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- Nov 12, 2015
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Background: I'm job hunting. I do computer work and I want to focus my attention on sysadmin but I got a recruiter query for a tech writing job. The position is similar to one of my functions in my last job which was writing documentation for other peoples software projects. With my background I could probably do it.
But! I want to write fiction. The tech is a day job. I have work I want to be polishing for a run at the pro markets. On one hand, more practice with technical writing could be good practice for writing overall. (I can say from reading the work of an ex-technical writer that it will not teach you the art of story but it ought to be good at drilling the...erm...technical details.) On the other hand i worry that if I'm sitting at a job writing for six to eight hours a day I'm not going to want to come home and write more. (I do tire fairly easily, especially under stress, probably a consequence of how my brain is wired.)
Is there anyone out there who has done both? Anyone who has succeeded at both? Anyone who's failed? I'd like to hear your experiences.
But! I want to write fiction. The tech is a day job. I have work I want to be polishing for a run at the pro markets. On one hand, more practice with technical writing could be good practice for writing overall. (I can say from reading the work of an ex-technical writer that it will not teach you the art of story but it ought to be good at drilling the...erm...technical details.) On the other hand i worry that if I'm sitting at a job writing for six to eight hours a day I'm not going to want to come home and write more. (I do tire fairly easily, especially under stress, probably a consequence of how my brain is wired.)
Is there anyone out there who has done both? Anyone who has succeeded at both? Anyone who's failed? I'd like to hear your experiences.