Like other writing professionals, as a technical writer, I'm often faced with a blank page.
Starting a new documentation project can be daunting, overwhelming, even scary, because not only do I want to provide my readers with good content that answers their questions, I want it to be perfect.
But as soon as I whisper that word "perfect" to myself, I'm in trouble. My brain shuts down and I'm paralyzed, unable to start.
To avoid this paralysis, I've learned a few tricks:
1. Find a sample...
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Tips for staying current as a technical writer
Staying current is one of the most important things you can do as a contract technical writer.
If you know the latest tools and technologies, or at least know of them and can learn quickly, you're much more valuable as a contractor. And being "in the know" is fun!
Here are some of the ways I stay current:
1. Read widely.
I love reading - fiction, non-fiction, newspapers, magazines, Weet-Bix packets. But also the instructions that come with the things I buy, such as the printer, camera, a...
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Top 5 ways to manage multiple deadlines
When I was a kid, I took dance lessons. One thing my dance teacher liked to say was "if you want something done, ask a busy person."
As a contract technical writer, I'm often working on more than one project at a time. Sometimes things get a little crazy. But if you work alone like I do, you need to learn to manage multiple deadlines. Here are some of the things that work for me.
1. Make a list.
Sounds obvious I know, but when my mind is filled with the hundreds of things I need to do and...
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