Also, I didn't mean to sound condescending in my email regarding knowing what
to do- I actually just mean the text types. I agree with you that there is a
lot more to technical writing than I would be aware of.
________________________________
From: austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
on behalf of Chris Gardiner-Bill <cbill.uk@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, 21 June 2018 5:59 AM
To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: atw: Re: Urgent need for a technical writer/editor for a project on
the Gold Coast
Hi Meg,
Courses are few and far between and very few are any good.
In my opinion (technical writer with 15 years experience), it helps to have
strong technical skills as well as be able to write. It’s not enough anymore
to have even advanced Word skills.
You also have to be able to learn your subject matter fast, especially when you
are writing in timebound contracts. Writing policies and procedures is only a
small part of what should be in your repertoire. Think manuals, release notes,
whitepapers — especially as a freelancer where you can’t be too picky. A lot of
technical writers also spend (too much) time writing proposals and RFPs.
As for building experience, you can do so by writing documentation for open
source projects over on GitHub — learn to use Git and write in markup. This
will stand you in good stead especially if you want to write in the software
industry. Maybe write docs for a local community group too — plenty of them
about.
cheers,
Chris
On 21 Jun 2018, at 15:43, Meagan Roberts <meagan_roberts@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi Geoffrey,
Thank you for this information. I was wondering if I could ask you a question
or two about freelance technical writing? I am a qualified high school
English teacher who has been doing freelance education materials writing over
the last 16 years. Think study guides for years 11 and 12 English novels. I
have also previously (in 2005) written and published a text book with
Heinemann on Research Skills. I have just recently made the decision to make
my freelance writing my main employment, and I was wondering what, if any,
courses you would recommend to help me get work like the job you have just
sent out. I haven’t actually written up any policy and procedure documents
for a writing job before, but I would know what to do. However employers
obviously want someone who has worked in this area before and I understand
that. So I was wondering if there does exist some kind of course I could do
to give me more experience in the technical writing field? Are you able to
advise me on this, or suggest how else I might approach this issue?
With thanks and kind regards,
Meg.
________________________________________
From: austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
on behalf of Geoffrey Marnell <geoffrey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, 21 June 2018 4:31:02 AM
To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: atw: Urgent need for a technical writer/editor for a project on the
Gold Coast
Hi austechies
Dreamworld at Coomera on the Gold Coast has approached us for a technical
writer or editor to turn a rising mountain of technical material into a
series of policy and procedure documents. The initial focus is on HSE
material which, if the contractor is a good fit, will extend to other areas.
The source material is already available, so no extensive research is
required. You will just turn this material into well-structured,
well-written, easy-to-understand policies and procedures, following a
provided template (which might need some tweaking) and a style guide. Where
the source material is unclear, you will need to liaise with SMEs (so
knowledge management skills are also important).
Dreamworld wants the contractor to be on-site initially (perhaps for the
first two weeks) after which it may be possible to do most of the work
remotely.
Experience writing P&P documents for a non-specialist audience is essential.
In addition, the candidate of choice will have a talent for writing simple,
plain, contemporary English, with an eye for identifying potential hazards in
the execution of a procedure. If you could start sometime next week, you will
have ticked another box.
Send your CV to me (or call to discuss).
Regards
Geoffrey Marnell
Principal Consultant
Abelard Consulting Pty Ltd
P: +61 (0)3 9596 3456
M: +61 (0)419 574 668
F: +61 (0)3 9596 3625
Web:
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