--- title: "Beginners" description: "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..." canonical_url: https://idratherbewriting.com/category-beginners/index.html --- > For AI agents: a documentation index is available at https://idratherbewriting.com/llms.txt. Markdown versions of all pages are available by appending .md to any page URL. # 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](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/how-to-meet-technical-writers-in-seattle) | Jun 25, 2023 #### [Write the Docs Podcast episode 27: Starting a doc group/process when you're the first](https://idratherbewriting.com/2020/02/21/wtd-podcast-episode-27-starting-docs-from-scratch/) | Feb 21, 2020 #### [Write the Docs Podcast episode 26: Technical writing and Reddit, with Alan Bowman](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/wtd-podcast-episode-26-technical-writing-and-reddit/) | Dec 31, 2019 #### [Podcast with Jacob Moses on the Not-Boring Tech Writer: Skill #26: Getting Started with API Documentation](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/10/03/podcast-with-jacob-moses-on-api-documentation/) | Oct 3, 2019 #### [Write the Docs Podcast episode 16: An open-source Grammarly for tech docs?](https://idratherbewriting.com/2018/09/06/wtd-podcast-episode-16-open-source-grammarly/) | Sep 6, 2018 #### [Question: Which software tools should I use if my goal is to write API docs?](https://idratherbewriting.com/2017/10/12/which-tool-for-developer-documentation/) | Oct 12, 2017 #### [The problem with Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in documentation](https://idratherbewriting.com/2017/06/23/why-tech-writers-hate-faqs/) | Jun 23, 2017 #### [TC Camp in Santa Clara to be held Jan 21, 2017](https://idratherbewriting.com/2017/01/06/tc-camp-coming-up-santa-clara/) | Jan 6, 2017 #### [Review of Coding for Writers course by Peter Gruenbaum on Udemy](https://idratherbewriting.com/2016/11/13/review-of-coding-for-writers-peter-gruenbaum-udacity/) | Nov 13, 2016 #### [How can technical writers thrive in agile environments? Event recording and details](https://idratherbewriting.com/2016/09/20/thriving-in-agile-environments-as-technical-writers/) | Sep 20, 2016 #### [The variety of tools tech comm professionals use](https://idratherbewriting.com/2016/08/21/survey-of-tech-writing-tools-among-professionals/) | Aug 21, 2016 #### [My technical communication contribution to the UX Careers Handbook](https://idratherbewriting.com/2016/06/21/technical-writing-chapter-in-ux-careers-book/) | Jun 21, 2016 #### [Answering questions in James Gill's upcoming book, How to Get Started as a Technical Writer](https://idratherbewriting.com/2016/02/21/technical-writing-careers-a-day-in-the-life/) | Feb 21, 2016 #### [Tell me about your career as a technical writer...](https://idratherbewriting.com/2015/11/04/questions-about-technical-writing-careers/) | Nov 4, 2015 #### [Udemy podcast (with me) and infographic on technical writing](https://idratherbewriting.com/2015/10/06/udemy-podcast-and-infographic-on-technical-writing/) | Oct 6, 2015 #### [Question: If you weren't a technical writer, what would you be?](https://idratherbewriting.com/2015/10/02/career-choices-other-than-tech-writer-regrets-ambitions/) | Oct 2, 2015 #### [Question: What qualities should technical writers have to work at startups?](https://idratherbewriting.com/2015/08/12/qualities-technical-writers-need-at-startup-companies/) | Aug 12, 2015 #### [Podcast: The divide between academics and practitioners -- Interview with Lisa Meloncon](https://idratherbewriting.com/2015/08/10/lisa-meloncon-academic-practitioner-divide-podcast/) | Aug 10, 2015 #### [LearningDITA.com: A new online learning resource for DITA by Scriptorium](https://idratherbewriting.com/2015/07/28/learning-dita-scriptorium-course/) | Jul 28, 2015 #### [Reader question: How do I move forward out of a stagnant tech writing career?](https://idratherbewriting.com/2015/07/15/moving-a-stagnant-career-forward/) | Jul 15, 2015 #### [Build a technical writing portfolio by writing documentation for startups](https://idratherbewriting.com/2015/07/10/find-open-source-opportunities-to-build-a-technical-writing-portfolio/) | Jul 10, 2015 #### [Three questions people ask me each week](https://idratherbewriting.com/2015/07/01/three-questions-i-receive-every-week/) | Jul 1, 2015 #### [How can technical writers cut through engineering jargon and decode complex information?](https://idratherbewriting.com/2015/06/08/strategies-for-decoding-complexity/) | Jun 8, 2015 #### [Why no one stopped by my technical writing booth at career fair day](https://idratherbewriting.com/2015/05/31/realizations-from-career-fair-what-i-lost/) | May 31, 2015 #### [Introduction to technical writing -- slides and audio