When creating a website for a client, do you come up with the creative writing/research and gathering of body text information yourself?
It depends on the pitch you made. There are companies that do just that and nothing more - you could subcontract that work out. I would suggest that you make a task in the project plan to work with someone from the client on the wording that is required. Maybe have a meeting once a week to review the places where text is needed. Even better make the main bodies of text editable through the admin section so that if they want to make a change they can. A lot depends on the site though - they will know their target market better than you ever will. Let's say you're approached by a company that sells plumbing supplies and they need a website so that tradies can use a project specification tool. You are not likely to understand the concerns of the average plumber and how to talk to them as well as the company that works with them all the time. The type of conversation a plumber will have with you as a customer will be different to how they talk with their suppliers and you need to get that tone right. I'd be letting the client manage the copywriting!