Internal and UX technical documentation were always just a part of the job during my computing decades. However, two self-inflicted projects that were not part of the job stand out and are why I humorously label myself an 'accidental' technical writer.

When Innovation is Needed
At my first computer programming gig while taking my first programming course, COBOL II, I kept encountering textbook instructions that made no sense - or worse, made me feel dumb. I believe in taking initiative to change what needs to be changed for the better, and it starts with analysis of the problem.

Break It Down
I asked questions of the pros. I broke down the process. I played with the parts until I figured it all out. Once clear, I rewrote the instructions in a logical and intuitive way - and I no longer felt dumb.

Make It Accessible
I put those many technical rewrites in a “Cheat Sheets” file and let the directors know, just in case. Much to my surprise, it was the college's computer professors who needed help with the very same instructions that had baffled me! Over the years, it felt good to get a call and have the director ask, "Do you have a cheat sheet on x?"

Sometimes, Be a Rebel
At another company I worked for, our computer coding designs kept getting rejected by management. This stalled our system contracts into overtime. Managements' rejections were based on unwritten rules that changed from manager to manager – and sometimes from day to day. So, I solicited and received permission to write a coding standards manual. It worked. Programmers stopped getting their code rejected, and a system design was written that was so uniformly- and well-documented that the company received a commendation letter from a major government client. Not everything should be standardized, but that which benefits from standardization should be. 

Whether personal or professional, and regardless of industry, my goal is to identify what needs improving and then design the best solution possible under existing conditions and materials at hand.

Good Design

• Solves problems at their root
• Is intuitive, flawless, and efficient to the point of being a pleasure to use
• Requires little-to-no training or documentation
• Prevents the fires we all tire of putting out.

For Example
At a growing bank-holding company I worked for, chronic problems existed in keeping customer relationships and name-and-address-change data consistent from bank to bank, product to product, and department to department across a tristate area. The complex and convoluted Customer Information System, purchased to solve those problems often made them worse. So, I designed an integrated, simplified, central name-and-address-change system. It worked without fail across all banks, departments, and their varying systems, it required no training or end-user documentation, and the system never broke or crashed under my supervision. It did, however, alert the FBI to an organized theft ring working out of two of the three credit bureaus! 

​Global Lesson
Peculiarly, I found a distinct correlation between my two careers, computers and their applications and people and their pains: Relationship quality matters! Whether we are relating to ourselves, other people, nations, plants, animals, or property, the quality of our relationships determines personal, societal, and planetary wellness. For real. Quality relationships depend on a respectful approach and attitude, honesty, transparency, and forthrightness, all of which lead to great designs, everywhere. Everyone and everything benefits from great design. I would even be so bold to suggest that nothing exists except how we choose to relate to every person, place, or thing - and on the job, within every process.

My Request
For the above reasons and more, there is no single career avenue or industry for me and likely never will be. There is only this: Could you use someone like me and would I enjoy working with you? I'm seeking something worthy, remote, and long-term. Perhaps a part- or flexible-time consulting position. Perhaps any position where what you need is someone alerting you to your hidden problems, wherever they might be, so that your business runs more efficiently and pleasantly for your employees and your customers.
Thank you.

Background
Thomas W. Findley, MD, founding member of the original World Fascia Congress asked me to create a 1,000 word summary of a surgeon's 50 year-career, to be published as a chapter in a first-of-its kind book on fascia. To me, this was a gift as well as an intense challenge. I studied the many translated-from-French surgical research papers of the brilliant plastic surgeon, Jean Claude Guimberteau. There was a mind-bending struggle to understand and communicate the deeply important connections being made that are changing the face of the future of medicine. I knew the joy of success when these replies were received:

Handspring, now a part of Jessica Kingsley Publishers' Singing Dragon division, is publishing company devoted to helping expand bodywork science and education, something I care a great deal about. So, I was thrilled when the original founder invited me to be the language editor for this brilliant and novel research book by J. C. Guimberteau and Colin Armstrong. This is groundbreaking research that is changing the future face of medicine for the better.
With every job, I pay attention to the professionals and learn as much as I can. What I learned from Handspring Publishing is that I'd love to be in the publishing field! It was a privilege and a pleasure being a member of their team for this project. 

CafeMom started out as ClubMom, a site where moms are in support of and in service to each other and their loved ones.

Tragedy Triggers Career Pivot
An acute thumb injury, obtained from sharp canines whilst removing my Maine Coon from a visiting Pit Bull's throat, halted my bodywork practice for a while, but allowed me to take on an editing job. I'd no experience or education, only a demonstrated passion for fixing things. So, the editors took a leap of faith and brought me on board - for that I will always be grateful.

Promoted
They needed volumes of useful content, fast. I loved working fast! Within that short editing marathon, I was promoted. I took that as a sign I was doing a professional job for an amateur. I have interest and background in practical health matters, and I deeply care about (sane) parenting. This was noticed, so they assigned me to those specific categories. I genuinely enjoyed getting all the health and child-rearing tips edited and ready for prime time for a site about moms supporting moms.