"Spotlight" Poet Interview:
Celine R. Mariotti
Celine R. Mariotti
Hello Celine. How are you? Thank you for taking this time to be this month’s Creative Inspirations “Spotlight Poet” for the month of May. Your support of this publication and ministry are appreciated.
We have been friends for quite some time now, Celine. Do you know how long?
I’m not sure how long we’ve been friends, but I think it goes back to 2005 and Karen O’Leary put me in touch with you. I had gotten to know Karen O’Leary after Katrina happened. I was putting together a book about Katrina and all the devastation and Karen had contacted me with some poems for my book and through our correspondence she put me in touch with you. So, it’s about 20 years you and I have been friends.
20 years is a long time. To God be the Glory! Please tell us a little bit about Celine.
I of course love music and writing. I’ve been writing all my life and started sending things out to publishers when I was only 17. I’ve been playing the guitar since I was nine years old and the banjo since I was 17. I had two wonderful teachers. I am now teaching myself to play the mandolin.
I live with my Mom and sister and they are my best friends in the whole world. My Dad passed away in May of 2011 and my Uncle Dominic passed away in March of 2010. We miss them both a lot. My Mom, my sister and I enjoy watching the Daytime soap operas. We also like to watch the old TV shows like TJ Hooker, and Matlock, Emergency, Adam-12, and Daniel Boone and lots of others. I like to do needlepoint and make beaded jewelry. I love to read and usually read five or six books at the same time. I love to garden, and I love Las Vegas. My Mom, my sister and I all love Las Vegas!
For what I don’t like: I don’t like people who are phonies or people who are jealous and competitive. I also don’t like or approve of Social Media. I have never gone on any of that and never will.
Tell us about your love of writing and what types of material have you had published.
I’ve always loved to write since I was a kid in grade school. I was the happiest kid when the teacher gave us an assignment to write a poem or story. When I was a senior in high school, I took a Creative Writing course with Mrs. Anderson. She always taught us that “There’s nothing new under the sun.” She always told me that I would write books because I had a lot to say.
In college I took more writing courses, media courses and literature courses. I was always writing and submitting my work. I had sent some poems to Night Roses in Illinois, and he accepted two of my poems-my first acceptance. Then Green’s Magazine of Canada accepted some of my poems. Then more journals like Poets at Work, Offerings, Moose Bound Press, Poetic Eloquence, Writer’s Bloc and many, many more accepted my poems and short stories. In 2004, Rock Village Publishing of MA accepted my children’s book “Olivia MacAllister, Who Are You?”. I kept getting more of my work published. “Leapy the Frog” a children’s story was published by MagBooks of Hong Kong. “I Have a Friend on Jupiter” was published by WriteWordsInc.com. So were “Minister’s Shoes” and “Minister’s Corporate Escapades”. “Atomic Soldiers” is published by Hiraeth Publishing and soon they will be publishing my new book “The Rebellion”. Some of my children’s books can be found on MagicBlox, an Internet library for children’s books. Go to: http://magicblox.com and type in my name. A lot of my stories are about ghosts, and I also write science fiction, and mystery/detective stories as well as family dramas.
If I am not mistaken, you write full-time, correct? And what was your former profession?
I write full-time and I also have my home business, CRM Enterprises. I worked at a lot of different companies in positions such as expediter, administrative assistant, translator, marketing assistant, substitute teacher-at aerospace companies, engineering companies, and schools all here in southwestern Connecticut. I am happy to be working with my own home business and doing my writing full-time.
What is it you like the most about being able to be free to write at your leisure?
Because I’m free to write at my leisure, I’m always creating. Some days I spend time with one project and the next day another project so by the end of the week I’ve made progress on several of my projects. Plus, I’m always submitting my work and looking for new venues to submit it to.
You are the creator and owner of CRM Enterprises. Please share with us what this all details, including your literary publication, jewelry-making, and anything else you would like to share.
CRM Enterprises is my home business and my very own special creation. I offer typing, editing, and proofreading services. I design labels, business cards, bookmarks, notecards, and now also poetry cards. I make my own beaded jewelry: earrings, bracelets, necklaces, watch bracelets, and head bands. I also sell my own books that I have written. Plus, I have my own e-newsletter that I publish. I offer affordable rates for my services and products.
Can you tell us about your latest work of poetry?
My latest book of poetry is entitled “All The Wonderful Things and People I Love”. Poems about my family; Las Vegas; my guitar; my favorite singers; my favorite TV Shows; the New York Giants; soap operas and Teddy Bears.
Thank you for sending me a copy. A review is posted at the end of this interview. What are a few of your favorite poems from this book of poetry, and why?
