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From:Faith Weber <weber -at- EASI -dot- ENET -dot- DEC -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 4 Jun 1993 16:48:31 PDT
Another problem I've experienced with calling myself a "technical
writer" is that it makes those who don't use computers nervous
and uncomfortable. An older relative of my significant other asked
what I do, and I said I was a technical writer. She looked
perplexed and asked sheepishly what that meant. I told her I wrote
manuals for computer software, and she seemed very intimidated and
embarrassed that she even asked. Clearly she had little or no
experience with computers, and from the look on her face I think
I was speaking to her in a completely unfamiliar language!
As a result I'm going to try calling myself a writer from now on.
Of course, some people will still be disappointed that I'm not
a famous novelist/journalist, but sometimes when I tell people
what I do as a technical writer, they have a similar reaction --
I guess a certain percentage of people are bound to find any given
career uninteresting. At least I won't scare those who've somehow
avoided becoming involved with computers!
Faith
weber -at- easi -dot- enet -dot- dec -dot- com
