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The Creative Writer's Survival Guide: Advice from an Unrepentant Novelist
Beginning with “The Writer’s Wonderland— A Warning” and ending with “ You’ve Published a Book—Now What?” The Creative Writer’s Survival Guide is a must-read for creative-writing students and teachers, conference participants, and aspiring writers of every stamp. Directed primarily at fiction writers but suitable for writers of all genres, John McNally’s guide is a comprehensive, take-no-prisoners blunt, highly idiosyncratic, and delightfully subjective take on the writing life. McNally has earned the right to dispense advice on this subject. He has published three novels, two collections of short fiction, and hundreds of individual stories and essays. He has edited six anthologies and worked with editors at university presses, commercial houses, and small presses. He has earned three degrees, including an MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and taught writing to thousands of students at nine different universities. But he has received far more rejections than acceptances, has endured years of underpaid adjunct work, and is presently hard at work on a novel for which he has no guarantee of publication. In other words, he’s been at the writing game long enough to rack up plenty of the highs and lows that translate into an invaluable guide for anyone who wants to become a writer or anyone who is already a writer but doesn’t know how to take the next step toward the writing life. In the sections The Decision to Become a Writer, Education and the Writer, Getting Published, Publicity, Employment for Writers, and The Writer’s Life, McNally wrestles with writing degrees and graduate programs, the nuts and bolts of agents and query letters and critics, book signings and other ways to promote your book, alcohol and other home remedies, and jobs for writers from adjunct to tenure-track. Chapters such as “What Have You Ever Done That’s Worth Writing About?” “Can Writing Be Taught?” “ Putting It in Perspective,” “Writing as a Competitive Sport,” “Seven Types of MLA Interview Committees,” “Money and the Writer,” and the all-important “Talking about Writing vs. Writing” cover a vast range of writerly topics from learning your craft to making a living at it. McNally acts as the writer’s friendly drill sergeant, relentlessly honest but bracingly cheerful as he issues his curmudgeonly marching orders. Alternately cranky and philosophical, full of to-the-point anecdotes and honest advice instead of wonkish facts and figures, The Creative Writer’s Survival Guide is a snarky, truthful, and immensely helpful map to being a writer in today’s complex world.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
272 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2010
About the author
John McNally
41 books100 followersJohn 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.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 28, 2020
Engaging - good beginner's book/gateway book for young (experience-wise) creative writers
I just finished this novel so I cannot comment on its true use until after sometime. However, it kept me hooked because it truly 'felt' like a lot of helpful learnings. Most of it is applicable and match my experience in my non-writing job/life, which means, it also served for me as a pretty good self-help book. Although the best part was that the writer made no claims of this being a staple or something one 'should' follow and repeatedly mentioned to take what one likes from his long pool of advices. This, was really helpful for my anxious heart and as a beginner, I think, it would be a good book to start your creative writing journey. As I said in the starting I can only comment more on its usefulness after some time. For the time being, it was a good read that I completed in two days which hadn't happened in a while.
Few thing(s) that irked me were:
- the writer mentioning how average his writing is or that he isn't one of the big leagues which ,although true, was off-putting and made me question why I was reading? Nevertheless, it was engaging enough to keep me going.
- Another was his quoting a certain someone that I do not hold in high regard but once again the writing was good to keep me hooked and gave clarity to a beginner like me.
I just finished this novel so I cannot comment on its true use until after sometime. However, it kept me hooked because it truly 'felt' like a lot of helpful learnings. Most of it is applicable and match my experience in my non-writing job/life, which means, it also served for me as a pretty good self-help book. Although the best part was that the writer made no claims of this being a staple or something one 'should' follow and repeatedly mentioned to take what one likes from his long pool of advices. This, was really helpful for my anxious heart and as a beginner, I think, it would be a good book to start your creative writing journey. As I said in the starting I can only comment more on its usefulness after some time. For the time being, it was a good read that I completed in two days which hadn't happened in a while.
Few thing(s) that irked me were:
- the writer mentioning how average his writing is or that he isn't one of the big leagues which ,although true, was off-putting and made me question why I was reading? Nevertheless, it was engaging enough to keep me going.
- Another was his quoting a certain someone that I do not hold in high regard but once again the writing was good to keep me hooked and gave clarity to a beginner like me.
