Mandana Towhidy

I grew up in Los Angeles, though in my teeny years, I lived a couple of other places. But most of my life from elementary through college was in LA. Of course it was easy to get influenced, by the scenery, by music, by going to Hollywood at a young age. A lot of people I grew up with were either in the music and/or film industries or else they were the little brother or sister or son or daughter of someone in these industries. So I always knew a lot of insider info, private shows, etc. It was also a good mix of peaceful fun bonfire parties at the beach as well as crazy drunken nights on the Strip (Sunset Strip). We didn't have internet or cell phones, so most of the entertainment came from watching MTV or going to shows to see bands or partying. When you're young, you think EVERYONE grows up like this...later in life, you realize how different it was from a lot of other people and their teen years, etc.

The very first book I actually wrote for a contest was in second grade. The winner got to have their book in the library for a year. I didn't win and I remember being very upset about the girl who won because she had monsters in her book and at the time I thought that was kind of dumb. :) I wrote a book called THE GIRL WHO LOVED SPRING. It was written and illustrated by me. And, even though I didn't win first prize, it was still placed in the library. I still have it. I think after that I continued to make little books. I just know that I LOVED library day more than recess and I just wanted to have a book in the library.