Mountains

Get to know me

Mehdi on the beach

As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a writer.

Okay maybe not quite so far back as that, but I have loved writing for a while. I don’t know how common it is, but I find it quite wonderful that I can pinpoint the reason for my entire career path on one single object. A pack of Top Trumps. I loved Top Trumps as a child, and I still have a shoe box with a couple dozen packs in my family home’s loft somewhere. But this particular one is special to me.

It was a horror themed pack, with well-renowned characters like Dracula, Dr Jekyll and King Kong as well as somewhat lesser known names like The Flaming Man, the Witch Doctor, and the Mad Butcher. A life-long horror fan, I wrote some short stories using those cards that ignited my imagination, and this in turn started my passion for creative writing.

Sadly those stories were and still are lost to this day - but the love for writing remained strong. I chose to study creative writing at university at both BA and MA level, and sandwiched between each degree was my first full-time position at an agency called agenda21 digital. This was almost a bootcamp at times. I soon discovered that writing for the internet was a world apart from fiction, with personal finance proving to be the most difficult subject for me to master. However, I do enjoy a good challenge.

My first role following the postgrad was at MoneySuperMarket, and it was here I really found my feet in finance. After over five fantastic years and two promotions, the time was right to move on. I worked at a start-up called Intent for a year, this time writing about remittance, before taking the leap and starting my career as a freelance writer - which brings us to today.

Walking for hours

I could walk for hours, and in fact I often do. Whether some of the walks I’ve done would come under the category of ‘hiking’ is up for debate, but truthfully I love doing either. Sometimes I’ll listen to music, sports on the radio, podcasts or audiobooks; sometimes I’ll force myself to be alone with my thoughts.

The only thing that could get me out of bed early is the prospect of a long walk. Or a holiday, on which there would be multiple long walks.

Reading on the tube

Before writing, there was reading. I used to have a little reading lamp in the shape of a golden snitch, absorbed for hours past lights-out as a child. These days, I like reading on the tube - it gives me something to do besides looking awkward.

I like travel literature, with particular nods to Levison Wood and Simon Reeve; I've always been fond of thriller and horror novels too. A bit of history always goes down well; why did I find it so boring as a child? Even the Tudors are interesting when David Mitchel talks about them

Watching sports with disappointment

I was born in London, so naturally I support Manchester United. I’ve lived in England my whole life, so of course I cheer Pakistan’s cricket team on like my life depends on it.

Both of these teams bring me plenty of discontent. I can’t really complain about football, it’s become a farce of a sport in any case. Cricket feels less tribal in most cases, unless you’re watching Pakistan. Against any other team. Especially India.

More about me

Mehdi school photo as a child

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My Professional Career

My Education