In this blog I write about topics in technical communication, also called technical writing. As a field, technical communication encompasses many areas, but I like to focus on the following topics:

• Content findability
• Visual communication
• Screencasting
• Productivity techniques
• Information architecture
• Content strategy

Where Do You Live and Work?

I recently moved to the San Francisco Bay area and am working for a startup gamification company called Badgeville. Currently I’m working on API documentation for a JavaScript library, among other things. I just started, so I’ll update this section a bit more later.

Were You Always a Technical Writer?

Like most tech writers, I stumbled into technical writing after working in other fields. I previously taught composition for two years at The American University in Cairo (Egypt), and then I worked as a copywriter in Florida.

After a while, I realized I needed more money to support my family, so I turned to technical writing and started working for a financial company, Raymond James. I worked there for a couple of years before heading out west to Utah, where I worked at EMC and then later took at job at the LDS Church. I’ve found that technical writing combines my love for writing, my drive to create, and my fascination with technology.

What’s Your Educational Background?

I earned my undergraduate in English at Brigham Young University in Utah. After BYU, I earned an MFA in literary nonfiction at Columbia University’s School of the Arts.

My degree in literary nonfiction carries over to the writing style on this blog. At times, I try to infuse my posts with story and literary devices, weaving narrative with exploration of a topic. My favorite genre is the personal essay. Some of my good posts, I like to think, are like mini-personal essays.

Do You Have a Personal Life?

Yes, I’m married and have four children, shown below.

My wife, Shannon, also has a blog (called Seagull Fountain). We met at BYU in the Writing Fellows program (she was an English major too). We have four girls—all the under the age of 13. Besides family, I like to play basketball, bike, and explore new places with my family.

How Do I Contact You?

If you have a question for me, or just want to drop me a line, send your feedback to the e-mail address below.

Tom Johnson
tom@idratherbewriting.com
San Francisco Bay area, California, USA

You can also contact me through other methods on my Contact page.

If you have a beginner question about technical writing, first check out my answers to the top 10 most frequently asked questions about technical writing.