AI content, with a human face
A recent poll on LinkedIn from Alex Ewerlöf asked: “Would you read AI-generated posts and articles that are attached to a human name and picture?” The poll offered four choices: My first thought was: ...
Posts in writing
More time to write
I’m looking forward to having more time to write in the next few months. I have been to three conferences in three months, including speaking at LeadDev StaffPlus. It was so fun! Watch the video of my...
Be clear about your goal, issue 26 of Beyond Writing Code
Be clear about your goal, and the other decisions become much easier. Here's how I learned that lesson and got clarity about my goal.
So How's The Book, issue 25 of Beyond Writing Code
Book progress update and reflections on proposal work completed over summer.
Questions and stories, issue 23 of Beyond Writing Code
Creating reflection question cards for conference attendees at fall industry events.
Writer enjoying speaking
I’m a writer at heart, so enjoying speaking at conferences is a bit of a surprise for me. Speaking at LeadDev StaffPlus went even better than I was hoping, and it’s got me thinking about what works fo...
Ideas for my talk, issue #17 of Beyond Writing Code
Seven ideas for improving my LeadDev presentation, including walking rehearsal strategies.
Writer's checklists
Some of the best writing tips I learned were from a summer class I took as a teenager. I’m still adding to my writer’s checklists, decades later. However, I have mostly kept these checklists in my hea...
You don't want more content; conference notes. Issue 13 of Beyond Writing Code
What we really pay for at conferences: organization and curation, not just content.
A lot going on. And a poll. Issue 11 of Beyond Writing Code
Using analogies to explain work in progress and priorities.
Three books about storytelling
I’ve been listening to books on storytelling recently, including three I recommend highly. Book 1: How to Tell a Story First: How to Tell a Story is by the team from the Moth Radio Hour. Seek that s...
Not getting started guarantees failure
I feel like an engine that won’t “catch.” You know what guarantees that I will fail at something? Not starting it.
You know what doesn't help overcome resistance?
“So, I put a lot of pressure on myself. All the time.” My husband stared at me. “Yes,” he said emphatically, as if I’d just pointed out that ice is cold or nighttime is dark. Okaaay, I guess the press...
Agile... book writing?? Issue 9 of Beyond Writing Code
Iterative writing, fast feedback, adapting to change.
Finding myself in the online noise
I keep reading that there are two keys to connecting to your people online: consistency and content. Show up regularly, and keep creating content people want. Great, but show up where? Should I be bui...
Draft outline, issue 6 of Beyond Writing Code
A sneak preview of my book outline and structure.
Writing past fear, issue 5 of Beyond Writing Code
Overcoming fear of writing and making mistakes, just like breaking production.
Was my book already written?
Discovering that Tanya Reilly had already written a similar book, and what that meant for my work.
Getting started writing
First newsletter about establishing a sole proprietorship and getting started as an author.
Blog post checklist
I have been importing blog posts from my previous blog at Medium, and I keep losing track of the steps. And often, when I want to document something for myself, it's my habit to document it for anyone...