Truly talented Technical Communicators

23 March 2012 Technical Writing

A recent tweet from Rachel Potts (@Citipotts) advertised her undoubted talent at word carving. The intricacy of the tree branches is something to behold. Rachel is rightfully proud of the results. This got me to thinking of the talents of my fellow professionals away from their day job. Rhonda Bracey (@cybertext) is well known for her quilt making. RJ Jacquez (@rjacquez) turns wood for a “hobby” and also makes some money from it.

I wonder what other “left of field” talents we technical communicators have. I know someone whose party trick is a lizard impression to die for. He has it to a tee, even to the point of the facial expression. So come on. Don’t be shy. We all have undoubted talent, so spill the beans. Whether it is artistic, practical or downright goofy, spread the word.

What’s that? Me? BM – Before Marriage – I was a choral singer. Being a tenor helped, but I had the fortune to sing in various Choirs at all the big London concert halls. There’s nothing like getting to grips with Bach in front of 2500 people as a way to unwind. I also got very close to breaking the 40m time for a 10k road race and have a personal best of 1h 36m for a half marathon and 3h 41m for a marathon. Alas after two knee operations 55m for a 10k is about my limit these days. However I still hanker to an ambition to run another half marathon. Never say die!

London, Rachel Potts Citipotts, Rhonda Bracey, RJ Jacquez

http://www.sdicorp.com/Resources/Blog/articleType/AuthorView/authorID/24/lkunz.aspx Larry Kunz

Actually, I think that Rachel’s talent lies in wood carving, not word carving. Word carving would pertain to most of the people who read this blog. My special talent, annoyingly, is spotting typos.
- http://www.cmcandrew.com/robocolumn/ Colum McAndrew
  
  Doh! Another talent I have is leaving deliberate typos in content to make people like you look good
Marie-Ève

Baking desserts is my not-so-secret talent… My colleagues are happy about that!
- http://www.cmcandrew.com/robocolumn/ Colum McAndrew
  
  I bet they are.
http://cybertext.wordpress.com/ Rhonda

Thanks for mentioning me in this post, Colum.

For those wanting to know/see more of my quilting and fabric stuff, here are some sites:

* My Etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/RhondaMadeIt
* My personal blog — category of ‘quilts and fabric stuff’: http://sandgroper14.wordpress.com/category/quilts-and-fabric-stuff/
* My Flickr page of some of my recently completed quilts/art quilts: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhondamadeit/collections/72157627212318210/

Like anyone with a hobby/interest they’re passionate about, I find quilting very meditative. I get into a ‘zone’ and can be in the sewing room for HOURS on end
- http://www.cmcandrew.com/robocolumn/ Colum McAndrew
  
  Wow! Those are wonderful designs Rhonda. Well done.
Jean Ashley

I also sang in choirs for many years. In fact, I almost went with vocal performance and music as a major in college before I decided that my musical education turning my passion into something more like work, and I just couldn’t do that to the first thing I ever loved to do.

More recently, I’ve taken up knitting. I enjoy working with my hands, as it feels much more tangible than most of the stuff I do at work.
- http://www.cmcandrew.com/robocolumn The Robocolum(n)
  
  Music in whatever form it takes can be deeply emotional and a great way to unwind, even if it isn’t easy! I think you made the right decision. Knitting is fun too and similar to singing in many respects. It can be technically challenging yet delivers real achievement.