How did RI's Ann Hood go from stewardess to bestselling author? New memoir has the scoop

I was first introduced to New York Times bestselling author Ann Hood’s books more than 20 years ago when I was handed a copy of her first novel, "Somewhere Off The Coast Of Maine." Since then, she has gone on to write reader favorites such as: "Ruby," "The Knitting Circle," "The Book That Matters Most," "The Red Thread," "An Italian Wife," "An Ornithologist's Guide to Life," and more. Ann’s entertaining, thoughtful, and heartfelt storytelling is what keeps her loyal readers always wanting more. One more story.

When people would ask Hood what she did for a living and she replied with ”writer," she says their eyes would gloss over and they’d inquire whether they would know anything she’d written. But when she’d mention that she was a flight attendant, that was a different story. They would lean in for as many tales as she would share.

Acclaimed novelist Don Winslow launches a new trilogy set in his native Rhode Island

Time for a staycation?: A new boutique hotel in Providence offers one surprisingly heartwarming amenity... books

Ann grew up in West Warwick at a time when the careers open to women included teacher, secretary and nurse. Ann had other plans and wanted to see the world and have adventures. After being told by her guidance counselor that “writer” wasn’t a career, she decided she would be a flight attendant. Ann read a book called "How To Become An Airline Stewardess" when she was in the seventh grade, which propelled her to want to fly the friendly skies.

'Kitchen Yarns': Love and loss are on the menu in Ann Hood memoir

Shop local: 5 great independent bookstores in RI

After graduating from the University of Rhode Island, she went to work for TWA as a flight attendant in 1978, and what better career for a young woman who wanted to see the world and write stories?

But it wasn't all glamour. As part of her training, she learned to evacuate seven kinds of aircraft, administer oxygen and deliver a baby, as well as mix cocktails and carve chateaubriand, all while wearing high heels. Most important, she was trained to keep her cool in every situation, including fending off passes from amorous passengers.

Her experiences are chronicled in her new memoir, "Fly Girl" (W.W. Norton, 288 pages. $26.95), released earlier this month, which we discussed recently.

Great reads, good friends: RI book clubs share literature, laughter and companionship

Follow The Journal's entertainment reporting by downloading our app

Q: I have been looking forward to "Fly Girl" for a long time. I have so enjoyed hearing you tell stories about your time as a flight attendant at our author events. Why did you decide to write this story now?

A: There’s nothing like a pandemic to make you remember what it was like to fly all the time, anywhere and everywhere. It was the perfect time to remember and to tell the story. At a time when we couldn’t even go to the grocery store, I could write about the times when I could go everywhere.

Q. Were there stories you hadn’t thought about in years that came back to you while writing "Fly Girl"?

A: So many! My old flying buddies reminded me of so many things, like all the things we’d do for fear of surprise weigh-ins.

RI seeks developer to build bus hub on Dorrance Street in Providence

Q: Did you save any of those TWA napkins you’d use to write bits of stories?

A: I didn’t, but a TWA friend gifted me some that he had kept and laminated to use as coasters.

Q: Travel is vital to your happiness and is such a passion of yours. How did you fill that time these past two years?

A: I think the book explores what gave me the travel bug and how travel helped me mature and grow from a small-town girl with stars in her eyes to a woman at home in the world. It was hard not to travel, but fear and anxiety kept my wanderlust at bay. My husband and kids and I relocated to a house on the beach for three months in 2020, and that helped. But as soon as travel restrictions were lifted, we were on a plane to Madrid!

Q: Which of your books do you think about or get asked about most often?

A: "The Knitting Circle." I’m grateful it continues to touch so many people.

Q: What are you reading now?

A: "Lessons in Chemistry," by Bonnie Garmus. Love it!

In addition to "Fly Girl," Ann Hood is the author of more than a dozen novels and several memoirs, including the bestsellers "Kitchen Yarns: Notes on Life, Love and Food" and "Comfort: A Journey Through Grief," which was named one of the top 10 books of 2008 by Entertainment Weekly.

"Reading With Robin" founder Robin Kall hosts author events on Instagram and in-person book events around the state. To learn more, go to robinkall.com.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI author's new memoir recalls adventures as TWA flight attendant