Why Write? | Ann Hood | TEDxProvidence

TEDx Talks2 minutes read

Speaker Ana del Rocío Pacheco reflects on her lifelong passion for reading and writing, influenced by her family, teacher Virginia Nolen, and personal experiences. Despite challenges and personal tragedies, she finds solace and healing through writing, as seen in her book "The Knitting Circle."

Insights

  • The speaker's early exposure to storytelling at the kitchen table, limited access to books, and the influence of her teacher Virginia Nolen played a crucial role in cultivating her love for reading and writing.
  • Despite facing personal tragedies, including the loss of her brother and daughter, the speaker found solace in knitting and eventually returned to writing, highlighting the therapeutic nature of creative pursuits in overcoming grief and trauma.

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Recent questions

  • Who is the translator of the text?

    Ana del Rocío Pacheco

  • What book deeply affected the speaker?

    "Little Women"

  • What did the speaker initially aspire to be?

    A writer

  • How did the speaker cope with grief-induced language loss?

    Knitting

  • What was the title of the speaker's book emphasizing the healing power of knitting?

    "The Knitting Circle"

Related videos

Summary

00:00

"Writing, Reading, and Family: A Reflection"

  • Ana del Rocío Pacheco is the translator of the text.
  • Tanya Cushman is the reviewer.
  • The speaker reflects on the act of writing and its significance.
  • At a young age, the speaker felt a strong desire to read and write.
  • The speaker's family did not have many books, but they shared stories at the kitchen table.
  • The speaker's teacher, Virginia Nolen, had a significant impact on her love for reading.
  • The speaker was deeply affected by the book "Little Women" and its characters.
  • The speaker's Italian-American immigrant family and their unique lifestyle are described.
  • The speaker's early writing focused on disappearing-grandmother stories.
  • The speaker found solace in reading and writing, using them to escape and understand the world.

13:26

From Flight Attendant to Author: A Healing Journey

  • The speaker initially aspired to be a writer but chose to become a flight attendant for adventure after reading a book about airline stewardesses in seventh grade.
  • While working as a flight attendant, she wrote a poorly received novel, which she later discarded after a personal tragedy involving the death of her brother.
  • Following the loss of her daughter, the speaker struggled with grief-induced language loss but found solace in knitting, eventually returning to writing with a book titled "The Knitting Circle," emphasizing the healing power of knitting.
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