What piece of art changed your life? How did it affect you?

The short story "Why I Live at the P.O." by Eudora Welty. I'd read the story and performed several characters from it in reader's theatre productions. I loved the story but had never heard the voice of Eudora Welty. On May 14, 1978, I turned on TV and saw and heard her read the story. (A few months earlier I'd written my first short story.) Her performance so struck me that I knew I must start writing fiction seriously. I noted in my journal that I'd do that, starting the very next morning, May 15th. And I did.

Acclaimed writer Clyde Edgerton barnstorms through Frederick on April 23rd, appearing at Frederick Community College (11 am), Hood College (3:30 pm), and Weinberg Center for the Arts (8 pm). Sponsored by Frederick Reads, all three appearances are free and open to the public.