Critically acclaimed author Andrea Barrett compared Arctic expeditions to an author"s voyage of creativity in her guest lecture at the University"s Hopwood Awards ceremony on April 17 at Rackham Auditorium.

"The secret to writing," she revealed, "is a lifelong process of exploration."

Barrett detailed several scientific ventures to the poles that, while failing in some areas, ended in greater successes in others.

The voyage itself is a learning experience, so it is not necessary to know where you are going, she said. Her descriptions of floating aimlessly in Arctic ice gave a message of hope to aspiring writers who might feel adrift in their literary journeys.

This encouragement followed the presentation of the Hopwood Awards, monetary prizes given to University students for their creative use of the English language in fiction, screenplays, essays and poetry. Dozens of students were recognized for their writing, some in more than one category, with individual awards ranging from $6,000 to $700.

"It"s great that the University can support the arts with such generosity," said Rackham student Patricia Akhimie, who was awarded a $2,000 Meader Family Award for her work "The Oba"s Procession."

RC senior Daniel Kahn, a $4,000 winner in the undergraduate drama/screenplay category had similar thoughts. "It"s welcome appreciation, but also it"s just good money."

Prizes vary from year to year. The Hopwood Awards Program gave out $107,600 last academic year.

Prof. Nicholas Delbanco, director of Hopwood Awards Program, said, "It"s splendid to see people rewarded for their work of words."

The awards are nationally known, and are a selling point for many prospective writers, said Andrea Beauchamp, a program associate.

Beauchamp pointed out that Arthur Miller came to the University, in part, "because he heard he could get paid for writing." The awards are an important part of the University"s efforts to encourage the arts, as well as "one of the oldest and most prestigious writing awards," she said.

The Hopwood Awards are bestowed in honor of 1905 University graduate Avery Hopwood, a popular dramatist of his day. He donated one fifth of his estate to the University Regents to encourage creative writing.

The competition is open to regularly enrolled students at U of M"s Ann Arbor, Dearborn or Flint campuses. Students must also be enrolled in the Department of English Language and Literature, the Department of Communication, or the Residential College for at least one course in English composition.