Writer's Block

I know, I know, as an experienced writer I am not expected to start my knowledge sharing sessions with such a title. I have been wanting to write about what I have learnt over the years about 'Writing' and frankly, never made time for.

I am just writing this post, hoping this would inspire me to write some more of the useful stuff. While thinking of where to start, I am feeling lost.

Let me just create this post to write down all the topics that I can reasonably explain:

1. DITA and Topic-based writing
   
2. Writing using XML
3. Instructional Designing and Technical Writing
4. E-learning
5. The changing role of a Technical Writer
6. Mentoring Technical Writers
7. Adopting the right attitude while writing
8. The need for audience analysis
9. Besides being a writer with an organization
10. Managing the Manager

I don't plan to make Help tutorials exploring Word/Excel or any other tools. I believe the knowledge of tools (basic and advanced-level usage) can be easily picked up if you have the willingness to learn. Besides the willingness, one needs a chance to explore the tools and the best tests come when you learn while on the job. What one 'need to get it done - how?' trying time - can teach you, is going to remain with you much longer than reading three or four books.

I help create books and I enjoy reading, and I don't deny there's wealth in books. What I am saying is, from my experience, what I have had to struggle to do, has remained a bitter-better lesson when compared to just a 'do-it-like-this' session.

Maybe, this is the primary reason, if I am working on an e-learning tutorial, I would prefer to make the user 'do' what is 'taught', rather than just quiz him on theory. Ah! does saying so mean I am supposed to add a 'do it yourself' section at the end of each post in this blog? I might, if it makes sense. I leave it to the readers to judge for themselves whether they need to work on that section. :)