Abandon Quote by Joshua Ferris
“I always knew from the beginning that this was the only way to write Then We Came To The End - that it had to be in first - person plural if it was going to illustrate how the individual becomes part of the collective. I had no interest in writing the book in a more conventional voice. It goes back to that fascination I had with telling a story in multiple ways. It was the only choice I gave myself, really - I said "This is it, pal. If you can't tell a story this way, you're going to have to abandon the book. Write it this way or give up."”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Unnamed Book by Joshua Ferris, 2023
The author insists on a collective first‑person plural narrative to merge individual identity into a group, rejecting conventional voice.
In simple terms: He chose a plural voice to show individuals becoming a collective.
Key Takeaway
Embrace narrative forms that reflect your thematic goals.
Themes
narrative style
collective identity
authorial intent
creative control
Mood
reflective
determined
creative
Type
literary
creative
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- literary analysis
- creative writing classes
- author interviews
Key Concepts
first‑person plural
collective storytelling
voice choice
Questions to Reflect On
- How does collective narration affect reader empathy?
- When is a conventional voice more effective?
A Different Perspective
A plural voice may alienate readers preferring personal perspective.
