A painstaking course in qualitative and quantitative analysis by John Wing gave me an appreciation of the need for and beauty of accurate measurement.

When I was younger I was terrified to express anger because it would often kick-start a horrible reaction in the men in my life. So I bit my tongue. I was left to painstakingly deal with the aftermath of my avoidance later in life in therapy or through the lyrics of my songs.

At that time I had recently finished a book called Amazing Grace which many people tell me is a very painful book to read. Well if it was painful to read it was also painful to write. I had pains in my chest for two years while I was writing that book.

I would point out that I'm an actress for a reason! If I were popular in high school I would have considered another career because I wouldn't have been alone in my room making up other characters for myself. I definitely had growing pains. The popular kids didn't want anything to do with the girl who was starting the drama club.