One of the things I’m going to do from time to time on my blog is give a shout out to people who at one time or another has inspired, influenced, taught, or has otherwise helped mold me into the person I am today. And I like to think that I’m a good, solid, decent person with my head on straight. (If anyone begs to differ, I’ll apologize upfront for libeling myself) The first of these shouts out will be to people who are still alive as far as I know. Then, I will gradually give shouts out to folk who I know have already passed on.
No one gets anywhere by him or herself. I most certainly did not. And although my journey is not complete, there are many people who had a hand in getting me this far. So without further adieu, I give you Mrs. Ruth Read, my 11th grade English teacher. Now anyone who has seen my bio on my website (www.cedwardbaldwin.com) or at my Amazon Author’s page, knows that I attribute one of my former professors (Elizabeth Doak–more on her in a later post) for giving me the notion to even consider writing as a career. But Mrs. Read inspired me to well, READ. Ironic or funny I know. But, it’s true. She and I had the best time discussing Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlett Letter. She just made me want to read a story and reread it until I absorbed every nuance of it. From symbols to characters to setting, whatever. She made reading and English fun. She’s a big part of my foundation in writing and I will forever be grateful to her. So, Mrs. Read if you ever stumble across this post, just know that Curtis Baldwin, Jr. appreciates everything you did for him. I know I was just one of the many students that you taught, but you always made me feel as if I was the only one. In that, you had a gift. THANK YOU a million times!!
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