This is the outline for a presentation to be delivered at the Fall 2008 conference of the National Association of Science Writers, at a panel titled: Geeks, Freaks & Deadlines: Writing about technology and the humans who love it.

Discussion

Who:

• are you
• are you writing for
• are you writing about

What:

• are your interests and specialities
• are your skills and techniques
• will your audience find useful

When:

• will your news event occur
• will your work be seen or heard
• did it (or something similar) happen before

Where:

• do you find ideas and find sources
• do you have a network of contacts
• do you find new markets and enlarge your audience

Why:

• is this a story now
• would an editor or reader be interested 
• are you covering this 

How:

• does it work
• does it make money (or have an impact)
• does it affect society