Freelance journalists are being given the chance to put forward the questions they never dared ask before, with the launch of a new writers' forum.

Set up by Kent-based journalist Janet Murray, www.janmurray.co.uk/journoforum offers freelancers a place to share ideas and experiences.

Primarily aimed at those who are just starting out as a freelance or are making the leap from staff to freelance, Janet, who worked as a teacher before embarking on a journalism career four years ago, is hoping that the forum will prove useful.

Among the many topics already under discussion are time spent chasing invoices, coping with deadlines, editor etiquette, problems with story pinching and writer's block.

Janet said: "I've always been freelance so I know what it is like to start out with no contacts.

"I didn't know anyone so had to start out the hard way and I found that some journalists wouldn't help me and were quite guarded.

"I wanted to create somewhere where people feel comfortable posting questions without criticism or feeling stupid and we've already had a lot of experienced journalists log on who are keen to help people out."

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