April 24, 2013
This is a funny one to review after reading. In the book he specifically speaks about how everyone has an opinion these days; whether they are an expert or not. So, please read this for the expert reviewer that I am absolutly not! Merely a hopeful author that read a book to try and build my craft.
I felt, after reading, that I had gained from this book. Which was my original goal when borrowing it. Actually I found this quite by accident and am very grateful I did. The way he gives advice was direct and exactly how I needed to hear it. Warnings and all!
I feel I know more, have more to work with, and will be a better writer because of it.
There was some information that was not pertinent to me immediately, which only makes me want to go buy it because at some point it inevitably will be pertinent. So thank you Mr. McNally; especially your honesty. I felt hope when you admitted to being a shy, introverted type person like myself. I have a long road but as I sit and write and feel the thrill almost charge through me I now know I am in the right line of work. Whether it ever gets read by another human being or not.
I felt, after reading, that I had gained from this book. Which was my original goal when borrowing it. Actually I found this quite by accident and am very grateful I did. The way he gives advice was direct and exactly how I needed to hear it. Warnings and all!
I feel I know more, have more to work with, and will be a better writer because of it.
There was some information that was not pertinent to me immediately, which only makes me want to go buy it because at some point it inevitably will be pertinent. So thank you Mr. McNally; especially your honesty. I felt hope when you admitted to being a shy, introverted type person like myself. I have a long road but as I sit and write and feel the thrill almost charge through me I now know I am in the right line of work. Whether it ever gets read by another human being or not.
March 18, 2015
This was a useful, realistic book about writing and publishing. It was very informative about going through the motions of publishing, and provided details I've felt I've been missing for a long time (such as how to find an agent or write a query letter). I didn't find it particularly inspiring, which is why I only gave it three stars; though it is practical, it didn't motivate me to sit down and write, as other writing books have in the past. Still, I found it useful and may keep it for future reference, particularly for when I start sending stories and manuscripts out to publishers.
May 5, 2017
Let me start by telling you what John McNally's The Creative Writer's Survival Guide is not. It is not a craft book. You won't find chapters on plot, characterization, conflict, dramatic tension, point of view, or any number of other elements of craft, and you won't find any writing exercises or short stories to analyze or mimic.
What you will find, however, is exactly what the title says: a survival guide for writers. In six sections, "The Decision to Become a Writer," "Education and the Writer," "Getting Published," "Publicity," "Employment for Writers," and "The Writer's Life," each broken up into short mini-chapters, McNally covers pretty much everything outside of craft. His assumption seems to be that if you've found your way to his book, then you at least have a working knowledge of the craft or are in the process of learning it.
The book is written in a very informal, nearly conversational tone, and McNally is incredibly forthcoming (not to mention, very, very funny) about his own experiences as a writer. He does this without a bit of arrogance or pretentiousness. In a way, this book is a memoir of sorts, and McNally's career provides an excellent example for many of the book's sections. Based on his career, McNally seems to be someone whose advice about the writing life you can trust - he's published three novels and two short story collections, with both big and small presses, and he's edited six anthologies.
The book opens with a "warning" as a way to explain how to "use" the book and to dispel any ideas about what the book will and will not do. Depending on where you are on your own writer's path, a few of the sections may not be of any use to you. For example, in "Education and the Writer," McNally discusses the various creative writing degrees, MFA programs and how to choose one, the application process, the workshop, and life in general as a graduate student. Of course, for many people, this information may be too little too late, but for an undergraduate or someone who has been out of school for a time, this section is invaluable.
The "Getting Published" and "Publicity" sections are ones that I will dog-ear and keep as a reference to use down the line. McNally's focus in these sections is on the process of publishing and then publicizing novels or collections. His focus here is on the very practical aspects - the query letter (of which he provides a sample), agents, rejection and failure, and everything else that goes into the process of publication, and all the various (and sometimes interesting) ways to publicize your book once it is published. These sections do an excellent job of bridging the gap between what you (hopefully) learn while getting an MFA to what (again, hopefully) happens in the years following.
The final two sections, "Employment for Writers" and "The Writer's Life," provide a nice way to end the book. He discusses the life of writer in the academy and everything that entails, and how to make writing a habit rather than a hobby.
