TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
I got tired of the blank faces when I would respond with "I'm a Tech
Writer." Now, I just tell them that "I write user manuals." If they're in
tune to that, they'll respond with something like "Really? What kind?"
If the audience doesn't know what a user manual is, then I tell that "I
write those instructions that tell you how to build a better barbecue." That
usually breaks the ice.
=============================
Will Husa
Technical Writer
Will Husa Documentation Solutions
Phone: 708.927.3569
Skype ID: william.husa
will -dot- husa -at- 4techwriter -dot- com
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+will -dot- husa=4techwriter -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+will -dot- husa=4techwriter -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
Behalf Of Craig Cardimon
Sent: Monday, July 02, 2012 6:28 PM
To: techwrl
Subject: Technical Writing vs. Professional Writing
I had a routine doctor's appointment recently where I spoke with two
physician's assistants. Both asked me what I did for a living.
I told one, "Technical writing." Still looking down at her clipboard, she
responded, "What's that?" I then tried to educate her during our 30 seconds
of interaction.
I told the second one, "Professional writing." She put down her pen, looked
up from the papers she was carrying, and said, "Wow. That's cool. What do
you write?" I said something like, "Software documentation, procedures, and
instructions. I make it easier to people to get stuff done on computers."
>From now on, I'm going with "professional writing."
--
Cordially,
Craig Cardimon -- "The Duct Tape Writer"
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Create and publish documentation through multiple channels with Doc-To-Help.
Choose your authoring formats and get any output you may need.
Try Doc-To-Help, now with MS SharePoint integration, free for 30-days.
Looking for articles on Technical Communications? Head over to our online
magazine at http://techwhirl.com
Looking for the archived Techwr-l email discussions? Search our public
email archives @ http://techwr-l.com/archives
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Create and publish documentation through multiple channels with Doc-To-Help. Choose your authoring formats and get any output you may need.
Try Doc-To-Help, now with MS SharePoint integration, free for 30-days.
