How does it work?
Words to celebrate life
Hi there! I'm Maryann, aka Mae
Your Writer and Preserver of Memories
Born and raised in Chennai, India, I have spent most of my life dealing with words - writing them, correcting them, and shaping them so that they read beautifully.
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In my early 20s, I moved to London to complete my Masters in Media and Communication from the London School of Economics. I've worked in a variety of roles, from an online advertising specialist at Google to a lifestyle journalist at the New Indian Express, India. Over recent years, I've worked as a copywriter and content creator, writing and developing websites for tech companies, marketing agencies and education non-profits. I've recently completed a short course in Writing Fiction (Online) from Oxford University that helped me explore my creative side further.
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When I'm not writing, I love to travel, daydream about a perfect world, strum a ditty (or two) and make memories with my family and two little children in the fields of Somerset, England.
How did I start writing memoirs?
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We are our memories, somebody wise once said. And it's true. Without it, we walk around like empty shells.
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When the pandemic brought the world to its knees, I was yet again reminded of the fragility of life. I couldn't help feeling that all we have are the moments and memories gone to remind us of who we are, and our place in the world.
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I discovered the joy of memoir writing at a certain point in my life when circumstances (a story for another day) made me realise that there was something far better than a corporate career. So, I took the plunge, and here I am.
When I started writing memoirs a few years ago, I didn't expect to love it. When I talk to people and listen to their stories, I disappear to a different time and place and culture. I disappear into another life for a while. It feels comforting to experience this sense of sonder, (a word missing from the English language) - the realization that each stranger is living a life as vivid and complex as my own.
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​Over the years I've honed the skills of listening with empathy, pouring myself into lovingly crafted words, whittling down pages upon pages of text, and making sure my words pack a punch. To the heart.
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​From wartime stories to immigrant songs, I have worked with people of all ages and colours, to write countless stories that, at their heart, capture what it means to be human. I take great joy in helping people preserve their memories, celebrate the moments that make life worth living and pass on their stories for future generations.
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​I hope you'll trust me with your story, and in return, I promise to paint (write) you a picture (book) that'll reflect your journey in an insightful and authentic way.
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With love,
Mae