Though McNally's focus is primarily on the life of a fiction writer, I think The Creative Writer's Survival Guide will prove to be an indispensable text for writers of all stripes. I highly recommend it.
For more, see my blog: http://thestoryisthecure.blogspot.com/
What you will find, however, is exactly what the title says: a survival guide for writers. In six sections, "The Decision to Become a Writer," "Education and the Writer," "Getting Published," "Publicity," "Employment for Writers," and "The Writer's Life," each broken up into short mini-chapters, McNally covers pretty much everything outside of craft. His assumption seems to be that if you've found your way to his book, then you at least have a working knowledge of the craft or are in the process of learning it.
The book is written in a very informal, nearly conversational tone, and McNally is incredibly forthcoming (not to mention, very, very funny) about his own experiences as a writer. He does this without a bit of arrogance or pretentiousness. In a way, this book is a memoir of sorts, and McNally's career provides an excellent example for many of the book's sections. Based on his career, McNally seems to be someone whose advice about the writing life you can trust - he's published three novels and two short story collections, with both big and small presses, and he's edited six anthologies.
The book opens with a "warning" as a way to explain how to "use" the book and to dispel any ideas about what the book will and will not do. Depending on where you are on your own writer's path, a few of the sections may not be of any use to you. For example, in "Education and the Writer," McNally discusses the various creative writing degrees, MFA programs and how to choose one, the application process, the workshop, and life in general as a graduate student. Of course, for many people, this information may be too little too late, but for an undergraduate or someone who has been out of school for a time, this section is invaluable.
The "Getting Published" and "Publicity" sections are ones that I will dog-ear and keep as a reference to use down the line. McNally's focus in these sections is on the process of publishing and then publicizing novels or collections. His focus here is on the very practical aspects - the query letter (of which he provides a sample), agents, rejection and failure, and everything else that goes into the process of publication, and all the various (and sometimes interesting) ways to publicize your book once it is published. These sections do an excellent job of bridging the gap between what you (hopefully) learn while getting an MFA to what (again, hopefully) happens in the years following.
The final two sections, "Employment for Writers" and "The Writer's Life," provide a nice way to end the book. He discusses the life of writer in the academy and everything that entails, and how to make writing a habit rather than a hobby.
Though McNally's focus is primarily on the life of a fiction writer, I think The Creative Writer's Survival Guide will prove to be an indispensable text for writers of all stripes. I highly recommend it.
For more, see my blog: http://thestoryisthecure.blogspot.com/
May 12, 2015
Review based on ARC.
There is an abundance of information in this small, quick read. It is well written, funny, and even moving at times. Wait, am I talking about a nonfiction "how-to" book directed at creative writers? You bet. Somehow, McNally entertains while giving golden nuggets of ... well, gold. I hesitate to call it advice or information because those words do not seem to quite cover how valuable the information contained within this book is.
I signed up to read the book on Early Reviewers because I'm a "someday, maybe" sort of hopeful writer who has several (so many severals...) actual-hopeful writers within my immediate circle. I thought that I would enjoy the read, but that my friends/family would (hopefully) benefit from it. I was spot on.
The book, as implied by the subtitle, will not inspire the weakly-motivated, somewhat ambiguous, would-be writers to take on the enormous and often disheartening world of writing and/or publishing, but it proceeds to give information (gold) upon information (gold) upon information (and more gold) to those writers who legitimately could not imagine a life without writing. I appreciated the honesty... the sometimes very brutal honesty that McNally employs to impart his "guide." And, really, it appears as if it is all there.
For those of you who are tentatively considering writing: read the book. It will not dissuade you, but it will allow you to consider the many different aspects of publishing and, perhaps as it did with me, spark an idea for a slightly-alternative career path. Or it might convince you that writing really is the path for you. Either way, it will inform you. Read it.
For those of you who have no choice but to write: read the book. It provides a logical, practical, manageable path, with advice about how to tackle every step along that path. It is realistic without dashing hopes. It is hopeful without permitting starry-eyed naivety.
For those of you who aren't interested in a career in writing: read the book anyway. It is a fascinating view of the life-of-a-writer and the world of publication. It is eye-opening and, somehow, inspiring, even to those without intention to write.
