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By David Jauss - Alone With All That Could Happen: Rethinking Conventional Wisdom (2008-07-23) [Hardcover]
In Alone With All That Could Happen, award-winning author and respected creative writing professor David Jauss addresses overlooked and commonly misunderstood fiction-writing topics, offering practical information and advice that will help writers make smart creative and technical decisions about such topics using autobiographic elements in fiction writing prose whose syntax and rhythm create a ""soundtrack"" for the story it tells writing valid and convincing epiphanies harnessing the power of contradiction in the creative process In one thought-provoking chapter after another, Jauss sorts through unique fiction-writing conundrums, including how to write those exquisite quiet corners that resonate in all great works of fiction, where truth and fabrication intersect in a way that's far more powerful, far more telling than the obvious ""write what you know"" approach that's so often preached.
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First published July 8, 2008
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June 23, 2012
So you want to be a writer? Don't read this book.
Alone With All That Could Happen is a wonderful, well thought out collection of essays on fiction writing, but it is not a “how to” guide or a simple refresher course. It is more akin to a work of philosophy than a primer for the contemporary author. It asks tough questions about the constraints modern writers have put on themselves and explores in depth alternatives to the “conventional wisdom.”
As someone who has been writing fiction for half my life, acquired undergraduate and graduate degrees in writing, and spent the last three years crafting my novel, I, at times, felt overwhelmed by Jauss' insight and brilliance on the subject. Had I read this three or four years ago, I think I would've been lost. For the most part, I get it. Or, at the very least, I think I do. A few years from now I may pick this book up again and I'll realize how stupid I was. That's what makes reading books like Alone With All That Could Happen such a wonderful experience—no matter how may times I read it, I feel I could walk away with some new knowledge.
Personally, I got the most out of the first few essays. Largely, I attribute this to the fact that they were the most relevant to my writing and my work in progress at the moment. Or perhaps my mind had hit overload by midpoint. Nevertheless, I expect that if I do return to this collection in future years, I'll have much to learn from the essays I took less away from this time.
If you're a writer and you've been around the block for more than a few years, check it out. I can almost promise you you'll learn something. But if you're still learning the craft, still discovering yourself as a writer, give it some time—Alone With All... will likely leave you bored, frustrated, and scratching your head, wondering when it all became so complicated. Oddly, what Jauss teaches here is simplification of the craft, but the audience he is addressing needs to be taught that some of what they know to be gospel is really flam. The result is a book of essays dense with ideas and overflowing with examples. Highly recommended for all writers of fiction... eventually.
Alone With All That Could Happen is a wonderful, well thought out collection of essays on fiction writing, but it is not a “how to” guide or a simple refresher course. It is more akin to a work of philosophy than a primer for the contemporary author. It asks tough questions about the constraints modern writers have put on themselves and explores in depth alternatives to the “conventional wisdom.”
As someone who has been writing fiction for half my life, acquired undergraduate and graduate degrees in writing, and spent the last three years crafting my novel, I, at times, felt overwhelmed by Jauss' insight and brilliance on the subject. Had I read this three or four years ago, I think I would've been lost. For the most part, I get it. Or, at the very least, I think I do. A few years from now I may pick this book up again and I'll realize how stupid I was. That's what makes reading books like Alone With All That Could Happen such a wonderful experience—no matter how may times I read it, I feel I could walk away with some new knowledge.
Personally, I got the most out of the first few essays. Largely, I attribute this to the fact that they were the most relevant to my writing and my work in progress at the moment. Or perhaps my mind had hit overload by midpoint. Nevertheless, I expect that if I do return to this collection in future years, I'll have much to learn from the essays I took less away from this time.
If you're a writer and you've been around the block for more than a few years, check it out. I can almost promise you you'll learn something. But if you're still learning the craft, still discovering yourself as a writer, give it some time—Alone With All... will likely leave you bored, frustrated, and scratching your head, wondering when it all became so complicated. Oddly, what Jauss teaches here is simplification of the craft, but the audience he is addressing needs to be taught that some of what they know to be gospel is really flam. The result is a book of essays dense with ideas and overflowing with examples. Highly recommended for all writers of fiction... eventually.
