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Who is Sue Huckle?
This is the story of Sue Huckle...how I became a Technical Writer and why I wrote Word-Tips.com.
My Lifelong Dream
Ever since I learned to read at age 4, I dreamed about becoming a writer. I wrote stories, poems, and homemade cards when I was little. I loved it when my parents read my cards and laughed and laughed!
I wrote in my journal every day through junior high and high school. When I went to college, I chose Journalism as my major.
After only a year of school, I decided Journalism just didn't fit...but neither did creative writing. I wanted to be a writer, but I couldn't put my finger on what I wanted to write!
After that first discouraging year of college, I left to get married and have children. Little did I know my husband and I would have three v-e-r-y active boys to raise!
Raising Kids and Working from Home
Because I was a stay-at-home mom, I found ways to make money from home: babysitting, cleaning houses, even stringing pearls for a wholesale jeweler!
In 1984, I was given an old manual typewriter which I used to start a typing service called, Sue Huckle Typing Service. Imaginative, huh? I used that freebie typewriter for years!
Clunky Typewriter to Computer Guru
In 1992, my husband traded some tools for our first computer—a 286 with a 540mb hard drive and preloaded with Microsoft Works. What a shrewd business deal! I was finally able to retire my clunky old typewriter.
Wow!! A computer! And boy did I get hooked...
I learned Microsoft Works quickly, and sub-contracted work from another home-based business entering data to make thousands of mailing labels.
Within a few months, I bought Microsoft Word 6.0, and "upgraded" my data entry service to formatting term papers and resumes.
Over time, I learned computer repair and seemed to have a knack for troubleshooting computer problems. Friends and relatives started calling me to help them with their computers and answer questions about Microsoft Word. (And they still do!)
Behold, the Internet
One day, I received a disk in the mail...Sue Huckle - try AOL free! I couldn't resist. I installed it immediately and set up an account. I still remember listening to the modem screech and watching the little AOL animated graphic showing my computer connecting to…the World!
I became fanatical about the internet. It was amazing that I, Sue Huckle, could sit in my little house and connect with people all over the world.
Naturally, I wanted to find a way to make money with this new tool. In 1997, I officially opened a business called Net Advantage and marketed for an internet advertising company.
That, however, was NOT a shrewd business deal. I had gone outside of my niche and failed miserably. I dumped advertising sales, but not before losing a lot of money on the investment and business start-up costs.
To try and recoup my costs, I kept the business name and started marketing myself as an office support service (the old term for virtual assisting).
Back to my Roots
Eventually, I opened my first official business web site and changed my business name to NetBusinessServices.com. I taught myself HTML and started offering web site hosting and maintenance in addition to my office support services.
I had a handful of steady clients, but I still had time to homeschool my boys and help my husband run his own business. It was the perfect set up! But I was not totally happy as Sue Huckle - Virtual Assistant. Don't get me wrong, I loved my clients and my work, but something was missing.
Writer's Itch
By 2003, I was getting the writer's itch! My kids were getting older, and I decided I wanted to go back to school to pursue a writing degree.
Through research, I learned the type of writing I was interested in was called, "technical writing." Amazing! There was actually a way to combine writing with my interest in technology.
It took me 5 years of taking classes part-time, but I finally earned my certificate. (And almost have my Associate's degree completed.)
After earning a certificate in Business and Technical Communications, I launched my technical writing career. The great part is that because I freelance, I get to work at home. My clients provide me with interesting projects such as writing software help files, User Guides, procedure manuals, and web copy.
When I'm not working on a technical writing project, I write articles for Word-Tips.com.
It's in my Genes
My grandfather was a published scientific writer, and my father, James A. Fizzell, is a well-known author of gardening books and articles. You can find his books at Amazon.com and other bookstores.
The best writing gig I've had so far was for my dad. I was so pleased when he asked me to write his brochure! That's when I finally knew I could make it as a writer.
Full Circle
So that brings me back to where this story started—
Who
is Sue Huckle? I am a wife and mom and a grandma!
(After raising three roughneck boys, my first grandbaby is a sweet little girl!
How special is that??!! Update: we have a new grandson born July 29, 2011,
and our newest grandson was born October 3, 2011.)
As a technical writer, my goal is to help you create the best documents possible for your business.
And that is why I created Word Tips!
Write Your Own Story
I hope my story inspires you to start your own home-based business or to continue building your current one. Being self-employed is quite a challenge, but the rewards are worth it!
Do what you love; find your niche. You will be successful AND happy.
All the best to you!
Sue Huckle
Certified Technical Writer
* Illinois Gardener's Guide cover photo courtesy of CoolSprings.net
Go to Sue Huckle Technical Writing Website
