Re: Tech Writer Responsibilities

["Huber, Mike" <Mike -dot- Huber -at- SOFTWARE -dot- ROCKWELL -dot- COM>]

I don't consider it prudent or appropriate for me to say "that's not my
job." I consider my real job description to be "whatever it takes, with a
focus on the written word." On the other hand, I will point out that I am
a limited resource, time I spend on marketing pieces is time I don't
spend on manuals. As an employee with a boss, I can refer those requests
for my time to him.
If I were a contractor, the answer might well be different.

And I never, ever say "I can't" about anything.

(OK, I might say "I don't have the authority to make that decision" or
"Building A is too heavy for me to lift" or "I will need training before
I pilot that space shuttle")

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From:  Phil Hellerman[SMTP:Phil -dot- Hellerman -at- MCI -dot- COM]
Sent:  Wednesday, September 25, 1996 8:13 AM
To:  TECHWR-L
Subject:  Tech Writer Responsibilities

I am curious. Should technical writers, whose normal responsibilities
are within an IS organization, take offense when asked to write or edit
marketing type articles and brochures? Is it proper that writers say,
"I'm a technical writer and only write user manuals! I can't write
maketing material."

Apologies if this has been debated by the list recently. I just returned
to its friendly :) confines.