The Tech Writer's Survival Guide: A Comprehensive Handbook for Aspiring Technical Writers

by Janet Van Wicklen

Book Overview

This fully updated and expanded revision of The Tech Writing Game (Facts On File, 1992) offers a comprehensive introduction to the craft and business of technical writing - from how and where to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0816040397
• ISBN13: 9780816040391
• Release Date: May 2001
• Publisher: Checkmark Books
• Length: 269 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.9" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

One of the most useful tools a writer can have

It really bothers me when so-called "educated" people are allowed to post a totally untruthful review, (the one-star guy) but in respect for the guidelines here, I must stick to my own parameters and focus on the content and not an "infantile" attack. In any case, "The Tech Writer's Survival Guide," while dated, offers timeless advice that goes beyond an English textbook. This book does not steal anyone's ideas, does not plagiarize anyone else's work, nor is it a template with filled in the blanks from another book. On the contrary, Janet Van Wicklen's work here is top quality, category specific English instruction geared towards a definite class of writing that goes beyond mere mechanics, diction and style. "Tech Writer's Survival Guide" covers everything from pre-preparation of an interview to writing for a specific audience, keeping in mind the all-important aspects of consistency, staying within the proper tenses and working closely with technicians and engineers, who depend on technical writers to document their systems, programs or devices. It's like getting a college course for only a few bucks. I've found more useful information in "Tech Writer's Survival Guide" than can be absorbed in one sitting, and every time I open to a new page I learn something new. How anyone cannot possibly grasp the wealth of relevant knowledge concentrated over the 267 pages is probably indicative of intelligence. Our author took time out of her schedule to pass on a valuable trade, and not to "climb the corporate ladder" just to make money. No, it's about the love of the writing craft, of having the time and expertise to shape words into something that almost anyone can read, derived from what would otherwise be impossible for an engineer to write. The Technical Writer is a valuable mediator between reader and engineer, and I won't allow anything said against that to go without an intelligent response. I can't spoil the rest for you, as there is far too much knowledge between the covers for me to comment on here, and illiterate reviewers aside, all I can say is that it is a joy to find a book founded on the love of one's profession. Ms. Wicklen has done an excellent job in making a very hard profession to enter without a Bachelor's degree that much closer to reality. Thanks, Janet!

Does exactly what it claims to do

The sub-title says it all: this is indeed a comprehensive handbook for aspiring tech writers. I am considering such a career change and found this book to be an invaluable guide, giving me a realistic and extremely helpful "lay of the land" tour. No, it did not give me every conceivable secret for making my fortune in tech writing - it would be silly to expect any one book to do that - but I found that it answered all my questions about what I can expect if and when I make the transition to this new field. Ms. Van Wicklen writes in a very clear, incredibly well organized style that makes it easy to find any topic, and her tone is at the same time encouraging and realistic. I've read other books that promise fortunes and neglect to mention any downsides or risks; by contrast, this one left me with a really good understanding of what I can expect as a tech writer, both good and bad. As I read this book, I kept thinking that every profession should have such a clear and informative guide book.

Beginner's Best Choice

Technical writing is slowly evolving as a major career option for anyone interested in technology as well as writing. The Tech Writers' Survival Guide book was a recommended text in a preliminary course of Technical Communication that I did.This book briefly discusses various aspects of the job of a tech writer. It also gives an exposure to various factors affecting this field.I will highly recommend this book for leisure reading for anyone embarking in the field of technical writing. It makes them familiar with the concept of technical writing,as well as pros and cons,and the dos and donts of the job of a writer .The language is very relaxed, consistent with style of a storybook.So, if you are interested in a career of a Technical Writer and want to explore the world without going into too much details, this book is the best pick.

A book to change careers by

I am quite Web savy and I have a degree in journalism. I was looking to make a career change when I learned about technical writers and how they are paid very well for what they do. However, I wasn't sure what they did. After looking at several technical writing books, I picked out this book. Just glancing at the book, I liked the breakdown of the chapters and the topics it covered. After reading this book, I feel I could walk into an office right now and do the job.If I'm blessed to become a technical writer, this book will be within my grasp on my office bookshelf. If you're looking for a book on the minute specifics on how to write technically (using graphs, terminology and how to address the audience you're writing to, for example) look elsewhere. This is not the book for you. If you're looking for a book that provides wonderfully detailed information about how to be the best technical writer you can be (it does this by covering specific knowledge a technical writer needs to have to do his/her job and to do it well) then pick up a copy of this book. You'll be happy you did.

A particular bargain

I am a career counselor and am always on the lookout for the definitive book on individual careers. This could well be the definitive book for people contemplating becoming tech writers or for those already in their field who may be struggling a bit.It starts out providing the equivalent of an informational interview--the info you'd get by talking with a few tech writers about what the career is really like. For example, there's a fine section, "A Day in the Life of a Tech Writer." Surprisingly, you spend a heckuva lot of time doing things other than writing.Then, the book turns into a tutor/coach: Specifically showing you the nuts and bolts: how to communicate effectively with engineers, tech writing dos and don'ts, how to present information visually, tech writing online, landing a job, etc. There's even a long list of tech writing training programs.It always amazes me what a bargain books are--the distilled wisdom of an expert on virtually any topic for the price of a large pizza. This book seems to be a particular bargain.