Why did you choose to become a freelancer?
It gives me the freedom to follow my instincts to write on issues I feel most passionately about. Editors are office bound and are always willing to hear about the latest trends or developments. As a freelancer I can provide that edge to a publication, because I move around a lot and try to keep abreast of what's new.
If you trained, where? If not, how did you become a freelancer?
The eternal student in my twenties, I studied drama, literature and religion inbetween bouts of travelling. I did a hands-on course in freelance journalism at the Cape Technikon. My freelance career started off with writing book reviews for Die Burger.
I love the variety freelancing gives me. I've branched out to writing my own column for the Chosun Ilbo, became a photographer to complement my features, and am now also producing videos.
Do you specialise in any particular field and what areas do you write about?
I specialise in the arts, lifestyle, travel, women's and human rights issues. I look for the odd and the unusual, love writing about new art trends, cover lesser known spots in my travel writing and focus on the outcast when I write about women's and human rights issues.
Which publications have you been published in?
Afghanistan Alive, Medica Mondiale Afghanistan, South China Morning Post, Korea Focus, Weekly Chosun Ilbo, Daily Chosun Ilbo, Morning Calm (Korean Air in-flight magazine), Seoul Lifestyle & Culture, Korea Times, The South African Journal of Philosophy, Die Burger. Audio/video clips and scripts have been broadcast by YTN TV Korea.
Which articles, in which publication, are you most proud of?
My features on North Korean women defectors published in Korea Times, Seoul Lifestyle & Culture and Weekly Chosun Ilbo. My travel article on Punggi in the South Korean countryside published in Morning Calm. "Top of the Pups," an article on Seoul dog cafes (South China Morning Post) attracted wide attention and I received lots of feedback.
Also my reports for the South Korean media on the Taliban kidnapping of the South Korean missionaries: I was the only correspondent representing the South Korean media from Ghazni, Afghanistan. It was an extremely challenging assignment and I tried my best to keep the media and the missionaries' families informed of the latest developments.
What are the best and worst aspects of freelancing?
The best: I see life as an adventure and live in the moment. As a freelancer I get to travel a lot and I've experienced things that have exceeded my wildest expectations. Swimming with the South Korean women divers was one such an experience.
The worst: As a freelancer I also need to market my work and chase cheques. I'd love to have a secretary to do that.
Do you have any interesting anecdotes in relation to your experience as a freelancer?
I've learnt to appreciate what I've got, especially when I write about groups on the peripheries of society. Now that I'm based in Afghanistan, I'm grateful that I can read and write. So many people here are illiterate. What I most often hear from Afghan women with whom I interact is: "You are lucky to be free."
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