Here's how you can navigate conflicts between writers and subject matter experts in your writing career.
Navigating conflicts between writers and subject matter experts (SMEs) can be a nuanced dance. As a writer, you may encounter situations where your creative vision clashes with the technical accuracy an SME insists upon. These moments are critical in your writing career, as they test your ability to balance storytelling with factual integrity. The key is to approach these conflicts with a collaborative mindset, seeking to understand the SME's perspective while also advocating for your narrative. Remember, the goal is to produce content that is both engaging and credible.
Understanding the distinct roles in the content creation process is crucial. As a writer, your primary focus is on crafting a compelling narrative, while a subject matter expert (SME) is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of technical details. Recognizing these roles helps you appreciate the value that each party brings to the table. When conflicts arise, remind yourself that both perspectives are essential for producing high-quality content. By acknowledging each other's expertise, you pave the way for a more collaborative and less confrontational relationship.
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Try to work as a team. Respect the Subject Matter Expert for their knowledge and insights and you will usually be respected for what you can do as a technical writer. It might however happen that the SME is of the opinion that their writing skills are at least as good as yours. That's a tricky situation that might develop into a adversarial working relationship. A good way to handle this is to compliment the SME on their highly developed skills while offering to take the burden away from them of spending a lot of time on honing the text on a linguistic level. Thus telling the SME that your efforts will enable them to spend more time on the subject as a specialist who "has seen the steel".
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Como autor y editor, puedo aportar una visión amplia del asunto. Escribir es un acto creativo que exige un alto nivel de entrega y pasión. Una obra, no obstante, no culmina con su creación, necesita llegar al público adecuado y penetrar en las personas. Dejarse acompañar y asesorar permitirá alcanzar un mayor éxito. Debemos dejar de lado el ego y llevar el beneficio de la obra creada al centro de nuestras decisiones. Todos los agentes implicados van a remar a favor de ese objetivo común, el éxito del libro. Conviene confiar en la pericia de otros profesionales para obtener un mejor resultado. Las favorables consecuencias de esto se harán evidentes.
Fostering open dialogue is fundamental when resolving conflicts. Encourage regular communication with subject matter experts and be proactive in discussing potential issues. This open line of communication not only helps in resolving disagreements but also prevents many from occurring in the first place. By actively listening to the SME and expressing your concerns or ideas clearly, you create a mutual understanding that can lead to innovative solutions that satisfy both narrative flow and technical accuracy.
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Antes de empezar a trabajar en equipo, conviene conocer y pactar las condiciones. Esto pasa también por establecer roles y límites, comprender qué puede aportar cada parte y flexibilizar las actuaciones para obtener una libertad necesaria y beneficiosa. Una vez hecho esto, todos debemos actuar con integridad y honestidad, dando lo mejor de nosotros mismos. También debemos apoyar nuestra labor en la opinión del otro, para así afinar el resultado de nuestro trabajo y lograr el beneplácito común. Comunicación, consenso, cooperación.
Compromising is an art, especially when it involves balancing creative writing with factual precision. When disagreements occur, aim for solutions that uphold the integrity of the information without stifling your creative voice. Sometimes, this may mean rephrasing certain sections or finding alternative ways to present complex ideas. Remember, the goal isn't to win an argument but to create a cohesive piece that serves the reader's need for both information and engagement.
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It is important to do research, especially for historical subjects, and this is where any subject matter expert comes in. If there is no actual expert available, then pay attention to what has been written by experts on the matter, and work your creativity around that. Unless your intention is to write complete fantasy, which is fine, you need to do some factual groundwork and research.
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Un libro es y será siempre de quien lo escribe. Esta persona es dueña de su propia creación, y esta es una máxima que siempre se ha de respetar. Como editor, puedo poner a su disposición herramientas, recursos y experiencia para mejorar su obra, pero la última palabra será suya. Yo apuesto por recomendar, comentar, sugerir, pero nunca imponer. Si te sirve esto que digo, adóptalo. Te explicaré el cómo y el por qué hacerlo. Si no te convence, no lo hagas. La experiencia te enseñará todo aquello que debas aprender.
Respecting the expertise of subject matter experts is paramount. Acknowledge that their deep understanding of the topic is just as important as your writing skills. When an SME corrects a technical detail or suggests a change, consider it an opportunity to learn and improve the content's accuracy. By valuing their input, you not only enhance your own knowledge but also build a stronger, more respectful working relationship.
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Siempre habrá alguien que sepa más que nosotros. Un libro es un compuesto complejo formado por numerosos elementos. Resulta prácticamente imposible hacerlo todo a la perfección, por lo que apoyarnos en la pericia de otros profesionales nos ayudará a mejorar el resultado de aquello que creamos. Confía en el proceso, pero también en las personas. Hay alguien que podrá mejorar tu ortografía; otro podrá crearte un diseño de portada espectacular; esta otra persona sabe vender mejor que nadie... Apóyate en todos ellos y deja que tu obra crezca impulsada por el trabajo colectivo. Así le estarás haciendo un favor a tu libro. Y créeme: sé, como escritor, lo que amamos nuestra obra.
Educating yourself on the subject matter can significantly reduce conflicts. Take the initiative to learn the basics of the field you're writing about. This understanding will not only enable you to write more confidently but also allow you to ask more informed questions and make more relevant suggestions. When you demonstrate a willingness to learn, SMEs may become more open to your narrative suggestions, knowing that you comprehend the technical aspects of the content.
Maintaining a balance between engaging writing and technical accuracy is the ultimate goal. Strive to find a middle ground where your storytelling complements the expert information. This balance ensures that the final product resonates with your audience, providing them with a piece that is both informative and enjoyable to read. By achieving this equilibrium, you'll successfully navigate conflicts between your creative vision and the SME's factual rigor.
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Algo a tener en cuenta en este debate es la diferencia entre editoriales tradicionales y editoriales de autopublicación. Las primeras podrán imponer más condiciones y presentar más rigidez en lo que a manejo de la obra se refiere. Las de autopublicación, en cambio, nos permitirán gozar de mayor flexibilidad, libertad y control sobre nuestra propia obra. Cabe tener esto en cuenta a la hora de trabajar con un equipo, pues sintonizar con el modo de trabajo adecuado nos permitirá llevar nuestra creación más lejos.
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