Ever wonder why adding graphics to your docs can help readers understand and retain information better? Dennis Dawson (@dennisdawson.bsky.social) explains the science behind focused vs. diffuse modes of thinking and why a brief visual break helps ideas percolate and form new connections.

As of yesterday, The Not-Boring Tech Writer is officially part of the tech writing webring that CT Smith has created! 🎉 caseyrfsmith.github.io/webring/

🎙️ Just published a new episode of The Not-Boring Tech Writer: Kate sounds off on small things and repairs. Have a listen:

⚡️ ✏️ To see Dennis Dawson's (@dennisdawson.bsky.social) visual approach to documentation, check out his lightning talk on why sketchnoting engages both sides of your brain, as well as his sketchnotes from past Write the Docs conferences. Links in the comments!

In S3:E22, Dennis Dawson (@dennisdawson.bsky.social) recommends 4 books that validated his approach to using visuals and humor in technical writing: 📚 Multimedia Learning 📚 Learning How to Learn 📚 A Mind for Numbers 📚 Uncommon Sense Teaching

Great documentation makes readers feel smart. In S3:E22, Dennis Dawson (@dennisdawson.bsky.social) talks about scaffolding concepts, using Hemingway-style clarity, and writing documentation that flows easily into readers' brains so they feel smart instead of lost.

Think you need to be an artist to add visuals to your docs? Think again! In our latest episode, Dennis Dawson—the tech writer behind the Write the Docs sketchnotes—shares why visuals and humor make docs more effective, plus practical tools and techniques you can explore right away.

“I don't try to be funny. I'm just funny. And if you ever try to be funny, then you're not funny.” – Dennis Dawson (@dennisdawson.bsky.social), the artist behind the Write the Docs sketchnotes In our latest episode, Dennis shares why plain language + visual humor leads to better docs and much more!

👕 Would you like an extra reminder of Write the Docs Berlin, in addition to all the presentations and conversations? Our shirt store is still open until November 31st! Get your Write the Docs Berlin shirt from: shirt.writethedocs.org

🎙️ Just published a new episode of The Not-Boring Tech Writer: Humor and visuals in technical writing with Dennis Dawson. Have a listen:

In her latest solo episode, Kate reflects on how models like Diátaxis and the Seven-Action Documentation model help us surface our own beliefs about docs. She also muses on the restorative potential of maintenance work. 🎧 Listen to S3:E21 in your favorite podcast app!

🎙️ Just published a new episode of The Not-Boring Tech Writer: Kate sounds off on beliefs and maintenance work. Have a listen:

Fabrizio Ferri-Benedetti's (@theletterf.bsky.social) "dynamic seniority" concept: Growth isn't continuous—it's a ladder. It's natural to alternate between stable periods (maintaining skills and recharging) and sudden climbs (capabilities leap forward). Listen to S3:E20 to hear more from Fabri!

Technical writers are shapeshifters—we adapt to whatever the situation demands. Listen to our latest episode with Fabrizio Ferri-Benedetti (@theletterf.bsky.social) on strategic thinking, his Seven-Action Documentation model, and growing as a tech writer in the AI era.

Would you be interested in a panel episode that would bring together multiple tech writers to discuss a specific topic? If so, add a comment below with topic ideas! What would you want to hear tech writers discuss together? Your input will help us shape future episodes!

Would you be interested in a panel episode that would bring together multiple tech writers to discuss a specific topic? If so, add a comment below with topic ideas! What would you want to hear tech writers discuss together? Your input will help us shape future episodes!

🎙️ Just published a new episode of The Not-Boring Tech Writer: Growing as a technical writer in the AI era with Fabrizio Ferri-Benedetti. Have a listen:

Great quote from Fabrizio & Tom's new AI & Docs podcast: “…this is a good reason for people to be optimistic about the future of docs: if AI tools are really poor without good documentation, then which company is going to undercut themselves by removing documentation?” We recommend this podcast! 😊

Creating great documentation is an act of giving great service. We love Zingerman's (@zingermans.bsky.social) 3-step recipe for giving great service: 1️⃣ Find out what your customer wants; 2️⃣ Get it for them accurately, politely, and enthusiastically; 3️⃣ Go above and beyond, or go the extra mile.

This quote from Kate’s latest solo episode (S3:E19) captures why she’s so passionate about documentation work. It's about creating a more thoughtful world, one helpful doc at a time. 🌍 🎧 Kate sounds off on docs as an act of service: thenotboringtechwriter.com/episodes/kat...

New blog post! Why AI can’t replace tech writers: www.brookewayne.com/writing/why-... It’s time we acknowledged AI’s place in our work as technical writers, and that AI’s not a person, it’s a tool that requires a human to wield it with care. #AI #TechWriting #WriteTheDocs #CustomerExperience

Quick question for our awesome community: Which episode type tends to give you the most value? - Solo episodes - Guest episodes - Both are equally valuable - Depends on the specific topic

🎙️ Just published a new episode of The Not-Boring Tech Writer: Kate sounds off on docs as an act of service. Have a listen:

“Serve the reader” is a solid guiding principle for technical writers. Listen to Sarah Walker’s (@quesarahsera.bsky.social) wisdom for technical writers in S3:E18!

