This is, at first
glance, is an easy question to answer. First my response would be that an
artistic technical process is an oxymoron. Artistry is not needed in a space
where all presets are configured before a writer even puts the first word on
the page. Popular writing concepts like the tabula rasa—the blank page is
indicative of an impending adventure do not belong in the same space as the
rigidity of technical writing where content is far more valuable than personal
voice. The two where once oil and water to me. It would seem that the idea of
wandering naively through a technical landscape allowing a story to unfold and
finding your voice in that discovery is a perfect predicament for a writer.
However, this can actually become a pitfall.
What does one have to
be mindful of when constructing prose for the purpose of artistry and how might
these processes burden an artistic technical endeavor? The answer lies in the
relationship between form and content. Creative constraint is to imagine the
processing possibilities that are available in the face of perceived barriers.
The truth is the technical writing landscape does not always allow the writer
the space to wander. Often time technical writing already has a predetermined
path, and the writer’s job is to express that path textually. A writer looking
for creative constraint while writing technically may find an irreconcilable duality.
Wow. You so neatly tie up the problem and make it seem like a virtue! Ladies and Gentlemen, WE HAVE A TECHNICAL WRITER!!
ReplyDeleteSo much more to say, though ... and we'll talk more about this "perfect predicament," which applies not only to the writer of technical discourse but also to the users who (will) experience that text, what it does to them, how it shapes them (just so).
In the meantime, start looking for your TW job, because you are ready!