Back in the day, when the world was young and so was I, I took a variety of writing courses. One of the ones that I learned the most from was a creative writing course run by a local author via my community college. Her writing exercises were always good, because she asked us to challenge ourselves by grabbing a random author, reading some short stories of theirs, and then writing a short story that imitates their writing style.
It was because of this course that I was able to pick up writing styles quickly and efficiently. I think it also helped when it came to picking up computer platforms; if you're looking on how best to adapt your thinking on how to communicate, you're also looking on how best to use the tools given to you to accomplish that communication.
When I feel stuck in a rut, I go back to this writing exercise. I will pick a book at random off my bookcase (I will roll dice to get a random shelf number/book number), read it enough to get a handle on the style, and then write a short story in that style. It helps me think outside of my usual box, and oftentimes it helps me figure out a problem I'm facing in my own writing.
I have used this trick when it comes to technical writing and proposal writing too. If I am unsure about how best to put together a document, I can search for something in the same genre, and then imitate that format and style of writing to put together my document. Continual learning and ability to adapt is key to stay relevant in the current workforce, especially when it comes to content creation.
So the next time you're feeling stuck, pick up a book! It may be the creative bump you need to get out of that rut.
-A.M.W.
Showing posts with label technical writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label technical writing. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Rediscovery and Going Back to An Old Title
Confession: I had forgotten about this blog, which I had the last time I was unemployed. The only reason I found it was because I was updating the sections of my LinkedIn and didn't know what the "Blog" link was referring to, so I clicked on it.
It has been more than seven years since I updated this space, and it is like digging up a piece of my past that I once loved. I stopped updating this space for the very simple reason that I had found full-time employment. I had a wonderful time working for a mid-sized, enthusiast-centered publication company in my town. At first I was in their Customer Support department, and then I earned a promotion-transfer into their eCommerce Operations department. It was both stability and a growing experience, which I needed during that time in my life, and I am thankful to have had it.
Unfortunately, the company went the way of Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and while several companies bought up brands held under the parent umbrella, and a couple small companies rose from the ashes, I was laid off at the end of July 2019. Many of the smaller companies either weren't going to have an online store, or they already had somebody to run it, so I as an eCommerce Operations Coordinator was deemed redundant. I received a truly lovely and thoughtful gift basket from my supervisor on the last day, as well as lunch from my favorite deli in town on her dime, which she didn't need to do but I really appreciated. Business is business, and I walked out with no hard feelings, and a smile on my face as I took my last box of cubicle decor out to my car.
After about a month of searching, I was able to acquire a part-time job doing magazine subscription management with one of the small companies created from smaller parts of the old company. It is nice to be part of an office for about 20 hours a week, but it isn't full-time work, so I am looking for the next way to exercise my knowledge and widen my skillset.
I have my eyes set on what I want to do next: Technical Writing and/or Technical Editing, with an interest in Proposal Writing and/or Grant Writing.
I am, once again, a Wordsmith for Hire.
It has been more than seven years since I updated this space, and it is like digging up a piece of my past that I once loved. I stopped updating this space for the very simple reason that I had found full-time employment. I had a wonderful time working for a mid-sized, enthusiast-centered publication company in my town. At first I was in their Customer Support department, and then I earned a promotion-transfer into their eCommerce Operations department. It was both stability and a growing experience, which I needed during that time in my life, and I am thankful to have had it.
Unfortunately, the company went the way of Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and while several companies bought up brands held under the parent umbrella, and a couple small companies rose from the ashes, I was laid off at the end of July 2019. Many of the smaller companies either weren't going to have an online store, or they already had somebody to run it, so I as an eCommerce Operations Coordinator was deemed redundant. I received a truly lovely and thoughtful gift basket from my supervisor on the last day, as well as lunch from my favorite deli in town on her dime, which she didn't need to do but I really appreciated. Business is business, and I walked out with no hard feelings, and a smile on my face as I took my last box of cubicle decor out to my car.
After about a month of searching, I was able to acquire a part-time job doing magazine subscription management with one of the small companies created from smaller parts of the old company. It is nice to be part of an office for about 20 hours a week, but it isn't full-time work, so I am looking for the next way to exercise my knowledge and widen my skillset.
I have my eyes set on what I want to do next: Technical Writing and/or Technical Editing, with an interest in Proposal Writing and/or Grant Writing.
I am, once again, a Wordsmith for Hire.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Where Did Summer Go?!
True fact: If you had asked me earlier today when was the last time I'd updated this blog, I would have sworn to you that it was only two weeks ago. Instead it's been over 5 weeks, and I have no idea how the time went by without my notice. It is true that I've been busy; between trying to find a job and working my internship, plus trying to have something that resembles a personal life, I seem to use up all my time every day doing something.
I realized today that Labor Day is just around the corner, and since that is the day I always equate with Summer being officially over (mainly due to the fact that I've lived so much of my life in academia), I feel like I've lost a lot of time somewhere between July and now.
Things of note since my last post: I received my degree in the mail, so I am now officially Alice M. Weaver, M.S., and an alumni of Colorado State University's Graduate School. I have tweaked my resume several times, for all of its incarnations (Administrative Personnel, Communications Specialist and Technical Communications), and I'm still working on the resume that I use to apply for government positions.
I've finally found some good jobs on the website of the temp agency to which I am a member, so I'm hoping that one of those that I've applied for will bear fruit. I'm also still in the running for a position within the nearest hospital in town; my fingers are fervently crossed that I get an in-person interview!
Work at my internship has changed a bit, and I still enjoy working there. It's nice to have a little shake-up of responsibilities, as it keeps the job fresh and entertaining.
