Introducing Me
Talking through me, myself, and I
I recently realized after 8 months and nearly 30 posts where I’ve talked through so many topics with you all, I’ve never formally introduced myself.
For everyone new here, it’s nice to meet you!
For everyone that’s been around since the beginning, it’s nice to have you here!
We’ll start with a story, which is the conception of Talking Through My Twenties. Last summer, I was taking a content strategy class for my graduate program which required me to start a platform of my choosing and build upon it. I had wanted to start a Substack for a while, but I wasn’t sure the direction I wanted to take it or really how to go about the process all together. Being that I’m driven by academic success, that course was the kick in the butt that I needed to finally put words down on the page and click post. My goal with this page was to share my thoughts, my triumphs and failures, of figuring out life in my twenties—and it still is.
What started as an assignment has slowly evolved into so much more and I’m excited to see what this grows into.
So who am I and what was I doing in a content strategy course to begin with?
Hi, my name is Marissa and I was born and raised on Long Island, New York. From my posts, you probably know that I’m the oldest daughter, a Virgo, and an overthinking-overachiever. I’ve always loved to read and write, which led to me getting my B.A. in English Literature & Rhetoric and Comparative Literature (I told you I was an overachiever) from Binghamton University in 2024. Like many post-grads who are still deciding what to do, I made the choice to get my M.A. in Publishing and Writing from Emerson College, which is the program I’ll be finishing this upcoming May. This means that I’m currently living in Boston where I like walking along the Esplanade, trying different Dunkin locations, and people watching in the Boston Common.
I’m a writer, a label which has led to many older generations asking me what that means and how exactly I’m supposed to make a living from that. I once heard an author talk about how she loves being able to pay the rent with her words (I believe it was Iman Hariri-Kia so shout out to her) and that is my end goal. I want to one day walk into book stores and see my name on the shelves, knowing that my words are bringing comfort or entertainment to those who find them. Talking Through My Twenties has become my launch pad for making that happen and I’d like to consider this the start to my literary career.
Moving on from the heavy stuff, here are some fun facts about me!
My favorite color is blue
My favorite authors include (but are not limited too) Iman-Hariri Kia, Eli Rallo, Lily King, and Mitch Albom
I love being near the water and find I am happiest when in a beach town
Between undergrad and grad school, I’ve spent 4 years working in Writing Centers (shout out to free academic resources!)
Libra moon and Aquarius rising
I don’t really like carrots
Crosswords are one of my favorite ways to pass the time
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, but I’m happy to have all of you who take the time to read my work each week. Whether we’re laughing or crying or sharing our favorites each month, this little community has made my twenties all the more enjoyable and I hope it’s done the same for you too. Thank you for letting me yap about myself this week and I can’t wait to talk through more with you soon!
Xx, Marissa