I wanted to preview my next set of posts and seek your input, since I know there is a deep well of expertise in this audience. If you have anything to share on any of the topics below, please let me know!
-During the research process, when is it better to self-educate through reading and when should you call up an expert?
-On big projects like features and books, when is the right time to read similar titles?
-How do you go about hiring a research assistant? And how can you make the most of both your time?
1. I've just done everything in order. Read, call, call, read, read, read ... but probably because I had an outline that I stuck to, just to stay on track.
2. Uh ... I basically haven't read similar titles. By the time I got to the writing process, I didn't want to be distracted or disheartened by what someone else had done.
3. I've found that research assistants, with one exception a long time ago, aren't motivated enough or savvy enough to actually save me much time, so I haven't bothered during this century. I have hired editors and fact-checkers, and would consider a research assistant if the amount of research material seemed unmanageable.
1. I've just done everything in order. Read, call, call, read, read, read ... but probably because I had an outline that I stuck to, just to stay on track.
2. Uh ... I basically haven't read similar titles. By the time I got to the writing process, I didn't want to be distracted or disheartened by what someone else had done.
3. I've found that research assistants, with one exception a long time ago, aren't motivated enough or savvy enough to actually save me much time, so I haven't bothered during this century. I have hired editors and fact-checkers, and would consider a research assistant if the amount of research material seemed unmanageable.
Thanks, Rob! This is really helpful!