recording](https://idratherbewriting.com/2015/05/16/introduction-to-technical-writing-slides-and-audio-recording/) | May 16, 2015 #### [Newbie to Technical Writer in 4 Easy Steps](https://idratherbewriting.com/2015/04/03/newbie-to-technical-writer-in-4-easy-steps/) | Apr 3, 2015 #### [Top 10 posts, podcasts, tweets of 2014 -- and what it all means](https://idratherbewriting.com/2015/01/05/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](https://idratherbewriting.com/2014/03/19/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](https://idratherbewriting.com/2014/03/07/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](https://idratherbewriting.com/2013/12/18/get-a-technical-writing-internship-or-degree-without-having-much-time-for-it/) | Dec 18, 2013 #### [Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions about Technical Writing](https://idratherbewriting.com/2013/01/17/top-10-most-frequently-asked-questions-about-technical-writing/) | Jan 17, 2013 #### [Podcast on Technical Writing](https://idratherbewriting.com/2012/10/15/podcast-on-technical-writing-as-a-career/) | Oct 15, 2012 #### [Professional Technical Writing Careers -- Answers to Questions, by Cheryl Landes](https://idratherbewriting.com/2012/10/15/professional-technical-writing-careers-answers-to-questions-by-cheryl-landes/) | Oct 15, 2012 #### [Professional Technical Writing Careers -- Questions and Answers, by Steve Goldberg](https://idratherbewriting.com/2012/10/07/professional-technical-writing-careers-questions-and-answers-by-steve-goldberg/) | Oct 7, 2012 #### [How Can Newbies Learn Tech Comm Tools Given Their Cost?](https://idratherbewriting.com/2012/06/21/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?](https://idratherbewriting.com/2012/05/12/qa-what-should-my-major-be-for-a-career-in-technical-writing/) | May 12, 2012 #### [Guest Post: Is Technical Writing Creative?](https://idratherbewriting.com/2012/03/14/guest-post-is-technical-writing-creative/) | Mar 14, 2012 #### [What Tools Do Technical Writers Use](https://idratherbewriting.com/2011/12/19/what-tools-do-technical-writers-use/) | Dec 19, 2011 #### [Should You Get a Graduate Degree in Technical Writing?](https://idratherbewriting.com/2011/09/19/should-you-get-a-graduate-degree-in-technical-writing/) | Sep 19, 2011 #### [Collaborative Post: Why Is the "Technical" More Important Than the "Writing"](https://idratherbewriting.com/2011/09/18/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](https://idratherbewriting.com/2011/07/14/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]](https://idratherbewriting.com/2011/01/06/certificate-programs-helpful-when-transitioning-into-technical-writing-collaborative-post/) | Jan 6, 2011 #### [Students Contemplate Whether a Technical Writing Career Will Be Fulfilling](https://idratherbewriting.com/2010/09/30/student-contemplates-whether-technical-writing-is-fulfilling/) | Sep 30, 2010 #### [Why No One Will Hire You: 40 Professionals Give Advice on Improving a Technical Writer's Resume [Collaborative Post]](https://idratherbewriting.com/2010/09/17/why-no-one-will-hire-you-40-professionals-give-advice-on-improving-a-technical-writers-resume-collaborative-post/) | Sep 17, 2010 #### [40 Foundational Books for Technical Writing](https://idratherbewriting.com/2010/09/10/40-foundational-books-for-technical-writing/) | Sep 10, 2010 #### [More Students Questions about Technical Writing](https://idratherbewriting.com/2010/09/07/more-students-questions-about-technical-writing/) | Sep 7, 2010 #### [Answers About the Field of Technical Writing for Students](https://idratherbewriting.com/2010/09/06/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](https://idratherbewriting.com/2010/08/30/careers-in-technical-writing-responses-from-16-technical-communicators/) | Aug 30, 2010 #### [Changing Your Career to Technical Writing [Guest Responses from Bill Albing and Alyssa Fox]](https://idratherbewriting.com/2010/05/16/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](https://idratherbewriting.com/2010/05/16/tom-johnson-a-modern-day-technical-writer-niu-article/) | May 16, 2010 #### [Story (Overlooked)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2010/04/26/story-overlooked/) | Apr 26, 2010 #### [Epiphany: Cross Pollination (Overlooked)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2010/04/25/epiphany-cross-pollination-overlooked/) | Apr 25, 2010 #### [Crisis Point: Problems with Multiple Roles (Overlooked)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2010/04/24/crisis-point-problems-with-multiple-roles-overlooked/) | Apr 24, 2010 #### [Catalyst 4: Wiki Manager (Overlooked)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2010/04/23/catalyst-4-wiki-manager-overlooked/) | Apr 23, 2010 #### [Catalyst 6: QA Testing (Overlooked)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2010/04/22/catalyst-6-qa-testing-overlooked/) | Apr 