Writers Speak: Fresh Air with Terry Gross

Terry Gross is the host and co-executive producer of Fresh Air, an interview-based radio show produced by WHYY-FM in Philadelphia and distributed throughout the United States by NPR. She has been in this position since 1975 and has conducted thousands of interviews over her 42 years at the job.

The inimitable Terry Gross talks with 13 mostly contemporary writers in these excerpts from her Peabody-winning radio show. Stephen King discusses being run over by one of his own characters. David Sedaris reminisces over his salad days. Allen Ginsberg reveals the inspiration for "Howl." Fran Lebowitz talks about having made her reputation on not writing. As one would expect, the program is well produced and marked by Gross's relaxed, incisive style and trademark laugh, the sound of someone who truly loves talking with people. If you're interested in these writers, however, you may find the interviews frustrating. They're excerpts after all--and lack the in-depth focus of the radio show. And why are only two of the 13 writers women? Nonetheless, this is a collection that whets the appetite. E.K.D. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine