What's the writing life like abroad? A topic we've explored before gets examined by China-based freelance writer Richard Baimbridge:

When we met, in the mountains near Tibet, it was ok that I had no money. But here, in a city that's at the heart of China's "Economic Miracle," things are different. It's not as if I'm not trying. This month I had an assignment from Colors magazine to interview a Chinese journalist near Guangzhou whose fingers were reportedly severed in retaliation for exposing Triad gangsters and corrupt officials. I snuck into the hospital, past tight security, bribing my way into the ward with packs of Double Happiness cigarettes, and came out with an exclusive interview and great photos. It was meant for Colors' upcoming issue on Freedom of Speech. Unfortunately, it was soon revealed that the person who ordered the attack was the reporter's ex-girlfriend, who wanted to get even with him for ditching her. I tried to repackage it as an article called "10 Reasons Not to Fuck with a Hong Kong Girl." The editors didn't buy it, and asked me to come up with another Human Rights victim, instead. But it's much harder to find oppressed people in China than you might think. (Colors did eventually agree to take the article. It's slated for their September issue.)