The Insider's Guide To Technical Writing

Your thoughts on The Insider's Guide to Technical Writing by Krista Van Laan

Have you read The Insider's Guide to Technical Writing by Krista Van Laan? It's supposed to be a reference in the field.

I for one have read up to page 56 and the tone has started rubbing me the wrong way: way too employer-centric. Putting the company's interest before my own? What about my mental health? It stirs up my anxiety about burning out again even though I'm actually good at writing.

What are your thoughts on this book?

level 1

I've always found that if you want something from your employer, the best strategy to frame the request in a way that shows how granting it benefits the organization.

level 1

I really, really liked it as an introduction to the field. Nothing rubbed me the wrong way - do you have some quotes that you found too employer-centric?

level 1

· 1y if i told ya, i'd have to kill ya

I've found this book to be a terrific overview of or intro to careers in tech comm. I'm sorry it didn't work for you.

I admit that I assume preparing yourself for any career is about your employer. That's why they pay us. This would be true in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. They need employees to help them achieve their organizational goals. The best case is when doing that is also individually rewarding for individual employees. But sometimes we have to prioritize their goals in order to put food on our tables.

Maybe others don't see it that way.

level 2

Upon reflexion and discussion with a kindly person, I think the author probably meant putting the team above your own professional agenda, not your mental health.

The thing is, I have prioritized my previous employers at the expense of my own mental health before. I have leftover mental effects from this and I'm not making that mistake again.

This said, we hear about employer's needs way too much.