Julia Evans has a single rule for technical writing: picture one specific person and write only for them.

Her target is usually herself from three years ago, or a close friend. Not a demographic. Not a skill level. One person. This constraint eliminates the paralysis of writing for everyone and produces content that actually lands for someone.

The full comic at wizardzines.com is worth two minutes of your time, not for the conclusion but for how Evans visualizes the decision process of choosing that person. Simon Willison flagged it for a reason.

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