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Autobiographies and memoirs • Legacy and life books • Corporate histories • Prose for special events

WHAT’SYOURSTORY?

Chrissi Maria

I prefer to be in the wings, so ghostwriting is the perfect way to channel my 20,000-odd daily words into existence.

And when I’ve used up my quota, I’ll happily edit or write texts for you. I’m a passionate teller of people’s stories – be it a personal memoir, a life book or corporate history, personal or a corporate memoir – and it would be a privilege to tell yours.

I’m intentional about making the written word understandable and accessible, and “uncomplicated” defines my approach.

more about me

Gerbera Brand Management

Gerbera develops a broad spectrum of communication collateral, with a focus on publications – particularly books and magazines.

Our network of talented creative and marketing professionals strives to be true to the brands we champion. We strive to be authentic, believable and relevant in our approach. We aim to provide a personal touch in a fast-paced and demanding business environment where our priority is to see our clients for the unique and authentic brands or individuals that they are: everyone has a story that should be heard. We’d like to tell yours.

Please get in touch to find out more about the process, costs and timelines.

Writing Samples

  • Hakito’s Story

    HAKITO BRAND COPY: Every parent will tell you that his or her child is truly amazing. Many parents will tell you that they want to encourage their children to grow up to be creative individuals, free thinkers and successful at whatever they choose to do. All parents are known to brag about their little one’s [...]

  • Introducing Annie

    INTRODUCING ANNIE - BRAND MASCOT: Annie grew up on a working farm in the Free State, with four brothers and a host of chores evenly distributed amongst the five children. Before she was knee-high to a grasshopper she was rolling up her sleeves and tackling more than her fair share of tasks. Her affinity for [...]

  • Terence’s Trilby

    CHARACTERISATION OF A HAT: It was showing obvious signs of aging and had grown pale and wan since the first time it had proudly perused the streets of Sophiatown from just under two-metres up. In spite of its appearance, and twenty years after its first outing, the trilby still exuded this self-same confidence when perched [...]

  • Ten

    CREATIVE WRITING SAMPLE: Beth stared at her toes. There were still ten of them down there, all neatly parked in her pink flip-flops. Just like there were still ten people up ahead of her, haphazardly distributed in what resembled a queue. She tilted her head slightly, squinting at the clock on the peeling wall and [...]

  • More love stories for Jewel-Art Africa

    I have written a number of stories for the “If rings could talk …” section of  Jewel-Art Africa. Rudi Cronje, the resident jeweller at Jewel-Art Africa, designs and crafts beautiful custom-made rings for his clients – and sometimes, as part of the crafting process, they gift their clients with a first person narrative, written from the perspective of the […]

  • Stories for Jewel-Art Africa

    Stephanie and Rudi from Jewel-Art Africa asked me to write some copy on the beautiful pieces of jewellery that Rudi designs and makes for his clients. We decided that it would be a unique angle to write the stories from the first person perspective of the piece of jewellery, and introduced a section on their […]

  • Hello, my name is LoFo

    Hello, My name is LoFo, which is short for Lost and Found. I was born in the Kruger National Park, and when I was about twelve months old I lost my mum to some poachers. I tried to protect her, but they beat me with their machetes, and then left me to die. I was […]

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Blog

One thing …

I’m currently working on a magazine, and we usually try to work to a theme, to tie our stories together. To try and establish what the theme will be, I’ve been asking people I interview what their ‘one thing’ is. The ‘one thing ‘that motivates them, and the ‘one thing’ they feel is essential to [...]

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Confessions and sweet memories

As kids we had a little routine every Sunday post the church service. We would spend some of our pocket money on a treat at Checkers while my mom bought the Sunday newspaper. We’d then lounge around at home, snacking on our sugary purchases while reading the Sunday Times’ comics or with our noses buried […]

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Testimonials

  • Eswatini Testimonial

    Debbie Hulley

    Development Coordinator Stefanutti Stocks Construction Swaziland (Pty) Ltd

    “A 30-year journey captured with passion and accuracy.

    “Chrissi involved herself in every chapter of this book from beginning to end. She managed to become one of us. She felt it, she lived it, she tasted it…then created a memory we are so proud to be a part of. A true gift!”

  • ASLA Testimonial

    Albé Laker

    ASLA co-founder

    “The best reference for the book are the comments/feedback from those that have read it: A legacy well told and documented and an eye opener on what it takes to start a business and to maintain success for 45 years.

    It was heart-warming to hear the comments from those that did not know Asla. Chrissi, a complement on a job well done.”

  • Ivana Lozar

    Ivana’s ring: full circle here

    “Oh my! Wow! Just wow! Couldn’t hold back the tears reading this! Thank you… Just simply thank you!”

  • Eswatini Testimonial

    Debbie Hulley

    Development Co-ordinator Stefanutti Stocks Construction Swaziland (Pty) Ltd

    “A 30-year journey captured with passion and accuracy.

    “Chrissi involved herself in every chapter of this book from beginning to end. She managed to become one of us. She felt it, she lived it, she tasted it…then created a memory we are so proud to be a part of. A true gift!”

  • ASLA Testimonial

    Albé Laker

    ASLA co-founder

    “The best reference for the book are the comments/feedback from those that have read it: A legacy well told and documented and an eye opener on what it takes to start a business and to maintain success for 45 years.

    It was heart-warming to hear the comments from those that did not know Asla. Chrissi, a complement on a job well done.”

  • Ivana Lozar

    Ivana’s ring: full circle here

    “Oh my! Wow! Just wow! Couldn’t hold back the tears reading this! Thank you… Just simply thank you!”

Get in touch

+27 82 371 1005 | chrissi@gerberabm.co.za | skype: gerberabm

+27 82 371 1005
chrissi@gerberabm.co.za
skype: gerberabm

Requirement:

Please give a short overview of your project:

These kind of books can take between four and eight months to complete, depending on how many people need to be interviewed, and the ease of access to information. Do you have a deadline for the project?

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