I didn't, but the assistant attorney general for NC set me straight. Assuming facts can mess up your plot. Making up details can rob your story of the richness of real experience and alienate a knowledgeable reader. I have made more cold calls to sources than I can count, and my stomach still flip flops nervously every time I pick up the phone. People are surprisingly generous.
Experts like to talk.
Take advantage of their willingness by making that call. Following are my tips for getting the most out of your phone interviews. Preparing to Call Read first. Don't take an expert's time away from his or her primary job by asking for information you could easily get from a trip to the library. Personal narratives are good because they give you a feel for a profession.