I never set out to become a published author. There was no childhood dream, no five-year plan, no vision board. What I did have was self-doubt, shyness, and a quiet voice inside that only felt safe when I wrote things down. And sometimes being seen gives us the strength to keep going. This is the story of how I followed the breadcrumbs, and became a writer — even before I believed I was one.

Today, is Nelson Mandela’s birthday. He would’ve been 105. To honor the man who spent 67 years of his life serving the people of South...