Robert Delwood Interview Review: The Programmer Writer

Robert Delwood Interview Review: The Programmer Writer

From Technical Writing Success by Curt Robbins

March 22, 2026 · 11 min · Episode 192

About this episode

The episode reviews an interview with Robert Delwood, discussing the intersection of software engineering and technical writing.

Welcome to episode 192 of the Technical Writing Success podcast from Curt Robbins, where we help you get smarter than your competition. Hosts Daphne Blake and Fred Jones review an interview with Robert Delwood, a veteran specialist who explores the unique intersection of software engineering and technical writing. Delwood argues that effective API documentation requires a "programmer-writer" who can read source code, build their own tools, and communicate fluently with developers. He offers practical advice for the field, such as the importance of testing every API call personally and focusing on high-quality content over specific software tools. Additionally, the rare interview addresses the impact of artificial intelligence, suggesting that while AI can assist with coding routines and research, it cannot yet replace the human precision needed for complex technical explanations. The interview concludes by advocating for a specialized approach to developer documentation that treats it as a distinct discipline, rather than a secondary task. _________________________________ "It will not be AI that takes away the job of a technical writer, but rather another…

People in this episode

Hosts: Curt Robbins, Daphne Blake, Fred Jones

Guest: Robert Delwood

Topics covered

  • technical writing
  • software engineering
  • API documentation
  • artificial intelligence
  • developer documentation

Keywords

  • API documentation
  • programmer-writer
  • technical writing
  • artificial intelligence
  • developer documentation

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