What is it like to be a prostitute?

I often wonder what pushes someone to the point where they decide to become a prostitute. It must be quite a moment, when a person makes such a decision. I routinely browse the Erotic Services section of Craigslist and am saddened to see so many young girls who appear to be perfectly normal girls who are trying to pay for their education. Ten years later, when the girl in question has an established career and is in a committed relationship, what must it be like for her (and her partner) to deal with the fact that she was previously a prostitute?

Other than those kind of situations, though, I’m also generally interested in what it is like to be a prostitute. Do any prostitutes decide to not service a client after meeting them because the client is too repulsive/horrible? Do prostitutes have serious relationships outside of their jobs? Do prostitutes hate themselves for what they do? What is the mindset of most prostitutes?

+ many more questions.

Please share what you know or think about prostitutes.