Writing, writing, writing

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Reading Zeldman’s latest entry “Hi, Mom!”, I recall the not too recent times when I was just trying to learn basic web design, when I would religiously go to zeldman.com everyday to learn on the technical and philosophical aspects of the practice.

Jeffrey Zeldman was like a god, and everyone eagerly looked forward to his daily reports. He was not just an advocate of web standards, he preached it like his life depended on it. But more importantly, he also discussed real world implications of the things he cared about.

Reading his thoughts was almost like drinking water, it didn’t take much effort to absorb it. He wrote with candor and wit that even if you barely agree with him, you’d still find yourself reading his weblog regularly. He simply wrote so well.

Looking back, I know his style of writing was one I always tried to emulate. Perhaps even to this day.

***

A List Apart hasn’t been as good as I remember, or maybe my standards for reading it has changed. More likely, the web and blogosphere and everything that comes with it, this whole thing we refer to as “web 2.0″ — is not what it used to be.

Recently, I’ve been reading on writing, and I mean writing effectively. I want to write in a way that makes others think, one that provokes them to respond. One very good ALA article on writing and content somehow says, in a nutshell: Write for a reason. Write often. Write tight. Make good friends. Find good enemies. Let the story unfold. Stand up, speak out. Be sexy. Use your archives. Relax!

9 replies to “Writing, writing, writing

  1. 1 logs "pwidi" 8PM of April 29, 2006

    wow pre you should sell your photos to them national geographic type magazines. lupit!!!

  2. 2 markku 5PM of April 30, 2006

    Pre, you’re pulling my leg! Hahaha. ;) Hindi pre, nahihilig lang talaga sa photography, syempre ang malupit si jake.

  3. 3 Miko Dela Cruz 12AM of May 1, 2006 {subscribed to comments}

    I have chosen to entitle my latest post “Kutsara at Tinidor” after seeing your blog.

    Neat blog!

  4. 4 markku 12PM of May 1, 2006

    Miko Dela Cruz, thanks for dropping by my blog, but please don’t use my photo without my consent. I don’t recall you asking for my permission. And if ever you’re given permission to use the work of others, please don’t hotlink the original source and don’t forget to give credit/attribution.

  5. 5 mark 6PM of May 3, 2006 {subscribed to comments}

    Question lang, yung pixel font na ginagamit mo sa feed buttons at pic labels mo, available publicly ba ‘yan, commercial, o gawa mo?

    PS: Nakakabaliw ang feed reader count mo. 197??

    thanks :D

  6. 6 markku 12AM of May 4, 2006

    Miko, I was mistaken about the attribution and the hotlinking, yes you had a small byline at the bottom of your article, but you never bothered to ask for permission.

  7. 7 markku 12AM of May 4, 2006

    mark, the bitmap font I’m using is part of miniml.com’s set, which they used to offer as a free download. But there are several other bitmap fonts that are just as good. :)

    Yes, my feedburner chicklet occasionally hits 200 subscribers every few days. This weblog has been in circulation for many years now. ;)

  8. 8 Rico 1AM of July 4, 2006

    I think people not only like reading your blog, but looking at it as well. I’ve honestly never seen such a good use of “unconventional” colors, supplemented by nicely composed. :-)

  9. 9 markku 5PM of July 4, 2006

    Thanks Rico, that’s a good a way of putting a smile on my face on this otherwise boring day. :) Hehehe.

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