Opinion and
Feature Writing
I’m an experienced writer of opinion pieces and feature articles. My words are regularly published in newspapers, magazines and online sites.
What topics do I write feature and opinion pieces about?
Feature and opinion writing gives me the opportunity to think on, research and write about topics that I’m interested in and that are relevant to a wide audience of readers.
I’ve written about parenting, travel, food, real-estate and social justice issues, on topics as diverse as off-leash dogs, working a four-day week and changing your car rego when you move interstate.
What is an opinion piece?
Opinion writing has been a mainstay of our news and media landscape since the 1970s. I feel fortunate to write opinion pieces that help create conversation around topics-of-the-day. Opinion pieces can:
- Be serious takes on topics that are currently in the news-cycle
- Bring new topics to the public’s attention
- Lighten and brighten a reader’s day.
What is a feature article?
A feature is any piece of writing published in a newspaper, magazine or online media site that isn’t hard news. Some examples are:
- News-related features that give background on a topic currently in the news
- Case study features that shed light on how an issue affects everyday people
- First-person features (or personal essays) that share one person’s story
- Lifestyle features about a current trend or real-life topic
- Profile features of a politician or celebrity
- Opinion pieces.
Opinion and feature pieces are my first writing love. Many of my stories use my own experience and others are more journalistic in style.
And, I totally love the fact that I now tutor the same course that launched my freelance writing career. You can read more about that here.
Here are some of my opinion pieces:
On public marriage proposals
The Big Smoke
Why public proposals might not be as romantic as they seem.
Sneaky caffeine in rebranded Sprite
Sydney Morning Herald
Surprised to discover this soft drink is not suitable for children?
A 4-day working week is on the agenda
Guardian Australia
I’ve worked a four-day week for years. Here’s what I’ve learned.
The problem with art prize communication
ArtsHub
Communication needs to show respect for artists’ time and energy.
The Splendour of gumboots in a world of mud
Sydney Morning Herald
Gumboots feel like an apt metaphor for our troubled times.
I've written hundreds of feature stories (really!). Here are some of my favourites.
How experts treat claustrophobia
Sydney Morning Herald
Did you feel panicked hearing news about the Titan submersible?
After floods and storms, is it safe to swim?
ABC News online
How do you know when it’s safe to get back in the water?
5 Byron Indigenous travel experiences
Delicious
On your next visit, consider the culture of the Arakwal people.
Anne with an E has scope for the imagination
Guardian Australia
On Netflix’s reworking of the beloved LM Montgomery classic.
A Kiwi odyssey is an armchair travel highlight
Good Weekend
Walking is the hero of this captivating account of a 3000km trek.
If you're in need of more, here's a full list of all my publications...
Here’s what one editor said about a piece:
Pearson’s column struck a chord with readers, clocking up almost 400,000 page views in just five days.
Billy Cantwell, Deputy Opinion Editor, written in the Opinion Newsletter
Here are some of my favourite responses from readers:
Informative, interesting and correct.
– Debra, about my opinion piece alerting people to the high levels of caffeine in the rebranded Sprite
I just wanted to reach out and say well done on your article. The general dog owning and training community wholeheartedly agree.
– Steve, in response to a piece in Sydney Morning Herald about off-leash dogs
Thank you for taking the time to address this important issue. The points you have raised will resonate with many artists.
– Louisa, regarding an opinion piece about arts-communication in ArtsHub
Keen to write your own opinion pieces?
My course might be just what you’re looking for.
My values
As an opinion and feature writer for media, I firmly believe that freelancers deserve good rates and full respect. To this end, I offer my time and views to MEAA’s efforts towards improving rights, rates and respect for media freelancers. For more information, please see freelancers.org.au
FAQs
Do you have to be an expert to write an opinion piece?
Anyone can write and publish an opinion piece. That goes both for your own blog or socials as well as mainstream media. The key is that you need to write from a position of who you are and not to pretend to be someone (or something) that you’re not. If you’re an expert on a topic, opinion writing is a great way to share your knowledge with the world outside academia. If you’re a ‘regular person’ with an opinion (like me), that’s the position you write from.
I’ve got an opinion! Can you help me get it published?
I can help you find the right words and give you tips for publication. This can be via my course, individual coaching. Or if you’re a business or organisation leader looking to write for your blog or socials, please get in contact.
I’ve read of one of your opinion pieces. How do I share my thoughts?
I love hearing from readers and do my best to respond to everyone. You can contact me or share the piece and your thoughts on social media.
I’m an editor. Are you open to commissions?
Yes please! If you offer payrates of 75c/word or above, I look forward to hearing from you.
I work in PR. Are you open to receiving media releases?
If you’re still keen after hearing that I’ve only used information from a media release once in my writing, feel free – but by email only. (Also note that I no longer live in Melbourne so can’t pop along to any events happening in that great but distant city).
I’ve got something I think you should write about. Are you open to ideas?
I tend to write based on my own ideas and experiences however you’re welcome to contact me with a couple of short paragraphs summarising the issue. Please note that I won’t click on links or watch any suggested YouTube videos.