Read
August 11, 2024So I'd never heard of David Jauss, but I came across a mention of this book, talking about his argument in favor of past tense over present tense and wanted to read that.
I haven't finished the book yet, there are 7 chapters, each an essay originally published separately I believe. I've read the first 4, which are the ones that immediately interested me and have decided to write up something based on that portion as I'm not sure when or if I'll get to the rest.
1) Autobiographobia
This is basically a really well argued takedown of "write what you know". But it's also more than that, he talks about "secrets" and things that can only be expressed by not being expressed. I've since found out in the updated edition, he also addresses cultural appropriation, so I very much want to get my hands on the new edition.
2) From Long Shots to X-Rays
On point of view, and in which Jauss argues thinking about it primarily in terms of "person" blinds people to the potential, and the power, and the real point of point of view, controlling the distance between character and reader.
3) What We Talk About When We Talk About Flow
Jauss attempts to break down the various elements that go into that vague indefinable thing we call "flow". Rhythm, syntax, structure on multiple levels. This chapter alone was worth the price of the book. I've never seen anyone else come close to as thorough a treatment.
4) Rememberance of Things Present
Ok, this was the one on present and past tense that prompted me to get the book, and honestly it was the least interesting of the chapters. It started out with a bunch of dense history and theory stuff, that was so dull and useless I ended up skipping most of it. From there he gets into sections on the advantages and disadvantages of present and past tense, and frankly I found many of his arguments here unconvincing.
5-7 & 8*: The remaining chapters are on "Epiphanies", compiling a short story collection, and I'm not sure, but the last seems to be about creativity.
I hate short story collections, so I've zero interest in that one, but I may read the other two at some point.
The revised edition includes a eigth chapter on plot, which I would very much like to read. As well as the stuff on cultural appropriation and revisions to the point of view chapter as well.
The writing is fantastic, very rarely have I noted the quality of prose in a non-fiction work, but it's notable here. And the examples Jauss has chosen from various authors to illustrate various points are quite good and do I think illustrate his points which is not something every writing book achieves. The revised edition also reportedly includes additional examples and he's also got a second volume on writing coming in October, and I very much want to read that as well.
- August 10, 2024
5) Some Epiphanies About Epiphanies
Good suggestions of things to beware of if your story includes an epiphany.
6) Didn't read. I don't like short stories, and I really don't like short story collections.
7) Lever of Transcendence
Want to be creative and make art? Learn to live with uncertainty and seek out and embrace contradictions. Some good stuff here, but I had a hell of a time keeping my eyes open reading this chapter. He could have said everything he needed to here in less than a quarter of the pages.
I haven't finished the book yet, there are 7 chapters, each an essay originally published separately I believe. I've read the first 4, which are the ones that immediately interested me and have decided to write up something based on that portion as I'm not sure when or if I'll get to the rest.
1) Autobiographobia
This is basically a really well argued takedown of "write what you know". But it's also more than that, he talks about "secrets" and things that can only be expressed by not being expressed. I've since found out in the updated edition, he also addresses cultural appropriation, so I very much want to get my hands on the new edition.
2) From Long Shots to X-Rays
On point of view, and in which Jauss argues thinking about it primarily in terms of "person" blinds people to the potential, and the power, and the real point of point of view, controlling the distance between character and reader.
3) What We Talk About When We Talk About Flow
Jauss attempts to break down the various elements that go into that vague indefinable thing we call "flow". Rhythm, syntax, structure on multiple levels. This chapter alone was worth the price of the book. I've never seen anyone else come close to as thorough a treatment.
4) Rememberance of Things Present
Ok, this was the one on present and past tense that prompted me to get the book, and honestly it was the least interesting of the chapters. It started out with a bunch of dense history and theory stuff, that was so dull and useless I ended up skipping most of it. From there he gets into sections on the advantages and disadvantages of present and past tense, and frankly I found many of his arguments here unconvincing.
5-7 & 8*: The remaining chapters are on "Epiphanies", compiling a short story collection, and I'm not sure, but the last seems to be about creativity.
I hate short story collections, so I've zero interest in that one, but I may read the other two at some point.
