KATY TORRALBAS

Biography

■ Find me on Facebook, Twitter and Linked In.

When I was about five, I started making construction paper books and writing stories starring the family pets. Maybe I should have realized then that writing was the career for me, but it took me years to figure it out.

I grew up in a small, upstate New York town called Feura Bush and after high school spent four years studying English, history, Spanish and Latin America studies at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. I swam in the gorges, stressed about classes and pulled all-nighters in the library like all other the students, but I also spent thousands of hours at the downtown office of The Cornell Daily Sun, the independent student newspaper.

As much as I loved my home state, I was ready for a change when I graduated. I wanted to live in a warmer place by the ocean where I could put my years of learning to speak Spanish to work. I started at the Daily News as a small business reporter, writing about main street issues, restaurants and retail businesses. Now, I'm a features reporter for the Neapolitan and Showcase sections. I love telling untold stories and writing about dramatic, unique or quirky people and events. If you have an idea for a story please, let me know.

SEE WHAT OUR FEATURES STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING ON

■ Stories I'm most proud of:

Forgotten, hidden, neglected: 8 graves occupy anonymous plot at busy Naples street corner - Delving into this anonymous black graveyard at Goodlette-Frank and Pine Ridge Roads was fascinating - even though I never figured out who they were.

Adrift no more: A young Cuban artist leaves behind everything he knows to begin again - This young man's immigration story moved me.

A lifetime of support: 'Mother Perry’ has battled segregation, fought for civil rights — and at 98 continues to inspire - She was a midwife who delivered 514 babies in 25 years and an advocate for children whose life inspired many. I was lucky to get to know Mother Perry before she died in 2008.

Paying the price Is Fifth Avenue South in jeopardy from its own success? - As a small business and retail reporter, I learned a lot by digging into the reasons behind sky-high rents on Fifth Avenue South before the bubble burst.

When I'm not working, I love to dance salsa, try new restaurants, discover new recipes, do yoga and spend time outside kayaking, beaching and enjoying the Florida sunshine.

A few of my favorite things:

■ Outdoor places I have (or want to) visit

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary - This swamp is one of the most beautiful places in Southwest Florida. I've seen herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills, a bear, alligators and the famous ghost orchid.

New York's Adirondack Mountains - I grew up camping in the Adirondack mountains and they'll always hold a special place in my heart.

Galápagos Islands - This trip hasn't happened yet, but I hope to go in the not-so-distant future -- and write a story about it.

Waterfalls at Iguazú - If you're going anywhere near this waterfall, GO SEE IT. It's breathtaking.

■ Food sites

Smitten Kitchen - This site will make you hungry. I guarantee it.

Mark Bittman - This NY Times food writer often inspires me to try new recipes.

■ Writers and journalists

Lane DeGregory - This St. Petersburg Times writer's stories always make me laugh and cry. If you missed her "Girl in the window" story it's heart wrenching and beautiful.

Marilynne Robinson - This woman's writing is luminous. I love it. I especially enjoyed her novel Gilead.

Tom Wolfe - One of my most memorable assignments was interviewing Tom Wolfe on the phone and then in person. He was friendly and open -- and yes, he did wear a white suit.