The only criticism I have is *very* minor. There occasions where I felt that McNally was just a *little* bit snarky about the academic snobs. While I agree that there is no need or even use for that type of academic snobbery (whether it applies to what kind of degree you have, what you have published, with whom, where you are in the writer "hierarchy", etc.), McNally came off as just a little bit bitter despite his successful career. Most of the book is straightforward, optimistic, realistic, positive. But every once in a while, I got just a little hint of a tone of "bounces off of me and sticks onto you" ... but it never lasted long and it's certainly no reason to disregard such a useful tool.
The book is also chock-full of good reading ideas. And I look forward to reading The Book of Ralph...
Overall, excellent. Highly recommend.
There is an abundance of information in this small, quick read. It is well written, funny, and even moving at times. Wait, am I talking about a nonfiction "how-to" book directed at creative writers? You bet. Somehow, McNally entertains while giving golden nuggets of ... well, gold. I hesitate to call it advice or information because those words do not seem to quite cover how valuable the information contained within this book is.
I signed up to read the book on Early Reviewers because I'm a "someday, maybe" sort of hopeful writer who has several (so many severals...) actual-hopeful writers within my immediate circle. I thought that I would enjoy the read, but that my friends/family would (hopefully) benefit from it. I was spot on.
The book, as implied by the subtitle, will not inspire the weakly-motivated, somewhat ambiguous, would-be writers to take on the enormous and often disheartening world of writing and/or publishing, but it proceeds to give information (gold) upon information (gold) upon information (and more gold) to those writers who legitimately could not imagine a life without writing. I appreciated the honesty... the sometimes very brutal honesty that McNally employs to impart his "guide." And, really, it appears as if it is all there.
For those of you who are tentatively considering writing: read the book. It will not dissuade you, but it will allow you to consider the many different aspects of publishing and, perhaps as it did with me, spark an idea for a slightly-alternative career path. Or it might convince you that writing really is the path for you. Either way, it will inform you. Read it.
For those of you who have no choice but to write: read the book. It provides a logical, practical, manageable path, with advice about how to tackle every step along that path. It is realistic without dashing hopes. It is hopeful without permitting starry-eyed naivety.
For those of you who aren't interested in a career in writing: read the book anyway. It is a fascinating view of the life-of-a-writer and the world of publication. It is eye-opening and, somehow, inspiring, even to those without intention to write.
The only criticism I have is *very* minor. There occasions where I felt that McNally was just a *little* bit snarky about the academic snobs. While I agree that there is no need or even use for that type of academic snobbery (whether it applies to what kind of degree you have, what you have published, with whom, where you are in the writer "hierarchy", etc.), McNally came off as just a little bit bitter despite his successful career. Most of the book is straightforward, optimistic, realistic, positive. But every once in a while, I got just a little hint of a tone of "bounces off of me and sticks onto you" ... but it never lasted long and it's certainly no reason to disregard such a useful tool.
The book is also chock-full of good reading ideas. And I look forward to reading The Book of Ralph...
Overall, excellent. Highly recommend.
December 23, 2016
The good: The book provides detailed and useful information about creative writing course, writing as a career and teaching jobs for writers. The author has been writing (mostly fiction) since he was 14 and has been in this business for a long time, having several books published so he is pretty experienced. He also states that he tries to be honest, and that helps to an extent.
The bad: he is old and traditional and not fond of technology and the Internet so many of his advices are not applicable today in the fast changing market. His voice sounds pessimistic, curt and rude. And I don't like it. When I was reading I basically scolded him out loud for so many times and I thought I wouldn't want to be his friend in the real life. Such an a**hole, I whispered. Somewhere in between I thought to drop the book but I want to finish the books I begin so I continued reading. Lesson learned: only read good books from now onward, to save time.
The ugly: this is not a bad book, but not a good one. There are so many good books on writing to spend time on. What I find out was that this book lacks sympathy, compassion and humor. There is no love. I believe that with everything you write you need to put your best in it with all of your energy, be the best version of yourself in writing. And you can show readers love no matter what you write about. But I can't find it here. This book seems to be a collection of grumpy responses from the author to all of the annoying questions and requests he received during his years working as a writer and teacher. Where is the love for writing? Where is the inspiration? Where is the compassion toward other writers? Only the damned truth. But not necessarily the "real" truth. Writing is not easy, it will never be. But anyone who steps on the path to be a writer and can make a career out of writing knows it's worth. I know he knows it's worth. But he seems to be bitter and ungrateful.
