Journalism isn't as simple as just writing features for freelancer Madeleine Spencer – lived experience is the key to her work. Luckily, writing about spa, beauty and travel isn't too hard to live through… 

Madeleine has written (and experienced) for publications such as Cosmopolitan, GO City Girl and Salon Today, and blogs at Mads About Town – read on to find out what she's particularly mad[s] for.

About your journalism

What interview or feature would you still love the chance to do?

Writing about anything through experience is key for me and I therefore always covet experiences that are transformative, be it through meeting someone extraordinary or travelling somewhere off the beaten track.

About you and PRs

Where do you source ideas for articles?

As in my above answer, I feel it is vital to have experienced something before writing about it so I source my ideas from life and try to make days as varied as possible (while still putting in that all-important 'computer time').

How can PRs be useful to you?

Suggestions of places to visit, products to try and spa experiences are always useful.

Do you find press conferences, trips, parties and other events useful or an interruption?

I find them immensely helpful and also like the social side – writing can be quite solitary at times.

If you could make one change to the way PRs deal with you, what would it be?

I understand the need to meet deadlines but pushiness can be frustrating when the research for a piece can take several months.            

About you

How would you pay the bills if you weren’t a journalist?

I've always harboured a love for make-up and would find the process of making others up satisfying. Alternatively, I'd like to own a bookshop. 

If we gave you £1000, how would you spend it?

I'd put it towards a fund to travel across America.

What books are on your bedside table, magazines in your bag, or blogs on your screen?

I'm currently reading the sublime José Saramago's 'All The Names'. I always have a copy of The Lady on my coffee table and Harper's Bazaar or Tatler – I like the tone of writing in those three and it is, to me, the deciding factor between spending time reading something or not. 

Madeleine is tweeting @madsabouttown.