Marianne Koust

Headline

Nonfiction Writer: Outlines, Manuscripts | Finance & Tech, Health, Self-Help, and more | Making Every Word Count

Biography

Dearest gentle customer—ought to be read in the most Lady Whistledown voice one can manage,

Let me tell you a little bit about me.
I’m a chemical engineering student. I have been working in the translation, interpretation, and writing fields for the past four years out of a love for literature and languages. In fact, out of love for knowledge itself. Can I get any more pretentious than that?
I believe that rather than degrees or full-time jobs, what sets people apart are their hobbies and interests. In my case, and as I mentioned before, these are languages—which I have been studying since I was four years old—music—I play the violin and sing—and devouring stories—in any format; be it books, TV shows, or films.
I suppose that this job is what I was always meant to do. One of my most vivid memories is of myself at about eight or nine years old. I’m on my bed with a small notebook on my legs, listening to music and writing song lyrics. I remember wishing to grow up fast so I could become just that, somebody who writes lyrics—and maybe even sings them. A sweet memory, indeed.
Having told the why I love writing, let me now tell you which niches and genres I enjoy most both working on and reading.
Given my engineering studies, I work, for the most part, in science and technology, or technical niches. My strong points are topics on medicine, health, and particularly, mental health. Politics and history are two subject matters outside of the natural sciences I also like to read and write about.
In the fiction realm, I’m a die-hard fan of science fiction and, to a lesser extent, fantasy. I love writing small and—hopefully—humble reviews of books, TV series, and films related to these genres.
With all that insight provided, I leave it to you, dearest reader, to consider your options with the best of hopes.

Yours truly,
Marianne.

Previous experience, degrees, and qualifications

I have five years of experience working in translation and interpretation, and writing content in English, Spanish, and French; all out of a love for languages and literature. In fact, out of love for knowledge itself. A bit pretentious, I know.
Since the natural sciences are my main interest, I am in the process of obtaining a master’s degree in chemical engineering. I am a certified web developer, as well.
Given my engineering studies, I work, for the most part, in the niches of science and technology and other technical topics; my strong points are biochemistry, biotechnology, medicine, health, and, more specifically, mental health. Politics and history are two subject matters outside of the natural sciences that I also love writing about. However, I am particularly passionate about writing world pop culture critique; I have written pieces for blogs and other publications. For the moment, I am focusing on non-fiction, but I wish to expand into fiction shortly.

Interests and hobbies

I believe that rather than degrees or full-time jobs, what tells people apart are their hobbies and interests. For me, these are languages—which I have been studying since I was four years old—music—I love singing and playing the violin—and devouring stories—as books, TV shows, films, and graphic novels. I do some physical activity too, but that can hardly count as a hobby; it's more of a habit.
Having started studying various languages so young and not by choice, I found it difficult to see the reach of it. But years bring wisdom, and at some point, these languages became not the end, but the means to different spheres of knowledge, not mutually exclusive yet not completely overlapped.
I can also say that I feel a strong passion for philosophy, politics, and history. In the fiction realm, I'm a die-hard fan of science fiction and, to a lesser extent, fantasy.
The notion that these genres are "below" the so-called "real literature," deeply angers me. Science fiction is the genre of philosophy; it makes us see how far we can stretch our humanity and realities, it makes us face our contradictions, and it can have a heart and be extremely cold at the same time. It can leave us with countless questions but answer many others. While doing so, it delivers some of the most diverse and robust aesthetics in any genre as it has room for infinite human imagination. It's not just a literary genre with its rules and themes, but a visual feast, and it even has a musical landscape of its own. In this sense, science fiction is a three-dimensional genre, and these artistic expressions are its dimensions.

How I'd describe my personality in two sentences

Like a cat’s: independent, somewhat perfectionist, seemingly cold and distant, but sweet and loving when given the opportunity, and even a little needy by moments. With outbursts of a joyful oddity in between periods of insightfulness.

How I'd describe my approach to my work

I would say I approach it with respect for the customer and the work itself. Maybe it's out of pride, but I dread to think that there might be a piece out there written by me with less than my heart, soul, and brains poured into it.
I suppose that this job is what I was always meant to do. One of my most vivid memories is of myself at about eight or nine years old. I am sitting on my bed with a small notebook on my legs, listening to music and writing song lyrics. I remember wishing to grow up fast so I could become just that, somebody who writes lyrics—maybe even sings them. A sweet memory, indeed.

Why should you choose me for your project

Because I will make sure to deliver the best work possible at every stage of the process, and that your requirements as the customer are met. Thorough research will be the foundation, and active feedback from you is greatly appreciated; I believe kind communication between writer and customer is essential.

And with all the insight provided, I leave it to you, dearest customer, to consider your options with the best of hopes. ^_^

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