Document Writing and Publishing
To
Produce a document
can seem like a long road.
Writing and editing, yet again,
but the work done is satisfaction.
The process to write and publish a document (also known as documentation) using a technical or content writer is a fairly straightforward process. The basic premise is that you, the customer, desire a writer to write and publish a document. WordTech Services can offer its considerable experience as a technical and content writer, editor, and desktop publisher to provide a solution.
In many cases, you, the customer, already have a first draft of the document, whether a previous version, a Word file, specifications, or even ideas that are hand-written. Any of these sources is a good starting point for the technical or content writer to write, proofread, edit, and publish the final document. WordTech Services can review or proofread what has been written, edit the material, and incorporate this into the document. There are times, however, that there is no existing document from which to start. In that situation, I can come to your location and talk to you in person about the project. Also, I can interview, in person, via telephone, or email those individuals who possess the knowledge of what you seek to document.
The first step is to decide the basic concept of the document. For example, is the document to be done in Word or FrameMaker. Is the document to be print only or do you want to be able to produce the document as possibly a PDF file or as a HTML-based help document. The answer to these questions determine the best selection of software to prepare the document.
Once these decisions are made, WTS can design the format and style sheet (if necessary) for the document. This document preparation process includes such things as font selection, font color, font size, page size, page margins, headings, pictures or images, and hyperlinks. Most of these things are handled as a matter of course as this is part of the service that WordTech Services provides its customers, but you may have preferences or your company may have publishing standards that WTS must follow..
The typical practice is that once these questions are answered and you, the customer, are satisfied with the planned course of action, WTS will write and edit a draft of the document. It is sent to you, usually via email, for review. During the review, you contribute to the process by adding comments, suggestions, or direction. Upon completion of the review, return the material to WordTech Services to incorporate changes into the document.
When the writing portion of the document is complete, the next step is for WordTech Services to move into the desktop publisher role. This is another strength that WordTech Services offers. WTS can publish the document using MS-Word, Adobe FrameMaker, or Adobe PDF. WordTech Services can also produce a online (screen) document using Adobe RoboHelp.
After publishing a portion of the document, it is sent to you for review, edits, or comments. It usually takes one or two iterations until all of the issues are resolved and you, the customer, are satisfied. This is quite normal and should not cause concern or dismay. Upon approval, WordTech Services completes the assignment and the job is complete pending final approval from you, the customer.