37 Questions with Lindsay Hood

Originally published in September 2023

A creative writer to her core, Lindsay Hood can easily conjure many alternate realities—ones in which she’s a cabinet maker, a writer of letters in 19th-century England, or a modern-day Robin Hood. Luckily, in this one, she’s a senior copywriter and content strategist at Block Club, where she delights clients with her skillful storytelling and trusty Oxford comma. In the latest round of 37 Questions, a humble nod to Vogue’s 73, Lindsay tells us all about her early days as a writer, her secret love of gossip, and her not-so-secret love of books.

1. Where did you grow up?

   Connecticut

2. Where do you live now?

   I live on Whidbey Island in Washington State. After work, I walk down to the beach and watch sea otters.

3. What was your dream career as a child?

   Believe it or not, after a short stint where I vacillated between a zoologist and an archaeologist, I always wanted to be a writer.

4. When did you first start writing?

   I don’t remember! But definitely as a child. I honestly can’t recall many times when I wasn’t writing—or, the writer’s next best trick, thinking about writing something.

5. Do you remember the first story or essay you wrote that you were proud of?

   In elementary school, I won an essay contest for writing about my favorite spot on the playground. In high school, for a creative writing class, I wrote an essay about going into New York City and getting my belly button pierced in Times Square. Then, my parents found out, and I believe I was grounded? Still got that A+ though.

6. What writers most inspire you?

   Too many to count! I’m a science fiction/fantasy fan, so writers who can dream up and build entire worlds have my utmost respect—Octavia Butler, Tamsyn Muir, N.K. Jemisin, Ursula Le Guin, R.F. Kuang, Emily St. John Mandel, Marlon James, Jeff VanderMeer, and Cixin Liu are some favorites.

   Always the little lit major, I have a soft spot for short stories. George Saunders and Amy Hempel are the masters.

   I’m also deeply inspired by cultural critics and essayists like Jia Tolentino, Doreen St. Félix, Amanda Petrusich, Wesley Morris, and Jayson Greene. And I’d love to be able to write a celebrity profile like Caity Weaver. She’s the best! (Go find her profile of The Rock and read it. But don’t vote for him.)

7. Do you have any grammar or spelling pet peeves?

   I love the Oxford comma. My grammar pet peeve is when people just won’t use the good ol’ Oxford comma. Then again, another pet peeve of mine is people who are too quick to correct your grammar.

8. What would be your job in an alternate universe?

   Somewhere in the multiverse, I hope I’m doing very tactile jobs like a textile artist, or a cabinet maker, or a baker. Can I build a house? That would be useful.

9. When do you do your best work?

   Sadly, in the evening

10. What keeps you busy outside of work?

    Cooking, hiking, reading, TV shows, travel, and endless scrolling

11. What was your favorite movie growing up?

    Back to the Future. My first crush was Michael J. Fox. My cat’s name is Marty.

12. What’s your favorite movie now?

    I know this is a bit cliché now that it’s won so very many Oscars, but Everything Everywhere All at Once. I love its spirit of collaboration, its story, its action sequences, and its oddball, frenetic energy. I love Jobu Tupaki’s glitter Elvis outfit and potbelly pig. I cry every time I watch it.

13. What’s your worst habit?

    I can get pretty cranky if you interrupt me in the middle of a task.

14. What’s your best trait?

    I help people feel seen and heard, and I’ll cook you your favorite meal.

15. Any go-to recipes?

    BBQ salmon rice bowls, lazy pizza dough, and black pepper tofu

16. Do you have any hidden talents?

    I am the perfect gift-giver and #1 best picker of cute Airbnbs.

17. What’s the cutest Airbnb you’ve ever picked?

    A treehouse on Lopez Island

18. What makes you laugh?

    My husband. Michelle Buteau. Ali Wong. When Rory Scovel yells. Abbott Elementary. Juicy gossip with the teeniest amount of snark (delicious!). Anyone who thinks they’ll find love on reality television. My cat. When kids say something really honest that their parents didn’t want you to know.

19. Do you have a juicy, slightly snarky piece of gossip you can share?

    I know better than to put anything in print!

20. If you could pick one superpower, what would it be?

    Teleportation

21. How would you use it?

    To avoid the TSA

22. Where’s the most exciting place you’ve ever traveled?

    Peru

23. Where’s the most exciting place you’ve never traveled?

    New Zealand

24. Are you more of a planner, or do you prefer to be spontaneous?

    Both? I’m the friend you call if you want to take an international trip tomorrow. I’m pretty game. But I’ll also coordinate the flights, pick up a travel guide, and present you with an itinerary at the airport. It’s fine, I’m fun. You’ll have a good time.

25. What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?

    I moved across the country, without a job, to a city where I didn’t really know anyone at all. Spoiler alert: It worked out!

26. What historical era do you think you’d feel most at home in?

    I’d be a fabulous writer of letters. I’m thinking George Eliot, the Bronteës, Dickinson. So, let’s say… late 19th century, English countryside.

27. What would your old-timey letters be about?

    What’s blooming in the garden, recent visitors, mother’s health, when we’re coming to town, and existential musings of loneliness

28. What’s your most cherished possession?

    I get very sentimental about things like ticket stubs and matchbooks from the restaurant we ate at during that one trip, so probably the memory box where I stash all those odds and ends.

29. What app could you not live without?

    Instagram, ugh

30. What’s your favorite holiday?

    Not a huge fan of ’em

31. Do you prefer getting or giving gifts?

    Giving! Unless it counts if I give myself a gift. Then, I enjoy getting one! Otherwise, no one can live up to my expectations.

32. What’s the best gift you’ve ever given?

    I gave my husband a round-trip ticket to NYC for his 35th birthday. (He’d never been before.)

33. If you could win a lifetime supply of any one thing, what would it be?

    BOOKS. Or pastries. But probably books.

34. What crime would you commit if you knew you’d get away with it?

    I’d happily steal from a couple of billionaires and reallocate those funds.

35. What real or fictional band would you hire to play at your next birthday party?

    Sex Bob-omb!

36. What cause is near and dear to your heart?

    The causes most important to me right now are protection for all our trans friends and protection for our planet.

37. If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

    GO.