"It is this way with wonder: it takes a bit of patience, and it takes putting yourself in the right place at the right time. It requires that we be curious enough to forgo our small distractions in order to find the world." -Aimee Nezhukumatathil
WRITINGS
I am a steward of stories. Whether in words or photographs, I live for the unguarded, real moments that shows me what is, that ground me in the joy and beauty of the present. Words—particularly those pecked out onto my 1930s Royal Aristocrat typewriter—are cathartic. This is the way I see my world and the people, places, and things in it.
I joke that journalism gives me the excuse to ask as many questions as I want without getting in trouble. I’m a four on the enneagram, but some days, my insatiable thirst to know makes me wonder if I'm actually a five. As a journalist and freelance digital + print content writer, I’m on the search for the next story—notebook filled with questions, trusty fountain pen in my pocket, and a fresh typewriter ribbon wound tight. But don’t worry, I still use a computer.
GET TO KNOW THE writer
bienvenue
As a lifestyle writer, I cover a swath of topics, from travel to wellness, fashion and food. I'm most curious about beauty—notably, beauty culture and how it shapes ever facet of our lives.
I have extensive experience writing for SEO and e-commerce, and occasionally do freelance content creation on the side. The clients are as eclectic as my interests; I’ve done work in the home improvement, pharmaceuticals, travel, and education sectors.
WHAT I WRITE ABOUT
All images from our sessions are typically delivered within about two weeks of the shoot date via an online gallery. This gallery will allow you to share your favorites with family, order prints and even download images to share on social media.
Your gallery will remain active for six weeks.
DELIVERY
B.S. Journalism, Boston University
Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française, B2
19 months abroad in Paris, France
education, Etc.
In short: Tár, but from the perspective of Olga or Krista. Five years after dropping out of her music Ph.D program following an assault by her professor, Aisling Lin is living in her parents basement. By day she works at a junk removal service on Long Island with her three drug-addict friends. By night, she burns pianos on the beach. When her younger brother Alistair, a rising star in NYC politics, surreptitiously enters her in a music competition at the Lincoln Center, Aisling will have to decide who is going to compose the score to her life. Against the backdrop of her brother's political campaign and an identity-shattering past, she'll have to figure out what it means to move forward without moving on...because some dreams aren't over yet.
A novel exploring the themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, identity, and the crucial question: How do we move forward without moving on?
a novel-in-progress
the god note
Editorial, SEO, E-commerce, and Lifestyle Content Writing
Currently the Associate SEO Editor at PureWow. Previously the Assistant Editor at Popular Photography. Before that: Southern Living, HiP Paris, Diablo Magazine. Past and present freelance projects include the travel, education, pharmaceuticals, and home improvement industries.
Fluid in French and always looking for work opportunities that will take me there. Meanwhile, take a gander at some of my articles.
MY WORK
photo: purewow
photo: jamie beck
photo: SRUTHI JAYADEVAN
photo: marissa wu
Planning a trip is always fun. Whether we're a vacation do-er (hi, itinerary built down to the minute) or be-er (hello, lounging by the pool with a strawberry daiquiri), a holiday always means we can hang up our responsibilities for a while and have a little moment to ourselves.
Read more at southernliving.com. Photo: Paravel.
read on
A playful, illicit urgency under a harsh camera flash. Art on the cusp of creation and the artist on the cusp of being caught. Such was the life documentary photographer Martha Cooper chased as she captured the emerging graffiti scene in 1980s New York City.
Read more on popphoto.com. Photo: Martha Cooper
If Brigitte Bardot found herself on this side of the Atlantic, we could bet you that there's a high probability we'd find her at Little Palm, the Saint-Tropez-inspired bar in Charleston's new Ryder Hotel, located in the Historic District.
Read more on southernliving.com. Photo: The Ryder.
When summer rolls around, I have one goal in mind: to sweat as little as possible, while still looking presentable. Enter all the summer dresses. The breezier and billowier the skirt, the more likely I am to have it on repeat in my closet.
Read more on purewow.com. Photo: PureWow/Retailers
beauty, travel, & feature writing
FAVORITES
Travel. Profiles. Art. Food. Home. Anything with a compelling character driving the story or that I have a personal anecdote about is usually a fun one. I also like writing SEO and e-commerce pieces in these categories as well.
That said, just because something’s not my “beat” doesn’t mean I won’t write about it. I’m curious by nature and a trained journalist, which means I’ll find something interesting everywhere!
what are your beats?
So far, I’ve had the opportunity and pleasure to do work in the travel, lifestyle, home improvement, pharmaceutical, and education sectors.
I’m always open to work that allows me to learn something new. Better yet, I’m always looking for work that will take me to France. (Oui, je parle français.)
what types of clients do you work with?
Oh, yes I do. If you really want them, get in touch and I’ll send you a link. Not as pretty as this site, but it does the job.
Do you have more writing samples?
FAQ
CONACT marissa
I am absolutely tickled that you think I might be a fit for your team or project. I’d love to hear more, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch. And in the meantime, subscribe to my newsletter, joyride. It's a monthly conversation about work, art, and beauty.
**If you're PR for a brand, please contact me via my work email in my LinkedIn. I do not respond in my personal email.
TELL ME ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY