Writing instructions is no easy task. I can write them, but if they aren't clear somebody is going to complain. I have a team of proofreaders I rely upon to help me get it right. I've sold over a thousand bird tutorials over the last few years, and nobody who writes a review says they can't follow the instructions.
I also want to set up my customers for success, so I always try to include as many variations as I can, and I try to give as many time saving and design hints as I can.
Those things take time. So I'm working on it. I am pretty sure I have the flow of information down, although my pal Julie (yes, that Julie) usually rearranges everything and it's always so much better than my version.
I've got a couple of beta testers waiting in the wings too. Once I think it's ready I'll pass the tutorial on to them, and they will attempt to make a quilt following my instructions. They'll tell me what works and what doesn't. I'll make changes.
When the text is OK, and the pictures are clear, I'll go through it again with a fine tooth comb, making sure spelling is correct throughout, that formatting is consistent and that the style of headings and footers are the same on each page. Then my team of proofreaders will give it a final review, and I'll write up a description and publish it on Etsy and release it into the world.
So it's coming. And although I know I've been saying that for a few months now, this time it really is. I have enough versions of the quilt to show to inspire folks to make their own and I finally know what it is I want to say.
You'll read about it here first.
2 comments:
I used to head a task where instructions for software and classes on its use were the products. The people who actually did the work had my greatest respect. Writing the instructions at a level for a fifth grader to understand but not to be talking down to a PHD isn't easy. Proofreading the stages was excruciating and I found I wanted them to skip information that everyone knew. Oops bad assumtion. Hand to the lowest possible user and they may not know. Good luck on the writing and I know you are up to the task by seeing your approach. Thanks from the many people who do not understand the process and how it differs from "cut 56 5- inch squares".
Your team of proofreaders stand ready to dissect your work when the time comes (grin). This will be another awesome tutorial when it is finally release - worth the wait!
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