Re: A dark take on Tech Writing...do you agree?

["CL T" <straylightsghost -at- gmail -dot- com>]

It's funny. Because of this article I've actually escalated the decision to
change my career. It made me think, evaluate and reconsider what I do.

While I get paid very well in this job (I live in Utah and am on par with
the high side of national averages) and I enjoy what I do, I have noticed my
desire to write decreasing. I no longer have much desire to "write for fun".

I kinda want that back...I used to love writing my own stuff, crafting a
work and sending it out. I wasn't "rich" doing it, but I did have a 75%
publish rate and was working into the mainstream for much of my work. Now? I
just don't want to do the same "job" at home.

Anyone else have that reaction? I'll always "do" tech writing, I just don't
think I'll be a "tech writer" for much longer.

-Collin

On Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 7:07 AM, Kevin McGowan <thatguy_80 -at- hotmail -dot- com>wrote:

>
> There are certainly days where I agree with that article. I've been doing
> this since 1995, and I've seen the good, bad, and ugly of doc writers, doc
> management, etc.
>
> I like the distinction being made between "tech writers" and "good
> technical writers." It's a commentary I always make in job interviews that
> just about anyone can write a sentence...but it takes a seasoned doc person
> to understand an entire product line, its customers and its users. I always
> say that I'm a "user advocate", which means that I will force my way into
> design meetings to make sure that the average user of Product X will be
> happy with how it works. Sometimes, as I also say in my interviews, that
> makes me unpopular.
>
> ONe big part of the job is explaining complicated things to users. But the
> other big part is explaining the users to the designers, so maybe it won't
> be so bloody complicated. By doing that, you become a respected member of
> the design team, and if you're lucky, your payscale will improve as a
> result.
>
> K> Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2008 09:46:54 -0700> From: straylightsghost -at- gmail -dot- com>
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Subject: A dark take on Tech Writing...do
> you agree?> > http://cli.gs/76aTnG> > The opinion of one Tech Writer and
> their advice to aspiring TW's. Do you> agree with this dark take on our
> career?> > > -Collin Turner> Tech Writer, Screencaster, Writer>
> www.collinturner.com>
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