The Floodgates are open (mainly 'cause the docs don't explain how to close them)

[John David Hickey <jdavid -at- FARABI -dot- COM>]

Greetings!

> every day. I get calls (as Mentoring Project manager of the local STC
> chapter) weekly of people who "heard about tech writing" and they say
> "well, I've got pretty good grammar skills. I know how to use Word. Can
> you help me get a job as a technical writer? I hear it pays pretty good

But doesn't it get you really mad when people imply that any old joe can be
a technical writer? I've had conversations like this one with friends and
acquaintences and it takes everything I've got not to act so horribly
insulted. Just because I'm a pretty good pool player, doesn't mean I could
get a job in applied physics.

When I try to explain what's really involved (You gotta do research,
interview engineers, make sense of specs, interview marketing, learn how to
use the product by yourself, design some graphics, and write properly), I
get the "Oh yah... I can do that" line. But the last time any of these
people had their writing looked at by somebody with anything of an educated
opinion on grammar, Cindy Lauper was all the rage.

Ah well... I just write it off to "Ignorance is bliss". Although in these
people's case, it may be orgasmic.

--
Be seeing you,

Dave
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jdavid -at- farabi -dot- com
Lone "Documentation Boy" at Farabi Technology Corp.
Montreal, Quebec

4000+ readers? I Am Drunk With Power! <maniacal laughter>
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