Beginners
The beginners category lists posts suitable for people new to the field of technical writing, including students, transitioning professionals, or others new to the technical communication field.
The following content is in the beginners category:
How to meet other technical writers in Seattle -- WTD Seattle coffee chats | Jun 25, 2023
Write the Docs Podcast episode 27: Starting a doc group/process when you're the first | Feb 21, 2020
Write the Docs Podcast episode 26: Technical writing and Reddit, with Alan Bowman | Dec 31, 2019
Podcast with Jacob Moses on the Not-Boring Tech Writer: Skill #26: Getting Started with API Documentation | Oct 3, 2019
Write the Docs Podcast episode 16: An open-source Grammarly for tech docs? | Sep 6, 2018
Question: Which software tools should I use if my goal is to write API docs? | Oct 12, 2017
The problem with Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in documentation | Jun 23, 2017
TC Camp in Santa Clara to be held Jan 21, 2017 | Jan 6, 2017
Review of Coding for Writers course by Peter Gruenbaum on Udemy | Nov 13, 2016
How can technical writers thrive in agile environments? Event recording and details | Sep 20, 2016
The variety of tools tech comm professionals use | Aug 21, 2016
My technical communication contribution to the UX Careers Handbook | Jun 21, 2016
Answering questions in James Gill's upcoming book, How to Get Started as a Technical Writer | Feb 21, 2016
Tell me about your career as a technical writer... | Nov 4, 2015
Udemy podcast (with me) and infographic on technical writing | Oct 6, 2015
Question: If you weren't a technical writer, what would you be? | Oct 2, 2015
Question: What qualities should technical writers have to work at startups? | Aug 12, 2015
Podcast: The divide between academics and practitioners -- Interview with Lisa Meloncon | Aug 10, 2015
LearningDITA.com: A new online learning resource for DITA by Scriptorium | Jul 28, 2015
Reader question: How do I move forward out of a stagnant tech writing career? | Jul 15, 2015
Build a technical writing portfolio by writing documentation for startups | Jul 10, 2015
Three questions people ask me each week | Jul 1, 2015
How can technical writers cut through engineering jargon and decode complex information? | Jun 8, 2015
Why no one stopped by my technical writing booth at career fair day | May 31, 2015
Introduction to technical writing -- slides and audio recording | May 16, 2015
Newbie to Technical Writer in 4 Easy Steps | Apr 3, 2015
Top 10 posts, podcasts, tweets of 2014 -- and what it all means | Jan 5, 2015
Writing skills versus technical skills, or, What I realized in solving a Sudoku puzzle | Mar 19, 2014
Do I need to take courses in technical writing? Guest post by Laura Palmer | Mar 7, 2014
Get a technical writing internship or on-the-job experience without having much time for it | Dec 18, 2013
Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions about Technical Writing | Jan 17, 2013
Podcast on Technical Writing | Oct 15, 2012
Professional Technical Writing Careers -- Answers to Questions, by Cheryl Landes | Oct 15, 2012
Professional Technical Writing Careers -- Questions and Answers, by Steve Goldberg | Oct 7, 2012
How Can Newbies Learn Tech Comm Tools Given Their Cost? | Jun 21, 2012
Q&A: What should my major be for a career in technical writing? | May 12, 2012
Guest Post: Is Technical Writing Creative? | Mar 14, 2012
What Tools Do Technical Writers Use | Dec 19, 2011
Should You Get a Graduate Degree in Technical Writing? | Sep 19, 2011
Collaborative Post: Why Is the "Technical" More Important Than the "Writing" | Sep 18, 2011
Collaborative Post: Giving Guidance to a Masters Student about Technical Writing Careers | Jul 14, 2011
Are Certificate Programs Helpful for Transitioning into Technical Writing? [Collaborative Post] | Jan 6, 2011
Students Contemplate Whether a Technical Writing Career Will Be Fulfilling | Sep 30, 2010
Why No One Will Hire You: 40 Professionals Give Advice on Improving a Technical Writer's Resume [Collaborative Post] | Sep 17, 2010
40 Foundational Books for Technical Writing | Sep 10, 2010
More Students Questions about Technical Writing | Sep 7, 2010
Answers About the Field of Technical Writing for Students | Sep 6, 2010
Perspectives on a Career in Technical Writing: Responses from 16 Tech Comm Professionals | Aug 30, 2010
Changing Your Career to Technical Writing [Guest Responses from Bill Albing and Alyssa Fox] | May 16, 2010
"Tom Johnson: A Modern Day Technical Writer" -- NIU Article | May 16, 2010
Story (Overlooked) | Apr 26, 2010
Epiphany: Cross Pollination (Overlooked) | Apr 25, 2010
Crisis Point: Problems with Multiple Roles (Overlooked) | Apr 24, 2010
Catalyst 4: Wiki Manager (Overlooked) | Apr 23, 2010
Catalyst 6: QA Testing (Overlooked) | Apr 22, 2010
Catalyst 2: User Experience (Overlooked) | Apr 21, 2010
Catalyst 1: Audiovisual Role (Overlooked) | Apr 20, 2010
The Yearning: Career Trajectory (Overlooked) | Apr 19, 2010
The Problem: "Just a Writer" (Overlooked) | Apr 18, 2010
Podcast on getting a job in technical writing (TW Job) | Dec 26, 2009
Move to a tech hub city to find a job in technical writing (TW Job) | Dec 24, 2009
Start a blog (TW Job) | Dec 23, 2009
Top Trends in Technical Communication | Dec 23, 2009
Put together a portfolio (TW Job) | Dec 21, 2009
Learn some tools (TW Job) | Dec 20, 2009
Get real experience doing technical writing (TW Job) | Dec 19, 2009
Learn the basics of technical writing (TW Job) | Dec 18, 2009
An Interview About Technical Writing | Oct 9, 2009
STC 2008 Salary Database -- See Salaries for Technical Writers in Your State | Sep 27, 2009
Introduction to getting a job in technical writing (TW Job) | Sep 22, 2009
Creativity in the Workplace | Sep 1, 2009
A Refreshing Angle on the Name of our Profession | Aug 19, 2009
Real Projects for Entry-Level Writers Trying to Build Their Portfolios | Jun 26, 2009
Introduction to Technical Writing (podcast) | Mar 24, 2009
Transitioning from Literary Studies to Technical Communication | Nov 20, 2008
Podcast: Debunking the Boredom Myth of Technical Writing | Nov 3, 2008
Becoming a Writer -- Reflections on a Trip to Idaho | Oct 13, 2008
Get Training in Technical Writing | Aug 3, 2008
Technical Writing -- Worth it? Interesting? Creative? Well-Paid? Hours? Answering a Few Questions from Saudi Arabia | Apr 9, 2008
Technical Writing Careers -- Answering 13 Questions about Technical Writing Jobs | Feb 16, 2008
"Could you please tell me what the job of a technical writer is like?" | Dec 21, 2007
How to Break into Technical Writing | May 27, 2007
About Tom Johnson
I'm a technical writer / API doc specialist based in the Seattle area. In this blog, I write about topics related to technical writing and communication — such as software documentation, API documentation, visual communication, information architecture, writing techniques, plain language, tech comm careers, and more. Check out my API documentation if you're looking for more info about that. If you're a technical writer and want to keep on top of the latest trends in the field, be sure to subscribe to email updates below. You can also learn more about me or contact me. Finally, note that the opinions I express on my blog are my own points of view, not that of my employer.