When do I get to write?
I find myself asking that question often lately. Work is keeping me very busy so it is hard to find the time or energy to write in the evenings–to write stories, to update this blog, or work on freelance assignments.
But, my job is as a Technical Writer, so at least I get to write all day long, right? Wrong. The past week, for example was extra busy and stressful, and long (I logged well over 40 hours, and there were two vacation days and a stat holiday in there), and I doubt I even wrote one sentence.
Some days, I think that the “technical” in my job title refers not to the subject matter and not to the tools we use daily, but to “all the little technical things we need to do that aren’t writing but are necessary to get the documentation ready.” Typically, this includes formatting, compiling, testing, fixing broken links, creating PDFs, indexing, and building Tables of Contents. Where I work now, there is also the task of prepping the content to be translated into multiple languages. This involves, scripts, tweaks, tools for packaging up the docs, tools for sending the docs, and answering the translators’ questions (that may come from a dozen different translation centres in different countries). As a colleague of mine has said, “it’s time consuming, not mind consuming.” It’s mind numbing, in fact, and it can eat up much of the time scheduled for actually documenting new features. But, it is necessary and part of working for a large, international company. Fortunately, I’ve pretty much wrapped up that part, for now. I have a busy week ahead of trying to catch up on the writing I didn’t get to do last week. In the next couple of weeks, the new features will all be documented and I’ll start getting it all prepped for the next translation round.
Outside of work, I’m trying to get another blog up and running and again I’m finding myself bogged down a bit with the technical details (Wordpress themes, plugins, widgets, RSS feed details, analytics, and so on) and wondering when I’ll get to just write.
Some days I wish for the old electric typewriter I used when I learned how to type in grade 9. Then, I could just write. No links, no 404 errors, no spam. But, also no copy & paste and no undo…technology is not all bad.
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:41 pm
I just recently purchased a Sears SR1000 C series electronic typewriter. I find that I spent about $48 in total to include shipping, and will gain several hours of productive work: at least three per day. I charge $100 per hour on average and that means that I gained plenty. So, eBay my friend. Ebay.
Isn’t it sad that we want to be writers and get jobs as writers and then we realize it sucks!! The job, that is. I was scared away from journalism by working at a newspaper but I finally realized that magazine journalism is more up my ally.
If I were you, I would be wanting to full-time write freelance. You know, what you know about technical writing and technical stuff like Wordpress you could leverage into consulting, reports, ebooks, etc. For example, I have never tried to use Wordpress aside from a free blog because I haven’t worked up the nerve and the time to ask someone for help. And I consider myself on the techie side of things as a writer.
I really like your blog. I checked out some of your other posts and I am excited to read more.
July 22nd, 2009 at 5:54 pm
@Jessie, I was just reading your blog when your comment here popped up. You’ve obviously found your niche/speciality. I think you’re probably right, I should get in to consulting, etc. I have an outline of an eBook, and have some leads on possible courses to teach. We’ll see how it goes. A bit challenging while working full time.
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:34 pm
It is Jennifer, but you’ll find that it is hard to serve two masters. I am sure that you can find a fruitful freelance business and some balance. Of course, you can also complement your work. Work obviously driving you a little nuts, but I am sure you will find some balance.
Sorry about linking to my sex writer blog. I usually link to my Twitter or LinkedIn pages when I am on the blogs of writers. I mean, not everyone is comfortable with what I do!
Good luck to you.
July 23rd, 2009 at 6:46 pm
No problem Jessie. I don’t think you linked to that site, I just visited it from one of your comments on Freelance Writerville. No issues with what you do, and for $100/hour, why not?
July 27th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Why thank you for caring about the things that I have to say.