The answer:
The word The word
A hack (of a person; writer) means unoriginal (this part, I used ODE).
My impression</ u>My impression
If one is a hack; it's means: you lack inspiration, distinction or originality. It may also imply a person that does not think outside the box, the parameters of the media, norm or common insight/sense; that they need to explore beyond the boundary to bring originality and freshness to their work.
The connotative The connotative
It depends on the person, being sensitive to feedback, or attached to a personal style.
**Of my answer:**
The dictionary is based on culture and culture the experience of individuals; therefore personal impressions of the usage of words can be a good barometer test. I am one such barometer, a single point in a continuum.