We’re excited to feature another one of our authors, Peter Morlion, on the blog today. Peter is a strong, reliable author that communicates his ideas really clearly. A few of his specialties include TDD, DI, and SOLID principles. We’re thankful we’ve been able to have him on board since the very early days of Hit Subscribe!
Today, Peter shares about his start in the tech industry, how he came to write for Hit Subscribe, and what writing is for him. He also shares advice for those just starting out in the tech world and why he thinks it’s important for developers to improve their communication skills. Let’s hear what he has to say!
HS: Tell me a little bit about your background and how you started in the tech industry.
Peter: I’m actually quite a late starter, compared to many friends and colleagues I know. Like many, I liked video games. I also started tinkering with computers at the age of 14. But nothing too fancy, and definitely not programming (except for a short dabble with QBASIC).
I studied political sciences but when it was time to find a job, I wanted “something with computers.” I still didn’t know how much fun programming could be.
I started doing jobs here and there and went to night school to become a network administrator. We also had programming classes, and it’s there that I found my passion for programming. I changed my mind and decided to become a programmer.
HS: When and why did you start writing for Hit Subscribe?
Peter: I started writing for Hit Subscribe just about when the company started. I had been following Erik for quite some time. His blog made a lot of sense to me. He often put into words opinions I shared but that I couldn’t formulate well enough yet. I had also been running my own blog for several years and have always enjoyed writing. When Erik mentioned starting a tech blogging agency, I contacted him and started almost immediately.
I have several reasons for joining Hit Subscribe. I love programming and am lucky that I can do it for a living. Writing is also something I enjoy. If I could get paid for writing too, why wouldn’t I do it? The extra publicity for myself is a great extra. And finally, I enjoy how Hit Subscribe is run. I feel respected and well-treated.
HS: How do you see writing? As a hobby, side-hustle, or passion?
Peter: Writing is something I thoroughly enjoy. It’s more than a hobby, but I wouldn’t say it’s a passion. It’s also a bit of a side-hustle, as I can earn some extra money through Hit Subscribe. But I still write regularly for my own blogs at redstar.be and petermorlion.com.
HS: How has your writing changed since you started writing for Hit Subscribe?
Peter: My writing has definitely improved since I started writing for Hit Subscribe. The dreaded passive voice is something I use a lot less now. But I also feel like I’ve learned to put more structure in my articles, use better subtitles, and think more about what my reader wants to read.
HS: What advice do you have for those just starting out in the tech world?
Peter: Invest in learning frameworks and languages, but also invest in learning soft skills: listening to people, collaborating towards a common goal, and communicating your ideas to them. This takes time, but that’s OK. Just don’t let it get out of your sight. It’ll pay off way more than knowing the latest framework or library.
HS: What advice do you have for software developers looking to improve their writing skills?
Peter: Write, write, write! Practice will improve your writing skill. But also read a lot. This can be anything you want. Reading will improve your language and grammar. It will help you improve how you structure texts and how you build up your point.
If you’re really serious about improving your writing skills, you can probably find books out there on how to write well. Or you could find an editor to help you. Which is what Hit Subscribe does!
HS: Why do you think it is important for software developers to improve their writing skills?
Peter: It doesn’t have to be writing per se. It could also be speaking at conferences or on a podcast, or producing video courses. Writing or speaking will improve your skill at making an argument for something, at communicating a message clearly.
It will also improve your public image towards companies and managers. They will value you more if they see you’re out there being an authority on a certain subject, instead of just the next best programmer that they can use to write code.
Thanks to Peter Morlion for allowing us to feature him on the blog today! If you’re interested in having him write for your tech blog, let us know! Or if you’re an author and would like to enjoy some of the same benefits of writing for us that Peter has, apply to be one of our writers.