The Editor's Message

I have my troll dolls (you know, the naked ones with the wild pink and blue hair?) and spandex packed. Vegas here I come.

It is almost STC conference time. There are a couple other council members making the trip too, so I won't be alone. (Though after they see me in neon spandex, who knows? Consider yourself warned people.)

So what's the Big Deal?

If you have not been to an STC conference before, it is more than just getting away from the children for a few days (unless you are very brave like our prez Debbie and actually taking them with you — now that is even CRAZIER than neon spandex). It is about meeting other technical communicators from around the world — and believe me, they come from afar.

You meet new friends, old friends, and people you never thought about in the tech comm sense, such as translators and graphic artists. It provides a whole new perspective on the possibilities in our profession, and just what we can do within it. You don't have to rub a troll doll to win the jackpot; just talk to other like-minded professionals who care about what you (and they) do. Simple as that.

The Strategy

I am bringing my husband (only fair that he have the chance to get away from the children as well; besides, there is nothing MORE FUN than dinner with a bunch of technical communicators, like his wife, who are just as passionate about punctuation as she is. Oh boy!) and my colleague too. Did I mention I would not be alone? Okay, so essentially I am travelling with my own network, but that means we can divide and conquer—and share our experiences.

Move over Lady Luck, mama needs some new coins for the corporate slot machine.

As always, I welcome your articles, suggestions, and comments. Email me, Margie, at quill@stc-soc.org.