22, 2010 #### [Catalyst 2: User Experience (Overlooked)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2010/04/21/catalyst-2-user-experience/) | Apr 21, 2010 #### [Catalyst 1: Audiovisual Role (Overlooked)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2010/04/20/catalyst-1-audiovisual-role-from-overlooked-to-center-stage/) | Apr 20, 2010 #### [The Yearning: Career Trajectory (Overlooked)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2010/04/19/the-yearning-career-trajectory-from-overlooked-to-center-stage/) | Apr 19, 2010 #### [The Problem: "Just a Writer" (Overlooked)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2010/04/18/the-problem-just-a-writer-from-overlooked-to-center-stage/) | Apr 18, 2010 #### [Podcast on getting a job in technical writing (TW Job)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/26/get-a-job-in-technical-writing-podcast/) | Dec 26, 2009 #### [Move to a tech hub city to find a job in technical writing (TW Job)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/24/get-a-job-in-technical-writing-step-6-move-to-a-tech-city/) | Dec 24, 2009 #### [Start a blog (TW Job)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/23/get-a-job-in-technical-writing-step-5-start-a-blog/) | Dec 23, 2009 #### [Top Trends in Technical Communication](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/23/i-find-that-youre-very-central-and-visible-responding-to-reader-questions/) | Dec 23, 2009 #### [Put together a portfolio (TW Job)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/21/get-a-job-in-technical-writing-step-4-put-together-a-portfolio/) | Dec 21, 2009 #### [Learn some tools (TW Job)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/20/get-a-job-in-technical-writing-step-3-learn-some-tools/) | Dec 20, 2009 #### [Get real experience doing technical writing (TW Job)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/19/get-a-job-in-technical-writing-step-2-get-real-experience-doing-technical-writing/) | Dec 19, 2009 #### [Learn the basics of technical writing (TW Job)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/18/get-a-job-in-technical-writing-step-1-learn-the-basics-of-technical-writing/) | Dec 18, 2009 #### [An Interview About Technical Writing](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/10/09/an-interview-about-technical-writing/) | Oct 9, 2009 #### [STC 2008 Salary Database -- See Salaries for Technical Writers in Your State](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/09/27/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)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/09/22/how-to-get-a-job-in-technical-writing-a-7-step-guide-for-students/) | Sep 22, 2009 #### [Creativity in the Workplace](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/09/01/creativity-in-the-workplace/) | Sep 1, 2009 #### [A Refreshing Angle on the Name of our Profession](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/08/19/a-refreshing-angle-on-the-name-of-our-profession/) | Aug 19, 2009 #### [Real Projects for Entry-Level Writers Trying to Build Their Portfolios](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/06/26/real-projects-for-entry-level-writers-trying-to-buildtheir-portfolios/) | Jun 26, 2009 #### [Introduction to Technical Writing (podcast)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/03/24/introduction-to-technical-writing-podcast/) | Mar 24, 2009 #### [Transitioning from Literary Studies to Technical Communication](https://idratherbewriting.com/2008/11/20/transitioning-from-literary-studies-to-technical-communication/) | Nov 20, 2008 #### [Podcast: Debunking the Boredom Myth of Technical Writing](https://idratherbewriting.com/2008/11/03/podcast-debunking-the-boredom-myth-of-technical-writing/) | Nov 3, 2008 #### [Becoming a Writer -- Reflections on a Trip to Idaho](https://idratherbewriting.com/2008/10/13/becoming-a-writer-reflections-on-a-trip-to-idaho/) | Oct 13, 2008 #### [Get Training in Technical Writing](https://idratherbewriting.com/2008/08/03/reader-question-how-do-i-get-training-in-technical-writing/) | Aug 3, 2008 #### [Technical Writing -- Worth it? Interesting? Creative? Well-Paid? Hours? Answering a Few Questions from Saudi Arabia](https://idratherbewriting.com/2008/04/09/a-few-questions-from-saudi-arabia-about-technical-writing/) | Apr 9, 2008 #### [Technical Writing Careers -- Answering 13 Questions about Technical Writing Jobs](https://idratherbewriting.com/2008/02/16/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?"](https://idratherbewriting.com/2007/12/21/could-you-please-tell-me-what-the-job-of-a-technical-writer-is-like/) | Dec 21, 2007 #### [How to Break into Technical Writing](https://idratherbewriting.com/2007/05/27/how-to-break-into-technical-writing/) | May 27, 2007