Freelancer of the fortnight: Amy Watkins, UK

Click here to look at Amy Watkins' full freelance profile on Journalism.co.uk.

Why did you choose to become a freelancer?
I've always loved to write: features, stories, essays and even painfully-bad poetry. I used to dream of being my own boss and working in my pajamas, but I put off making the leap while I built up my contacts and gained experience in the industry. I did freelance travel writing alongside my day job as features editor on a regional newspaper for two years. I then decided to go travelling around the world for five months in 2008. When I got back I worked as a production editor on a magazine, but after a few months I decided to go freelance as a travel journalist. Everyone told me it was the worst possible time to do it, but I felt that it was the right time for me.

If you trained, where? If not, how did you become a freelancer?
I did a BA in Journalism and a postgraduate diploma in magazine journalism at Cardiff University, and have worked for five years as a journalist, sub-editor, production editor and editor on various publications.

Having experience of the 'other side' has helped me enormously - I know how important it is to be pleasant to work with, hit deadlines, write to the word count and just generally not be a pain.
 
Do you specialise in any particular field and what areas do you write about?
I specialise in travel and have been lucky enough to mainly write about luxury hotels and holidays, but I cover all aspects of the travel industry from adventure travel to cruising. I'm also a foodie and travelling has given me the chance to eat my way around the world, so food journalism is another field I'm getting into. 

Which publications have you been published in?
I write regularly for the Mail on Sunday's travel section, but have also written for Good Food, Real Travel, Cruise International and BBC Countryfile magazine amongst others.

Which articles, in which publication, are you the most proud of?
I'm proud of everything I've had published; even dating back to sarcastic music reviews in the university paper.

The biggest feeling of pride I had was when my first feature was published in the Mail on Sunday travel section. I was so proud that I was finally writing for a publication that wouldn't be appearing on Have I Got News For You as an obscure title any time soon.

What are the best and worst aspects of freelancing?
Best aspects: You really do get to work in your pajamas, you can work when you want to and it's such a buzz when you get a commission. I also get to travel to interesting places and call it work.

Worst aspects: Those buzzes might be few and far between. Working 'when you want to' really means sitting glued to your laptop from 7am until midnight every day and you only end up working in your pajamas because you haven't had time to get dressed.

Do you have any interesting anecdotes in relation to your experience as a freelancer?
I've been on some amazing trips - elephant polo in Thailand was a weird and wonderful experience and having Gary Rhodes cook for me (well for his TV show, but I got to taste it) in the Caribbean was a great moment as well.

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