Patrick McLean helps people and companies with their writing and communication. He is an accomplished author and writing coach with decades of experience. We covered a lot of excellent ground in this 15 minute episode of The Books & Beer Hangout, like:
- Why so many people are terrible at writing
- A shift in collegiate standards of writing in the 1950s
- And writing has become more complex, for no good reason
- Becoming a purposeful writer
- Cultivating efficiency in your writing
- Why all adjectives and adverbs have to die
- And that’s not just your editor’s job
- Why you might need a writing coach
- The value of writing collaboratively
- … but knowing when to not trust your collaborators.
- When is the right time to start killing words?
- The importance of a visual structure
- Why you should read everything you write out loud
- Bonus materials:
- A free microsite where you can submit samples of your writing and get feedback from Patrick. For free.
- A collaborative rewriting video with prior B&B guest Brand Gamblin, showcasing the death of some words in a real-world writing coach setting.
- A screenbook that helps with rewriting. Helpful and hilarious.
And there was the obligatory drinking of beers. Tonight’s choices: Tenaya Creek Old Jackalope Barleywine, Dale’s Pale Ale by Oskar Blues, and some Maker’s Mark. No, not beer. But close enough!
The Books & Beer Hangout is broadcast live every Thursday night at 6P/9E as a Google+ Hangout on Air and on YouTube Live! Circle ePublish Unum on Google+ to watch live, and to join The Books & Beer Hangover right after the show to chat with hosts and participants live!
Can’t see the video embedded above? Download the video or watch it on YouTube.
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