Vivid and Continuous: Essays and Exercises for Writing Fiction

by John McNally

Taking off from The Creative Writer’s Survival Guide , John McNally’srelentlessly blunt, bracingly cheerful, and immensely helpful map to being a writer, Vivid and Continuous is an equally blunt, cheerful, and helpful map to learning to be a writer. While acknowledging that many fine books cover such essentials of fiction writing as point of view, characterization, and setting, McNally sets out in this new book—intended as a supplement to beginning fiction-writing classes or as the sole text for upper-level or graduate courses—to solve the tricky second-tier problems that those books cover only in footnotes. Vivid and Continuous takes its inspiration from John Gardner, whose essential truths in On Becoming a Novelist clarified McNally’s goal of communicating a “vivid and continuous dream” with his own writing. In fifteen concise, energizing chapters, he dispenses advice gained from almost thirty years of studying, writing, and teaching. How do you avoid the pitfalls inherent in the most common subjects for stories? How do you create memorable minor characters? What about managing references to pop culture without distracting your readers, revising a story to bring its subtext into focus, or exploring the twenty most common craft-related quirks that lessen immediacy for your readers? How do you keep from overdosing on similes and metaphors or relying on too many flashbacks to provide necessary backstory? How do you learn to listen when your story tries to talk to you? Finally, how can you resist “John McNally’s Sure-Fire Formula for Becoming Funnier in 30 Days”? McNally cites many novels and short stories as examples that best illustrate the lessons he wants to impart, the writer’s life, or the writer’s craft, as well as his own favorite authors’ novels and short story collections. Exercises at the end of each chapter reinforce its point and serve as practical catalysts for new writings and directions. Just blunt enough to get your attention but not blunt enough to crush you, challenging but not discouraging, personal but not ego-ridden, snarky but not mean, John McNally will prompt you to think more deeply about a variety of issues that will push you toward writing more meaningful, more accomplished work.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

188 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2013

About the author

John McNally is the author of three novels (After the Workshop, America's Report Card and The Book of Ralph) and two story collections (Ghosts of Chicago and Troublemakers). He's written two books on writing: Vivid and Continuous: Essays and Exercise for Writing Fiction and The Creative Writer's Survival Guide: Advice from an Unrepentant Novelist He's edited six fiction anthologies, on subjects ranging from superheroes to baseball. He also writes screenplays and held a Chesterfield Writer's Film Project fellowship, sponsored by Paramount Pictures. A native of Chicago's southwest side, he presently lives and teaches in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Jennifer Gibbons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I wonder if the world needs another book about writing. The truth is, we always need books about writing. John McNally's Vivid and Continuous is proof of that.

McNally writes with humor about adverbs/adjectives, minor characters, pop culture in writing, and being humble when presenting your work in the world. This is a great book to have if you're just starting to write fiction or experienced in your own right. Thanks to NetGalley for the copy!

[Maggie Wynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I prefer “Bird by Bird” but I think this is a close second. Def some interesting and useful tidbits of writing info

[Holly Woodward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rock solid thoughts on writing. Carefully composed, witty, wise.

[Rin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, nonfiction are hard. I don't have a nice CAWPILE spreadsheet for things like this. Estimating 4 stars upon immediately finishing since the man is a little high on himself and treats certain writing "rules" as if they really are unbreakable... But a lot of these types of books do that. It's good to see where you might be going wrong, but I stand by my belief that no one should stop writing a certain way just because it breaks some other person's rules. I dunno, I guess I prefer the happier advice rather than "don't do this" advice.

For the most part though this was pretty good and the exercises are pretty fun. I'm going to scan them before I return it to the library so I can do them again if I want later.

[Tasha Seegmiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book all writers should read. Some of it may be a review - especially for people who have been writing for a while - by that review is an essential grounding. And the rest? They are exercises to help break through a funk, suggestions for improving story and, my favorite part, ideas on how to become a better writer.

[Emma]

Every new writer should read this book. It isn't the fiction bible, but it does get you to start thinking about what fiction is and how to write it. I will forever reread sections of this book throughout my future academic and professional writing career.

[Trevor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have ever read on the craft of fiction. I plan to re-read it many times.

[bella (bellainbookland) · Rating 4 out of 5]

read for university. i learned a lot about writing and took a lot away from this read. would definitely recommend it.

[Dana King · Rating 5 out of 5]

The problem with many writing books—and writing teachers—is they tell you How it’s Done, sometimes in stentorian tones of great implied import. The end effect is too often to overwhelm the reader/writer, especially those still looking for their own way. There’s too much to remember, and it’s too hard. Some are deterred. Others decide rules are made to be broken, so I might as well start now.

John McNally’s Vivid and Continuous is an excellent entry point for a startup writer. It combines brevity (147 pages, not counting index and reading list) with a conversational tone to move the reader through key considerations in any type of fiction. Though the professed thrust is for those interested in literary ficiton, the lessons and examples will be useful to anyone.

The book breaks into fifteen chapters, each with its own topic. Ranging from The Ideal Reader, Beginnings, Titles, through Minor Characters, Humor (his “Sure-Fire Formula for Becoming Funnier in Thirty Days” alone is worth the price of the book) and wrapping up with Gestation and Humility. Each chapter describes a little of why it’s important, cites examples, but never becomes pedantic. If ever a writing book read like you were talking to a guy at a bar, this is it.

