Re: Poll: Is technical writing a sellout or fallback career?

Subject: Re: Poll: Is technical writing a sellout or fallback career?
From: Laura Praderio Lynn <lpraderio -at- alpineclimbs -dot- com>
To: Holly Steele <hsteele1 -at- gmail -dot- com>
Date: Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:43:07 -0600

hi,
i agree. it seems like "leading the witness" as fall back or sell out
are neither for me.
cheers,
laura

Holly Steele wrote:
> To me, the question seems like a false dichotomy.
>
> It doesn't leave room for other answers like technical communication is a
> career of choice, a career that was planned and followed through on. For
> example, I enrolled in an excellent technical communication program and then
> graduated and looked for work as a tech writer. My choice was neither a
> fallback nor a sellout.
>
> Besides, the question is negative. Why focus on the negative? There is so
> much positive in the world to focus on.
>
> Peace,
>
> Holly
>
>
>
> 2008/8/7 Al Geist <al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com>
>
>> Lauren wrote:
>>
>> "How do you answer the question, "Is technical writing a sellout or
>> fallback
>> career?" with a yes or no answer? Are "sellout" and "fallback"
>> synonymous?"
>>
>> Hi Lauren,
>>
>> I guess if I use your logic, I've done both. I gave up the free and easy
>> life of a freelance journalist to return to the deadline pressure and
>> frustration of technical writing. I started the writing life as a tech
>> writer, moved off to journalism, started a couple of magazines, did some
>> video producing and whatever paid the bills and bought the beer. Now, I've
>> back writing all about microelectromechanical silicon wafer processing
>> systems. So, I've fallen back and sold out for more money than I was making
>> as a journalist. I have to admit it's nice...and I drink much better beer.
>>
>> That's why I entered "No."
>>
>> Al Geist
>> Technical Communicator, Help, Web Design, Video, Photography
>> Office/Msg: 802-872-9190
>> Cell: 802-578-3964
>> E-mail: al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com
>> Website: www.geistassociates.com
>> See Also:
>> Fine Art Photography
>> Website: www.geistimages.com
>>
>> "...I walked to work, quit my job, and kept walking. Better to be a pilgrim
>> without a destination, I figured, than to cross the wrong threshold each
>> day." (Sy Safransky)
>>
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References:
Poll: Is technical writing a sellout or fallback career?: From: Cardimon, Craig
RE: Poll: Is technical writing a sellout or fallback career?: From: Lauren
RE: Poll: Is technical writing a sellout or fallback career?: From: Al Geist
Re: Poll: Is technical writing a sellout or fallback career?: From: Holly Steele

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