I am a patent agent. I write patent applications, supervise/review others writing patent applications, and get a little involved in the dickering with the patent office that follows upon filing a patent application. So, I sit in front of a computer terminal and write, I listen to audio recordings of interviews with inventors, I research briefly some technical ideas that I may not be fully conversant with on the internet (Wikipedia, etc.). I make simple block diagrams of systems to support my patent applications, using the simple MSWord drawing tool. I review patent applications written by others, marking up hard copies with a red ink pen and then discussing my redlines with the writer. Some of my mark-ups are obvious -- typos, grammar, preferred locutions. Others of my mark-ups are more sophisticated and subtle, which is why the redlines are discussed with the other writer -- the point is to attempt to educate and share my analysis with the writer so they can adopt my analysis in the future. This doesn't always work. Some people get it, other people are pretty dense or appear to have plateaued out on their writing ability. Much of my work is involved in writing and writing well and writing efficiently.
I also interact some with the inventors -- in phone conferences and in soliciting their review of our patent application drafts. It is important for me to be polite, to avoid disparaging language or insults and to appreciate that these inventors are very busy with other things, like engineering design. I also interact with patent lawyers in my law firm where I work. A key to my success is being reliable and trust worthy. If I say I'm going to complete a task by a certain time, I deliver. At least part of the trick is to under commit, and over deliver. Never make a committment that you can't keep; always keep your commitments. These guys are busy. To the extent I make their lives easier, this is greatly appreciated.
I keep regular hours in the office, but I also do a fair amount of work at home. Often I will bring home case files to review and mark-up. Sometimes I bring my laptop home and write patent applications at home at night or on the weekend. I am paid a salary, but there is an important bonus component to my compensation, and it works out that if I work more I get paid more, so I am motivated to work both at home in the evenings and often on the weekends.
I don't know what you are looking for, but I'm hoping this is close.
