Expand your horizons: Add drama to your writing

One's abilities as a technical writer provide a strong basis for moving into other forms of writing Writers who have done so find their technical writing capability is considerably enhanced they organize their information more effectively, they write more easily, and they are much more aware of audience. For many years I have been aware that marked similarities exist between writing technical documentation and writing dramatic scripts. In recent years I have had the opportunity to write drama in addition to writing and teaching technical communication. This has reflected well on my technical writing: I now differentiate more easily between 'need to know' information and 'nice to know'details, better anticipate my readers' reactions, and write faster and more easily. As a bonus, I have had the satisfaction of seeing my technical writing experience translate into viable dramatic writing, and have had the privilege ofseeing three of my plays produced.