By: Kaitlyn Boisvert
Posted In: News
Photo credit: Stephanie Turaj
Author Ann Hood signs books and talks with lecture attendees about her life as a writer.
On Thursday, March 3, a visitor arrived at the McKillop Library of Salve Regina University in a grey long-sleeved shirt set over a black skirt. She wore her blonde hair down, allowing it to cascade down to her shoulders. The guest was Ann Hood, a Rhode Island author. Hood spoke to the Salve community from 4-5 pm on “A Writer’s Life.”
Ann spoke standing behind a podium, and told her audience her life story, along with how she came to be a writer and what inspired her books. She made the audience laugh with her stories about her strange mannerisms as a child, but then the entire library is filled with a silent and melancholy air when she began to tell about the untimely death of her daughter. Hood told her experiences through the lens of a lover of words who has experienced the ups and downs of life.. One of the main points of the lecture was when she told what she thought was the most important task that aspiring writers should do. “Write, write every day,” she said. “It is really one of the best ways to help you improve your skills, and stories will only come out if you write every day.” Following the lecture, Hood signed books and chatted heartily with attendees. After the signing, about 10 Salve students remained with the local author for a private writer’s workshop session. The group of lucky students snacked on assorted Panera sandwiches as Ann Hood began with the private lecture. The purpose of the session was to give young aspiring writers tips on how to write effectively and improve their craft. Ann began by telling the students qualities that make a writing piece stellar. “The first page is everything,” she said. “It’s all you have, really. Just one page, to grab people’s attention and give an idea of what the story will be about. If you fail on that first page, then most people will not wish to continue reading.” Hood challenged the student’s to examine their writing, and said it is crucial for writers to adapt a style that is uniquely their own and write in an innovative manner that avoids clichés. Writers must be sure to set the tone of the story right away and write content that is engaging and does not bore audiences. According to Hood, a driving force of writing a story, is the “So What?” factor. “There has to be a reason why you are telling the story, and why your audience should read it,” she explained. “If your story is not operated by the ‘So What?’ factor, then it lacks a purpose and thus lacks substance.” Hood read aloud passages from published works and then asked the students to tell what they found particularly notable of these pieces. A few of the works she read from were “Today Will Be a Quiet Day” by Amy Hempel and “People Like That Are the Only People Here” by Lorrie Moore. The students then shared a page of their own work. After the reading, the group provided feedback and suggestions. Hood often said that many writers relied too much upon the word “suddenly.” “It’s used far too much, and it is re
