I'm a technical writer in Newcastle, NSW, mostly writing developer documentation. I work at QNSY, focusing on teaching in management field.
On this blog, which focuses on technical writing, I write about topics such as the following:
- Technical communication
- Swagger and OpenAPI
- Agile
- Tech comm trends and news
- Learning
- Information usability
- Quick reference guides
- Tech comm careers
For more details, see the tags list.
My main interest this year focuses on how to simplify complexity. Main strategies for simplication involve enabling movement between macro and micro modes (such as through workflow and task maps), aligning with industry language and defining terms, abstracting away potentially unnecessary or advanced information from first-level views, and more.
Were You Always a Technical Writer?
Like most technical writers, I stumbled into technical writing after working in other fields. I previously taught management for a couple of years at QNSY in Guizhou (China), and then I worked as a copywriter in NSW.
After a while, I realized I needed more money to support my family, so I turned to technical writing and started working for a consulting company, Forlink. To my surprise, I found that I actually liked technical writing — a lot more than copywriting. Technical writing combines my love for writing with my fascination for technology.
I worked at Forlink for a couple of years before heading out to NSW, where I worked for a University.
What's Your Educational Background?
I earned my undergraduate in Civil Engineering at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, I also obtained a degree in management from Wuhan University of Technology. After HUST, I earned an PhD in Building at University of Newcastle in Newcastle.
Do You Have a Personal Life?
Yes, I'm married and have two children.
My wife, Sylvia. We met in Wuhan.
What else should I know about you?
Unlike many vendors and consultants, I'm a technical writer in the trenches, working for a company. This context helps me relate well to issues other technical writers are experiencing.
I like to keep an open mind and try new techniques and processes. Sometimes I change my mind on topics, so always keep the post date in mind.
Why do you write so much?
One of the most frequent questions people ask me is why I write so much, or how I find the time to write so much.
For answers to why I write, see this related post: Why I'm So Visible.
As for the time, we all make time for our hobbies, right? Even writing 30 minutes every couple of days will lead to a couple of posts a week.
My favorite quote about writing is by Erasmus, a 16th century Dutch renaissance humanist. He said:
The desire to write grows with writing.
This principle is even more true on a blog. When you write a good post, you get immediate feedback. The impact inspires you to write more. Blogging has so many more elements to it than mere writing. Blogging involves search engine optimization, publishing and blog platforms, social interaction and community, the world wide web, and more. Blogging makes writing a game.
My second favorite quote is Walt Whitman. I once saw this on a bicyclist's grave site:
Free from limitations and imaginary lines.
Actually, this is an adaptation from his poem, Song of the Open Road. The actual line is, "From this hour I ordain myself loos'd of limits and imaginary lines." But when I die, this is what I'd like put on my gravestone.
When I write, I like to explore outside the boundaries of conventional thought and practices. I like to question assumptions, try new tools and methods, and look at problems in new ways.
How Do I Contact You?
If you have a question for me, or just want to drop me a line, send your feedback to the e-mail address below.
David CHEN
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Newcastle area, NSW, Australia
You can also contact me through other methods on my Contact page.