Technical Writing For Dummies
by Sheryl Lindsell-Roberts
Technical Writing For Dummies
Published by
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Copyright 2001 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 00-110789
ISBN: 978-0-7645-5308-0
Manufactured in the United States of America
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About the Author
Im fortunate to have a job that would be my hobby if it werent my profession. I love to write. Between freelance business writing assignments and business writing seminars, Ive written 18 books for the professional and humor markets.
Beyond that, I wear a lot of hats, just as you do. Im a wife and the mother of two wonderful sons Marc, an award-winning California architect, and Eric, a dedicated Maryland chiropractor. I live with my husband, Jon, in Parnassus , the incredible home in Marlborough, Massachusetts (outside of Boston), that Marc designed. However, if home is where you hang your hat, my hat is a cap of the New York Yankees.
When my life gets more complicated than it needs to be, my warm-weather nirvana is my 30-foot sailboat, Worth th Wait. Jon and I are on board every weekend that the temperature rises above 60 if the seas arent too treacherous. (Weve also been out there when they were too treacherous, but not by choice.) I dont bring my suitcase stuffed with clothes because there isnt room to put too much; Ive learned to minimize. All I need is sunscreen, a few pairs of shorts, some T-shirts, and a good book. Columbus wanted to prove that the world was round, and Captain Kirk wanted to boldly go where no man has gone before Jon and I merely want to leave our obligations and our harried lives on shore. Everyone needs a nirvana, even if its a spot under a tree or the corner of a room.
When Im not writing or sailing, I travel, paint (watercolors, not walls), garden, photograph nature, read, ski, eat strawberry cheesecake, and work out at the gym (after the cheesecake, I really need to). I try to live each day to the fullest!
Sheryl Lindsell-Roberts, M.A. and T.W.E.*
*Technical Writer Extraordinaire
Dedication
I dedicate this book to Jon my truly wonderful and very patient husband. Everyone needs one special person who loves them for who they are and helps them to know that dreams do come true. To me, Jon is that special person. And our boat, Worth th Wait, is the personification of our lives together. Jon is my anchor, and Im the wind in his sails.
Authors Acknowledgments
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to my family (blood and extended) and to my dear friends. Without their love and support, I wouldnt be the person I am today and I wouldnt be realizing my dreams.
I want to praise all the Dummies (and I say that with utmost respect) who made this book a reality. This is especially true of Jill Alexander the Great, my acquisitions editor, whom I thank for her steadfastness, sound advice, and confidence in me. I also appreciate the keen insights of Suzanne Snyder, project editor; Tina Sims, senior copy editor; and Karen Callahan, technical editor. And I extend thanks to two special subject matter experts who kept me honest in several of this books chapters: Dr. Barry Kingsbury and Jennifer Lund.
Publishers Acknowledgments
Were proud of this book; please send us your comments through our Dummies online registration form located at www.dummies.com/register/.
Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:
Acquisitions, Editorial, and Media Development
Project Editor: Suzanne Snyder
Acquisitions Editor: Jill Alexander
Senior Copy Editor: Tina Sims
Acquisitions Coordinator: Lauren Cundiff
Technical Editor: Karen Callahan
Senior Permissions Editor: Carmen Krikorian
Editorial Manager: Pam Mourouzis
Editorial Assistant: Carol Strickland
Cover Photos: VCPFPG
Composition
Project Coordinator: Nancee Reeves
Layout and Graphics: Amy Adrian, LeAndra Johnson, Jill Piscitelli, Jacque Schneider, Brian Torwelle, Jeremey Unger, Erin Zeltner
Proofreaders: Laura Albert, Andy Hollandbeck, Jennifer Mahern, Susan Moritz, Carl Pierce, Nancy Price, Marianne Santy
Indexer: Steve Rath
Special Help Dr. Barry Kingsbury, Jennifer Lund
General and Administrative
Hungry Minds, Inc.: John Kilcullen, CEO; Bill Barry, President and COO; John Ball, Executive VP, Operations & Administration; John Harris, CFO