The revised edition includes a eigth chapter on plot, which I would very much like to read. As well as the stuff on cultural appropriation and revisions to the point of view chapter as well.
The writing is fantastic, very rarely have I noted the quality of prose in a non-fiction work, but it's notable here. And the examples Jauss has chosen from various authors to illustrate various points are quite good and do I think illustrate his points which is not something every writing book achieves. The revised edition also reportedly includes additional examples and he's also got a second volume on writing coming in October, and I very much want to read that as well.
- August 10, 2024
5) Some Epiphanies About Epiphanies
Good suggestions of things to beware of if your story includes an epiphany.
6) Didn't read. I don't like short stories, and I really don't like short story collections.
7) Lever of Transcendence
Want to be creative and make art? Learn to live with uncertainty and seek out and embrace contradictions. Some good stuff here, but I had a hell of a time keeping my eyes open reading this chapter. He could have said everything he needed to here in less than a quarter of the pages.
September 8, 2008
David Jauss is a wonderful author and a master teacher. This collection of essays, which were originally presented as lectures at Vermont College of Fine Arts, is both thought-provoking and useful.
For myself, the second essay, which addresses point of view, came at just the right moment as I muck my way through the work in progress that keeps slipping between my fingers.
Way more than a craft book, this intelligent collection will prod writers to push against the prescriptive rules that so much advice on writing falls into.
For myself, the second essay, which addresses point of view, came at just the right moment as I muck my way through the work in progress that keeps slipping between my fingers.
Way more than a craft book, this intelligent collection will prod writers to push against the prescriptive rules that so much advice on writing falls into.
August 1, 2013
Jauss fulfills the title and challenges conventional thinking toward fiction writing. He applies logic and patience to the jumbled hairball of contradictory information that students of writing are inundated with.
The majority of books on writing tend to forget about craft and focus more on inspiration. Inspiration is all well and good, but the more books on writing I read, the more I conclude that the inspirational writers really don't know how to teach craft. Jauss uses examples from the crème de la crème of short stories and novels, that have transfigured modern literature, to show step-by-step how the author achieved their intended effect.
If you're unfamiliar with an author or story that Jauss is referencing, make a list and read those stories ASAP. I've spent the couple years focusing on creative writing and these stories are referenced in nearly ever class and workshop I attend. Being intimately familiar with these stories will put you in the best position to glean the insight instructors offer when studying them. The writings Jauss' cites are canonical stories in terms of writing craft and you need to familiarize yourself with them.
Jauss' instructional prose is accessible and easy to read. I never found my mind wandering from the page, which is a high compliment to any instructional book. His years of teaching show. I often felt as if I were attending an engaging lecture as I read along. I know I'll be keeping this book, with its silly dust jacket, as a go-to reference that will be re-read many times. It's one of those rare books that has the capacity to remain relevant because as you grow you will find new depths to mine on each re-read.
Highly Recommended!
Would also recommend:
Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft
Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them
The majority of books on writing tend to forget about craft and focus more on inspiration. Inspiration is all well and good, but the more books on writing I read, the more I conclude that the inspirational writers really don't know how to teach craft. Jauss uses examples from the crème de la crème of short stories and novels, that have transfigured modern literature, to show step-by-step how the author achieved their intended effect.
If you're unfamiliar with an author or story that Jauss is referencing, make a list and read those stories ASAP. I've spent the couple years focusing on creative writing and these stories are referenced in nearly ever class and workshop I attend. Being intimately familiar with these stories will put you in the best position to glean the insight instructors offer when studying them. The writings Jauss' cites are canonical stories in terms of writing craft and you need to familiarize yourself with them.
Jauss' instructional prose is accessible and easy to read. I never found my mind wandering from the page, which is a high compliment to any instructional book. His years of teaching show. I often felt as if I were attending an engaging lecture as I read along. I know I'll be keeping this book, with its silly dust jacket, as a go-to reference that will be re-read many times. It's one of those rare books that has the capacity to remain relevant because as you grow you will find new depths to mine on each re-read.
Highly Recommended!
