Feature articles are called feature “stories.” However, they are not fictional. This is just like a news article that is called a news story. Story is synonymous with article in journalism language.
I interpret the word story in journalism as something that is interesting to read, as all genres of writing should be.
I recently read quotes on writing by famous writers of all genres. I realized that most of the quotes apply to feature writing, too.
I’ve picked five quotes below that may help you as feature writers.
1) E. L. Doctorow: Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.
As a feature writer, this is significant to me, because it gets me thinking about the whole feature story process. When I go to interview someone, I usually know little, if anything, about the subject. With questions that I’ve written down ahead of time, the interview becomes a learning process, before the story writing even begins.
Writing is, therefore, an exploration for the feature writer who begins with the fact-gathering. So start by having a hunger for learning about the topic you’re writing about.
2) T.S. Eliot: If you start with a bang, you won’t end with a whimper.
Your story’s lead sentence, your first sentence, and your lead paragraph should always be interesting and draw the reader into the story. Otherwise, the reader will turn the page of the newspaper or magazine and read something else.
Pick up a well-known newspaper or magazine with feature articles and see what the writer does with the lead sentence and first paragraph. Do they draw you into the story? If the publication is a good one, the article should be good and contain an interesting introduction.
Of course, the story should sustain your interest until the end, so the reader will continue reading. Write your most important information early in the story. Hook the reader.
3) William Strunk, Jr.: Omit needless words. Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnnecssary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.
Journalists, in particular, are always urged to think this way, because space is at a premium in newspapers and magazines.
4) George Orwell said: Never use a long word where a short one will do.
Journalists tend to avoid long, pompous or complicated words. They write for the common person.
5) F. Scott Fitzgerald: Cut out all those exclamation marks. An exclamation mark is like laughing at your own joke.
I don’t remember ever seeing an article that contained an exclamation mark. If it did, it shouldn’t have been there. Your words should be significant and appropriate. If they are, the exclamation mark’s intent will be inherent in your choice of words and language.
In general, as a feature writer, try to entertain the reader, that is, write about something with human interest. A reader doesn’t only want facts, but description and interesting quotes that keep the story moving.
Don’t think of yourself as a technician who gathers facts, spews them out, and arranges them in order of the most important first. You must make the facts interesting by interspersing them with description that comes from your perception and observation. You must also use quotes from interviewees that reveal their ideas and perception in a thought-provoking way.
If you want to pursue feature writing, read my book, “Beginners’ Guide to Writing & Selling Quality Features.” It has been a Featured Selection of Writer’s Digest Book Club, along with “You Can Be A Columnist,” the book I authored after it. Both are good primers for writing and getting published in newspapers and magazines.
Copyright 2011 by Charlotte Digregorio.
Charlotte Digregorio's Writer's Blog 
Hi, Charlotte, I’ve always found that writing is an exploration to me. It’s the same with drawing or painting. It’s the journey that counts. Not knowing what you will find gives it that edge of expectation. Thanks for the tips. Merrill
Thanks for writing, Merrill. I often end up with a piece of writing that surprises me in some way!
hey charloette!
i loved how you used Elliot and Orwell! as a new writer, my biggest concern is that i get side-tracked. hts and often at a loss of words. i have started doubting my own as said “every writier is a reader but not every reader is a writer. what do you think? i hate proof reading because everytime i do it., i change the content! im never satisfied with it.
iwhat is a must read for writers? which books magazine applications can help?
I understand what you’re saying.
Focus is a must for writers. I say, only read what you like to read. Don’t get bogged down by reading what other people say you should read. If you don’t like the popular books that are recommended to you by friends, forget them!
Proofreading is a must, however, and you’ll find that you start liking to do it. It is like a game. The more you cut, the more you find you can cut. It becomes satisfying!
Write everything down that comes to you, whether or not it makes sense at first. Then, revise, revise, revise. That’s how you get published.
Good luck!
Hi Charlotte,
My name is Taylor and I’m doing a project for my journalism class at Central Michigan University. I am particularly interested in feature writing and found your article helpful. If you don’t mind, how did you personally get into the field of feature writing?
Taylor, if you read my bio, you’ll note that I was a feature editor for a daily newspaper. I first started out writing for newspapers as a general assignment reporter. I also did some feature writing as a reporter. After that, I was offered a job as feature editor. I wrote the book, “Beginners’ Guide to Writing & Selling Quality Features.” It was a Featured Selection of Writer’s Digest Book Club.