Saturday, November 10, 2007
Why did I Volunteer to Judge?
Normally, it takes something akin to an earthquake to get me out of the house and into the big smoke south of me. Add to that sad state the fact that November is novel writing month and, worse yet, I'm behind on my homework, getting me to do anything is nigh on impossible.
Today, Saturday, I roused myself just like it was a work day and I dragged my pathetic self down through the winding traffic lights and construction detours to sit in uncomfortable chairs and judge other people's work.
I know that the STC has its fair share of cheerleaders and detractors. I don't care. The STC has offered me some benefits and one, last year, was the input from judges at the annual competition. I was sad that my shining contribution won no awards but it was interesting to hear back from someone (other than my in-house reviewers) who had actually looked at the manual. Feedback from other writers is great, they highlight your achievements and point to places where some improvements could be made. The feedback I received, even without that award, provided a different view on my output. It's hard to judge your own book when you know all the reasons for its imperfections.
It's never my fault, you know.
So, I decided that in spite of all the notches against volunteering to judge at this year's competition, I'd do it. It has benefits for me: I meet other writers, I get to see some writing samples that I'd miss otherwise, I get to give to my community, and I get a cool thank you present. I also got a better view of how it is to see something from the other side (without the pressure of trying to get the bloody product to work the way I think it should) and maybe get some insight into my own work. It's important to have clear motivation when you act, when you know why you're doing it you can do it better (or at least feel like it has value).
I'm looking forward to seeing how DITA changes our product (product to me is my manual) and I'm hoping that it takes my manuals from lacking merit all the way past excellence into distinguished.
I know it won't happen this year, or next, but by the time we've got it down (say, five years from now?) I expect that my submission will blow you all away (even if you have no idea what strain rate really means for a heart).
Today, Saturday, I roused myself just like it was a work day and I dragged my pathetic self down through the winding traffic lights and construction detours to sit in uncomfortable chairs and judge other people's work.
I know that the STC has its fair share of cheerleaders and detractors. I don't care. The STC has offered me some benefits and one, last year, was the input from judges at the annual competition. I was sad that my shining contribution won no awards but it was interesting to hear back from someone (other than my in-house reviewers) who had actually looked at the manual. Feedback from other writers is great, they highlight your achievements and point to places where some improvements could be made. The feedback I received, even without that award, provided a different view on my output. It's hard to judge your own book when you know all the reasons for its imperfections.
It's never my fault, you know.
So, I decided that in spite of all the notches against volunteering to judge at this year's competition, I'd do it. It has benefits for me: I meet other writers, I get to see some writing samples that I'd miss otherwise, I get to give to my community, and I get a cool thank you present. I also got a better view of how it is to see something from the other side (without the pressure of trying to get the bloody product to work the way I think it should) and maybe get some insight into my own work. It's important to have clear motivation when you act, when you know why you're doing it you can do it better (or at least feel like it has value).
I'm looking forward to seeing how DITA changes our product (product to me is my manual) and I'm hoping that it takes my manuals from lacking merit all the way past excellence into distinguished.
I know it won't happen this year, or next, but by the time we've got it down (say, five years from now?) I expect that my submission will blow you all away (even if you have no idea what strain rate really means for a heart).
Labels: competition, judge, manuals, STC
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