When I joined SFGATE, I was tasked with writing regular features about life on the North Coast. A feature story dives deep into a single topic, offering detailed, non-fiction writing that’s more about storytelling than breaking news. Unlike traditional hard news, features let me experiment with style, structure, and focus.
But transitioning from news to features has pushed me to flex new muscles—writing in longer form and constantly scouting for people and places that deserve a deeper look.
My latest feature took me to the Hopland tie-dye stand, a beloved landmark I’ve known since childhood visits to Humboldt County. For me, passing the stand always signaled that the redwoods were nearby.
Writing these features has given me a clearer picture of the labor, love, and challenges my neighbors face in pursuit of their dreams—even in something as simple as a tie-dye stand. I’m excited to keep digging deeper.
Read my story here.
I’ve bought a few shirts from this stand. Tie dye has always been my favorite color!