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Simon Willison on Technical Blogging
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- DeepHorus
Simon Willison, a well-known Python developer and blogger, has shared his personal approach to technical blogging in an interview with Cynthia Dunlop for her "Write that blog!" series. The interview took place in January, but Willison only linked to it from his own blog on August 6, 2026. In the conversation, he answered seven questions covering his motivations for blogging, its surprising impacts, his proudest posts, and lessons learned.
Willison's most prominent piece of advice is to lower standards when writing. He urges bloggers to publish while still feeling unhappy with the result, because the alternative is a folder full of unfinished drafts. He argues that flaws visible to the author are often invisible to readers, making perfectionism a major obstacle.
The interview also addressed why he continues blogging after many years. Willison cited the unexpected connections and opportunities that have emerged from his writing. He noted that some of his most difficult posts taught him the value of persistence and revision.
His advice for newcomers includes starting simple, choosing interesting topics, and avoiding over-editing. He also recommended several blogs he personally enjoys, though those details appear in the full interview. The "Write that blog!" series aims to help technical professionals build consistent writing habits.
Willison's perspective matters because many developers struggle with imposter syndrome and fear of criticism. By encouraging imperfect publishing, he offers a practical counter-narrative to polished corporate content. His approach may inspire more technologists to share incremental knowledge without waiting for perfection.
Looking ahead, Willison's philosophy could shape how technical communities value frequent, small contributions. The fact that he revisited the interview months later also demonstrates the long-term relevance of archived blog posts. As blogging continues to evolve, his candid advice provides a grounded model for sustainable writing.