We invite all listeners to reach out with any questions or feedback! Kate may respond in a future episode. 😊 In addition to Bluesky, you can reach us via: 📧 Email: [email protected] 💼 LinkedIn: /the-not-boring-tech-writer

Check out the three stellar resources Sarah Walker (@quesarahsera.bsky.social) recommended in S3:E18! 🌎 Garbl’s Writing Center ✍️ "On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft" by Stephen King 🦝 Sarah’s "Elect a Raccoon Overlord" article 🔗 Links in the comments!

Listen to S3:E18 to learn why we affectionately refer to Sarah Walker (@quesarahsera.bsky.social) as the “Raccoon Overlord Lady” and to hear how Sarah has incorporated wisdom from her yoga practice into her technical writing practice! 🦝🧘‍♀️✍️ thenotboringtechwriter.com/episodes/yog...

🎙️ Just published a new episode of The Not-Boring Tech Writer: Yoga wisdom for technical writers with Sarah Walker. Have a listen:

5 ways to make docs easier to digest from S3:E17! 🍽️ 📚

Permission from Kate to prioritize your continual learning and professional development! 📚

We’re excited about the upcoming Information Architecture Master Class that will be led by our host, Kate Mueller. 🎓😊 TNBTW listeners can use coupon code "NOTBORING" to save $600 USD (40% off the full price)! 🔗 Sign up here before September 16: thenotboringtechwriter.com/learning

🎙️ Just published a new episode of The Not-Boring Tech Writer: Kate sounds off on cognitive capital and learning. Have a listen:

🖼️ We’ve added 2 wall art products to our merch store! www.teepublic.com/poster-and-a... www.teepublic.com/poster-and-a...

In our latest episode (S3:E16), Ryan Macklin (@ryanmacklin.bsky.social) talks about being a “Docs Nursemaid” and designing docs for all emotional states (not just for happy users!). 🎧 thenotboringtechwriter.com/episodes/emp...

On August 19, Kate Mueller will be having a meet and greet to give people a chance to get to know her a bit more and answer questions about the upcoming Information Architecture Master Class she'll be teaching in September and October. ➡️ Sign up: www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-t...

🎙️ Just published a new episode of The Not-Boring Tech Writer: Empathy advocacy: Designing docs for all emotional states with Ryan Macklin. Have a listen:

KnowledgeOwl’s 4-week Information Architecture Master Class (taught by Kate Mueller) starts on September 16! TNBTW listeners can use coupon code "NOTBORING" during checkout to save $600! Register: thenotboringtechwriter.com/learning

We just added a “Podcast Linus” design to our merch store! 🦉 Feel free to let us know if you have any merch ideas. 🙂 www.teepublic.com/user/the-not...

🎧 Listen to S3:E15 to hear Kate (@knowledgewithsass.bsky.social) sound off on “good” documentation! thenotboringtechwriter.com/episodes/kat...

🎓 Our host, Kate Mueller, is teaching a 4-session Information Architecture Master Class that starts on September 16th! 🎧 TNBTW listeners can use the coupon code "NOTBORING" during checkout to save $600 USD (40% off the full price)! 🔗 Read more info and sign up: thenotboringtechwriter.com/learning

🎙️ Just published a new episode of The Not-Boring Tech Writer: Kate sounds off on “good” documentation. Have a listen:

Listen to Manny Silva explain how the “Docs as Tests” strategy proactively catches documentation issues in S3:E14! 🎧 Docs as Tests: Keeping documentation resilient to product changes with Manny Silva: thenotboringtechwriter.com/episodes/doc...

🎙️ Just published a new episode of The Not-Boring Tech Writer: Docs as Tests: Keeping documentation resilient to product changes with Manny Silva. Have a listen:

An oldie but a goodie: Check out Eric Holscher's (@ericholscher.bsky.social) 2016 appearance on The Not-Boring Tech Writer podcast to hear him talk about Write the Docs' (@writethedocs.bsky.social) origins. thenotboringtechwriter.com/episodes/ski...

We have both a starter pack and a list that include all past and future TNBTW podcast guests who are on Bluesky: Starter pack: bsky.app/starter-pack... List: bsky.app/profile/did:...

Ah, so now companies are rediscovering the value of writers due to the non-trivial fact that LLMs require high-quality input and prompts? WHO KNEW!

"The best fertilizer is the gardener's shadow." 🌼 🌸 🌱 Our latest guest, Liz Argall (@lizargall.bsky.social), shared this beautiful metaphor about the power of simply showing up on S3:E13. Whether you’re tending an actual garden or improving your documentation, presence can make all the difference.

Whilst being interviewed today for an upcoming ep of @thenotboringtechwriter.com podcast, I learned that I've been dubbed The Raccoon Overlord Lady by my delightful friends at the KB platform provider that I use and love. For reasons. Very good reasons. Listen to the ep in early Sept to learn more!