Michael Dean, an essayist and editor, discusses the hidden frameworks of essay writing. He shares insights from his journey as a former architect, revealing how structural patterns can elevate writing. The conversation touches on the balance between discipline and creative freedom, and how AI can revolutionize the composition process. Dean emphasizes the importance of intuitive reading, editing, and the transformative effects of a writing practice, as well as personal growth through the craft of essay writing.
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insights INSIGHT
Perfectionism Paradox
Perfectionism can be both destructive and motivating for writers.
It's crucial to find a balance between striving for excellence and embracing imperfection in the creative process.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Architectural Influence
Michael Dean's background in architecture influenced his analytical approach to essay writing.
He found a textbook that broke down architecture into basic elements, inspiring him to seek a similar framework for writing.
insights INSIGHT
Defining the Essay
Michael Dean defines an essay as a work of creative nonfiction meant for a single sitting, with a distinct voice and unifying idea.
He believes essays can uniquely blend elements of memoir, academic writing, and poetry.
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The Best American Essays series is an annual collection of essays selected by a guest editor, highlighting the most compelling and thought-provoking works from the previous year. Each edition celebrates the versatility and depth of the essay form, covering a wide range of topics and styles. The series has been published annually since 1986 and includes contributions from both established and emerging writers.
Here is New York
E. B. White
Essayists on the Essay
Montaigne to Our Time
Various Authors
A pattern language
Towns, Buildings, Construction
Nax Jacobsohn
Murray Silverstein
Ingrid Fiksdahl-King
Shlomo Angel
Max Jacobson
Sara Ishikawa
Christopher Alexander
This book, written by Christopher Alexander and his colleagues, introduces the concept of a 'pattern language' consisting of 253 patterns that address various design problems in architecture, urban planning, and community design. Each pattern describes a recurring problem and its solution, allowing readers to adapt these solutions to their specific needs and local conditions. The book is structured to help ordinary people, as well as professionals, design and improve their homes, streets, and communities. It has had significant influence on fields beyond architecture, including software engineering and urban planning[3][4][5].
Cat's cradle
Kurt Vonnegut
Essayist, editor and creator of Essay Architecture, Michael Dean on the hidden structures and key patterns within great essays.
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ABOUT MICHAEL DEAN
Michael Dean is a writer, editor, and creator of Essay Architecture. A former architect and virtual reality specialist, he now studies the hidden frameworks that make essays work.
This episode is brought to you by our friends at Lulu. If you're interested in self-publishing, Lulu has free resources such as helpful tutorials, templates to help you layout a book, design for print, and they have a very watchable YouTube University channel. Our community anthology is in fact published using Lulu. Check them out at lulu.com.
London Writers' Salon 
