Hazel Davis Credit: Hazel Davis Freelancer of the fortnight Why did you choose to become a freelancer?
I was working full time (more than) for a publisher and feeling very undervalued, underpaid and stressed. I soon realised I could earn more and be more fulfilled if I worked for myself. It wasn't easy at first and I combined it with another job (as a comedy agent) but I established contacts and it took off.
If you trained, where? If not, how did you become a freelancer?
I didn't train in journalism. I did a BA and MA in linguistics and started a PhD before realising that academic life wasn't for me. I started writing for free for a local magazine and when a job came up on a classical music magazine I went for it. While there I got the most fantastic in-house training from a really good editor who taught me everything he knew.
Do you specialise in any particular field and what areas do you write about?
I write about a wide variety of things but my specialist areas remain careers, education, classical music and comedy. But I also write about lifestyle stuff, family relationships, pest control (live the dream) and all sorts else!
Which publications have you been published in?
The Guardian, Financial Times, Daily Mail, Express, Independent, Times, Daily Telegraph, Practical Parenting, Essentials, Prima, ooh loads...
Which articles, in which publication, are you the most proud of?
Very hard to say. I tend not to dwell on stuff I've done. I have always loved this piece though: Are care farms the answer to disaffected teenagers' problems? I loved meeting the kids and seeing how they had been affected. It was an amazing experience.
What are the best and worst aspects of freelancing?
The best aspect is being your own boss and being able to work when and where you like. Sitting in cafés fannying around on your laptop and calling it work is great. The sheer variety is mind-boggling. One minute I can be writing about getting my dog a Hollywood agent and the next I can be writing about toilet roll providers.
Do you have any interesting anecdotes in relation to your experience
as a freelancer?
I once had to take my dog to Vic Reeves' house as I couldn't leave him (he was v new and rescued). The photographer walked him while I did the interview. I also fell out with Prunella Scales.
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