Would also recommend:
Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft
Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them
October 22, 2017
I just finished this; there is much to absorb, but for starters Jauss, as is hinted at in the subtitle, comes at writing from a different angle. At least one I haven't seen. There are several chapters dealing with many aspects of writing, but none of it is prescriptive: I loved that.
Not that I dislike prescriptive books on writing. They have their place. But, sometimes, you have to be reminded why you're doing this (beyond the "I just have to write" thing). Jauss shows some ways to make the connection between craft (which is necessary) and art (which is vital). Without art, fiction feels plastic: and I'm not talking about the good kind, i.e. flexibility. I'm talking about it feeling fake, lifeless. Art without craft makes for some tough, and let's be honest, boring reading on occasion. So, we need both, and Jauss helps.
It was refreshing to read a book about writing that isn't trying to make you sit down and write a set number of words everyday, or to write for a set number of hours. Jauss brings out different aspects that many beginning writers probably never even get around to thinking about. And I know some published writers haven't gotten around to them, either.
One of my favorite parts was the last chapter: in it Jauss argues that writers, in order to really be creative, must learn to think differently: they must learn to hold contradictions in their mind; they must learn to negate themselves in certain situations in order to spark the creativity.
That may sound weird, but I don't want to give away too much. If you are a writer, or are even interested in literature, this is an excellent read.
I'm going to read it again....
Not that I dislike prescriptive books on writing. They have their place. But, sometimes, you have to be reminded why you're doing this (beyond the "I just have to write" thing). Jauss shows some ways to make the connection between craft (which is necessary) and art (which is vital). Without art, fiction feels plastic: and I'm not talking about the good kind, i.e. flexibility. I'm talking about it feeling fake, lifeless. Art without craft makes for some tough, and let's be honest, boring reading on occasion. So, we need both, and Jauss helps.
It was refreshing to read a book about writing that isn't trying to make you sit down and write a set number of words everyday, or to write for a set number of hours. Jauss brings out different aspects that many beginning writers probably never even get around to thinking about. And I know some published writers haven't gotten around to them, either.
One of my favorite parts was the last chapter: in it Jauss argues that writers, in order to really be creative, must learn to think differently: they must learn to hold contradictions in their mind; they must learn to negate themselves in certain situations in order to spark the creativity.
That may sound weird, but I don't want to give away too much. If you are a writer, or are even interested in literature, this is an excellent read.
I'm going to read it again....
September 23, 2009
David Jauss's book is a true treasure for writers. This is absolutely one of the best books I've read on writing fiction. The book is informed by 30+ years of teaching, writing and editing, and as such, it provides a window into all that is good about contemporary fiction--and much that is assumed, and can use improvement. At one point, Jauss mentions that in his years of teaching/editing, he has read upwards of 40,000 short stories submitted to a literary journal or for a creative writing class. That is literally a staggering number to contemplate. This man is seriously dedicated. This book is a life's work--Jauss has thought deeply about writing and writers for years, and it shows. I absolutely loved it. I'm grateful that David put his incredible thoughts and experiences together in this remarkably well-crafted book to benefit the individual lives of writers and the writing of contemporary fiction as a whole. Thanks David.
September 14, 2017
I would give this book five stars if not for one flaw, a single flaw that my sensibilities can't overlook if only because this is otherwise a paragon of literary acheivement: when quoting from a Carver story in which the protagonist is having sex "against her will," the author of this book refers to it as "making love." I'm familiar with the quoted story and there's nothing I'm missing here. Simply a sad error. It is quite ostracizing to encounter that from a literary authority, and I don't know how the copyeditor didn't catch it. I also have an older edition and it may have been fixed. In any case, it's a social discrepancy in an otherwise excellent book, it's precisely because of the excellence of Jauss's essays that I can't let something like that slide.
If you're at all interested in writing fiction, this is a must read. In clear language, he deconstructs some of the more nuanced techniques in making fiction. I will likely read it again. Boggles my mind that after several years of formal education in writing, this book was never on a reading list. I'm glad that I found it!
If you're at all interested in writing fiction, this is a must read. In clear language, he deconstructs some of the more nuanced techniques in making fiction. I will likely read it again. Boggles my mind that after several years of formal education in writing, this book was never on a reading list. I'm glad that I found it!
