48 Tips in 48 Hours

So let's do 48.

Hundreds of writers are gathering in Hartford, Conn., this weekend for the first of this year's National Writers Workshops. I'll be flying up to join them Friday. Here's a list of speakers and the schedule.

The plan is simple. Track down 48 useful reporting and writing tips in 48 hours and publish them here in real-time. I'm looking for the practical stuff you can take to work with you on Monday morning.

If you're getting this post as an e-mail, it's because you indicated your interest in writing and editing when you registered as a Poynter Online user.

For updates as the project unfolds this weekend, just visit www.poynter.org/48.

I'll sit in on sessions. Question presenters. I'll go after people I meet in the hallways, the lobby and the bar.

By the way, I am Pat Walters, a Naughton Fellow at Poynter Online. I'm 23 years old. More on me here.

I'll listen. Take notes. At times, record some audio interviews.

But it'll be even easier -- and pretty darn cool -- if you come to me first. Visit the blog and comment, ask a question, leave a tip of your own. Tell me if you think I've found a good one, or if I post something lame.

If you do make it to Hartford, come find me. I'll be the tall, lanky fellow sitting at the hotel bar with a MacBook. In my country... itsa nice... to be friendly.

I've posted a schedule in the left rail of the blog. Check it out. See what might interest you, and contact me to suggest questions I might ask, ways I might cover certain things or other people I might want to talk with.

Consider me your proxy.

You can get to the blog with this link -- www.poynter.org/48. Find out more about who I am at my Web site -- www.patwalters.net. And don't hesitate to e-mail me -- pwalters@poynter.org -- instant message me -- poynterpat -- or call my cell -- 610-334-5300.

Looking forward to hearing from some of you on the blog this weekend. And meeting some of you in Hartford. Enjoy the weekend!