Blog | Green Mountain Docs

Thoughts on technical writing, documentation engineering, and AI — from 30 years in the field. [Browse by topic →](/tags)

The Documentation Debt Nobody Budgets For

Your internal docs aren't user docs. Your AI chatbot can't fix that.

Posted on April 21, 2026

There’s a conversation that happens in almost every software team, usually around the third sprint of a new project. Someone asks whether the new feature needs documentation. The answer —... [Read More]
Tags:
Build a Design System for Your Technical Writing

The UX world figured this out years ago. Here's how to apply it to documentation.

Posted on April 19, 2026

Design system is a UX term. Figma, tokens, component libraries — that’s the world it comes from. But the concept belongs to technical writers too, and if you don’t have... [Read More]
Tags:
- writing
- Design
- AI
Just Use Docs-as-Code

Why plain text, open-source tooling, and version control solve most documentation problems — and why it's the right foundation for AI-assisted workflows

Posted on April 14, 2026

Every so often, a new round of debate surfaces in technical writing communities about which tool to use for documentation. The contenders are familiar: commercial authoring platforms, help authoring tools,... [Read More]
Tags:
- writing
- AI
- tools
Your AI Support Tool Has a Documentation Problem

That's Actually Good News

Posted on April 2, 2026

Everyone is talking about “writing for AI.” The idea is that tools like Intercom’s FIN, Zendesk’s AI, and similar platforms are now consuming your product documentation to generate answers for... [Read More]
Tags:
- writing
- AI
- governance
I've Seen This Before: What Five Technology Transitions Tell Decision-Makers About AI and Documentation

The pattern is clear. The question is whether you'll repeat the expensive mistake.

Posted on March 25, 2026

You’ve Heard This Pitch Before [Read More]
Tags:
- AI
- writing
A Technical Writer’s Guide To Virtual Interviews

Posted on February 10, 2026

A practical guide to virtual interviews for technical writers [Read More]
Ten Things New Technical Writers Need to Remember

Things that separate documentation that serves users from documentation that just exists.

Posted on January 14, 2026

I see the messages and posts from workers wondering what technical writing involves and whether they’d be good at it. I get requests from my students at my alma mater... [Read More]
Tags:
- writing
AI, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning

What do these mean?

Posted on January 4, 2026

Artificial intelligence and deep learning are often used interchangeably, but they describe very different things. Understanding the distinction helps clarify what modern technology can actually do and where its limitations... [Read More]
Tags:
- writing
- AI
10 Ways Technical Communication Will Change in 2026

Information for AI agents and people.

Posted on December 29, 2025

An old year is coming to the finish line, a new year is waiting to come out of the gate. So let’s take a look at ten possibilities and predictions... [Read More]
Tags:
- AI
- writing
All Lost in the AI Supermarket

10 Questions Technical Doc Teams Need to Ask Before Buying AI (But Usually Don't)

Posted on December 21, 2025

Every documentation meeting, conference, or event I’ve attended in the past two years has featured vendors promising that AI will produce better, faster, and more complete documentation. The impressive demos... [Read More]
Tags:
- writing
- AI
- tools
Rules of Admonitions

A Guide to Admonitions in Technical Documentation

Posted on November 11, 2025

Admonitions exist on a spectrum of severity. Using the correct type is critical. While most pure software documentation will only use Warning and below, it is essential to know the... [Read More]
Tags:
- writing
- regulatory
You Get What You Give

Mastering AI Prompts for Technical Documentation

Posted on October 12, 2025

AI can draft documentation in seconds, but most prompts produce generic, unusable content. The problem isn’t the technology—it’s the technique. Technical writers who treat AI as a magic wand instead... [Read More]
Tags:
- AI
- writing
Guided By Voices

Using AI in Technical Writing

Posted on October 5, 2025

AI is now part of our products and workflows. It’s here to stay. Management is increasingly advocating for AI tools as a strategy to reduce headcount, support costs, and time... [Read More]
Tags:
- AI
- writing
AI Will Not Replace Me

Well, That’s What an AI Told Me

Posted on October 2, 2025

I admit, I am worried AI is after my technical writing job. If companies are starting to adopt “Vibe Coding,” what does that mean for me? Technical writing is different... [Read More]
Tags:
- AI
- writing
- support
Dealing with Imposter Syndrome

A Users Guide

Posted on September 21, 2025

When I started as a technical writer as a NASA subcontractor, I was lucky to be hired by a friend I’d met at a horse stable in Tomball Texas. “Kat”... [Read More]
Tags:
- writing
- support
Building Better Bridges with Subject Matter Experts

Productive Relationships

Posted on September 2, 2025

Effective documentation requires genuine partnership, not just good questions. Here’s how to earn trust and respect, manage time constraints, and create content that actually serves users. [Read More]
Tags:
- project management
- writing
Rules for Technical Writers

Everything I’ve learned in my career comes down to this

Posted on August 18, 2025

Drop the attitude. You’re not saving the world, you’re explaining something. There is no hill worth dying on. Learn to live with compromise and trade-offs. Ask for help when you... [Read More]
Tags:
- writing
How to Hire a Technical Writer

Fixing a broken system

Posted on June 13, 2025

A Fractured Process [Read More]
Tags:
Beyond the Algorithm

Why Human Technical Writers Remain Essential

Posted on June 8, 2025

AI is the next big thing. Every day, there are new offerings and improved features. Every business unit is experimenting with AI to improve efficiencies, and technical writing is no... [Read More]
Tags:
- AI
- writing
I Know These Things Are True