November 16, 2009
Wow.
This is a great book for writers. These essays are based on lectures from Vermont College's MFA program.
My personal favorites: Jauss-POV; Rossini-Revisionary; Glover-Structure; Alberts-Show/tell; Ven Winckel-Titles; Silverman-non-fiction genres.
But all the essays are incredible.
This is one of my best writing books. It sits on my bookshelf next to Burroway.
This is a great book for writers. These essays are based on lectures from Vermont College's MFA program.
My personal favorites: Jauss-POV; Rossini-Revisionary; Glover-Structure; Alberts-Show/tell; Ven Winckel-Titles; Silverman-non-fiction genres.
But all the essays are incredible.
This is one of my best writing books. It sits on my bookshelf next to Burroway.
January 31, 2012
Another book on the craft of fiction writing I can't recommend enough. Jauss takes much of what writers are generically taught early on and turns it upside down. The chapters on point of view and tense are so fresh, thorough, understandable, and thought-provoking that I will recommend them to every budding writer to cross my path from here on out.
Read
March 21, 2009I'm only marking this book as "read" because it is a book I pick up and read a bit here and there..on going...so far so good.
June 11, 2009
A great book to read if you are interested in writing techniques!
November 13, 2010
If I could only have one book with me while diving into the jungle of decisions that is the writing of a new story, this one would serve me very well.
"Lever of Transcendence": Yes.
"Lever of Transcendence": Yes.
January 27, 2011
The essay on point of view alone is worth the price of admission.
Read
July 7, 2013This book has valuable insights if you are a fiction writer, and you're trying to be the best you can be. It was especially helpful in showing when and how to break the rules.
July 9, 2024
One of the few books about writing which addresses present tense. Strange that something so prevalent in modern fiction is rarely discussed in craft books. Worth a read for that chapter alone, though some of the ideas here are showing their age. Does anyone really write epiphanies anymore? I'm guessing, based on the 2008 publication date, that these transcribed lectures from an MFA program are possibly 40 years old by now, so bear that in mind.
April 21, 2017
This is a fantastic craft book to add to your library. Jauss does a deep dive into certain craft elements that most other craft books I've read only superficially explore. Case in point: the second chapter of this book explores the concept of viewpoint and narrative distance in a way I've never seen, but his thoughts on the topic are insightful and (I believe) dead-on accurate.
It's a cerebral exploration of craft, filled with excellent excerpts to support Jauss's ideas, and Jauss goes way beyond simply slapping an expert into a discussion to support a point and then moving on from it to something else (which is the case with a number of other craft books I've read). Instead, he makes an argument, presents a story excerpt, and then picks it apart in-depth and really SHOWS why that excerpt reinforces the point he's arguing. I enjoyed this book, and I'm glad I purchased it, because I know I will return to it multiple times.
It's a cerebral exploration of craft, filled with excellent excerpts to support Jauss's ideas, and Jauss goes way beyond simply slapping an expert into a discussion to support a point and then moving on from it to something else (which is the case with a number of other craft books I've read). Instead, he makes an argument, presents a story excerpt, and then picks it apart in-depth and really SHOWS why that excerpt reinforces the point he's arguing. I enjoyed this book, and I'm glad I purchased it, because I know I will return to it multiple times.
January 10, 2014
I read an armful of writing craft books over the holidays and this was by far my fave. If you want to read about literature, and to improve your writing of it, and you're weary of compilations of tips or advice that makes the creative process feel factory-produced, then try this book. It may inspire you and help free your mind, get you to rethink elements like point of view and rhythm, take your work more seriously and work harder at it.
If you are working toward a collection of short fiction, be sure to check it out. The advice about building a unified collection was something I'd never thought about before.
If you are working toward a collection of short fiction, be sure to check it out. The advice about building a unified collection was something I'd never thought about before.
November 3, 2009
I mainly bought this book to read one essay: "Some Epiphanies about Epiphanies," which was interesting and treated ephiphanies from a few stories I've read, including Joyce and O'Connor. His argument would be an interesting discussion to apply to YA/MG books....
