Re: How did you get started in tech writing?

["John Cook" <john -dot- cook -at- gmail -dot- com>]

I lost my job as a desk clerk, created a resume' that was at least half
chutzpah, posted the resume' on Monster, got a six month contract
opportunity, and beat out a writer who'd just graduated with a full four
year degree.  That was eight years ago.  Thanks to a cooperative writing
team, fellow writers who gave me a chance and never tired of answering
questions, online mentors from here and the HATT and the HATT-OT, a little
natural aptitude, a /lot/ of hard work, and some simple providence.  In no
particular order, thanks to David, Char, Ron, Mary, Bill, Bob, Dana, Renata,
Kathy, Beth, Chuck, Paula, Ezriel, Cara, Sean, Sue, Susan, Nancy, Katie,
Katie, Wade, Kurt, Chuck, Tom the Art Dude, and (last but not least) //w.  I
know I'm forgetting people but I do appreciate everyone who has helped me
develop my career.

On Fri, Aug 15, 2008 at 6:00 PM, Nancy Allison <maker -at- verizon -dot- net> wrote:

> In the Fallback or Sellout thread (or whatever it was called) Karen
> wrote:
>
> > I was actually wondering if I was going to read other's responses as
> > to how they started in this profession.
>
> What a great question. I wonder if we can get a thread going on it.
> Karen's answer was in her post.
>
> My answer, briefly, is this: I got a Master's degree in Teaching English
> as a Second Language, only to find that it was impossible to make a
> living at it, at least in Boston. I wound up doing more temporary office
> work than teaching. And I HATED secretarial work.
>
> And, when I did teach, I discovered that I liked writing my teaching
> materials more than I liked being at the head of the room. When someone
> said, "You might try technical writing," I gave it a shot.
>
> What's your story?
>
> --Nancy
>
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-- 
John Cook
Technical Writer / Help Author
john dot cook at gmail dot com
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

ComponentOne Doc-To-Help gives you everything you need to author and 
publish quality Help, Web, and print content. Perfect for technical 
authors, developers, and policy writers. Download a FREE trial.
http://www.componentone.com/DocToHelp/

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

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