The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming Wednesday night when approximately 40 students and faculty members gathered to hear an award-winning author read passages from a few of her works, including one in progress.

Maureen Howard, a novelist and autobiographer who wrote Facts of Life and Grace Abounding, read from these works and other selected pieces for about an hour. Peter Schneeman, associate professor of English and comparative literature, helped organize the reading sponsored by the English department and the Writing Program.

"I think she's a very fine writer. That's why we brought her here," he said.

The distinguished-looking author read two different passages softly but clearly from her new novel, Lives of the Saints. Howard said the book, although unfinished, is about the life of an actor named James Bray, who eventually succeeds despite his lack of acting talent.

She introduced the new work by stating that she enjoyed reading works in progress better than reading completed ones, because the former seems fresh, while the latter can have a canned feeling to them.

"I always feel that one should read from works in progress," Howard said.

Howard said this part of the novel was still in a rough work stage.

"It's fresh out of the computer," she said, holding up a manuscript marked by revisions.

Later, Howard explained that a love of literature had prompted her to start writing.

"It partially grew out of acting out and telling stories . . . I also did an enormous amount of reading and felt that I should be on the other end," she said.

Howard, who teaches at City College in New York, gave some advice for beginning writers.

"Stay with it," she said. After a pause, she added, "Go slow and learn how to revise." She added,"Stay with your own work. Don't get too easily exasperated." She ended with a final piece of advice: "Take pleasure in it."

The hour ended with a question and answer period, during which meanings to her novels and the inspirations for her writing were discussed.