Everything I Know

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Writing ​

I love simple, effective writing. It is incredibly empowering. It's the best way aside of video to snapshot knowledge in time for others to learn.

Paul Graham wrote a wonderful article titled Write like you talk and I agree with it wholeheartedly. In my opinion these are the main pillars on which I try to build my writing skills upon.

Honesty ​

If I don't believe in what I am saying, it is waste of both mine and the person's reading my work time. If I believe in what idea or message or thought that it is I am trying to say, writing becomes second instinct and it is much easier to translate what is in my head onto paper. Being honest with yourself may sometimes be difficult but journaling often helps in this regard.

Saying more with less ​

Never use a long word where a short one will do.

I try to have my writing be as transparent as possible for the person reading it. If something can be said simply, it is best to say it, simply.

Read ​

Read other people's work. Read books. Both fiction and non fiction, and get a taste to how different styles of writing can exist and how they can be used effectively.

Don't use filler words ​

Always be conscious when I am writing something and try to focus on the message and remove as much fluff as possible. Words like 'really' have no place in writing as they only undermine what you said before.

Be aware of pacing ​

Be aware of pacing between words and sentences. The sentences ideally should flow into one another. Breaks in form of commas and full steps are important. As they allow for the reader to take a break and absorb the point that you tried to deliver.

Replace words like really like with love or other more appropriate words that save space writing and are more relevant to what I am trying to say.

My writing process ​

I stopped writing articles after starting this wiki. For reasons I mention here.

When I did write articles, I started writing all my articles by jotting down notes/ideas as dashed points below the title. Here is how that looks:

I then started writing the article and try to touch on one or all of these points as I write the article. I add/remove points as I write the article.

I wrote all my articles, docs & notes in Sublime Text app and used an Alfred workflow to search through this wiki & my blog.

Nowadays I mostly use Obsidan for everything.

Focus. Format. Framing. ​

  • Focus
    • Short focused post is easier to both read & write.
    • Focus on making a single point.
    • If your post needs a table of contents, it's probably too large in scope.
  • Format
    • Find a format that works for you. Experiment, ask for feedback & iterate.
    • A few, clear examples go a long way.
    • Headings, code samples and images can provide visual "anchor points".

  • Framing
    • Presentation guides perception.
    • You don't have to be an expert, just don't pretend to be.
    • Topics are everywhere - just look at the problems you're solving every day.
    • Share learnings & experiences instead of "selling" things. (Don't say I hope I convinced you to use ... Just share what you want to share and let the readers decide for themselves.)

Don't use ​

  • really
  • pretty much
  • quite a few
  • obviously
  • basically
  • simply
  • of course
  • clearly
  • just
  • everyone knows
  • have made (use made)
  • very

Avoid using ​

  • a bit
  • a little
  • quite
  • too
  • though
  • sort of
  • kind of
  • rather

Improving my writing ​

I try to take notice of things I like when reading. The main issue I find that authors make is writing to impress. Writing as everything else in life has to be and feel genuine.

There is no point in trying to impress someone with flashy words. Focus on the message you want to deliver and do it succinctly and with impact. Most readers remember the start and end of the articles most.

Having 0 frictions in starting to write & publishing is incredibly empowering too. Linus's site is great inspiration for that. Alongside many of the wikis people have made and published.

Quick notes interlinked are amazing. But when combined with proper researched and well done articles such as ones by Bartosz Ciechanowski backed by visualizations and data. It's even more incredible.

I personally have been focusing on growing this wiki for way too long, I want to write more long term pieces, properly researched and well done. Web canvas is so powerful in the kinds of stories you can tell. Or maybe make more photographical stories like ones seen on Exposure.

Tools like Lex or Careful Words are great.

Nice pieces of effective writing ​

I love writing of Matt Levine. Also:

Notes ​