For The Creative Voice partners and Mackerel culture magazine co-founders Carolyn Oei and Marc Nair, creative writing has always been a part of their lives. Poet and photographer Marc Nair grew up memorizing and reciting nursery rhymes, but didn't take writing more seriously until he left his teaching career. He decided that he couldn't fully explore his writing craft unless he focused on it solely. Carolyn Oei started writing around the age of eight, experimenting with short stories and poems. Through the field of journalism, she discovered what better storytelling was and improved her craft in all areas. Both are now able to explore many types of writing through their creative ventures together, focusing on Singaporean arts and culture.