When I was a reporter, I wrote a lot of what they call "feature stories." I did beat and crime reporting as well, but features are where you get to shine.

I wrote, among other things, articles about new technologies being used by emergency services, how local schools measured up to others in the state and how water conservation issues related to our local water supply (Lake Allatoona).

There were also dozens of interviews of local characters and stories about local plays being put on, or historical buildings being renovated. But taking a "big" issue or story and bringing it down to our local level, making it relevant, that's what I loved the most. My editor even put some of my features on the front page and said they were as good as the wire.