Writing Demystified...

Reviewed By Gururaj B.S

This one is for all the creative wannabes and aspiring writers out there …the world of writing according to Hokum, a linguistics expert who is currently a technical writer for a US-based corporate.

The best way for an aspiring writer to learn the intricacies of technical writing is to procure expert help or raid the rich resources available on the Net, right? Not really! Here is one Website with a difference.

http://hokum.freehomepage.com/Content/Writing/Index_Writing.html

I find it an ingeniously resourceful means to sharing information with peers in the industry.

One noteworthy section of this Website is the fiction section, where the author provides short essays and useful hints on topics related to fiction writing. Why do you want to be a writer? How do you become a writer? How do you get published? … the list goes on. If you have an opinion to share, feel free to jump on to the discussion-gallery.

The next section includes some general discussions such as: evaluating Websites, organizing your computer workspace, writing without revisions, and cleaning up your sentences. Hokum shares his tips and tricks which come across as extremely practical.

Hokum’s site includes technical writing discussions on basic and advanced topics such as - what tech writing is about, how to become a tech writer, how to get content from Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).

The most interesting part is the Links link on the left pane of your browser. It provides links to various related topics of interest, like computer technology, employment, media, writing, and research. The Technical Writing link under “writing” presents links to some great resources on technical writing. The employment link provides links to some popular online job listings. Hokum also provides a directory of technical writers, which may be accessed by potential employers to find technical writers.

To sum up, it is very handy site for information, links to information or just a place where you can log your opinion where other like-minded professionals can read and respond. It is a commendable contribution by Hokum to all writers, and to technical writers in particular. This site is definitely worth a visit, and you may want to ‘bookmark’ it as well.

(Gururaj works as a Technical Information Engineer for Hewlett-Packard, Bangalore.)

Mindtools, The Lateral Thinking Website

Reviewed by Tharoor Gopalakrishnan

How often have you run out of time, been stressed out, and suffered temporary selective amnesia? Have you ever wished for a gizmo/widget/magic spell that could help you overcome impossible situations, both professional and personal? Have you yearned for tools that help you think out of the box and churn out serial Eurekas?

Then mosey down to www.mindtools.com, a one-site stop for tools to aid in the task of Technical Writing. This site provides tools to hone your lateral thinking skills, and tips on looks at aiding the lateral thinking skills and gives the user tips on skills such as memory improvement, time management, effective decision making, creative thinking, and, well…job hunting.

One constant we all live with, is a race against deadlines. The time management section helps you make friends with schedules. A brief introduction on time management is followed by topics on costing your time, prioritising work, logging activity, micro level planning, effective prioritization and personal goal setting.

A six-letter killer word that each one of us encounters is STRESS. The section on stress identifies various remedies for stress, such as imagery, thought awareness, self-hypnosis and meditation. There are surprising revelations that stress can be managed through rehearsal, avoidance, and reducing uncertainty.

One capability that is a part of, and a booster to intelligence, is memory. When you encounter a problem, if you could remember the solution used the last time this happened, you would be on safe ground. Memory management is one section that has all of those booster techniques. How many memory improvement techniques do you know and use? This section is a revelation of amazing methods to recharge those memory cells. The journey technique for instance, helps you to remember long lists by associating information with landmarks in your long journey. A good example is how you wake up at the right juncture on your way home in a bus or electric train.

The Creative Tools section relates to generating ideas when launching new products, and some creativity techniques like Attribute Listing and Brainstorming.

A technical writer's day is well made, if complex tasks could be simplified. The section on tools for mastering complexity has all the answers. As we move up the ladder, we get into the hot seat of decision-making and project management. Effective project management techniques and good decision-making skills become vital. Generous helpings of this skill set make for some very enlightening reading as interesting aspects emerge. The key to effective project management lies in planning and scheduling. A combination of tools such as Stakeholder Analysis, and Gantt charts are suggested.

Job-hunting skills provide potential armor when crisis strikes. The section has categorized this activity, progressing from identifying the right career over to writing an effective resume. An effective note on job-hunting by an experienced recruiter, sharing experiences in his own career progression, is a befitting finale to the section.

The most important tool in technical communications is your mind. Mindtools will help you upgrade from your current version to a more powerful and efficient You.

(Tharoor Gopalakrishnan works as a Technical Writer with Polaris Software Lab Limited.)

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