I listened to a good discussion about writing from a group of Mormon writers on episode 7 of Everything Creative, an LDS sponsored podcast. Some parts of this podcast are a little lame — I hadn’t heard of any of the writers, and parts of it are churchy. But the advice is on target. Here are few notes: The things that get in the way … more »

I loved this essay on writing. I always hear advice from writers that you must write daily no matter what. Zeldman takes another perspective on this idea, and encourages you to “write when inspired; rest when tired.” Very eloquent prose throughout.

Ben Minson reflects on the value of having a blog when your day job is technical writing. Blogging can be an outlet to practice your own literary voice, rather than always be trapped in a style guide.

50 Free Resources That Will Improve Your Writing Skills | Developers Toolbox | Smashing Magazine. I appreciate the focus on “writing,” but I have to say that these long lists of resources never quite impress me as much as a good post. Also, even though many of the resources here go beyond grammar, I always resent it when people equate grammar and punctuation with writing. … more »

If you’re a writer, the most logical side job for the weekends is freelance writing. You know, copyediting for websites or other projects that people have. I’ve done this in the past, mostly picking up jobs from my brother-in-law who designs interactive flash sites and games for people. At times, the clients need copy as well. However, I’ve pretty much stopped doing freelance writing, for … more »

Great Books by Writers Who Aren’t Dead Yet My friend Josh just started this site. He’s an English professor at BYU Idaho. It’s an online book club involving discussion of excellent literary authors still alive.

oDesk Reports “WordPress” Fastest Growing In-Demand Skill in 2008 « WordPress Publisher Blog Writing is second, SEO is fourth, CSS is about tenth.

How a Teacher Reminded Me Why I’m a Writer > Gryphon Mountain Journals

Writer Profile: John Hewitt, Technical Writer and Poet Warrior – Quiet Rebel Writer

Jayant writes, I am a technical writer from India. I just moved to the UK and find the scenario very different from India. Here technical writing jobs are not easy to come by – I understand this is due to the recession. I also have found my desire for technical writing waning away a bit. This could be because at my previous office, technical writing … more »

Hi Tom, My name is Hannah, and I live in San Antonio, Texas. I found your web site when I typed technical writing in google.com. You have a beautiful family. I am a part-time Accountant for a non-profit organization. I do not enjoy accounting and the desire to write has always been a part of my soul. My desire to write burns in my heart … more »

Rahul Prabhakar, editor of the TechCraft newsletter, which accompanies the Technical Writers of India listserv, published an interview with me in the latest issue (June 2008). You can read it here: Techcraft e-Newsletter Volume 38 June 2008. It’s in the “Spotlight” section near the end.

We writers tend to have a romantic idea about a creative muse that comes and goes, whispering interesting ideas to our minds. But the idea of a creative muse is, I’m pretty sure, no more magical or mysterious than the same process by which we remember dreams. Ultimately, the more we write down our dreams, the more our brain learns to remember dreams. Similarly, the … more »

I read an essay by Alan Shapiro last week titled “Why Write?” In it he summarizes a letter from Elizabeth Bishop that provides a thought-provoking, unique reason for writing. Here’s the passage: Elizabeth Bishop provides a possible answer [for why we write] in a famous letter to Anne Stevenson. Bishop writes that what we want from great art is the same thing necessary for its … more »