He's also got a couple other essays I'm interested in reading, eventually: "What we talk about when we talk about flow," (Jauss is a fan of Raymond Carver, it seems), "From long shots to X-Rays: Distance and Point of view in fiction", and "Remembrance of things present: Present Tense in Contemporary Fiction."
He's also got a couple other essays I'm interested in reading, eventually: "What we talk about when we talk about flow," (Jauss is a fan of Raymond Carver, it seems), "From long shots to X-Rays: Distance and Point of view in fiction", and "Remembrance of things present: Present Tense in Contemporary Fiction."
April 14, 2024
One of my favorite collections of essays on writing. Deep dives with great examples and strength both in conventional and new ways of thinking of things. I will revisit many of these essays. From long shots to x-rays is the best meditation on the usages of point of view I’ve read. The chapters on present tense,flow, and epiphanies are great but possibly more complimentary to the craft bookshelf than stand alone. The final piece on uncertainty and on contradiction will change not
Just writing but ways of thinking. This is a book I would even encourage non writers to read.
Just writing but ways of thinking. This is a book I would even encourage non writers to read.
April 22, 2014
These brilliant essays will sink in, in layers, I think. There’s so much here to think about that I’d like to read one every so often in the hopes that they’ll sink in. I loved the last essay, in particular, about Janusian thinking as it relates to literature: the advantage and maybe necessity in thinking in contradictions.
October 8, 2014
Comprised of essays about various elements of fiction, this book makes me want to get my MFA in Vermont. The one about point of view pretty much blew my mind and will affect not only how I write fiction but how I read it, too. The library says it wants its copy back today, but I'll be getting this one again so I can finish it (and then start it again).
February 24, 2021
Super smart collection of craft essays. If nothing else, buy for the chapter on POV.
February 28, 2021
This is not a beginner’s writing book for certain, but I’d disagree with the reviewer who said that it’s not a “how to” (note: only that statement, not the bulk of their review which I feel is spot on). The lessons, however, are focused, not on getting started things like plot and character, but on your actual writing: structure, words, syntax and how you join ideas together. It is a how to for people who want to thoughtfully amp up the quality of their writing. My reading of “Alone” coincided with participating in the Writers Digest February 2021 flash fiction challenge, which gave me the opportunity to play around many of the concepts as I was reading it in a quick and easy way, and it has certainly challenged my thought process around some of the traditional (perhaps even cliché) teachings on writing. I’ve read a lot of books on writing and from the stand point of actually thinking about my writing, this is one of the best.
February 16, 2021
Wow, what an incredible book for writers!
Alone With All That Could Happen: Rethinking Conventional Wisdom About the Craft of Fiction Writing by David Jauss is a collection of seven essays (many of which were previously published in The Writer’s Chronicle) which amount to nothing less than a master’s class (or seven) in writing.
Including in-depth instruction in and analysis of such subjects as present tense; distance and point of view; flow; contradiction and creativity; and building a unified story collection, this book gets five big fat genius stars from me.
Alone With All That Could Happen: Rethinking Conventional Wisdom About the Craft of Fiction Writing by David Jauss is a collection of seven essays (many of which were previously published in The Writer’s Chronicle) which amount to nothing less than a master’s class (or seven) in writing.
Including in-depth instruction in and analysis of such subjects as present tense; distance and point of view; flow; contradiction and creativity; and building a unified story collection, this book gets five big fat genius stars from me.
October 29, 2022
This is a very detailed, comprehensive book on the art of writing fiction. In this book, Jauss uses many literary examples in each chapter to demonstrate the most effective (and ineffective) ways to utilize certain literary devices. I particularly like the references to other books on the craft of fiction, as he uses them as a basis and builds on their statements to create a very complex study of how to create the most effective, meaningful writing. I'll definitely be using this book as a go-to source when I need extra writing inspiration.
January 15, 2020
Out of the twenty or so books I've read on writing, this has been by far the most impactful. This is a book that I will reread every couple years.
February 5, 2021
incredibly helpful craft book. Looking for more like this.
September 8, 2016
Interesting thoughts on a number of topics. I liked the examination of present tense versus past tense.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews