Re: Technical Writer or Technical Communicator

[Charles Fisher <decrsc!charles -at- UUNET -dot- UU -dot- NET>]

I have had many working titles, from Information Officer to Emergency
Planner to Documentation Specialist, but my usual answer to the
"what do you do?" question is "I'm a technical writer."

At one point, however, I decided to try the title of
"Professional Writer." I'm in the middle of getting my
MA at George Mason University, and the program (part of
the English Department) is called "Professional Writing and
Editing." I used this new title when I filled out my registration
form for a recent high school reunion. During the reunion, an old
high school sweetheart walked up to me and said, "So, I hear that
you're a professional writer. Have you written anything that I
might have read?" She smiled.

"Wow," I thought to myself. "Could she still be interested in me?"

"I don't think you've read anything I've written," I replied. "I
write manuals for a software company."

"Oh," she said. Her smile disappeared, then she turned and walked away.

Since then, I've decided to stick to the title of technical writer.
It's simple, it's clear, and it usually doesn't mislead anyone.

--
Charles Fisher
Senior Documentation Specialist (Technical Writer!)
Program Manager/President-Elect, STC Washington, DC Chapter

Datatel, Inc.
4375 Fair Lakes Court
Fairfax, VA  22033
(703) 968-4588 (voice)
(703) 968-4625 (FAX)
charles -at- datatel -dot- com