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I love it when it when I say "I'm a tech writer," and they *get* it. Doesn't happen very often.
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+ccardimon=m-s-g -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+ccardimon=m-s-g -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Joyce -dot- Fetterman -at- L-3com -dot- com
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2012 10:22 AM
To: Matthew Helmke; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: Technical Writing vs. Professional Writing
Matthew Helmke wrote:
I just say, "I'm a writer." When asked what I write, I tailor the response to the audience and it will range from highly technical definitions (for software dev types) to "I write whatever people need written," which is true as I have worked outside of technical documentation.
I usually answer in a similar way, since much of the writing that I do isn't software-specific. It often opens a discussion about types of writing.
However, last weekend I was attending a CERT training class. The instructor, an EMT, asked us to introduce ourselves and say what we do for a living. I simply said that I am a tech writer; his response was "Oh, wow!", delivered in a sincere and appreciative tone. (People who depend on accurate writing DO appreciate us.) Made me feel all warm and fuzzy.
Later I was even warmer (though less fuzzy) as, on the hottest day ever recorded in Atlanta, we went outside to practice fire-suppression drills! Yes, we set fires so that we could practice putting them out.
Great fun.
Joyce Fetterman
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