news[nyōōz] –noun: reported information about recent events; intelligence, information [Origin: c1425-75 [Late ME newis pl. – something new, a novelty]
feat·ure [ˈfi-tʃə] –noun: written article or story; characteristic or distinctive quality [Origin: c1325 [O Fr. faiture – shape, form; to make]
Now, I don't really do hard news - there's not much call for it in the magazine world with lead times of three to four months. However I do have a press card coupled with a long-held desire to leap through police cordons brandishing it, so if it's hard news you're after, I could be your man (although, no war zones, please - khaki is not my colour). I do think there's a lot of crossover between news and features, though, and a good feature should always reflect current trends supported by thorough research, up-to-date facts and relevant quotes.
One of my pet hates is the cover line that promises to impart some life-changing nugget of information when the feature delivers nothing of the sort - it leaves me feeling conned and with no desire to read that particular magazine ever again (until I see the next issue's life-changing coverline or there's a free lipstick covermount, of course...) Other bugbears are stating the bleedin' obvious and teaching your granny to suck eggs. As a general rule, I write from the "what-would-I-want-to-know-about-this?" standpoint.
Research is my middle name. Whether I'm writing a lighthearted feature on alfresco dining, developmental differences between boys and girls or talking about serious human rights issues across the world I leave no stone unturned in my quest to present the reader with a fresh viewpoint and plenty of facts and figures to back it up. Actually, I have two middle names - the other one is Deadline. Stories are delivered to brief and on time with references checked and sources (where relevant) provided.
Although I have a strong interest and background in writing about interiors, green and ethical living, alternative health, parenting and pop psychology - and I'm also a bit of an astrologer on the quiet - I'll write about just about anything; I love tackling new subjects and specialise in making complex issues lively and accessible to a wider audience (although I should point out that as a member of the NUJ I abide by its code of ethics, so nothing dodgy, please...)
Now, I don't really do hard news - there's not much call for it in the magazine world with lead times of three to four months. However I do have a press card coupled with a long-held desire to leap through police cordons brandishing it, so if it's hard news you're after, I could be your man (although, no war zones, please - khaki is not my colour). I do think there's a lot of crossover between news and features, though, and a good feature should always reflect current trends supported by thorough research, up-to-date facts and relevant quotes.
One of my pet hates is the cover line that promises to impart some life-changing nugget of information when the feature delivers nothing of the sort - it leaves me feeling conned and with no desire to read that particular magazine ever again (until I see the next issue's life-changing coverline or there's a free lipstick covermount, of course...) Other bugbears are stating the bleedin' obvious and teaching your granny to suck eggs. As a general rule, I write from the "what-would-I-want-to-know-about-this?" standpoint.
Research is my middle name. Whether I'm writing a lighthearted feature on alfresco dining, developmental differences between boys and girls or talking about serious human rights issues across the world I leave no stone unturned in my quest to present the reader with a fresh viewpoint and plenty of facts and figures to back it up. Actually, I have two middle names - the other one is Deadline. Stories are delivered to brief and on time with references checked and sources (where relevant) provided. 
Although I have a strong interest and background in writing about interiors, green and ethical living, alternative health, parenting and pop psychology - and I'm also a bit of an astrologer on the quiet - I'll write about just about anything; I love tackling new subjects and specialise in making complex issues lively and accessible to a wider audience (although I should point out that as a member of the NUJ I abide by its 
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