Making Contact with Useful People

By Val

@valmnz (17097)

New Zealand

November 15, 2015 12:35pm CST

Writing a non-fiction book is quite different from writing fiction, obviously. Probably as much of my time, if not more at the moment, is spent in locating information. One of the things high on the agenda at the moment is contacting people I don't know and setting up appointments with them. I find this difficult to do, but when i know I have to do it, I just go ahead and get on with the job. Much of my week this week will be spent in e-mailing and phoning contacts I've been given to follow up on. Who knows what useful information treasure I may stumble upon? The last person I contacted turned out to be a dead end, so I'm hoping this week will be more profitable.

32 people like this

31 responses

@wetnosedogs (1533)

• United States

15 Nov 15

Wishing you much success in contacting people.

6 people like this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

15 Nov 15

Thanks. I do find it quite daunting, but these people do need to be contacted by the end of the month.

3 people like this

@xFiacre (13035)

• Ireland

15 Nov 15

I suppose with fiction you can at least invent contacts and force them to cooperate!

5 people like this

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@GardenGerty (160696)

• United States

16 Nov 15

@valmnz I did not expect to find a chuckle here, but I am glad I did. Hope your week goes well.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

16 Nov 15

@TheHorse I believe hat's true too

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (218921)

• Walnut Creek, California

15 Nov 15

I think some journalists do that too.

1 person likes this

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@bluesa (15022)

• Johannesburg, South Africa

15 Nov 15

I hope you will be able to set up a few appointments this week @valmnz , and that you get some great information for your book, Val.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

16 Nov 15

Thanks Catherine. People are starting to get busy already as the end of the year approaches.

1 person likes this

@pgntwo (22408)

• Derry, Northern Ireland

15 Nov 15

Yes, just gird your loins and go for it!

2 people like this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

16 Nov 15

That's one way of looking at it

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (218921)

• Walnut Creek, California

15 Nov 15

Years ago, when I was writing a short story that had some basic physics in it, I contacted a UC Berkeley physics professor. I was surprised by how willing he was to chat with me over the phone. I got the information I needed.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

16 Nov 15

On the whole I find most people helpful. They like talking about themselves, especially if you're going to mention them in a book.

Ronald Franklin

@RonElFran (1214)

• Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

15 Nov 15

Actually talking to people to get info for your book sounds like it could be stimulating. I've done a little of that almost by accident in getting permission to use some materials in my articles. Somewhat surprisingly, I found that I like it.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

16 Nov 15

It's really fascinating, especially as the people I'm dealing with, the ex patrons of the old baths, are all well over 60. The even older ones do like to reminisce.

@silvermist (19702)

• India

16 Nov 15

@valmnz I hope next week, you may be able to contact some useful people and manage to get some useful information.

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

16 Nov 15

Thanks, it's an oncoming job!

1 person likes this

@Drosophila (16571)

• Ireland

15 Nov 15

I find connecting with people first on social media helps with the ice breaking. Best luck with this week.

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

16 Nov 15

I'm dealing with 70 and 80 year olds here, so probably not quite so practical

1 person likes this

@Drosophila (16571)

• Ireland

16 Nov 15

@valmnz That's true!

1 person likes this

@Jessicalynnt (50523)

• Centralia, Missouri

15 Nov 15

I used to kinda do that kind of thing, being a journalist some people were good sources, some weren't, some were good but not reliable, some where just...not!

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

16 Nov 15

Many of the peel I'm dealing with are in the 70s and 80s and so it's quite an interesting ball game.

1 person likes this

@Jessicalynnt (50523)

• Centralia, Missouri

16 Nov 15

@valmnz like russian roulette, some are sharp, some are duds! lol

1 person likes this

@softbabe44 (5816)

• Vancouver, Washington

16 Nov 15

Go after what you want to show them you can do and it's important.

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

16 Nov 15

Thank you, I'm lucky to have the support of some lovely people.

@softbabe44 (5816)

• Vancouver, Washington

16 Nov 15

@valmnz That's so nice to have the support you have and you have us to.

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

16 Nov 15

@softbabe44 what a nice thing to say

@KristenH (33385)

• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

16 Nov 15

Fingers crossed Val. You can do it. I'm sure it'll turn out just fine.

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

16 Nov 15

Hopefully yes

1 person likes this

@hema7213 (3517)

• India

16 Nov 15

oh yeah!!! meeting persons is very interesting & when it comes as a profession, it is like "sone pe suhaga" (A golden opportunity). wishing you best of luck..

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

16 Nov 15

Thank you, I like that saying.

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

17 Nov 15

@hema7213 I know it in English, not in Indian

@hema7213 (3517)

• India

17 Nov 15

@valmnz do you really know that saying ????

1 person likes this

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@JudyEv (340216)

• Rockingham, Australia

18 Nov 15

I would find it a bit difficult to start up a discussion with someone I didn't know. But I'm sure most will be pleased to help with your research.

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

18 Nov 15

When you think about it as work you need to do, it isn't too intimidating. These were all ex swimmers in their day, and I'm a swimmer. There's a bond we can start with.

1 person likes this

@BellaDoc (762)

• San Diego, California

16 Nov 15

It does sound tricky Val. Presumably you have a publisher/buyer all lined up prior to commencing the work? Hope all is well in NZ.

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

16 Nov 15

Great to see you! I'm self publishing with the support of a local community trust.

1 person likes this

@BellaDoc (762)

• San Diego, California

16 Nov 15

@valmnz Thanks :) I hope it all goes OK for you

1 person likes this

@marlina (154131)

• Canada

16 Nov 15

Wishing you a very fruitful week with those contacts. Forward!

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

16 Nov 15

Forward is probably a good statement! It does feel like a little battle ground at times

@LadyDuck (471421)

• Switzerland

16 Nov 15

This is the part of "writing books" that I do not like. Good luck with your contacts.

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

16 Nov 15

Good things take time I guess.

1 person likes this

@cahaya1983 (11116)

• Malaysia

16 Nov 15

I think the last time I had to do that was when organizing a high profile meeting in my previous job. Making phone calls is really tedious but I think when you're doing it to accomplish something for yourself it can actually be satisfying.

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

16 Nov 15

Yes, every success is worth it.

1 person likes this

@shshiju (10342)

• Cochin, India

16 Nov 15

Satisfaction is the reward for your hard work.

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

16 Nov 15

You're certainly right rhere

• Manila, Philippines

16 Nov 15

The internet is a huge place to find all the details you may need like phone numbers and email. Your friends can also help you out if they know some peers who are experts in the field you are writing about.

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

16 Nov 15

In the area I'm working in it's the old official documents rather than the internet I need to access and have been doing so for a year or so. Now I'm talking to people in their 70s and 80s who have real life stories to tell.

1 person likes this

@whiteream (8567)

• United States

16 Nov 15

I hope, things go much better for you. Writing a book isn't easy. Good luck!!

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

16 Nov 15

You are so right when you say writing a book isn't easy.