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One of the non-tech related skills I cultivate and cherish the most is writing 
Writing is an invaluable asset that unlocks almost everything else. It has done wonders for me as a software engineer.
Writing is an invaluable asset that unlocks almost everything else. It has done wonders for me as a software engineer.
The art of writing and storytelling is an excellent exercise.
Striving for clarity and brevity, looking for the right words, minding sentence length and complexity, getting rid of weasel words and platitudes, are incredibly useful to think more clearly, and reach more people.
Striving for clarity and brevity, looking for the right words, minding sentence length and complexity, getting rid of weasel words and platitudes, are incredibly useful to think more clearly, and reach more people.
The more you write and edit, the clearer your ideas become. Ideas seem to make sense, but they're like dreams: a fuzzy mess with some vague connections, no start, and no end.
Writing down ideas is hard not because writing is hard, but because you face how unstructured they are.
Writing down ideas is hard not because writing is hard, but because you face how unstructured they are.
The more you build that muscle, the more your brain bridges the gap between idea and writing mode. You start thinking like you write. Words flow faster. Little by little, the resistance weakens.
This has formidable consequences on many aspects of work and life.
This has formidable consequences on many aspects of work and life.
Writing facilitates the creative process.
As you build a habit of writing things down, you get used to verbalizing concepts and confronting weak spots. With time, you eliminate the intermediate steps and come up with a clear message much faster.
As you build a habit of writing things down, you get used to verbalizing concepts and confronting weak spots. With time, you eliminate the intermediate steps and come up with a clear message much faster.
As devs, it's great for doing effective brainstorming sessions, writing helpful code reviews and compelling proposals, or even coming up with striking call for papers leading to awesome talks.
Even the smartest person in the room struggles if they can't express ideas clearly.
Even the smartest person in the room struggles if they can't express ideas clearly.
If you're not the smartest person in the room but you can convey interesting ideas effortlessly, you gain credibility. People usually relate more to ethos than logos.
Smart ideas are essential, but smart ideas without great delivery are an order of magnitude less impactful.
Smart ideas are essential, but smart ideas without great delivery are an order of magnitude less impactful.
Writing is a skill that on average, few people like to cultivate. When you start caring about it, you immediately get a leg up.
Notice how so much content sucks? Work emails, sketchy blog posts, rambling podcasts, cheesy videos. All result from bad writing habits.
Notice how so much content sucks? Work emails, sketchy blog posts, rambling podcasts, cheesy videos. All result from bad writing habits.
From Josh Bernoff's "Writing Without Bullshit"—"Treat the reader's time as more valuable than your own. Embrace that, and your customers, your boss, and your colleagues will recognize the power and boldness of your thinking."
TL;DR is a myth. People devour all six Lord of the Rings books. What they won't read is poorly written, unedited blog posts, no matter how interesting.
Writing well is a superpower. It makes you think faster, look smarter and more confident, and unlocks your creativity.
Writing well is a superpower. It makes you think faster, look smarter and more confident, and unlocks your creativity.
If you care about writing better, I recommend:
- "Writing Without Bullshit" by Josh Bernoff (book).
- "Supercharge your Writing", "30 Days to Better Writing" and "Build a Writing Habit" by @seanwes (online courses).
- Getting a @Grammarly Premium account.
- "Writing Without Bullshit" by Josh Bernoff (book).
- "Supercharge your Writing", "30 Days to Better Writing" and "Build a Writing Habit" by @seanwes (online courses).
- Getting a @Grammarly Premium account.
Also, you can start small. You don't have to write lengthy blog posts. Take some time to edit your tweets and your emails.
You'll quickly notice how it changes the tone of the conversation when you start cutting the fluff and say exactly what you mean, the way you mean it.
You'll quickly notice how it changes the tone of the conversation when you start cutting the fluff and say exactly what you mean, the way you mean it.
