I have been really bad about posting these past few weeks and it’s because I’m writing a technical manual. I have been trying to get some technical writing freelance jobs for a while now and now, but now that I’m going through the process, I'm learning about what is actually involved in becoming a freelance technical writer.

Image credit: Typewriter by io. Lagana

My background is in Electrical Engineering and Writing. I wanted to merge the two with technical writing. I clearly don’t have any issues with understanding technical concepts – five years learning to be an electrical engineer has at least taught me that. The issue is that writing technical documents is completely different from writing fiction.

Here is how:

1. Language. Technical writing is usually written in a more “dry” language. Things like metaphors and similes have no place because being clear and concise are what’s important. Furthermore you don’t need to have dry writing in a technical document.
2. Audience. Keeping audience in mind is important in any writing, but when writing manuals, you have to write for everyone.
3. Clients. Clients need to be kept up to date on your progress and since they are paying you, their work needs to come first.