In our Guest Voices slot, we’re on the look out for diverse and different takes, advice, tips and projects. If you have an interesting (and practical) idea there is a Google form for your pitches here.
This month’s contribution is from Madeleine Drury, a freelance journalist and producer specialising in climate, history and entertainment. She also edits the Freelancing for Journalists podcast. You can find her portfolio here or follow her on Twitter @DruryMadeleine or see more holiday photos on Instagram @dreamonmaddie.
I took a month away from work - here's how I did it
Every journalist dreams of replacing the bustle of a breaking newsroom with the beach. And that’s exactly what I did. My April in Peru was spent dusting the sand out of my hair from dune buggying in the desert, eating avocados fresh from the vine and washing the faint taste of seasalt from my mouth after a day on the waves. I wasn’t holding back on my Instagram stories either, sorry.
Of course, this adventure involved months of planning, building trust and counting pennies. I have the added advantage that I am devoid of caring responsibilities too (unless you count the plague of mould in my wardrobe that needs regular pruning). During the pandemic I set my sights on this trip and have been working towards it since, step by step.
How I saved money
Let’s go back to October 2020. I’ve just started back at my final year of university when I receive an email, I’ve got a gig as an office runner for a major broadcaster. It’s my golden ticket into journalism but I’m not waving goodbye to my youthful freedom yet. I make a pact with myself to stash away 30% of my wage for my next trip, wherever and whenever that may be.
Working three shifts a week, with virtually no travel costs (work paid for our travel during the pandemic, not a bad first gig, eh?) and a student loan still filtering in, it was a manageable sum to put away for me. After nine months I secured steady freelance producing work there too. Little by little the pennies began climbing on my spreadsheet.
I was incredibly lucky that all the moving parts came together in a time that was so exhausting and destructive for many. Luck also played a role in that I didn’t need to replace a broken laptop or phone in this time, otherwise my coveted travel pot would go right back to square one.
How I navigated work
Whilst remote working is a trick journalists have had up their sleeves for decades, I was keen to avoid it on this trip. I always had my ear open for an evergreen story I could take home with me, but I was not going to commit to work on the go. Cue wrangling with editors to make sure I had work to come home to once my return flight was set.
Building trust with my regular editors was key. I hoped that nearly a year of working diligently and being a reliable calling card would lay some good groundwork. And I think it paid off.
Around a month and a half before jetting off, I gave my editors advance warning in an email, grovelling over how much I loved the job and reassuring them I absolutely had booked my ticket home. I stopped short of attaching the evidence.
All of my bosses were understanding about it, even jealous. Another messaged me the week before I left with a list of available work for when I returned, which was a great confidence boost and May’s rent covered.
To their eternal credit, Freelancing for Journalist’s very own Lily and Emma shifted their podcast recording schedule to fit around my silly exploits so that I could edit the bulk of this work before setting off. Thanks team.
However, I definitely missed out on work too. The occasional shadow shift popped up in March to which I politely replied, “I’m working on another project in April”. I did find myself slowing down, pitching less, applying for fewer positions in the build up but I will re-establish contact and hopefully won’t have burnt any bridges.
Why travel?
Forget a measly 28 days of staff holiday, the whole point of freelancing is being able to pack it all in and no one can argue back. Travelling shook off that short fuse I’ve adopted since the pandemic; I feel refreshed, happier, calmer. Feel free to roll your eyes, I would too.
I’m determined to make use of my freelance freedom again, the question is, where next?
Bonus podcast with Saima Mir
We have a very special bonus episode of the podcast this week. We sat down with award-winning journalist and writer Saima Mir to discuss the paperback launch of her fantastic novel, The Khan, which is currently Waterstones Book of the Month. We talked about diversity in publishing, the writing process and what journalistic experience she was able to draw on. We love the book and you should all rush to get your copy (once you have listened to the podcast obviously!)
Triumph of the week
Starting as I mean to go on with a 9-5 working day.
That feeling when
A potential interviewee says sure they’re happy to talk. They’re free from mid-June if that helps…
We love to hear your feedback on everything we do, so feel free to drop us an email anytime at freelancingforjournalists@gmail.com
Bye for now!