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<lyndsey -dot- amott -at- docsymmetry -dot- com> wrote in message news:222460 -at- techwr-l -dot- -dot- -dot-
>
> Chuck Martin writes:
>
> > While I've never taken an editing test, my "diplomatic skills" would be
> > along the lines of "It doens't matter to me who wrote this. My goal is
to
> > make it as good as possible for whoever's going to be using it."
> > User-centered content design is far, for more important than anyone's
ego
> > (even mine).
>
> I was not suggesting that the candidate make his editing skills
subordinate
> to his diplomatic skills; rather that he should use a great deal of tact
> when justifying to the interviewer the corrections he made to the text.
Many
> writers regard their writing as a mother regards her infant child: what
> could possibly be wrong with it? It hurts to have someone point out flaws.
> So, if presented with a really badly written paragraph, don't say "This is
> really badly written!" Rather, say something like "This sentence contains
a
> misplaced modifier. I have corrected it by reversing the clauses."
>
I know, I know.
Really good writers value editors as highly, using the same analogy, of
course.
The best writers, whether writing prose in a spoken/written language or code
in a programming language, know that the more eyes that see what's produced,
the better it will ultimately be. (Within reasonable limits, of course.)
When I'm writng prose, I do enjoy the ego boost of either an editor telling
me that its good or a reader telling me they enjoyed it. But when I'm
creating documentation, my satisfaction comes solely from satisfying user
needs. (Well, and a paycheck.)
But if I encounter something that's truly bad, where it migh tbe better to
simply throw everything out and start over, I have no reason to soften the
blow. Fortunately, I've not seen such material created by fellow technical
writers, but I have from programmers, marketing people, and others who
aren't trained to design and writer well.
--
--
Chuck Martin
User Assistance & Experience Engineer
twriter "at" sonic "dot" net www.writeforyou.com
"I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. The day
may come when the courage of Men fail, when we forsake our friends and break
all bonds of fellowship. But it is not this day! This day, we fight!"
- Aragorn
"All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given you."
- Gandalf
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