The examples are deftly used and should incline the reader to want to further explore many of them. The chapter on minor characters details how, in The Catcher in the Rye, Salinger uses a large number of characters who appear for too short a time to require—or even deserve—detailing to characterize Holden Caulfield through his descriptions and reactions to them. Salinger’s gift for putting the character’s image into the reader’s head with a single sentence. (Faith Cavendish, who “wasn’t exactly a whore or anything but that didn’t mind doing it once in a while.” Or Sally Hayes’s mother, who’d do charity work only if “everybody kissed her ass for her when they made a contribution.”) We may not have Holden’s background, but we all know these people.

The two final chapters stick out. In Gestation, McNally discusses the idea of each story needing its own time to be told. Some may flow, while others may need years to come together, left fallow for extended period until the writer’s experience or cultural events reach a point where the story opens itself to the author. The catch with fictional gestation periods is, no one knows how long they are, and they’re different for each story.

The final chapter is titled Humility. Cautioning young writers against hubris, McNally cites giants such as Thomas Pynchon looking back with dismay at some older stories, and John Steinbeck’s despair over how he had failed with The Grapes of Wrath. (“It’s just a run-of-the-mill book. And the awful thing is that it is the absolute best I can do.”) A caution to all fledgling iconoclasts who would break new ground because the world has never seen a talent such as yours: get over yourselves. If Pynchon and Steinbeck harbor doubts about their results, you should at least consider yours could be flawed.

McNally is not above using his own writing for example. This is often a turn-off. Here, it’s done with a difference. Instead of using his work to show How It’s Done, he uses what led to a piece of his to describe how it got there, warts and all. The lessons is not, “Listen to me, for I am great,” but, “You don’t to make some of the same mistakes I did. Take this for what it’s worth.” The engaging writing style and regular dollops of humor make everything do down with a smile.

Vivid and Continuous is an excellent book for fledgling writers, as well as those more experienced who need an occasional reminder of things to be aware of. It would be perfect for an adult education class that included student of various levels of ability, as its lessons apply on multiple levels. I learned a lot, was reminded of more, and had a great time reading it. My only disappointment came when I realized I had come to the end, a feeling that can be easily remedied with another read, if only to cherry pick the bits that most appealed to me.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

McNally is a lot more to the point, nuts and bolts, about writing than Bradbury's Zen was, so it wasn't enjoyable, per se. A lot of helpful hints, things to consider. The chapters are fairly short, and he uses his personal writing experiences, as well as referenced a good selection of good literature examples for all his advice. He even referenced Bradbury a few times, and Salinger's Catcher in the Rye was another favorite of his. He has written a lot, taught a lot and judged a lot of literary contests, he has noticed the trends, the most common mistakes, so it is helpful, to an aspiring writer. I could see this being a great textbook during a college writing course, and one I would keep after the class ended. I'd keep the book for the lists alone -the top plot cliches, 20 most common craft related problems, and John McNally's Sure-Fire Formula for Becoming Funnier in Thirty Days!

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting and enjoyable book, taking a different approach to many other writing guides. Most of the essays provided me with some food for thought when it comes to my own writing and I have bookmarked all of the exercises that come at the end of each one, in no doubt that working through them will improve my writing no end. There is also a comprehensive list of further reading that illustrates any examples given in the essays.

Admittedly, some of the areas seemed to ramble a little for me and you will have heard much of the advice before, so it's not completely original - but then no book on writing is and this one is still worth a read.

I give Vivid and Continuous 4 out of 5.

[Rebecca Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

John McNally's "Vivid and Continuous: Essays and Exercises for Writing Fiction" from the University of Iowa Press - All writers should have a copy of McNally's book as it is full of perfect - without being preachy - insights into what to write, what not write, and how to do it all.

It comes from McNally's own voice and it is personable, which makes this book easy to take. It is not full of lessons that you want to avoid - or skim through - you want to read, you want to take in McNally's observations.

He has empathy but at the same he is straight-forward.

If you want to write, get it.

ISBN-13 - 978-1-60938-156-1
ISBN-10: 1-160938-156-4

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, I know. Do we really need another book on writing? Well, in this case, the answer to that question is yes, indeed we do. John McNally will make you look at your writing a little closer, and in fresh, unexpected ways. His chapter 'Minor Characters' is fabulous, as are 'Subject Matter' and 'Humor'. But, really, all of them are just great. A must read for writers of all levels, but perhaps especially for those who could use a small dose of humility (and don't we all?). There's a chapter on that too. Fantastic reference, and a great read.

[GONZA · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's another book about writing, but it's good and funny and, obvioulsy well written, so till I'm lazy enough to keep on reading instead of writing the world is safe enough ;)

Un altro libro sulla scrittura, ma è interessante e divertente e, ovviamente ben scritto, così fino a quando io sarò talmente pigra da continuare a leggere piuttosto che scrivere il mondo sarà salvo ;)

THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND UNIVERSITY OF IOWA PRESS FOR THE PREVIEW

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent resource, especially perhaps would be good for an introductory Creative Writing course. It made me miss my workshop classes! Plus, I love the humorous and sometimes heartrending personal stories John McNally offers. I would really like to try out some of the writing exercises once I'm done with NaNoWriMo.

[Golda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really well-written, really enjoyable. I especially love the chapter that discusses what students usually write about (drunken party stories, dead grandmother stories, I can't think about what to write about stories)---so true!

[Edward Montalvo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of the better craft books. Way to go McNally, you had me at gestation.

[Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide to how not to write. Good even for those like myself who have no intention of writing short stories.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readable. Honest. Helpful. The best combo for a craft book!