Expert: Dan Smith - 6/19/2004

Question
Hi Dan
Greetings from Scotland.
After a considerable number of years in the oil & gas industry (as a Materials Manager), I recently decided to make a determined effort to branch into the field of Technical Writing and/or Features Writing.

I'm disadvantaged in that I have no core technical discipline neither do I have an all consuming passion or interest in computer technology.

What I do have is a strong interest in writing, an enquiring mind, and the self discipline to stick with a project and produce on time.

I have already written to a number of websites who have stated that they have work on offer but these have invariably turned out to be simply selling "How To Write" courses.

My qualifications are modest. I hold certification from the City & Guilds (London) Institute (Technical Communications Techniques Part 1)
I speak intermediate level Spanish and also have TESOL certification (Teach English to Speakers of Other Languages)(I don't have a degree)

I have the notion that I could perhaps do research online and produce condensed, simple articles on the basics of, say, "The Internal Combustion Engine" or "Aerodynamics for Absolute Beginners" I know all of this stuff is already well covered in book format, I just wonder if there might be a niche somewhere. Alternatively is there any demand for online correspondents/ features writers? I'm not looking to set the world ablaze here - just trying to get a toe in the door!

Any thoughts you have Dan will be very much appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Best Regards

Jim  

Answer
Well, you certainly write clearly. I don't have a good feel for whether there might be a niche for the kind of thing you describe. I have found over the years that my volunteer efforts here have yielded a number of jobs that are interesting. And there appears to be a ready market for editing help among students at the graduate level whose native language is not English. I generate business of that type (and enjoy doing it, by the way) by limiting the size of the job I'll do as a volunteer (usually to one, single-spaced page).

If you'd like to discuss further, write me at dan@wordsmithofaustin.com.

You can wind up writing and editing on almost any subject, and I find that variety delightful.