Re: How to fend off a tech writer
CHRISTINE ANAMEIER wrote:This state does exist, no question.
Joel Spolsky has some interesting comments about how knowledge
workers (including writers and programmers) tend to be most
productive when they're "in the zone," in a state of absolute
concentration. By his account, it takes about 15 minutes to get into
the zone if you've been knocked out of it, and that's if you're not
so worn out that you spend the rest of the day spinning your wheels.
However, a couple of quibbles:
First, it's much rarer than most of the discussion about it suggests. Physiology and work habits vary, of course, and it may be more common for some people than for others. However, the idea that this state is routine for coders seems a part of hacker mythology that has more wish-fulfillment in it than truth. The mythology is part of the self-perception of the coder as an elite artise, and, at times, it's used as an excuse to avoid contact with people like writers and managers whom the coders would prefer not to deal with.
Second, for all the mystique about "the zone," there is no evidence that work produced in this state is any better or worse than work produced in other mental states. At the time, the work may seem to be flawless and flowing smoothly. However, when someone goes back and debugs or ( in a writer's case) edit it, the results seem no better or worse than work produced by dogged determination when the hacker or writer didn't feel like working. Full-time freelance writers noticed this fact years ago, and have long suggested that one mark of a professional is to produce work steadily in any sort of mood.
I'm not saying that you should feel free to interrupt anyone you choose. However, I am saying that this romantic view has to be taken with a bit of scepticism. At times, it's simply an excuse.
--
Bruce Byfield 604.421.7177 bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com
"Come in through the side door,
No need to worry now, the coast is clear,
We can make a little music now the night is ours,
And it'll sure sound sweeter after hours."
-Battlefield Band, "After Hours"
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References:
Re: How to fend off a tech writer: From: CHRISTINE ANAMEIER
Re: How to fend off a tech writer: From: puffwriter
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