Sarah Hickman taught English at the Ellis School for Girls in the 60s and 70s. She taught me most of what I know about writing. She would take a section of a book and show you how the author had created an effect. I can still remember her copy of "Great Expectations", falling to bits, but carefully marked, so she could explain how Dickens made Magwich the convict frightening.
If I am a writer, and I am, after a fashion, it is because of Sarah Hickman.
She also taught Annie Dillard, author of "Pilgrim at Tinker Creek". Ms. Dillard didn't appreciate what she had. She is a genius. Geniuses aren't an appreciative group.
In the unlikely event that I reveive a Pulitzer Prize, as Ms Dillard did, I will thank Miss Hickman.