Jenna Fischer and others on their childhoods

Jenna Fischer - who plays “knowing but downtrodden” receptionist Pam Beesly on tv series “The Office” - says, “I was never into boys and music and parties. I would sit at home and watch commercials and then write an essay on the subliminal messages that are keeping women down.”

A number of talented writers, actors and other artists talk about being different as children, having non-mainstream experiences and viewpoints, and how all that affects their adult creative work.

J.K. Rowling described herself in a literary magazine as "short, squat, very thick National Health glasses -- free glasses that were like bottle bottoms -- that's why Harry wears glasses.”

Continued on Women & Talent
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