RE: Problems with <new> tech communicators

["Dori Green" <dgreen -at- associatedbrands -dot- com>]

Sarah wrote:

I don't have the reference handy, but many of the problems I remember
related to technical, interpersonal, and collaborative skills. There were
also issues with writing ability, if memory serves.

***********

New or grizzled, yup I would say them thar could be classified as problems
if said person was hanging out his or her shingle as a tech writer.

LMHWAO (thanks, I needed a giggle today -- I'm near Buffalo and my little
3-acre forest herb farm is in severe pain right now and I don't know if I'm
going to have power or heat tonight.  Won't be able to get in to assess all
of the damage until tomorrow morning -- too dangerous, big branches are
still falling.)

But thinking of all the cubbies I've inhabited where some of the inhabitants
did indeed obtain the title but lacked those skills, I can say that at least
I'm not dealing with _that_ today!

And thank all the gods and goddesses, I am no longer that
fresh-out-of-school kid who _did_ lack some of those skills.  Ongoing
education and life cured much of it before somebody was driven to beat me
severely.

I strongly recommend two nearly-free programs:  the Alternatives to Violence
Program (http://www.avpusa.org) and Re-evaluation Co-counseling
(http://www.rc.org) to build listening skills, compassion, and the ability
to connect quickly with other people.  Writing is, by definition, a largely
isolated and isolating profession.  Fresh out of college I was a superb
language technician.  Becoming a participant, apprentice, and trainer of
trainers for AVP and continuing participation in RC have both made me a much
better writer -- and made me painfully aware that there is a huge difference
between a language technician and a writer.

Dori Green
Technical Writer
Associated Brands, Inc.

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