Interview With a Technical Writer

I am a freelance writer of both technical articles and more creatively worded fare such as movie reviews. I have been working in this field to some degree for the past 12 years.

The work that I do is mostly done from home. I set my own hours and don’t go to an office, and as a result, people do not always perceive me as having a “real job,” and it’s difficult to impress upon them that just because I’m at home doesn’t mean that I can talk to them. My job involves being assigned articles and writing them with as quick a turnaround as possible. I need to be speedy and accurate in my work, and I have to be disciplined since I am paid by the article.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I would probably rate my job satisfaction an 8. I am happy to be doing something that I am good at and love to be able to set my own hours, but I would rather be earning more money than I currently am, and I would prefer to write on topics that excite me and to be doing more in the realm of fiction and poetry. I need to find more outlets for this type of work that will pay me for what I do.

Some of the writing I do moves me very much. I particularly love writing about books, movies and other related topics. I am good at what I do, but I am happiest when I feel my writing makes a difference to someone. Unfortunately, I often find that the type of writing I find most enjoyable tends to pay the least.

I live at home with my parents, so my monetary needs are not as great as they would be for someone who is completely independent. I don’t need a lot of money, so I have always managed fine on my writing income, but it might be more of a challenge for someone in a more financially demanding situation.

I have always wanted to be a writer, so I have sought out any and all opportunities that allow me to write. If I could do something different, perhaps I would have gone to school for either songwriting or television writing, but I am reasonably happy with what I am doing now.

The hardest thing for me has been the realization that if I am going to be a true freelancer, I really need to take ownership of my time. I am easily distracted, so I have had many times when I haven’t earned as much money as I ought to because I am doing something frivolous instead of writing. That is something I need to work on.

The most important thing I’ve learned about the working world is the fact that it encompasses much more than traditional 9 to 5 jobs. A lot of people will tell you that you have to get a job like that, but it’s not the right path for everyone, and you should do what is best for you personally.

The strangest experience I have had in this job is having random people I don’t know comment positively on my writing. This doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it is a very good feeling.

I get up and work every day because I have been given a gift that I need to use and because I want to be a contributing member of the household. I am especially proud of the writing I have done that has promoted something I love and helped other people to appreciate it as well.

I am good at writing to a tight deadline, and it doesn’t bother me much. What aggravates me most is when I have to contact someone before I can start writing and I can’t get ahold of them.

My job is not very stressful most of the time. The main frustration is when work assignments dry up, especially if I have a big bill coming due. However, I’ve always maintained a comfortable work-life balance.

Writers like me tend to make somewhere in the ballpark of $10,000 to $30,000. I’m on the lower end of that range, but given my situation, I’m happy with that.

Flexibility is one of the upsides to my job. I take vacations when I want to and when I feel I can afford them, and I have no complaints on that score.

You need to be a proficient and disciplined writer to make it in this field, and a degree in English or Communications will help get you in the door.

If you want to pursue this line of work, make sure you have a space for yourself to work and can discipline yourself to ignore outside distractions.

In five years, I still want to make money writing, but I’d rather it be on the more creative end of things.

Considered pursuing a career as a Technical Writer? This interview takes you through the ups and downs you can expect, what it takes to land the job, what you can expect to earn and more. This is a true career story as told to DiversityJobs and is one of many interviews with editors and publishers.