Getting technical at home

Technical writers make complicated facts intelligible to the ordinary punter, writes ANGELA McCARTHY - and they're in demand.

Have you ever given up in despair whilst trying to navigate a website, or find your way through an instruction manual?

Then you've probably been on the receiving end of a company that desperately needs a technical writer, the people who turn the gobbledegook of information technology, science and infinite other fields into simple, easy-to-follow language.

Technical writers, also known as documentation specialists and information designers, make complex documents inviting, easy to read, understand and search, says Beverley Stevens, managing director of Document by Design and secretary of the New Zealand Technical Writers Association (NZTWA).

Over the 13 years Stevens has been working as a technical writer she has observed a growing demand for Kiwi technical writers in many areas.

"Software development companies need user guides and on-line help, and manufacturers are looking for people to write operating manuals for their machinery. Government departments and businesses need specialists to help with writing policy, process and procedure manuals and content for intranet publication", she explains.

Hot on the heels of such growth comes the need for professional development. That's why the NZTWA is running a documentation developers' conference on September 6 and 7, offering writers opportunities to network and learn about new technologies.

Stevens, who comes from an IT system administration, support and training background, says technical writers generally move into the role from other areas such as teaching, product management, IT, software support or business analysis.

The flexibility of hours and opportunities to contract are a drawcard for many technical writers. And the pay ranges from $35 to $100-plus an hour, depending on the project.

Take Rhonda Munster, 33, who took up technical writing while working from home part-time as a financial controller after the birth of her third child.

When her brother, an analyst/programmer, approached her to write some on-line help for him, she gave it a go and was hooked.

"He was impressed with the results and I was impressed with the payment. It definitely beat accountancy as an hourly rate."

Within months she had set up a technical writing business, Help Systems Ltd, with husband Ross, 42, who was wanting out of his garden bag franchise.

"Ross had been a foreign currency dealer and treasury adviser writing commentaries on the foreign exchange markets in laymen's terms for his clients, so I figured he could write procedure manuals for computer programs", she says.

It has been a move the Munsters haven't regretted, enabling them to spend lots of time with their four children as well as enjoy the 1.6ha on which they live and work on the outskirts of Auckland.

Rhonda Munster says the start-up costs were minimal and the risks low compared to the garden bag business or other ventures.

"It is something that we can't get pushed out of as we get older, either, which was a problem in foreign currency dealing and rubbish collecting.

"Between the two of us we usually end up working a total of about 50 hours a week," she says.

The Munsters bought a third computer, giving their oldest computer to the children and thus separating play and work.

Their only other purchase was the software tool HyperText Studio, "an excellent tool created by a New Zealander", chosen on recommendation from United States technical writers.

The nature of the work makes it easy to work out of a home office, says Rhonda Munster, who mainly communicates with clients by e-mail.

"Last month we had a three-week contract for a company in Hamilton", she says.

"I only spoke to the client three times on the phone during the project but have 254 items in my in-box from her - and I would have sent just about as many in return!

"Clients don't care as long as the job gets done on time".

Rhonda Munster does occasional contracts on-site, such as one she is just finishing with Amway.

But generally she would spend 90 per cent of her work time at home with Ross, working on contracts as varied as paper-based training manuals to writing help systems for computer programs.

Her only concern with working from home is that it can be isolating, even though she has Ross to bounce ideas off. This makes events like the documentation developers' conference an essential part of professional development and networking.

"I'm looking forward to meeting some of the other technical writers from around the country, listening to the speakers and learning new skills."

* The Way Ahead 2001 conference, September 6 and 7 at Waipuna Conference Centre, Auckland, has been organised jointly by the New Zealand Technical Writers Association (NZTWA) and the Society for Technical Communication (STC), New Zealand chapter.

Details at NZ Tech Writers

* The secretary of the NZTWA is Beverley Stevens