All Of It: Sara Gran's New Choose Your Own Adventure Book – Detailed Summary

Podcast Information:

• Title: All Of It
• Host: Alison Stewart, WNYC
• Episode: Sara Gran's New Choose Your Own Adventure Book
• Release Date: February 11, 2025
• Description: ALL OF IT is a show about culture and its consumers, aiming to engage thinkers, doers, makers, and creators in discussions about the what and why of their work.

Introduction

In this episode of All Of It, host Alison Stewart welcomes Sarah Gran, the author of the newly released book, Little Mysteries, Nine Miniature Puzzles to Confuse, Enthrall and Delight. The conversation delves into Gran's literary universe, her creative processes, and the inspirations behind her work.

Exploring Claire DeWitt: The World's Greatest Detective

Alison Stewart introduces Claire DeWitt, Gran's iconic character, highlighting her exceptional detective skills and the personal struggles she faces.

[00:37] Alison Stewart: "The character Claire DeWitt is not just a private eye. She's the world's greatest detective."

Sarah Gran emphasizes Claire's complexity, describing her as both troubled and misunderstood, traits that often accompany those at the pinnacle of their fields.

[01:46] Sarah Gran: "People who are sort of at the top of their field often have to do things in a different way to kind of move things forward. And that's what she does."

The Role of 'Detection' in Claire's World

The discussion shifts to Detection, a fictional book within Gran's series that serves as Claire DeWitt's spiritual and investigative guide.

Alison probes the significance of this internal guide, noting its emphasis on intuition over empirical evidence.

[02:08] Alison Stewart: "The Detection, which is fictional and she uses it as an inner spiritual guide... if we do not put it first and foremost always, there's no point in carrying on in the detection or in life."

Sarah Gran explains how Detection offers Claire a unique worldview, balancing mystery-solving with personal philosophy.

[02:38] Sarah Gran: "It's both a way of solving mysteries and sort of a worldview... listening to one's inner."

Gran also touches on her approach to integrating these passages, creating a dynamic and evolving guide rather than a static text.

[03:28] Sarah Gran: "I write the passages as needed... it being a sort of ever changing, ever shifting, evolving work."

Inspirations Behind the Series

Gran shares her literary influences, citing Nelson Algren's Nonconformity as a pivotal inspiration that underscores the importance of staying true to oneself.

[04:09] Sarah Gran: "Nonconformity by Nelson Algren... staying true to oneself, of being who you are as a writer rather than chasing glory and money and fame."

She also references classic spiritual texts like the Tao Te Ching and the Bhagavad Gita, which inform her characters' philosophies and actions.

[04:57] Sarah Gran: "There's a lot that's sort of borrowed from the Tao Te Ching in there, the Bhagavad, the yoga sutras..."

Connecting with Readers: The Bookstore Experience

Reflecting on her time working in bookstores, Gran reminisces about the joy of matching readers with the perfect books, a sentiment that fuels her passion for writing.

[05:02] Sarah Gran: "That's the best part about being a writer, is when you hear from someone that they picked up your book in a bookstore or even found it."

She shares anecdotes about how readers discovered her works in unexpected places, reinforcing the serendipitous nature of literary connections.

[05:10] Sarah Gran: "I love that they found the book in the garbage... it feels like such a privilege and such a gift."

Introducing 'Little Mysteries: Nine Miniature Puzzles'

Alison Stewart transitions the conversation to Gran's latest work, Little Mysteries, exploring why she chose a short story format over a traditional novel.

[06:45] Alison Stewart: "It's coming. There will be another DeWitt novel... But let's concentrate on the short stories. Why not another Claire DeWitt novel?"

Sarah Gran explains her desire for creative freedom, allowing her to experiment with storytelling techniques without the constraints of mainstream publishing.

[07:46] Sarah Gran: "I could have complete freedom to kind of experiment with format and experiment with the way the words are actually laid out on the page."

Gran highlights the unique and playful formats within Little Mysteries, such as interactive elements inspired by children’s mystery books and choose-your-own-adventure narratives.

[08:54] Sarah Gran: "I hope people will cut it out and use it... experiment with the typography and the page layout."

Publishing Independent: Founding Dreamland

Gran discusses her decision to establish her own publishing company, Dreamland, to fully realize her creative visions without external pressures.

[14:58] Sarah Gran: "It was just sort of a dream come true... to be more involved in the design, more involved in how they're introduced to the world."

She reflects on the challenges and rewards of independent publishing, emphasizing the importance of maintaining artistic control.

[15:46] Sarah Gran: "It wasn’t really about the money. It was about the dream come true of always being into books... to have a lot of creative freedom."

