Why features journalism matters, by Lane DeGregory and Maria Carrillo

Lane DeGregory during her first internship at The Charlotte Observer in 1987. Photo courtesy of Lane DeGregory

Maria Carrillo in college with her Smith Corona typewriter. Photo courtesy of Maria Carrillo

By Lane DeGregory and Maria Carrillo
2025 SFJ Hall of Fame inductees

We need stories. Now, maybe more than ever.

As wars rage around the world, politics divide nations and neighbors, the climate deteriorates, the government shuts down and the news seems filled with doom, we must remind readers what matters.

Our audiences are exhausted by a dreary deluge. But as feature writers, we get to show them what still unites us, give them things to celebrate, ways to escape.

More than 25 years ago, when we were working together at The Virginian-Pilot, a former reporter from The Washington Post inspired us. Walt Harrington had written a book called “Intimate Journalism: The Art and Craft of Reporting Everyday Life.” In it, he included a quote that feels even more prescient today. It’s from historian Will Durant: 

“Civilization is a stream with banks. The stream is sometimes filled with blood from people killing, stealing, shouting and doing things historians usually record, while on the banks, unnoticed, people build homes, make love, raise children, sing songs, write poetry and even whittle statues. The story of civilization is what happened on the banks.”

Those banks are our beats.

In 2025, while our colleagues spend innumerable hours fact-checking elected officials and defending against charges of fake news, we must not lose sight of important truths. Or everyday life.

We can shine light on those who live and work in the shadows, illuminate people affected by policies, explore the human condition. We can find inspiration in an old man still sweeping a shrimp factory, hope in the dreams of a teenage boy searching for an adoptive family, joy in a young couple’s reach for a better life. We can take readers to new cafes, to concerts and festivals, and make suggestions for their precious free time. We can give them underdogs to cheer for, show communities coming together over football and faith, take them away, bring them home, make them care.

We can remind everyone that we’re all in this together, clinging to the shore of that rushing stream, living our lives, feeding our families, dealing with our in-laws. 

The top-read story in The Washington Post sometimes isn’t breaking news or an important investigation. It’s Carolyn Hax’s advice column or a story about Gen Alpha’s latest slang or an analysis of Taylor Swift song lyrics.

So whether you’re writing narratives, covering athletes or artists, reviewing restaurants or compiling listicles and things to do, know how much your work matters. How much you are needed. Now, more than ever. 

We are the storytellers. Write on.

Lane DeGregory and Maria Carrillo at their induction ceremony on Nov. 6, 2025, at Arizona State University’s Thunderbird Pub in Phoenix. Photos by Zineb Haddaji,  Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow

Veteran journalists Lane DeGregory and Maria Carrillo are the newest inductees into the Society for Features Journalism Hall of Fame. They co-host the podcast WriteLane all about journalistic craft. Read about Lane and Maria’s induction ceremony here.