Summary
Writer and editor with more than 15 years of experience in technical communications, developing printed and online documentation for products and services for end users (beginners and experts) and developers. Skilled at working with subject-matter experts and testing products to understand how processes work, then explaining concepts and processes to the targeted audience in content they can understand clearly, which will improve their user experience.
Specialties
- Strong project management skills: supervising print and online publication project teams, creating communication plans, and coordinating with other team members, external freelancers, and vendors. Experienced in working in traditional and Agile development environments.
- Documentation and Web design tools: RoboHelp, Framemaker, Dreamweaver, HTML editors (as well as coding by hand), content management systems (CMS) such as Drupal, Expression Engine, Wordpress
- Graphics and layout applications: Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, Gimp, SnagIt (screenshots), Visio, InDesign
- Other applications: Acrobat, SharePoint, Salesforce, CVS, Perforce
Employment
Senior Technical Writer, Common Ground, Convio, Inc.
2009-2011
Created and updated documentation and in-line context help for mid-market donor database product for nonprofits. Restructured online help for better usability. Created documentation and communication plans for each product release. Worked with developers to improve text in user interface.
Technical Writer IV, The University of Texas at Austin
2007-2009
As part of Information Technology Services (ITS) Strategic Communications team, managed communications projects and wrote/edited technical and end-user instructional content and articles for external and internal ITS websites. Researched and wrote reports and presentations for the Vice President for Information Technology office.
Technical Writer, Pointserve, Inc. (rebranded as mobi)
2006-2007
Designed, wrote, and edited end-user help, technical reference materials, and marketing materials for enterprise product suite. Created templates for reports and publications. Developed communication plans for product releases.
Freelance Writer/Designer, One Austin Chick Writing and Design
2002-2011
Designed, managed, wrote content, and updated websites for clients, including TenantMarket (edit and publish articles about property management) and Carousel Pediatrics (create and maintain a doctors' office website).
Staff Technical Writer, National Instruments Corporation
2000-2005
Wrote and edited software manuals, online help, and web-based support documents using single-sourcing methods including XML. Managed documentation plans for LabVIEW toolkits. Edited catalog pages, press releases, and other marketing materials.
DTP Localization Lead, National Instruments Corporation
1998-2000
Trained and supervised desktop publishers and illustrators to work on localized (translated) publications. Proofread
print and online documentation for technical and educational materials. Supervised DTP preparation for print-on-demand project.
Communications Specialist, Texas Medical Foundation
1996-1998
Designed, wrote, and proofread technical and educational medical newsletters, brochures, presentations, and websites.
Publications
Slackerwood
2006-Present
Editor-in-chief of a multi-contributor Drupal-based website focusing on Austin film news and events. Site won Austin Chronicle Best of Austin award for Best Austin Movie Blog, 2011.
North Shoal Creek Neighborhood News
2011
Editor of bimonthly North Shoal Creek Neighborhood Association newsletter, printed and available online. Solicited and edited articles, wrote features, took and edited photos, performed layout, worked with print vendor.
STC Austin Communicator
2000-2002
Editor of PDF-only newsletter for Austin chapter of Society for Technical Communication (STC). Created new overall layout and design. Managed editorial team of proofreaders, contributors, and illustrators. Contributed editorial columns.
Education
The University of Texas Center for Writers
1993-1994
James A. Michener Post-Graduate Fellowship
The University of Texas at Austin
1991-1993
Master of Arts, Radio-Television-Film
Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge)
1987-1991
Bachelor of Arts cum laude, News-Editorial Journalism
Minor: History