Re: Greetings - Looking for a little advice please.

[beelia <beelia -at- gmail -dot- com>]

If I were you, with your programming background, I'd aim for documenting
APIs - but you'd probably have to do a few contracts first to get your
skills back. Plus you'd need to learn some tech writer tools. Production
skills are crucial, especially for the larger companies, and you can't just
use Microsoft Word.

I don't know what the UK job market is like, but if you were in Silicon
Valley, you'd find quite a few API jobs. Most of Google's job listings for
tech writers require some kind of programming skills, but I don't know if
you could get one remotely.

HTH.

Bee


On Mon, May 21, 2012 at 5:56 PM, Mac Wheeler <email -at- macwheeler -dot- com> wrote:

> That is a very good question.
>
> OK the main difference is in the fact that what I do now seldom exercises
> my previous skills. Sure, it may be interesting researching the latest
> killer iPhone app and writing a review, or putting together a press release
> for the launch of yet another online gambling site, but quite frankly, it
> becomes less than satisfying after a while.
>
> The reason for this dissatisfaction is twofold. Firstly, I need to attach
> some value to the 24 years I spent in my original career. With hindsight,
> simply ditching it and walking away was illogical, what I should have done
> is find a way to use it to move sideways into something I would enjoy
> (which is exactly what I am considering now). Unfortunately, at the time, I
> had no idea I would enjoy a career as a writer, this was something I
> accidentally slipped in to. I can now see there might be a way to combine
> the two. The second reason is that I am working in a very broad niche,
> which has its benefits but is highly competitive, but overall I feel as if
> I could make more money (and let's face it we all work for money) if I
> leveraged the value of my previous work experience.
>
> I am also beginning to miss the structured environment that working in an
> office provides. Currently I set my own hours, and work wherever my laptop
> is. Some people may be thinking that this sounds like heaven, and sometimes
> it is. Yet there are those times when I find myself spending 60 hours a
> week working, simply to catch up due to too much procrastination the
> previous week. I'm not really a good self-motivator!
>
> However, the main reason for considering making a move in to technical
> writing is that I am thinking of heading back to the UK. My current work
> provides a good income for having a pretty nice life in SE Asia. It would
> not provide enough to live a good life in the UK.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Mac.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Milan DavidoviÄ [mailto:milan -dot- lists -at- gmail -dot- com]
> Sent: 22 May 2012 07:37
> To: Mac Wheeler
> Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Re: Greetings - Looking for a little advice please.
>
> What do you think is the difference between what you're doing now and what
> you envision as "into technical writing"?
>
> --
> Milan DavidoviÄ
> http://twitter.com/altmilan
> http://altmilan.blogspot.com
> http://ca.linkedin.com/in/milandavidovic
>
>
>
> On Mon, May 21, 2012 at 6:05 PM, Mac Wheeler <email -at- macwheeler -dot- com> wrote:
> > Hi folks.
> >
> > I'm considering making a move in to technical writing, but am wondering
> if my skill set fits.
> >
> > I spent the first 24 years of my working life in IT, started off working
> for the M.O.D, made a move into programming for a few years, and then in to
> tech support, some middle management positions and then finally senior
> management. So I have a very good tech background, and also a firm
> grounding in project management etc.
> >
> > About 7 years ago now I was sick of the industry, gave it all up and
> walked away. I've spent the last 6 years in South East Asia earning a
> living writing just about anything and everything, from product
> descriptions of adult toys to white papers and everything in between. I've
> been working freelance in this way as my full-time employment for the last
> 6 years, so I figure I have plenty of experience now.
> >
> > So it occurred to me that there might possibly be a synergy between my
> original career, and my more recent work.
> >
> > Do you folks think I am well positioned to make a move into technical
> writing?
> >
> > Thanks in advance.
> >
> > Mac Wheeler
>
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