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July , 2002

Tips from Topaz Cove Creations

www.shirleyannparker.com

Welcome Back!

July 4 has come and gone for this year, and as a nation, we have survived – not without some obvious individual tragedy and suffering, of course, especially in Los Angeles. Yet, nationwide, the celebrations went off as planned, and we demonstrated to the terrorists, both domestic and foreign, what we think of them and what we think of our cherished freedoms. Many of us grew up being bullied in the schoolyard. We will not now be told by other bullies what we can and cannot do. We have also made it plain this month to our state and federal governments that we have no patience with any more corporate scandals where no one is ever punished. What many of us have suspected for years has been an eye-opener for millions. So many lives shattered by financial ruin, but we will survive and fight on. It is our right to have honest leaders and a bright future for our kids and grandkids in this country. We'll stand up and be counted.

NAME OUR NEWSLETTER! We received 25 suggestions and have narrowed it down to the following nine, in no particular order. Please do vote for the one that seems most appropriate, or even suggest another one! Send to the Editor's address below.

(1) Writer's Tip Sheet   (2) Starting Out  (3) On Spec  (4) Driftwood  (5) Corner Desk 
(6) Signals  (7) Shop Talk (8) Just the Facts  (9) Tips+Plus

Contents

Technical Writing Tip of the Month

The question of how to get started in technical writing has come up several times, so here is some very basic information. First, "technical writer" can be rather a vague, even misleading term. Just about everything that isn't fiction could and often does, fall under the heading of technical writing. Some tech writers specialize more than others. We are not all, as some have implied, frustrated wannabe engineers. There are many fields requiring our communications abilities and knowledge, from aerospace projects to amusement park rides, from software documentation to web page writing, from environmental manuals to cereal boxes, from botany and zoology textbooks to medical device user guides, from computer based tutorials to consumer brochures.

Be sure to check out the link on the free e-newsletters page which will take you to the California Employment Development Department's occupational guide for technical writers. Most of the detailed information provided there is very accurate, covering educational requirements, job outlook and working environment. There is some wishful thinking about work atmosphere and availability, given the existing economy, but things should start improving soon. The description also contains other resources for information, such as STC, NWU, ASI, AMWA, and other professional organizations.

Increasing attention is being paid by state colleges and universities to providing degrees or certificates in technical writing. This is a 180 degree change in attitude from the 1980s through mid 1990s, when you could hardly find a course in technical writing in the catalogs. In all fairness, most students simply weren't signing up for such "boring" classes, so courses were often dropped for that reason. But it took some time for academia to recognize the massive impact technology would have on society and to address the issue. Online courses are also available, as well as some old-fashioned evening classes at a college near you. The former will probably be easier to find, unless you can attend at least some classes during the day. Physical satellite campus classes may not be what you need. It varies across the country.

If you think you'd like to know more gritty details about the daily life of a tech writer, find your local STC chapter, or AMWA chapter if you lean toward medical writing. Use the contacts listed in the EDD page mentioned above.

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DISCOVERIES   A Journey Through Life 
available now from www.buybooksontheweb.com Also available at www.barnesandnoble.com and www.amazon.com 

Click here to read The Midwest Book Review's review of DISCOVERIES!

Writing Tip of the Month

How do I know if my writing's any good?

When ideas first come to you, just write them down. Get the story out of your head, out of your pen or keyboard, and on to those sheets of blank paper or on to the screen. Let the result sit for an hour or so before you fuss with it, or maybe take another look at it the following day. Don't edit as you go! If you're constantly fixing grammar or correcting a word choice, you'll never write anything worthwhile because you'll never finish it. A good reason not to be writing a class assignment at 9 p.m. or later, the day before it's due – short of family emergencies, of course.

A second look at what you wrote will reveal things to change: typos, spelling bloopers, wrong choice between too and to, their and they're, won't and wont, and many, many more. It will also reveal weak verbs, passive voice when active would be better (it isn't always better), useless adverbs, didactic or flowery expressions, street talk that will date your story when it isn't a historical piece, and lack of continuity. Is there any emotion in the story? If you don't cry or laugh or fume or wonder at the world after reading it, no one else will either. Is there some observation that will make a reader say, ain't it the truth?  Is there a slight surprise in the story or does it plod to a predictable ending? Not everything has to be O.Henry-esque, nor should it be, but it's a good plot twist to keep in mind.

