Cynthia Fleming-Wood has over 20 yrs of experience as a technical writer and editor. Her technical aptitude has enabled her to understand and document software in a wide range of subjects, including networking, wafer etching, medical equipment, databases, and CAD/CAM. In addition, she has worked on medical research documentation, including the following subject areas: artificial heart-valves, carcinogenic substances, HIV, renal disease, psychology, and pediatric gastroenterology.
Cynthia creates technical information clearly, economically, accurately, and at an appropriate level for the audience. Her years of teaching make it easy for her to design documentation that meets the needs of the user.
As a technical editor, Cynthia is dedicated to correct grammar and usage and is especially skilled at making edits that maintain the author's original meaning. She also ensures that documents adhere to the adopted style manual. Consistency of presentation ensures a clear understanding of the subject matter.
Among the different types of technical documentation she creates are:
Quick start guides
User guides
System administrator guides
Online help
Process engineering guides
External design specifications
Publishing and Authoring Tools: FrameMaker, Microsoft Word, RoboHelp, Adobe Acrobat Professional, WebWorks Publisher, Adobe Illustrator, Paint Shop Pro, Visio
Operating Systems:Windows XP, Windows 2000, UNIX, Linux,
Other Tools: Documentum, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, FileMaker Pro
Specialties
Technical Communication (writing
and editing)
Medical - Telecommunications -
Science
Areas of expertise:
RoboHELP (Classic and HTML),
WebHelp, HTML Help
Word, FrameMaker, Interleaf
Information Mapping
Windows (2000, NT, and XP
Professional), UNIX, DOS, and OS/2
operating systems
UNIX shell script and C
programming course work
Principal Technical Writer, Nortel Networks
Wrote online Help and user guides for several software and hardware products, including wireless, VoIP, and web collaboration applications. Served as online Help mentor for different organizations throughout Nortel.
PrincipalTechnical Writer, Parametric Technology Corp.
Converted a 75,000-topic Help system to RoboHELP. Trained writers nationwide on the use of RoboHELP. Project leader for CADDS 8.0 and subsequent releases, coordinated the efforts of 14 writers in Pune, India. Created online Help for PRO/Engineer Molding and Piping applications.
Principal Technical Writer, Digital Equipment Corp.
Wrote online Help files and multimedia tutorials for a variety of PC network products. Wrote lessons for the IDS online tutorial. Wrote a "live" demo of the WorkGroup Web Forum, a collaborative tool that runs on the internet.
Principal Technical Writer, Bachman Information Systems
Lead writer for BACHMAN/GroundWorks Release 5.1. Revised the BACHMAN/GroundWorks five-book set for Release 5.1. Wrote documents that included the Shared Work Manager Administrator Guide, and the General User Quick Reference. Designed and implemented an online Help system.
Manager, Computervision Corporation
Managed the EDM/Cross Applications documentation group of 11 writers (5 in Pune, India), an editor, and an illustrator. Planned projects, assigned work, reviewed documents, wrote and administered performance reviews, and assigned salary increases.
Principal Technical Writer
Planned and implemented changes to the CAD/CAM documentation sets. Tracked enhancements to the UNIX operating system. Led group in documentation set design. Ensured that formats and standards remained consistent throughout the set.
Senior Technical Editor, Thermo Electron Corporation
Researched and wrote proposals and reports for medical projects in artificial heart valve research. Worked with a team of physicians, technicians, and engineers to study and report effects of various polymers as coatings for artificial heart valves. Studied commonplace substances to determine carcinogenic effects. Documented the use of the TEA Analyzer, which measured substances for carcinogenic agents.
Education BME, in Voice, concentration in English, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Patents and Awards
Installing and Using the License Manager - included in the patent of the License Management System (see Computervision)
Pathworks Online Tutorial - Achievement Award, Society for Technical Communication
Professional memberships
Society for Technical Communication
American Medical Writers Association
Feedback
"Cindy provided high quality edits and fast turnaround. Her edits improved the rhythm of my paper a lot. We communicated a few times via email and she always replied promptly. She is a joy to work with." -- (Contact information on request)
"Cindy did an incredible job! I was amazed at how fast she worked. It was a blessing to have her working with me." -- Kaysha Young-Brown, doctoral student
"Cindy is absolutely wonderful. I will definitely contact her again if I decide to write another book." -- Patrice London
"Cynthia is a very
professional writer
who makes the client
feel that she
understands the
subject deeply. She
makes recommendations
without being
intrusive. In other
words, she is always
part of the
production, but only
to enhance it. Her
commitment to the
projects lets the
client know that she
is a partner. She is
efficient and responds
quickly. She is the
best scientific
writing partner I have
ever had!" -- Marie
Leiner, PhD, Assistant
Professor, Dept. of
Pediatrics, Texas
Tech University Health
Sciences Center
"Cindy has done the copy editing for two journal papers I have written (both Human-Computer Interaction related). I was really happy with the quality of her work. Everything was arranged quickly and accurately. This was very helpful, as we needed to work with tight deadlines. Our correspondence about the work was always pleasant and professional." Geke van Dijk, Department of Computing, Open University, UK
Department of Biological
Sciences
527 Choppin Hall
Louisiana State
University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
July 11, 2006
Dear Ms. Fleming-Wood,
Subject: Letter of
thanks
This spring I realized
that finding a technical
writing editor could
benefit me in two ways:
first I could presumably
produce higher quality
writings and secondly I
could understand the
changes made by the
technical writing editor
and learn how to write
clearer and more
concise.
In early April I began
searching for a
technical writing editor
by contacting a couple
of biochemistry journal
organizations that I
anticipate submitting
manuscripts to in the
future. To my surprise I
quickly received replies
from qualified editors.
I spoke with a couple
before talking to Ms.
Fleming-Wood. After
speaking to Ms.
Fleming-Wood I was
certain I wanted to work
with her. Not long
thereafter I found that
we had formed a
professional
relationship and I
anticipate it to be a
lasting one. Moreover,
Ms. Fleming-Wood has
offered reasonable rates
for her editing.
Unfortunately, most of
my writing has to be
done quickly and a
timely turn around is
absolutely essential.
Ms. Fleming-Wood has
repeatedly accommodated
me in this regard by
providing an especially
speedy return of my
writings.
Ms. Fleming-Wood has
also noticeably improved
my writing. I am always
eager to see the
revisions of my
writings. After reading
a revision it appears so
polished I find myself
second guessing having
been the creator; it is
only through recognition
of form and facts that I
am reminded I had
something to do with the
body of work. When I
present my writings to
my wife for comparison,
both before and after
editing, my wife notes
that Ms. Fleming-Wood
has noticed oversights
that we never knew where
actually errors- she s
that good. Furthermore
the readability is
improved tremendously.
My reason for writing this is in recognition of her good work, and to her I would like to say, "Thanks, Cindy".
Sincerely,
Brian K. Benson
Graduate Student
Louisiana State
University
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