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While acknowledging that many fine books cover such essentials of fiction writing as point of view, characterisation, 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, energising 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? 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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.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":50634331259153,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ VERY_GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50634331947281,"sku":"CIN1609381564VG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":52438452896017,"sku":"CIN1609381564G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1609381564.jpg?v=1751342881"},{"product_id":"troublemakers-book-john-mcnally-9780877457275","title":"Troublemakers","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eTroublemakers\u003c\/i\u003e is an often hilarious, sometimes frightening, occasionally off-the-wall collection of stories about men living on the edge. 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