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MEET CELESTE DAVIDSON MANNIS
by Bonnie O'Brian

What did you most like to do when you were a child?

Celeste Davidson Mannis

I spent a great deal of time daydreaming, exploring in my backyard, and reading about faraway places. I loved art classes at school, and the smell of the studio; wet paint, fresh clay. I also enjoyed baking pies with my mom, and spying from behind the sofa when my parents had company.

What books influenced you most when you were growing up?

 When I was very young I was obsessed with GO. DOG, GO! (P.D. Eastman), THE SNEETCHES and other Stories (Dr. Seuss), AND WINNIE THE POOH (A.A. Milne). As an older child, I read every single Nancy Drew Mystery (Carolyn Keene), and during my teen years I loved JANE EYRE (Charlotte Bronte), WUTHERING HEIGHTS (Emily Bronte) and PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (Jane Austin).

Did you write stories when you were growing up? at school? Or at homeas a hobby? As a young child, or as a teenager, or both?

I was more of a reader than a writer as a child, although I enjoyed writing and was reasonably good at it. In fourth grade, I wrote an essay entitled “Sticks and Stones Will Break My Bones, and Names Will Always Hurt Me” and my teacher, Mrs. Lipnick, read it in front of the whole class. That’s something I’ll never forget. In fifth grade, I attempted to translate William Shakespeare’s play, The Tempest, into modern English. That’s something I’d rather forget! In high school I began writing poetry, lyrics, and stories. I also studied journalism, and was editor of the yearbook. At the University of Southern California, I wrote a paper about Dr. Seuss and the art of the picture book. At the time, I had no inkling I’d ultimately write for children. I also had the pleasure of studying creative writing at USC with T.C. Boyle.

When you were a child did you ever have moments when you decided that you were going to be a writer when you grew up?

Yes! I remember the moment I resolved to be a writer. My best friend and I had been hiking on the Monterey Peninsula, and stopped to look at giant waves crashing against the rocks. The view was majestic, almost magical. Anything seemed possible in that moment. My friend asked me what I wanted to do with my life, and I told her I wanted to be a writer. I had dreamed of being one for years, but that was the first time I’d admitted it to anyone. I was fourteen.

What are the topics are some of your books?

 I write all sorts of non-fiction and poetry. History, the arts, world cultures and the natural world are frequent sources of inspiration.

Where do you get your ideas?

“Wouldn’t that be a great idea for a book?” is a constant refrain in my house. I studied British history in college, and found Queen Elizabeth I and William Shakespeare fascinating, so I wrote about both of them. When I visited a Japanese garden with my family, my youngest daughter spent hours bellied up to a pond, counting Koi fish. That inspired ONE LEAF RIDES THE WIND, a counting book set in a Japanese garden. While reading an article about Hearst Castle I discovered that its architect was a woman! That spurred me to write JULIA MORGAN BUILT A CASTLE. And I’ve explored the Central California coast countless times, so writing and photographing SNAPSHOTS: the Wonders of Monterey Bay was a natural. Interesting stories are under every rock – you just have to uncover them. Speaking of which, I recently completed a manuscript which features all sorts of voracious worms and other creepy crawly creatures…

Have any of your books earned special recognition?

I have been blessed in that department! Check out my website: there’s a list. www.celestedavidsonmannis.com By the way, my books have been in seven California Collections: THE QUEEN’S PROGRESS in the 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 Middle School California Collection; SNAPSHOTS and JUILA MORGAN BUILT A CASTLE in the 2008 Elementary California Collection.

How did your life change when you got married? and had children? Did it make it easier or harder to find time to write?

My husband is my biggest supporter, and my kids, my greatest inspiration. They are all tough critics, and keep things real. I wouldn’t have it any other way!