Technical Writing is a profession. A good technical writer can effectively communicate complex and abstract information to an audience of designated end users. Generally, a technical writer is a specialist in one or more types of industries, and is sought in that industry for their talent. These industries include, but are not limited to:
Manufacturing
There are other professions available in the writing field. They range from fictional works of different genres to non-fiction professions, such as marketing or financial writers, and journalism. I am considered an engineering technical writer / production planner because of my experience in the following fields:
To be competitive in the world of technical writing, a writer should be able to produce professional HTML documents. Bleeding edge technology, even cutting edge, is inappropriate for most commercial sites. Using frames, animations, and other non-conventional effects detract the viewer from the purpose of the site, and cause other problems as well. Some browsers will not even allow a potential customer to view a site if it has animations.
Production Planning is the ability of a writer (or other skilled, knowledgeable person), to properly sequence and schedule work (manufacturing, repair, assembly, or fabrication). This may or may not include the authoring of procedures to complete this work. A technical writer who can also effectively plan will not go hungry.
For more information on becoming a technical writer, or just additional information on becoming a better writer, try these links:
Indispensable Writing Resources
Phrase Finder - At last, an aid for the "tip of the tongue" folks!
Internet Resources for Technical Communicators
Society for Technical Communication Virginia Chapter (nationwide organization).
