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The Writer's Comfort Zone

A Community for Introverted Writers and Bloggers

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  • So You Want to be a Tech Writer

    So You Want to be a Tech Writer

    Technical writing is the art of using words to communicate information about technology and engineering-related subjects. That’s a vast umbrella to worth and thrive under! Not everyone who does this kind of writing sees themselves as technical writers, even though they are. Engineers who document code or blueprints, UX designers who put together manuals, and…

    Heather Flanagan

    March 18, 2023
    Process Tips
  • Writing to Someone Else’s Deadline

    Writing to Someone Else’s Deadline

    As a tech writer, writing to someone else’s deadlines can be challenging. It requires a great deal of focus, organization, and time management to meet the needs of your clients or team while also producing high-quality work. Let’s look at a few strategies to help you navigate this often-stressful situation. Understand the Importance of Deadlines…

    Heather Flanagan

    March 11, 2023
    Process Tips
    writing process
  • Overcoming Writer’s Block for Tech Writers

    Overcoming Writer’s Block for Tech Writers

    Tech writers often struggle with having too much to write about as opposed to too little. Our writer’s block comes from being overwhelmed with possibilities rather than a shortage of material. We have to make choices, and that’s not easy for tech writers, given how technology drives almost every aspect of society.  Of course, when…

    Heather Flanagan

    March 4, 2023
    Process Tips
  • Writing Speeches vs. Blogs

    Writing Speeches vs. Blogs

    This week I’m working on something a little different. I will be speaking at a tech conference in May as a keynote speaker, which means I need to write a speech. It’s a different type of writing, similar to blogs, yet not intended to be archived as the written word. As it turns out, there’s…

    Heather Flanagan

    February 25, 2023
    Styles of Writing
  • Tips for Combating Perfectionism

    Tips for Combating Perfectionism

    One of the biggest challenges writers face is the drive toward a “perfect” product. It’s a never-ending struggle to let a document go, given the concerns that it might not be enough, be too much, or push people away. People dealing with imposter syndrome often wrap perfectionism around their worries like thin gold plating over…

    Heather Flanagan

    February 18, 2023
    Uncategorized
  • Tips for Building an Engaging Writing Community

    Tips for Building an Engaging Writing Community

    While writing is very much an “in your head” activity, writers benefit from having a community to hold them accountable, provide support, and challenge them to improve. Of course, first you have to find that community! There are options for finding the right community: find an existing one or build your own. What to Look…

    Heather Flanagan

    February 11, 2023
    Newsletter
    community
  • The Challenge of Tech Writing

    The Challenge of Tech Writing

    Over the last week, I’ve had several conversations about the challenges involved in producing technical communications, aka tech writing. First, there was a great conversation as part of an “Ask Me Anything” session for The Writer’s Comfort Zone, where one of the participants described her struggle to write about a subject she felt passionately about…

    Heather Flanagan

    February 4, 2023
    Process Tips
  • Creativity On Demand

    Creativity On Demand

    Creativity on demand seems like an oxymoron. Creativity is spontaneous! Unpredictable! Wild! And yet authors around the world regularly bow down to deadlines, demands, and a need to be p. So how are we supposed to expect creativity to happen when requested? Fortunately, this is why we have … SCIENCE! Creative Problem Solving Scientists have…

    Heather Flanagan

    January 28, 2023
    Process Tips
  • The Writing Process – Blogging

    The Writing Process – Blogging

    Getting started often seems to be one of the biggest blockers to writing (the other is actually finishing). I usually write 2-3 blog posts a week for myself and my clients, but it’s not like the idea springs forth fully formed and perfect! Here’s what my writing process looks like using last week’s blog post…

    Heather Flanagan

    January 21, 2023
    Newsletter, Process Tips
    writing process
  • Developing Personal Accountability

    Developing Personal Accountability

    or, Everything You Wanted to Know About Accountability But Were Afraid to Ask Personal accountability is a hallmark of maturity, the ultimate in taking responsibility and ownership for an action. Governments and businesses are held accountable by laws and regulations. Leaders are expected to be accountable for their areas of responsibility. Parents are held accountable…

    Heather Flanagan

    January 14, 2023
    Newsletter
    accountability, goals, personal accountability
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