Only exactly until the part of "Bookstore signings, university lectures and other humbling experiences" that I saw his voice started to improve, but too late then, already 2/3 of the book.
Anyway, what the book does good to me is it gives me a larger vision about my future career. I have 2 books published, and now what. I was thinking about taking an MFA in creative writing so I decided to read this book. And after reading, I am taking a step back to reconsider things and think where I'm heading next.
The bad: he is old and traditional and not fond of technology and the Internet so many of his advices are not applicable today in the fast changing market. His voice sounds pessimistic, curt and rude. And I don't like it. When I was reading I basically scolded him out loud for so many times and I thought I wouldn't want to be his friend in the real life. Such an a**hole, I whispered. Somewhere in between I thought to drop the book but I want to finish the books I begin so I continued reading. Lesson learned: only read good books from now onward, to save time.
The ugly: this is not a bad book, but not a good one. There are so many good books on writing to spend time on. What I find out was that this book lacks sympathy, compassion and humor. There is no love. I believe that with everything you write you need to put your best in it with all of your energy, be the best version of yourself in writing. And you can show readers love no matter what you write about. But I can't find it here. This book seems to be a collection of grumpy responses from the author to all of the annoying questions and requests he received during his years working as a writer and teacher. Where is the love for writing? Where is the inspiration? Where is the compassion toward other writers? Only the damned truth. But not necessarily the "real" truth. Writing is not easy, it will never be. But anyone who steps on the path to be a writer and can make a career out of writing knows it's worth. I know he knows it's worth. But he seems to be bitter and ungrateful.
Only exactly until the part of "Bookstore signings, university lectures and other humbling experiences" that I saw his voice started to improve, but too late then, already 2/3 of the book.
Anyway, what the book does good to me is it gives me a larger vision about my future career. I have 2 books published, and now what. I was thinking about taking an MFA in creative writing so I decided to read this book. And after reading, I am taking a step back to reconsider things and think where I'm heading next.
December 19, 2010
I love the idea of being an "unrepentant" novelist. So many creative writing books fall into one of two categories: 1) publishers don't like new authors and you won't get published unless your brother-in-law owns Random House, and 2) Let the words flow and worry about quality later, at a time not covered by this book. McNally, who is both a published author and veteran of the academic side of the trade, offers a refreshingly different viewpoint. He works from the assumption that his readers are "young" (that is, inexperienced) writers seriously considering making their pastime passion into a full-time gig. Though there is almost no discussion of the actual craft of writing, he does cover various educational options and goes through the publication and employment processes with equal parts encouragement and realism. If you're serious about writing as a career, this is an excellent resource.
May 29, 2014
I've read some good writer's handbooks...and now I've read some bad ones. Or at least one that didn't fit with me. I know many people who enjoyed this book and good for them. I'm glad to hear it. I really like McNally's fiction, so it's nothing about him. But this is not my style of writing book. Much more logistics and business than I enjoy. Makes me feel as though there should only be one type of writer in the world and I'm doing something wrong by not hoping to be like that.
December 9, 2013
I appreciated McNally's experience in writing; he shows the not-so-glamorous side of being a writer, but it is tempered with the excitement and pleasure of publishing. I also valued his experience as a teacher of writing, as he pointed out pitfalls that he sees in his students' stories. I highlighted some good stuff that I plan to concatenate into a file to read over from time to time.
July 2, 2016
What it takes to live the writing life, a plug for getting formal education, some publishing and publicity tips. A lot of good advice here on being a writer, mostly focused on academia and "literary" stories. Best writing tip: Write a lot. And read a lot. Sounds good to me.
October 18, 2010
Exceptionally practical and honest. This isn't a "how to inspire your inner author" book. It's a "So, you can't help it, you're a writer. Well, here's how you put food on the table," book.
July 13, 2019
Humorous and honest. Good info.
August 10, 2013
Very readable and informative. Down to earth advice about writing, writing programs, publishing, etc.
July 17, 2016
I hated this book. It was ridiculously negative. A survival guide? More like a way too long narrative on all the troubles and suffering that being a writer will cause you.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews