I’m glad that you found something of merit here.

As for what I write about, with one exception, it’s always been to write about what interests me. I learn through study.

As to your other question: I try not to read anyone else’s interpretations as I write my own, as I don’t want to regurgitate what someone else has done, which is how I avoid that. I also try to be judicious in choosing material so that I’m not using suspicious or unreliable sources.

Eric

Given that, how do you create a book on a subject matter without having the feeling the material is not simply a reformatting of the same data.

I don’t use any of the citation programs, although I have considered them. I prefer to do things the old fashioned way, because that way I have a level of confidence that I haven’t missed anything.

Regarding primary source info: Unless I have absolutely no other option, I never, ever take notes by hand. I much prefer having photocopies of the original documents, and given my druthers, that’s what I will always choose. Sometimes, you have no choice, though. Some things simply can’t be xeroxed. On those occasions, if I have to transcribe, I will always do so on my laptop for the reasons you’ve stated.

Eric

I think I will adopt your practice of doing the draft on the computer and then revising in pen several times.

The one other question I would add is your method of tracking primary source info. From your comment about bankers boxes, it sounds like you do all of your note taking by hand. I’ve gotten into the habit of just using my laptop to take notes, giving me the capability to cut and paste passages directly into a draft. Do you ever do that? Secondly, do you make photocopies of every source you get from an archive, if they allow photocopies? I have tons of material from various archives for my MA thesis, but don’t have a lot of it in hard copy.

Again, thanks!
Charles