Behind the Screens
Technical Writing • Editing • Internal Communications • Publication Design
Westar Corporation | 1993–1994
Early in my career, I worked in computer support and creative services for Westar Corporation. I served as part of an IT support team at the U.S. Army Aviation and Troop Command headquarters in St. Louis. Personal computers were fairly new on the post, rapidly changing how people worked. Employees were learning unfamiliar software and hardware while trying to do their regular jobs—often with little or no formal training.
I created Behind the Screens to help make that transition easier. The recurring internal publication combined practical computer instruction with employee news and an informal editorial voice designed to make technical information less intimidating. I wrote articles and promotional copy, edited contributions from other members of the support team, and designed the publication's visuals and layout.
Much of the writing began with questions and problems coming into the support team. I consulted colleagues with expertise in particular systems or applications, then translated their technical knowledge into articles, quick-reference guides, and step-by-step instructions for nontechnical users. I often credited the subject-matter expert whose knowledge informed an article rather than putting my own name on the piece.
The publication also introduced members of the support team as individuals and recognized their areas of expertise, helping users identify knowledgeable people they could call on for assistance. It explained new tools and features and used familiar workplace problems as an entry point for teaching employees how technology could help them work more effectively.
The technology addressed in these pages is now obsolete; the communication problem is not. People still need writers who can work with subject-matter experts, anticipate an audience's questions, and translate complicated information into language people can actually use.
Selected work: Technical and instructional writing • subject-matter expert interviews • editing • employee communications • information design • publication design
