Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'writer'

iPhone Embraces Voice Recognition Technology

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

Google has updated its search function for Apple's iPhone to now include voice recognition software. This allows for spoken search queries without having to press any buttons. John Markoff, senior technology writer for The New York Times, talks about how to use the new software.

Companies Looking Everywhere To Cut Costs

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

As companies try to survive the rough economy, they are cutting costs. The person in charge of deciding where and how deep to cut, is often the chief financial officer. CFO Magazine recently interviewed more than 300 CFOs, and nearly half said they plan to layoff workers. Kate O'Sullivan, a writer with the magazine, tells Steve Inskeep that companies are also looking at hiring freezes and reductions in overtime.

Not Just Another Pretty Head Shot

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:44:00 EST

A photographer and a comedy writer went through over 50,000 head shots and picked out those that "took our breath away." The book that resulted is a bizarre tutorial in the art of getting noticed, starring an actress who will only wear pink and other entertaining dreamers.

Election Inspires Minority Leaders To Aim High

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST

As Barack Obama prepares to become America's first African-American president, writer Mark Oppenheimer discusses his recent article in Slate Magazine about how other minority groups see the possibility of one of their own becoming president.

Jonatha Brooke: Rediscovering Woody Guthrie

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 05:10:00 EST

Guthrie has had a profound influence on American music, and he was such a prolific writer that some of his lyrics have yet to be set to music. Having been given access to the Guthrie archives, singer-songwriter Jonatha Brooke recently released The Works, which adapts previously unreleased Guthrie lyrics.

Love It Or Hate It: The Fashion Sense Of Michelle Obama

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:41:00 EST

Politicians aren't known for their cutting-edge fashion sense and most First Ladies have leaned more towards traditional, conservative styles. But future First Lady Michelle Obama might just be an exception to the usual blandness of Washington fashion. Whether you love or hate her style, she's certainly making waves. Washington Post fashion writer Robin Givhan, hairstylist Anthony Dickey, and historian Catherine Allgor explore the style sense of the country's next leading lady.

Italian Crime Writers Make An International Splash

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:22:00 EST

Two new crime novels show Italy opening itself up and asserting itself as part of the wider world — even if its prime minister often seems lost in his provincial past.

Beefer Madness

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

In "Eat Local country," food writer T. Susan Chang says, neighbors get together to buy "beefers" — whole steers — from a nearby farm. Her share — some fresh ground beef, steaks, tongue and even a heart — provided for a year of memorable eating.

Circuit City's Problems Go Beyond Economy

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

The "real culprit" behind Circuit City's collapse is bad management, says Time magazine staff writer Anita Hamilton. She says Circuit City's failure to secure better locations for its stores, develop a stronger Web presence and provide good customer service all contributed to lost sales and revenue.

Challenging The Stereotypes Of Modern Iran

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:23:00 EST

In The Ayatollah Begs to Differ, Hooman Majd, an Iranian-American writer and the grandson of an ayatollah, travels behind "Persian walls" to provide a revealing look at modern Iran.

Where Does The Republican Party Go From Here...

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

After George Bush's unpopular presidency and John McCain's decisive defeat, there is a battle underway for the soul of the Republican Party. Michael Gerson, former speech writer to President Bush and now a columnist for the Washington Post, discusses how to reinvigorate the GOP.

Daring-Do: Three Decadent, Transcendent Authors

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:05:00 EST

Books are only things, but writers are individuals. Quentin Crisp, Andy Warhol, Lord Byron — their personalities touched the imagination even more intimately than their work.

America's First Black President: What If, What Now...

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST

Sen. Barack Obama's historic win is causing many to ponder what impact his presidency will have on American society. Earlier in the campaign, conservative radio host and newspaper columnist Armstrong Williams confessed that he was somewhat conflicted — politically and culturally — about whether or not to support Obama's candidacy. Armstrong talks about his feelings now that Obama is the president-elect in a conversation with Michel, journalist Richard Rodriguez and writer Tim Wise.

Dems Hope To Make Gains In House

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

In addition to the presidential race on Tuesday, there are also many closely contested House and Senate races taking place. Democrats are hoping to increase the congressional majority they won in 2006. Greg Giroux, a senior writer at Congressional Quarterly, talks about some of the House races to watch.

Tina Fey: Sarah Palin And 'Saturday Night' Satire

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:31:00 EST

Tina Fey's impersonation of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin helped draw record audiences to Saturday Night Live this fall. Now, the former head writer for SNL opens up about politics, satire and her Emmy Award-winning sitcom, 30 Rock.

America's First Drug-Treatment Prison Revisited

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EDT

The Narcotic Farm was one of America's most ambitious drug-treatment institutions. It was located in Lexington, Ky., and housed addicts from the famous, like writer William S. Burroughs, to the forgotten. Documentarian JP Olsen and drug policy expert Nancy Campbell collaborated on a new book and a PBS documentary titled The Narcotic Farm: The Rise and Fall of America's First Prison for Drug Addicts. They talk about the institution.

Parting Words: Studs Terkel

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Andrea Seabrook quotes a legendary writer and radio icon.

Nigella Lawson: Dishes For Fall, Quick And Tasty

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 01:54:00 EDT

The leaves are falling — and food writer Nigella Lawson is ready to share some of her favorite autumn recipes. With ingredients like butternut squash, pears and chestnut puree, many of the flavors are tart but mellow, with an earthy sweetness.

Tony Hillerman: A Pioneering Tribal Mystery Writer

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:27:00 EDT

Set on Indian reservations in the Southwest, the author's 18 novels were evocative of a place and culture that had largely been ignored, and helped establish what is now known as the "tribal mystery" genre. Hillerman died Oct. 26 in New Mexico. He was 83 years old.

Research On Slave Opens Doorway To Writer's Past

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 18:12:00 EDT

Author Leonard Todd's new book, Carolina Clay, explores the life, art and legacy of a slave potter named Dave. Todd offers a personal perspective on the history of slavery: His great-great grandfather owned Dave.

Author Puts The Left On Trial

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 11:29:00 EDT

French writer and philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy challenges American notions of the left in his new book, Left in Dark Times: A Stand Against the New Barbarism."

Mayer Reveals 'Dark Side' Of War On Terror

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 09:58:00 EDT

The New Yorker staff writer Jane Mayer discusses The Dark Side, her nonfiction account of the Bush administration's anti-terror policies. Mayer has been nominated for a 2008 National Book Award for the work.

WSJ Writer Says Second Depression Is Unlikely

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:36:00 EDT

Friday marks the 79th anniversary of the beginning of the Great Depression's stock market crash. Amid the international economic turmoil, many wonder if a similar fate looms for the current U.S. economy, but Wall Street Journal columnist and author Jason Zweig doesn't buy it.

Recordings Capture Writers' Voices Off The Page

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:02:00 EDT

Rare recordings featuring the voices of famous authors have just been released on two collections from the British Library. The CD sets include the only recording of Virginia Woolf, as well as the sound of dozens of other writers, both British and American.

Freud And Oedipus Converge In 'Three Roads'

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:19:00 EDT

Where Three Roads Meet, the new novel from British psychologist and fiction writer Sally Vickers, is set in the spring of 1923, and features an invented encounter between the ailing Sigmund Freud and a blind, ancient soothsayer.