Being able to write well is one aspect of the writer's craft. Having a story to tell or a worthwhile opinion to express is another. Deep down that's where you need reassurance. Is this a good story? Have I done it justice? Will anyone else like it? What if I read it to my sister or husband and one or both of them ridicules me? What if some moron in class writes stupid remarks on it when we pass the papers around? What if somebody at church gets all preachy and says I should only use my talent to write Bible stories? What if an editor rejects it?  

All of these things and worse will happen to you when you are a writer! It goes with the territory and there is no balm in Gilead that will ease the pain, not right away. One of the prime requisites for being a writer is that you are observant and sensitive. You see what your society is doing to itself and it hurts when you know people can do so much better when they aren't being selfish, greedy or bossy. It's your responsibility to depict the world as you have experienced or observed it and as you know it can be. You will completely disguise your characters, of course, to avoid invasion of privacy lawsuits, as well as libel charges. You will often transport them to another time or another world for the sake of writing the best story you have in you. You will never, ever use the real names of those who have flounced or strutted or shrieked their way through your world.

You should let someone else read the story before you send it to an editor, though relatives are generally a bad choice. But if several members of your writers' critique group, for example, have the same suggestion(s) for your story, you might consider incorporating a change. Even so, it's your tale or your essay, not what someone else would write. There will also be the occasional spiteful reaction. Eventually, you will learn to just say "Thank you for reading the story/book" and move on. You may be stabbed in the back or kicked in the gut, but you cannot continue to internalize criticism and insult from others; that will destroy you and your talent. Take only the best (most helpful) comments with you.

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Lifestyle Tip of the Month

Choosing a Gift You Can Afford

The first rule of thumb is never pay more than you can afford for a gift. It doesn't matter who it's for or what the occasion is. You may want to go in on a nice group gift, when you're really on a tight budget. Then, before you start looking for a gift, slip yourself into the other person's shoes. Consider the obvious and the not so obvious: age, small town resident, big city dweller, student or working person (including homemakers); special interests or hobbies; special problems; home furnishing style, if any; religious beliefs and level of activity; things you already know they dislike. 

Also, decide if the person might either be a spoiled brat or a paranoid, insecure individual who won't touch anything unless it's brand new, first of its kind. Is he or she the kind of rude relative, for example, who returns gifts as being completely unsuitable, who telephones to tell you "I am not a Hawaiian gentleman!" and will never wear the aloha shirt, who shrieks at sight of a crocheted bookworm because it is a worm after all? You could save yourself a lot of time and grief by ignoring their special occasions. Even a greeting card wouldn't be appreciated, and a gift certificate would most certainly be for the wrong kind of store. Such people like to control the world around them and everyone in it. Any relationship or friendship exists on their terms.

Otherwise, answers to the above questions might fill a sheet of paper, so just note the highlights on a 3"x5" card to jog your memory at the store or while surfing the Internet. Assuming you did do your homework, you should be able to find something affordable. Some dads, uncles and brothers really are content to receive another tie, socks or a wallet, as long as it's the kind they use. So don't get lazy or be in a last minute rush to buy their gifts. It's great when they have hobbies, though: reading, cars, music, oil painting, videotapes, coins, computers, sports, and so forth.

Mothers, aunts and sisters can make you scratch your head a little or climb the walls a lot. You're tired of buying her cosmetics and jewelry, and she's probably tired of getting them, but too polite to say so. Maybe anything in her favorite color will be appreciated, as long as her house isn't already filled with that shade. And if she collects owls, she may not want any more little statues or macrame hangers of them, no matter how cute. What are her current interests? Is she a student photographer? Does she run a home business that could really use some office supplies? Does she need to take a class that's out of her budget?

If you haven't seen the person for a few years but have kept in touch by e-mail or telephone, you may still understand what makes that person tick. Or you may not. They may have stopped collecting stamps 20 years ago. Even someone who walked out of your life 8 years ago hasn't a clue how you've changed, and you're not up-to-date on their current outlook on life. We're not the same person we were an hour ago, five minutes ago. So certainly we've changed greatly after a longer period of time, when we re-enter their world to "pick up where we left off."

Final suggestions: never give alcohol unless you're sure the person partakes; never give pets unless you know the home very, very well; listen for hints about a ballgame, concert or show they'd like to attend; be attentive to those who need basic survival items in a strained economy and just skip the gourmet foods; give gifts you've made yourself; give yourself and your time. When the gift you give is thoughtful, it's always affordable.

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© 2002 Shirley Ann Parker. All rights reserved.

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