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.
In my experience, there is no lack
Of companies who value our skills
And recognize good writing when they see it.
(And frankly, it's more fun to work for them.)
-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Neilson
Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 1:52 PM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: Anyone tried this in tech writing?
The difficulty, which we've all seen, is in selling the idea that technical writing is anything more than the "skill" of typing. Nobody is hurting to have tech writing done until either (a) it's too late or (b) the job has been botched by a non-writer. Either way it's not budgeted.
Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe there are shops out there where people have pains about writing. "Oh, if only we could discover someone who could explain our stupid product better. I'm tearing out my hair." Occasionally there is pressure from requirements or from Federal regulations. "To be delivered with Operations Manual no less than 4.2 pounds (1.90509 kg) in weight."
Does Scott Adams understand us all too well? I really do not like his "Tina" character.
Perhaps we would all be better as poets. Who among us lacks the skill of speaking unrhymed iambic pentameter extemporaneously? Send a sonnet instead of cover letter?
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