve out some time to do it. Once you realize that it’s something you need to do you must insist on it. You might have to give something up, like watching television or having a broad social life, but I highly recommend it if you want to find meaning in your one life.