TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
I was lone writer at an engineering firm for nearly 4 years. I was responsible for everything from arranging client meetings (did I miss the class that covered that part of tech writing?) to designing and maintaining the company web site, to making the little labels that told the customer what the lights meant on the equipment we built. The one thing that made me successful at it was (drum roll please) I made my manager prioritize the projects. It was common place to have engineers, salesmen, software developers, and production managers in my office all hollering "I want...!" I would go to the VP I reported to and ask him to give me "guidance" as to the priority of each project/request. Sometimes a couple of projects from different areas would conflict
and then we'd both go to the GM for higher guidance. You will have to do this periodically has new projects roll in and, inevitably, priorities become cloudy.
One advantage of being a Lone Writer, you are never bored. I hate being bored.
Good luck.
Gary G. Robinson
Technical Communications Consultant
Pillar Technology Group, LLC
www.pillartechnology.com
currently consulting at Delta Dental Plan of Michigan
My company just laid off a third of its staff. Those lay-offs included my
manager and the two other writers. I am now the lone tech writer and I am
still in shock and a little frightened. This is a new experience for me and
I have no idea where to start. Are there any other solo writers out there??
How do you manage your workload and projects?
How do you evaluate your work to identify where you need to improve?
What about training and career development? My new manager doesn't really
know a thing about documentation.
Is there anything I can read that address issues faced by solo writers?
Any suggestions, advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Kim
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A new book on Single Sourcing has been released by William Andrew
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