Full interviews with freelancers featured in Journalism.co.uk's article 'Freelancing in a recession: is diversifying the answer?' Below are the responses from freelancers Nicola Tann and Colin Meek.

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Nicola Tann
I call myself a freelance writer and editor and have just returned to teaching body conditioning after a break of a few years. As much as I was hoping to return to body conditioning instruction following my injury, which ended my dance career a few years ago, it was prompted in no small part by the recession.

I personally think freelancing is the best option in recession [for freelancers]: we have more than one source of income - so a loss hurts, but we don't lose everything; we're used to the mindset of scouting for work and making money; and we have very low overheads.

We're the cockroaches of economic slowdown: we survive everything. Personally I feel very philosophical about the whole thing. We might have to tighten our belts for a while, but the world won't stop turning and people with ability will - as they always do - continue to earn.

As for diversification, it's part of the freelancer's mindset, which probably sounds something like 'how can I make some money?' and 'How can I make more money?' There's no point in ignoring strings on your bow, is there?

If I had kids to feed, or an extortionate mortgage to pay, I might be singing a different tune, but personally I'm relatively optimistic, and (dare I say it?) am quite enjoying the creative process of coming up with new ideas for my small business.

Colin Meek
I've been diversifying for a few years now. Like Nicola, I've turned my passion for a sport/hobby into some useful income by being partner in a small mountaineering guiding company in the north west Highlands.

Going down this route is a big commitment - this year I went through one of the final hoops in becoming a climbing instructor which meant a nine-day training course and a commitment to log dozens of instructional days, but I find the combination of journalism plus an earner, which means I am outside doing what I like best, is a great balance. That qualification will be in addition to three others I currently hold which enable me to take people out on all peaks in all weathers.

Our busy months for climbing/guiding in the North West and on Skye are June, July, August which I've found to be the slackest months for journalism/freelance research.

I do end up working weekends. I do work in the evenings doing admin. I do, sometimes, find it stressful.

But, like many freelancers, I've got used to a chaotic and full schedule. Over a two-week period I can be running a course in London, finishing a writing job and guiding for three days on the Cuillin Ridge on Skye.

My aim is to gear the balance more towards the guiding in spring and summer by taking on less stressful short-term projects in those months and then work flat out doing mostly in-depth stuff and courses in autumn and winter.

Something must be working as I'm on schedule to take May completely off next year to climb.