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.
Subject:Re: Writing Inspiration From:Richard Lewis <tech44writer -at- yahoo -dot- com> To:Lauren <lt34 -at- csus -dot- edu>, techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com Date:Wed, 8 Aug 2007 15:48:06 -0700 (PDT)
Lauren <lt34 -at- csus -dot- edu> wrote:
I came across a web page with quotes about writing. Perhaps this should be
a Friday post, but I won't remember this on Friday, so I'm posting today.
We're all writers, so it is sometimes good to find inspiration.
The Joy of Writing
The truth is that writing is the profound pleasure and being read the superficial. - Virginia Woolf, from A Writer's Diary Richard Lewis responds: Our goal is user utility. The only reward I look forward to is seeing the finished piece of writing in hand. - Erskine Caldwell Richard Lewis responds: As a TW, one really needs to enjoy the process of writing. The finished piece is often not so glamorous. As a writer you are free. You are about the freest person that ever was. Your freedom is what you have bought with your solitude, your loneliness. - Ursula K. Le Guin Richard Lewis responds: Most TW's in IT departments may not exactly feel like a "free bird". And, if you are alone and in solitude, it has definetly been my experience you are not interfacing with SME's nearly enough to be successful. Writing became such a process of discovery that I couldn't wait to get to work in the morning: I wanted to know what I was going to say.
- Sharon O'Brien Richard Lewis responds: This one I can agree with Success is a finished book, a stack of pages each of which is filled with words. If you reach that point, you have won a victory over yourself no less impressive than sailing single-handed around the world. - Tom Clancy Richard Lewis responds: Successful TWing minimalizes words. If I lose the light of the sun, I will write by candlelight, moonlight, no light. If I lose paper and ink, I will write in blood on forgotten walls. I will write always. I will capture nights all over the world and bring them to you. - Henry Rollins Richard Lewis responds: I only write in ergonomically correct settings. If I blow my nose too hard, it bleeds. I will capture obscure functionality throughout the system for you. To me the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it's about, but the music the words make. - Truman Capote Richard Lewis responds: I create artifacts. A writer lives,
at best, in a state of astonishment. Beneath any feeling he has of the good or evil of the world lies a deeper one of wonder at it all. - William Sansom Richard Lewis responds: Well, I can definetly agree about often being astonished and in wonder. Especially about how the software was designed. It's true that writing is a solitary occupation, but you would be surprised at how much companionship a group of imaginary characters can offer once you get to know them. - Anne Tyler Richard Lewis responds: When I tell the developers about my imaginary friends, they make fun of me. I would not suggest that you follow Anne's advice.
---------------------------------
Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha!
Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Yahoo! Games.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-
