noir's profile

Portland area Editor & Technical Writer. I have an obsession with reading (blogs, articles, mostly). An avid gamer, I can’t do the twitch games anymore. My reaction time has dwindled and my fingers aren’t as limber as they used to be. I’m learning to enjoy the psychology and strategy involved in Poker.

I believe microcontent is the way of the future, because attention spans of the world are getting much shorter in our complex societies. One must convey themselves quickly and effectively, and it must be done simply. If we do the opposite, we are failing to properly communicate. And I believe communication  is key to any interchange of information. There is no good or bad writing, only good or bad communication. So first and foremost, ...

Portland area Editor & Technical Writer. I have an obsession with reading (blogs, articles, mostly). An avid gamer, I can’t do the twitch games anymore. My reaction time has dwindled and my fingers aren’t as limber as they used to be. I’m learning to enjoy the psychology and strategy involved in Poker.

I believe microcontent is the way of the future, because attention spans of the world are getting much shorter in our complex societies. One must convey themselves quickly and effectively, and it must be done simply. If we do the opposite, we are failing to properly communicate. And I believe communication  is key to any interchange of information. There is no good or bad writing, only good or bad communication. So first and foremost, our audience needs to be taken into account. We will only grow by stretching out of our own comfort zone, anyway.

When aliens land on earth, I expect them to already speak our language. If they don’t, we’re in trouble. Because most of us are ineffective communicators.

Currently writing a vampire Horror novel that seems like it will never end – yeah, one of those. I am always available to offer suggestions on usability. To anyone who is interested in having their website, blog, and so forth reviewed, bring it on. I need to buff up my portfolio and I actually enjoy workshopping.

URBIS, YOU NEED A TECHNICAL WRITING SECTION, or something for TUTORIALS and HOWTO Writers!!! Getting feedback on documentation from the people who actually USE the products would be an invaluable service.

I taught Writing at Oregon State University for 2 years. I have a Masters’ Degree from OSU in Interdisciplinary Studies (with a Writing & Art History emphasis). My favorite genres are poetry, short fiction, sci-fi (with a preference for Stephensonian Cyberpunk lit), and horror (neo-noir and all the great classic stuff by Anne Rice, Stephen King, and others).

I am very critical and honest, and I base my knowledge on many years of experience and training. If I don’t like your work, I will let you know why. Don’t be offended if that’s not what you want to hear. After all, this is a site about giving good FEEDBACK, not about blind cheerleading for stuff that’s broken and needs work! If you have the courage to put up your stuff, you should be able to withstand what people have to say about it. Don’t expect the rest of us to do your work for you, either. If you want to learn to be a great writer, you need to read some great writing FIRST. Only then will you be able to tell the difference between what is good writing and not. After all, I don’t expect you to enjoy great movies if your favorite film of all time is “Biodome 2.” I’m not a comedian either, which is why I don’t go up on stage and do stand-up routines, then expect praise and laughter from the audience. Doing that is just stupid. Take your scribblings to your grandma if that’s what you want. She’ll tell you she loves your work. I probably won’t be as kind as that, unless it’s REALLY GOOD. Grow a thick skin before putting up your stuff, because this is the Internet, people!

I expect others to extend the same attention to my own work.

I try to only offer suggestions that will make your work better, but I’m sure I’ll fail sometimes. My only goal is to make you a stronger writer, with honed technique and greater excellence in your craft.

Note: I am interested in starting a small writers’ group. This place is okay for poetry reviews and meeting people, but the site needs better editing software if we’re to be serious about producing quality work; maybe a tie-in with Writely or Writeboard would make this site what it needs to be—A tried and true Writers’s Workshop.