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The writer
usually has to seek out a subject matter expert for each writing
assignment. This is made easier when the writer has been
assigned a specific product line or area of expertise. While
this type of position is not as demanding in breadth of skills,
it is demanding in other ways. The writer can feel isolated from
the product development process, coming in at the end to produce
documentation. In some companies, an effort is made to integrate
the writer into the whole process, making it easier to produce
good manuals and instructions.
Playing
Detective and Reverse Engineer
Independent of
the type of assignment or company, technical writers have to
have a spirit of exploration and an ability to analyze software
and equipment. While writers are, in theory, not expected to be
subject matter experts, many times they are on their own when it
comes to figuring out how something works. Most often the writer
makes a stab at writing a first draft based on exploration of a
program or device, because subject matter experts are usually
busy programmers, engineers, and scientists with little time or
patience to explain their products. Once the first draft is
done, the subject matter expert reviews it, making corrections
so that the writer can produce an accurate final product. This
is one of the most painful steps, because the writer’s best
guess is not always sufficient.
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Long Hours
and Good Rewards
Technical
writers often work long hours against unrealistic deadlines.
Documentation often is the final step in preparing a product for
the marketplace. All of the other players in the product
development process feel the product is done and impatiently
wait for the writer to finish. Despite the pressures of the
position, technical writing pays better than newspaper
journalism and staff positions guarantee a steady income. In
technical writing, there is also salary equity between men and
women. In many areas—even those with tight job markets--there is
a shortage of competent and experienced technical writers.
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