Re: I am Tech Writer

[John Fisher <fisher -at- EPIC -dot- COM>]

 Pete Kloppenburg writes:
 >
 > I describe myself as a writer proudly.  It's something people
 > recognize immediately, and if your definition of writing is
 > broad enough, it covers the range of things we do.  The urge
 > to rename the profession is essentially a politically correct one:
 > it stems from the belief that if you force people to call you what
 > you want to be called, they will somehow think better of you.

        I don't agree, Pete. I think we're missing a larger
        issue. There are other forms of communication than
        writing, and I don't think, in our business, we should
        limit ourselves to only one of the tools. The title "Writer"
        tends to do that. I feel this holds true for your reluctant
        suggestion of "documentation developer" as well. In this
        case, "documentation" being the limiting word.

        True, they're just words, but words have strength, and
        they are known to encourage mindsets. I too, have liked
        being known as a writer, but I've learned that's only
        part of my job, and my skillset.

        Yikes! Maybe that was more than two cents worth.

        John Fisher
        EPIC Design Technology, Inc.
        Sunnyvale, CA
        fisher -at- epic -dot- com

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