Devoted to technical writing and technical writers

Is a good writer born, or is the skill developed as one grows older? This is an age-old question which applies to almost any field of endeavor or personality trait. I guess that, like in most of these cases, the answer probably entails a little bit of both, the proportion of which depends on particular circumstances.

During one’s formative years, the writing skills are most likely drummed into one’s head through subjects like Composition and Creative Writing. Budding writers then seek outlets such as the campus or school newspapers where they learn reportorial and editing skills too. Thus, one finds that a basic skill can be honed further if immersed in writing-heavy activities, especially those that depend on strict deadlines and the sharp pen of an editor. 

How many of us have had to endure the humiliation of spending hours on an article only to have a cranky editor throw it into the trash bin (literally, or the icon in the computer)? What a let-down! But a resolute soul will pick himself/ herself up and desire to write yet another article….until that fateful day when one actually sees print.  Hallelujah!  This did happen to me, and I swore to never ever to allow my articles to fall by the wayside again.

In later years, as editor-in-chief of campus or professional publications, I took another tack by trying to show as much respect for articles written by others, no matter how bad.  There is always a better way of getting things done, and the fact that writers responded to the motivational approach validated this approach.

Sourced by JMJF