Andrea Wren: Journalist

Moving from the regionals to the nationals

Thinking of moving from a job in the regions to freelance for national titles, but worried you have the confidence in the harsher world of the bigger publications? Well read this feature written by Linda Jones on today's Press Gazette.

Linda says that since going freelance herself nine years ago from her news desk job in a regional, fears regarding the 'ferociousness' of national newspaper editors have proved completely ungrounded.

"I’m more likely to be freaked out by an email asking for amends, giving no clue as to the mood of the person writing it, than I am by a busy editor on the phone," adds Linda.

Fancy some cupping?

Recently published on iVillage.co.uk is a feature I researched and wrote in October, called 'Cup away your cellulite'. The piece involved me undergoing a Chinese traditional therapy called 'cupping,' which Gwyneth Paltrow is famed to have had done (turning up to a film premiere with very visible signs of the treatment), and it was aimed at trying to make my thighs a little more aesthetically pleasing.

I booked in for some sessions with Manchester-based cupping practitioner Alison Levesley for the feature. She attacked my 'problem areas' using what looked like small goldfish bowls, heated to create a vacuum when applied and rubbed over my dimply bits. There were times that it wasn't altogether unpleasant, though I have to admit, on occasions, it was downright torturous!