I wish I had a compelling story about how I got into essays. I wish I felt compelled to write essay after reading one that changed the way I viewed the world. Unfortunately I came to essay writing because a perpetually unfinished novel gave my so little satisfaction. I lack the consistency of passion to write, edit and rewrite anything longer than 10 pages. Thus my essays were born. While my entry into this mode of writing may have been more pragmatic than inspirational, I’ve gotten a lot of joy and clarity from writing these essays.