Yes, I took notes

Posted on May 16, 2025

Don’t answer emails immediately. Before turning on your work computer, play with the dog. No one cares what you did thirty-five years ago at Microsoft. Drink water. Drink lots of... [Read More]
Tags:
- advice
- writing
The Three Writing Managers You’ll Have

All different, all shape you

Posted on May 11, 2025

The managers we encounter shape our careers. They can be powerful allies, propelling us forward, or significant roadblocks. Looking back, three distinct leadership styles have marked my professional journey, each... [Read More]
Tags:
- writing
- management
Help Development Create Clear Messaging

Work with development to serve users

Posted on May 6, 2025

In the world of software, services, and applications, the way we communicate with users can either enhance their experience or frustrate them. We must talk to them on their level... [Read More]
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End the Document Trash Dump

Get rid of chaos

Posted on May 5, 2025

Your scattered files and confusing versions aren’t just annoying – they’re expensive. Implement this straightforward framework, shared by a long-time tech expert, to save time, improve security, and scale smoothly.... [Read More]
Tags:
Confront your Imposter Syndrome

You're not a fraud

Posted on April 1, 2025

Everyone feels like a work fraud sometimes. Do you fear being “found out” by coworkers? It’s a familiar feeling. Even after doing my job for over 40 years, I sometimes... [Read More]
Tags:
- writing
- support
A Baker’s Dozen Tips for Better Technical Writing

Actionable writing advice

Posted on March 29, 2025

Good writers know that all writing can be improved. Starting right makes for less work. Here are thirteen tips to help make your technical writing great. [Read More]
Tags:
- writing
- advice
When the Docs Are an Afterthought

When writing is just a checklist item

Posted on March 20, 2025

Documentation has changed since I started in the 1980s. From print to online to interactive aids, the delivery has changed, but the need hasn’t. Good documentation is critical to make... [Read More]
Tags:
- writing
- advice
Your Documentation Project Plan

Before you begin...

Posted on March 19, 2025

I’ve been at this documentation thing since the mid-1980s. This document is due in no small part to the work I’ve participated in at Compaq, Microsoft, and Autodesk in the... [Read More]
Tags:
- writing
- planning
- advice
Stop Searching for that Unicorn

They don't exist

Posted on March 17, 2025

The quest for the elusive “unicorn” candidate — a flawless match for every job requirement — has become a hiring trap. While the intention to find top talent is understandable,... [Read More]
Tags:
- hiring
Hold That Thought!

Advice you don't need

Posted on March 5, 2025

We’ve all heard things that stop us in our tracks. We think, What did he just say? Here are some things to say back — politely, of course! [Read More]
Tags:
- writing
- reviews
So What Do Technical Writers Do?

It's more than typing

Posted on February 5, 2025

Most managers recognize the value you bring to your company. But at least once in your career, you’ll be confronted with someone in management who says, “Anyone can write. After... [Read More]
Tags:
- writing
Steps to a Content Audit

Know what you have

Posted on January 23, 2025

One of my recent jobs was to convert existing documentation to the parent company’s brand and format. While I was reformatting, rebranding, and chasing down information, I saw that the... [Read More]
Tags:
- writing
Creating Your Team’s Style Guide

Ensuring consistency

Posted on January 3, 2025

How do you answer questions about language and usage? Is it “click,” “tap,” “hit,” or “press” the button? Which tense is best? Can I address the reader? [Read More]
Tags:
- writing

The Documentation Debt Nobody Budgets For

Your internal docs aren't user docs. Your AI chatbot can't fix that.

Build a Design System for Your Technical Writing

The UX world figured this out years ago. Here's how to apply it to documentation.

Just Use Docs-as-Code

Why plain text, open-source tooling, and version control solve most documentation problems — and why it's the right foundation for AI-assisted workflows

Your AI Support Tool Has a Documentation Problem

That's Actually Good News

I've Seen This Before: What Five Technology Transitions Tell Decision-Makers About AI and Documentation

The pattern is clear. The question is whether you'll repeat the expensive mistake.

A Technical Writer’s Guide To Virtual Interviews

Ten Things New Technical Writers Need to Remember

Things that separate documentation that serves users from documentation that just exists.

AI, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning

What do these mean?

10 Ways Technical Communication Will Change in 2026

Information for AI agents and people.

All Lost in the AI Supermarket

10 Questions Technical Doc Teams Need to Ask Before Buying AI (But Usually Don't)

Rules of Admonitions

A Guide to Admonitions in Technical Documentation

You Get What You Give

Mastering AI Prompts for Technical Documentation

Guided By Voices

Using AI in Technical Writing

AI Will Not Replace Me

Well, That’s What an AI Told Me

Dealing with Imposter Syndrome

A Users Guide

Building Better Bridges with Subject Matter Experts

Productive Relationships

Rules for Technical Writers

Everything I’ve learned in my career comes down to this

How to Hire a Technical Writer

Fixing a broken system

Beyond the Algorithm

Why Human Technical Writers Remain Essential

I Know These Things Are True

Yes, I took notes

The Three Writing Managers You’ll Have

All different, all shape you

Help Development Create Clear Messaging

Work with development to serve users

End the Document Trash Dump

Get rid of chaos

Confront your Imposter Syndrome

You're not a fraud

A Baker’s Dozen Tips for Better Technical Writing

Actionable writing advice

When the Docs Are an Afterthought

When writing is just a checklist item

Your Documentation Project Plan

Before you begin...

Stop Searching for that Unicorn

They don't exist

Hold That Thought!

Advice you don't need

So What Do Technical Writers Do?

It's more than typing

Steps to a Content Audit

Know what you have

Creating Your Team’s Style Guide

Ensuring consistency