Interactive Segment: Book Recommendations

Alison and Gran engage with listeners by offering personalized book recommendations based on the books callers love. This interactive segment showcases Gran's expertise and passion for literature.

1. Caller Robert from Piscataway:

   • Favorites: All the Old Knives by Steinhauer, books by Daniel Silva, Michael Connelly.
   • Gran’s Recommendation: Parable of the Sower and Kindred by Octavia Butler.

     [23:19] Sarah Gran: "They are quite prescient regarding the fires and the state of the city right now."

2. Caller Alicia from Queens:

   • Favorites: Angela's Ashes and The Grapes of Wrath.
   • Gran’s Recommendation: Savage Grace Memoir by Natalie Robbins.

     [21:16] Sarah Gran: "A memoir of a woman who was a very wealthy woman, had a really messed up family."

3. Caller Sheila from Oyster Bay:

   • Favorites: Hair with Amber Eyes by DeWalt, Possession by A.S. Byatt, Pride and Prejudice by Austen.
   • Gran’s Recommendation: Instance at the Finger Post by Ian Pears.

     [19:35] Sarah Gran: "It's a book told from multiple points of view... historical context, swept up in world events."

4. Caller Lucille from Hazlett, New Jersey:

   • Favorites: House of Sand and Fog, Handmaid's Tale, Wool by Hugh Howey.
   • Gran’s Recommendation: Gran suggests Gran's top picks despite not having personally read them, highlighting community favorites and current relevance.

5. Additional Suggestions:

   • Gran also recommends Middlemarch by George Eliot and an essay by David Grann on arson research, relevant to ongoing LA fires.

     [27:15] Sarah Gran: "It's about this incredibly fascinating field of arson science..."

Navigating Disasters: Writing Amidst Chaos

The conversation naturally progresses to how Gran's experiences with disasters like 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the LA fires have impacted her writing.

[24:42] Sarah Gran: "It's hard. It does not affect it well... I had to throw it away. I could never make sense of it again."

Gran speaks candidly about the emotional toll of these events, particularly how they necessitated abandoning projects tied to their before-and-after landscapes.

[24:58] Sarah Gran: "With Los Angeles, it's a little bit different... I hope no one has experiences again. And I hope I never experience again."

Closing Thoughts and Final Recommendations

As the episode draws to a close, Gran offers insights into her writing interests and shares final recommendations, emphasizing her attraction to the unknown and complexities of mystery.

[20:53] Sarah Gran: "Things that I don't know... Mysteries is because the things that you don't know... what really draw you in."

She advises writers to focus on their ideal readers rather than an abstract audience, fostering a more authentic and passionate writing process.

[21:16] Sarah Gran: "Write for your ideal reader. Just imagine your perfect reader is out there and write for them."

Gran concludes with additional book recommendations tailored to listener preferences, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to literary engagement.

Conclusion

This episode of All Of It offers an in-depth look into Sarah Gran's creative journey, her beloved character Claire DeWitt, and the innovations embodied in Little Mysteries. Through engaging dialogue, listener interaction, and personal anecdotes, Gran provides valuable insights into the art of writing, the challenges of independent publishing, and the profound impact of real-world events on storytelling.

Listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of Gran's literary philosophy, her dedication to creative freedom, and her passion for connecting with readers on a meaningful level. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to Gran's work, this episode is a treasure trove of inspiration and thoughtful conversation.

Notable Quotes:

• Alison Stewart [00:37]: "The character Claire DeWitt is not just a private eye. She's the world's greatest detective."

• Sarah Gran [01:46]: "People who are sort of at the top of their field often have to do things in a different way to kind of move things forward. And that's what she does."

• Sarah Gran [02:38]: "It's both a way of solving mysteries and sort of a worldview... listening to one's inner."

• Sarah Gran [04:09]: "Nonconformity by Nelson Algren... staying true to oneself, of being who you are as a writer rather than chasing glory and money and fame."

• Sarah Gran [05:10]: "I love that they found the book in the garbage... it feels like such a privilege and such a gift."

• Sarah Gran [07:46]: "I could have complete freedom to kind of experiment with format and experiment with the way the words are actually laid out on the page."

• Sarah Gran [14:58]: "It was about the dream come true of always being into books... to have a lot of creative freedom."

• Sarah Gran [21:16]: "Write for your ideal reader. Just imagine your perfect reader is out there and write for them."

• Sarah Gran [24:42]: "It's hard. It does not affect it well... I had to throw it away. I could never make sense of it again."

This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of Sarah Gran's insights, her creative process, and the rich discussions that make All Of It a compelling show about culture and its consumers.