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I discovered early in life that storytelling creates empathy and helps us understand each other better.
Looking back, I think I’ve always been on a quest to understand as many elements of life as I can. Of course I can only explore a few, given the vastness of existence. Still, I believe every piece of knowledge is worth acquiring.
Words are my gateway to understanding life—though I realize the written word is one of many ways to tell stories. There was a time when I also actively used music for that purpose. During my 10 years of guitar lessons, I was mainly trained to play flamenco and classical guitar. In my teenage years I also ventured into folk and jazz, and throughout college I was in bands as a lead singer and guitarist. We regularly performed at festivals and in theaters, and I wrote a bunch of songs. That’s when I discovered the real story is often in the melody, rhythm, and texture—lyrics are just there to support those powerful musical elements, which are conveyed in a universal language.
In my early twenties, I got an opportunity to pursue a career in music. But as happens in life, I had to choose. Saying yes meant I had to pass on a great creative writing opportunity that had crossed my path around the same time. I decided to focus on writing—at least professionally. Not every story I share has to be part of my career. I still make music every day—for example, during writing breaks. And I’ve found it improves the quality of my writing.
I discovered early in life that storytelling creates empathy and helps us understand each other better.
Looking back, I think I’ve always been on a quest to understand as many elements of life as I can. Of course I can only explore a few, given the vastness of existence. Still, I believe every piece of knowledge is worth acquiring.
Words are my gateway to understanding life—though I realize the written word is one of many ways to tell stories. There was a time when I also actively used music for that purpose. During my 10 years of guitar lessons, I was mainly trained to play flamenco and classical guitar. In my teenage years I also ventured into folk and jazz, and throughout college I was in bands as a lead singer and guitarist. We regularly performed at festivals and in theaters, and I wrote a bunch of songs. That’s when I discovered the real story is often in the melody, rhythm, and texture—lyrics are just there to support those powerful musical elements, which are conveyed in a universal language.
In my early twenties, I got an opportunity to pursue a career in music. But as happens in life, I had to choose. Saying yes meant I had to pass on a great creative writing opportunity that had crossed my path around the same time. I decided to focus on writing—at least professionally. Not every story I share has to be part of my career. I still make music every day—for example, during writing breaks. And I’ve found it improves the quality of my writing.
I write fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, scripts, and content.
I’m the founder of Key Copy & Content, a storytelling and copywriting business. In the past 14 years, I have interviewed hundreds of experts in the worlds of art, business, and technology to help them tell their stories in the form of (scientific) articles, essays, opinion pieces, and online content. I’ve (co-)ghostwritten and edited fiction and nonfiction books for published authors and scientists. Many clients have asked me to write scripts for documentaries, shorts, art exhibitions, and animated videos. These are often part of storytelling projects, which I sometimes help set up from scratch.
In the meantime, I continue to work on my own stories. The creative writing opportunity from a decade ago has propelled me into a great storytelling journey. In my early years I got to work on a few documentaries, one of which I co-directed under the guidance of an Amnesty International Award-winning director. He taught me a lot about the visual elements of storytelling. In the years that followed, I increasingly focused on writing. I placed in several writing contests and completed a few amazing writing mentorships.
I’m currently working on a literary novel that requires a lot of research and, perhaps unsurprisingly, has a musical element to it.
I write fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, scripts, and content.
I’m the founder of Key Copy & Content, a storytelling and copywriting business. In the past 14 years, I have interviewed hundreds of experts in the worlds of art, business, and technology to help them tell their stories in the form of (scientific) articles, essays, opinion pieces, and online content. I’ve (co-)ghostwritten and edited fiction and nonfiction books for published authors and scientists. Many clients have asked me to write scripts for documentaries, shorts, art exhibitions, and animated videos. These are often part of storytelling projects, which I sometimes help set up from scratch.
In the meantime, I continue to work on my own stories. The creative writing opportunity from a decade ago has propelled me into a great storytelling journey. In my early years I got to work on a few documentaries, one of which I co-directed under the guidance of an Amnesty International Award-winning director. He taught me a lot about the visual elements of storytelling. In the years that followed, I increasingly focused on writing. I placed in several writing contests and completed a few amazing writing mentorships.
I’m currently working on a literary novel that requires a lot of research and, perhaps unsurprisingly, has a musical element to it.
While majoring in cultural anthropology and development sociology, I took extracurricular philosophy, writing, and film classes. In my freshman year, I landed a job as a professor’s research assistant. Soon, I was introduced into the world of professional writing, editing, and storytelling.
I took on my first writing assignment a year later. The deadline was insane but I like a good challenge. Long story short: I wrote 175 pieces in 18 days, the client was happy, and one assignment led to another. (The overworked coffee machine broke down, but it was worth it.)
