Writing Process
My
writing process includes the following steps:
1. Gather information
from the client
The first step is to gather information about
the project. I gather information in the following ways:
a. I
have a no-cost consultation with the prospective client to obtain preliminary information about the project. This consultation
helps me determine if the project is one that I can take on. The consultation enables the prospective client and me
to get a feel for each other and develop a plan of action.
b. After
the client and I sign an agreement and the deposit is received, I ask the client a series of questions to gather more detailed
information about the content of the material that I will be writing. The discussion can take place via phone or e-mail.
c. The client may also send me project notes or examples.
2. Conduct research
Depending
on the project, all of the information needed to write the material is gathered from the client. However, it is not
always possible to collect all of the information from the client. In these cases, I conduct research to gather the
information that will be used to write the material.
The more
information and ideas that I receive from the client, the less research I will have to conduct.
3. Write a first draft
After
I have collected information from the client and conducted research (if necessary), I write a first draft of the material.
4. Make revisions to draft based on clients’ comments
Once I have completed the first draft of the material, I send it to the client for
feedback. The client lets me know what changes are necessary. I make the changes and send them a second draft.
We continue to revise the document until we have developed a final draft.
If usually takes one to two rounds of revisions to create a final draft.
