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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]
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AI, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning
What do these mean?
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] -
10 Ways Technical Communication Will Change in 2026
Information for AI agents and people.
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] -
All Lost in the AI Supermarket
10 Questions Technical Doc Teams Need to Ask Before Buying AI (But Usually Don't)
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] -
Rules of Admonitions
A Guide to Admonitions in Technical Documentation
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] -
You Get What You Give
Mastering AI Prompts for Technical Documentation
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] -
Guided By Voices
Using AI in Technical Writing
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] -
AI Will Not Replace Me
Well, That’s What an AI Told Me
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] -
Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
A Users Guide
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] -
Building Better Bridges with Subject Matter Experts
Productive Relationships
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] -
Rules for Technical Writers
Everything I’ve learned in my career comes down to this
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] -
How to Hire a Technical Writer
Fixing a broken system
A Fractured Process [Read More] -
Beyond the Algorithm
Why Human Technical Writers Remain Essential
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] -
I Know These Things Are True
Yes, I took notes
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] -
The Three Writing Managers You’ll Have
All different, all shape you
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] -
Help Development Create Clear Messaging
Work with development to serve users
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] -
End the Document Trash Dump
Get rid of chaos
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] -
Confront your Imposter Syndrome
You're not a fraud
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] -
A Baker’s Dozen Tips for Better Technical Writing
Actionable writing advice
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] -
When the Docs Are an Afterthought
When writing is just a checklist item
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] -
Your Documentation Project Plan
Before you begin...
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] -
Stop Searching for that Unicorn
They don't exist
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] -
Hold That Thought!
Advice you don't need
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] -
So What Do Technical Writers Do?
It's more than typing
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] -
Steps to a Content Audit
Know what you have
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] -
Creating Your Team’s Style Guide
Ensuring consistency
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]