When I graduated, I had a writing career. But I decided I wouldn’t stop expanding my knowledge. I love to research and reflect on topics that interest me, even if they’re not related to a project I’m working on. I believe life is a continuous learning process.
Over the years, I’ve taken several classes to hone my writing skills—for example, at Catapult, Gotham Writers Workshop, and Grubstreet. I’ve also received long-term (screen)writing mentoring, including from Script Pipeline (after placing in one of its contests). Working one on one with experienced authors, screenwriters, and producers has taught me a ton about the craft of storytelling. I continue to apply these lessons in life and work.
While majoring in cultural anthropology and development sociology, I took extracurricular philosophy, writing, and film classes. In my freshman year, I landed a job as a professor’s research assistant. Soon, I was introduced into the world of professional writing, editing, and storytelling.
I took on my first writing assignment a year later. The deadline was insane but I like a good challenge. Long story short: I wrote 175 pieces in 18 days, the client was happy, and one assignment led to another. (The overworked coffee machine broke down, but it was worth it.)
When I graduated, I had a writing career. But I decided I wouldn’t stop expanding my knowledge. I love to research and reflect on topics that interest me, even if they’re not related to a project I’m working on. I believe life is a continuous learning process.
Over the years, I’ve taken several classes to hone my writing skills—for example, at Catapult, Gotham Writers Workshop, and Grubstreet. I’ve also received long-term (screen)writing mentoring, including from Script Pipeline (after placing in one of its contests). Working one on one with experienced authors, screenwriters, and producers has taught me a ton about the craft of storytelling. I continue to apply these lessons in life and work.
I discovered early in life that storytelling creates empathy and helps us understand each other better.
Looking back, I think I’ve always been on a quest to understand as many elements of life as I can. Of course I can only explore a few, given the vastness of existence. Still, I believe every piece of knowledge is worth acquiring.
Words are my gateway to understanding life—though I realize the written word is one of many ways to tell stories. There was a time when I also actively used music for that purpose. During my 10 years of guitar lessons, I was mainly trained to play flamenco and classical guitar. In my teenage years I also ventured into folk and jazz, and throughout college I was in bands as a lead singer and guitarist. We regularly performed at festivals and in theaters, and I wrote a bunch of songs. That’s when I discovered the real story is often in the melody, rhythm, and texture—lyrics are just there to support those powerful musical elements, which are conveyed in a universal language.
In my early twenties, I got an opportunity to pursue a career in music. But as happens in life, I had to choose. Saying yes meant I had to pass on a great creative writing opportunity that had crossed my path around the same time. I decided to focus on writing—at least professionally. Not every story I share has to be part of my career. I still make music every day—for example, during writing breaks. And I’ve found it improves the quality of my writing.
I write fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, scripts, and content.
I’m the founder of Key Copy & Content, a storytelling and copywriting business. In the past 14 years, I have interviewed hundreds of experts in the worlds of art, business, and technology to help them tell their stories in the form of (scientific) articles, essays, opinion pieces, and online content. I’ve (co-)ghostwritten and edited fiction and nonfiction books for published authors and scientists. Many clients have asked me to write scripts for documentaries, shorts, art exhibitions, and animated videos. These are often part of storytelling projects, which I sometimes help set up from scratch.
In the meantime, I continue to work on my own stories. The creative writing opportunity from a decade ago has propelled me into a great storytelling journey. In my early years I got to work on a few documentaries, one of which I co-directed under the guidance of an Amnesty International Award-winning director. He taught me a lot about the visual elements of storytelling. In the years that followed, I increasingly focused on writing. I placed in several writing contests and completed a few amazing writing mentorships.
I’m currently working on a literary novel that requires a lot of research and, perhaps unsurprisingly, has a musical element to it.
While majoring in cultural anthropology and development sociology, I took extracurricular philosophy, writing, and film classes. In my freshman year, I landed a job as a professor’s research assistant. Soon, I was introduced into the world of professional writing, editing, and storytelling.
I took on my first writing assignment a year later. The deadline was insane but I like a good challenge. Long story short: I wrote 175 pieces in 18 days, the client was happy, and one assignment led to another. (The overworked coffee machine broke down, but it was worth it.)
When I graduated, I had a writing career. But I decided I wouldn’t stop expanding my knowledge. I love to research and reflect on topics that interest me, even if they’re not related to a project I’m working on. I believe life is a continuous learning process.
Over the years, I’ve taken several classes to hone my writing skills—for example, at Catapult, Gotham Writers Workshop, and Grubstreet. I’ve also received long-term (screen)writing mentoring, including from Script Pipeline (after placing in one of its contests). Working one on one with experienced authors, screenwriters, and producers has taught me a ton about the craft of storytelling. I continue to apply these lessons in life and work.
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© 2022 annalisakoukouves.com | All rights reserved
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