getting started in tech writing

[Andreia Wilson <awilson42 -at- earthlink -dot- net>]

Hi folks,

I have a few questions.

I am interested in contracting as a tech writer; I have enjoyed the writing/documentation
aspects of my previous work, and there is more tech writing opportunity in my town
than in any of the other fields I've worked in.  I also notice that tech writers
make more money than do junior SQA engineers or web production artists, and I really,
really enjoy writing.

Education: do not have a bachelor's degree (I am still working my way through school,
which is why I'm interested in contract/temp work). I bring this up because I notice
many positions want a bachelor's degree. I have a vocational certificate in graphic
communications, however, and years of work experience in various fields.

Experience: I have a few years of experience with Software Quality Assurance (including
documentation testing, error reports); also production graphics and web development.

Writing: in employment, I wrote extensive step-by-step documentation and other reports.
Following the "dot-bomb" I went back to school for a year where I worked
on the school newspaper as a journalist. 

I also am a semi-fanatical devotee of the Adobe products and write Photoshop tutorials
for fun (and maybe, someday, profit...?) and for the benefit of other users. I'm
a member of the San Diego Photoshop Users Group. I've been a tutor for Dreamweaver and Photoshop, and am in the process of writing a workbook for my students to follow.

What do I need to do to get started? Where do I go? Is there more training I can
get?

There are positions right now I could apply for, that I've noticed. How would I 
write a targeted resume for these, focusing on the writing experience I do have? 

How can I get the experience I need using the documentation software? 

- Dreia W.


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