I will keep my head up and my thoughts positive and hopeful as I continue to search for work.
Cheers,
AMW
I realized today that Labor Day is just around the corner, and since that is the day I always equate with Summer being officially over (mainly due to the fact that I've lived so much of my life in academia), I feel like I've lost a lot of time somewhere between July and now.
Things of note since my last post: I received my degree in the mail, so I am now officially Alice M. Weaver, M.S., and an alumni of Colorado State University's Graduate School. I have tweaked my resume several times, for all of its incarnations (Administrative Personnel, Communications Specialist and Technical Communications), and I'm still working on the resume that I use to apply for government positions.
I've finally found some good jobs on the website of the temp agency to which I am a member, so I'm hoping that one of those that I've applied for will bear fruit. I'm also still in the running for a position within the nearest hospital in town; my fingers are fervently crossed that I get an in-person interview!
Work at my internship has changed a bit, and I still enjoy working there. It's nice to have a little shake-up of responsibilities, as it keeps the job fresh and entertaining.
I will keep my head up and my thoughts positive and hopeful as I continue to search for work.
Cheers,
AMW
Monday, July 16, 2012
Mid-Summer Rundown
I have confirmed that I will be earning my Master of Science in Public Communications & Technology from Colorado State University at the end of this semester. So now I just have the task ahead of me of getting a job.
I am still working as an unpaid intern at Beet Street, and my writing portfolio has expanded considerably. I even had a small series of articles printed in the local newspaper (though Beet Street was credited with the writing). So things are looking far better as I look toward the end of the year compared to last year.
I am going to start taking online tutorials in CSS and Javascript, as I have come to the conclusion that my knowledge of HTML isn't enough for companies to pay attention to my resume. I may also take a few tutorials in C++ and maybe Linux or Unix, depending on how well I adapt to the language. I remember learning HTML was super-easy, and while that was almost eight years ago, I still know enough to make a webpage without having to cheat and look up codes. I will see how it goes, and if I really like it, I'll try to check out some advanced courses.
If you'd like to see what kind of writing I'm doing for Beet Street's Arts Incubtor of the Rockies (AIR) initiative now, you can go to: http://airartsincubator.org/blog.
If you'd like to read the articles that were printed in the Fort Collins Coloradoan, here are the links to the last two articles (all the others went to the archives):
http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120621/ENTERTAINMENT/306210001/Streetmosphere-showcases-work-HalfMoon-Arts-youth
http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120628/ENTERTAINMENT/306280003/Avery-House-hosts-Streetmosphere-Fourth-July
As this is Monday, I will wish you all a good week!
-AMW
I am still working as an unpaid intern at Beet Street, and my writing portfolio has expanded considerably. I even had a small series of articles printed in the local newspaper (though Beet Street was credited with the writing). So things are looking far better as I look toward the end of the year compared to last year.
I am going to start taking online tutorials in CSS and Javascript, as I have come to the conclusion that my knowledge of HTML isn't enough for companies to pay attention to my resume. I may also take a few tutorials in C++ and maybe Linux or Unix, depending on how well I adapt to the language. I remember learning HTML was super-easy, and while that was almost eight years ago, I still know enough to make a webpage without having to cheat and look up codes. I will see how it goes, and if I really like it, I'll try to check out some advanced courses.
If you'd like to see what kind of writing I'm doing for Beet Street's Arts Incubtor of the Rockies (AIR) initiative now, you can go to: http://airartsincubator.org/blog.
If you'd like to read the articles that were printed in the Fort Collins Coloradoan, here are the links to the last two articles (all the others went to the archives):
http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120621/ENTERTAINMENT/306210001/Streetmosphere-showcases-work-HalfMoon-Arts-youth
http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120628/ENTERTAINMENT/306280003/Avery-House-hosts-Streetmosphere-Fourth-July
As this is Monday, I will wish you all a good week!
-AMW
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Relocation Jitters
More and more, I've been applying to jobs that are not in Colorado. While I'd love to stay in Fort Collins or Colorado in general, I've realized that if I'm going to get a technical writing or public communications job, I have to be more than just willing to move; I have to be ready to move in order to work.
I know that a lot of people are not willing to move in order to get a job. I understand that it's daunting and scary and really unsettling in general to move several hundred miles in order to work, removing yourself from everything familiar. I did the same thing to go to graduate school; picked up and moved over 1,200 miles from the town I grew up and lived in for 25 years, just for a chance to better myself. It was terrifying at first, but then I met some amazing people and the fear left just as quickly as it came.
I do not fear moving for a job; at this point, I think it would be a new kind of adventure. I would welcome the challenge of going to a new place and getting into a new city-culture. I can always keep up with old friends online, and make new friends wherever I land. I'm not scared of new people anymore (and for the record, I used to be painfully shy when it came to parties and meeting groups of new people).
What do you dear readers think of relocating?
-AMW
I know that a lot of people are not willing to move in order to get a job. I understand that it's daunting and scary and really unsettling in general to move several hundred miles in order to work, removing yourself from everything familiar. I did the same thing to go to graduate school; picked up and moved over 1,200 miles from the town I grew up and lived in for 25 years, just for a chance to better myself. It was terrifying at first, but then I met some amazing people and the fear left just as quickly as it came.
I do not fear moving for a job; at this point, I think it would be a new kind of adventure. I would welcome the challenge of going to a new place and getting into a new city-culture. I can always keep up with old friends online, and make new friends wherever I land. I'm not scared of new people anymore (and for the record, I used to be painfully shy when it came to parties and meeting groups of new people).
What do you dear readers think of relocating?
-AMW
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)