I love all the poems in this book-“All The Wonderful Things and People I Love”. Two are especially precious to me-those are “That’s My Dad” and “In Memory of My Uncle, Dominic Louis Iannotti”. I miss them both so much. My Dad and my Uncle always cheered me on with my writing. Another special poem is “The Salute,” also about my Dad and Uncle; and my other poem “Uncle Tony”. Another special poem is “Vegas is the Place”-our favorite place to go on vacation. And “Tom in Cardiff” about my favorite singer, Tom Jones.
You also write novels and have several books in print, correct?
Yes, I’ve written quite a few books. Some are children’s books; others are ghost stories; science fiction; mystery/detective; poetry books and a collection of short stories. I’m always working on new books.
I know you are a busy person. Any plans for 2025, in addition to the works you are doing now?
I guess all I can say is I’m always working on many different stories and hope to find publishers for all of them. I have so many of them I’m working on, so it keeps me super busy.
How can those interested in any of your literary publications, jewelry, books, and other, get in contact with you?
They can e-mail me at [email protected] or go to my web site: http://crmenterprises-homebusiness.com
Allow me to thank you again for this time and opportunity to interview you. It has been a blessing! Please have some closing words.
I’m honored to be in the “Spotlight” interview. I have always loved to write; it’s my occupation; my passion; my raison d’etre, as the French say. Not a day goes by that I’m not writing. I write every day.
We have been friends for quite some time now, Celine. Do you know how long?
I’m not sure how long we’ve been friends, but I think it goes back to 2005 and Karen O’Leary put me in touch with you. I had gotten to know Karen O’Leary after Katrina happened. I was putting together a book about Katrina and all the devastation and Karen had contacted me with some poems for my book and through our correspondence she put me in touch with you. So, it’s about 20 years you and I have been friends.
20 years is a long time. To God be the Glory! Please tell us a little bit about Celine.
I of course love music and writing. I’ve been writing all my life and started sending things out to publishers when I was only 17. I’ve been playing the guitar since I was nine years old and the banjo since I was 17. I had two wonderful teachers. I am now teaching myself to play the mandolin.
I live with my Mom and sister and they are my best friends in the whole world. My Dad passed away in May of 2011 and my Uncle Dominic passed away in March of 2010. We miss them both a lot. My Mom, my sister and I enjoy watching the Daytime soap operas. We also like to watch the old TV shows like TJ Hooker, and Matlock, Emergency, Adam-12, and Daniel Boone and lots of others. I like to do needlepoint and make beaded jewelry. I love to read and usually read five or six books at the same time. I love to garden, and I love Las Vegas. My Mom, my sister and I all love Las Vegas!
For what I don’t like: I don’t like people who are phonies or people who are jealous and competitive. I also don’t like or approve of Social Media. I have never gone on any of that and never will.
Tell us about your love of writing and what types of material have you had published.
I’ve always loved to write since I was a kid in grade school. I was the happiest kid when the teacher gave us an assignment to write a poem or story. When I was a senior in high school, I took a Creative Writing course with Mrs. Anderson. She always taught us that “There’s nothing new under the sun.” She always told me that I would write books because I had a lot to say.
In college I took more writing courses, media courses and literature courses. I was always writing and submitting my work. I had sent some poems to Night Roses in Illinois, and he accepted two of my poems-my first acceptance. Then Green’s Magazine of Canada accepted some of my poems. Then more journals like Poets at Work, Offerings, Moose Bound Press, Poetic Eloquence, Writer’s Bloc and many, many more accepted my poems and short stories. In 2004, Rock Village Publishing of MA accepted my children’s book “Olivia MacAllister, Who Are You?”. I kept getting more of my work published. “Leapy the Frog” a children’s story was published by MagBooks of Hong Kong. “I Have a Friend on Jupiter” was published by WriteWordsInc.com. So were “Minister’s Shoes” and “Minister’s Corporate Escapades”. “Atomic Soldiers” is published by Hiraeth Publishing and soon they will be publishing my new book “The Rebellion”. Some of my children’s books can be found on MagicBlox, an Internet library for children’s books. Go to: http://magicblox.com and type in my name. A lot of my stories are about ghosts, and I also write science fiction, and mystery/detective stories as well as family dramas.
If I am not mistaken, you write full-time, correct? And what was your former profession?
I write full-time and I also have my home business, CRM Enterprises. I worked at a lot of different companies in positions such as expediter, administrative assistant, translator, marketing assistant, substitute teacher-at aerospace companies, engineering companies, and schools all here in southwestern Connecticut. I am happy to be working with my own home business and doing my writing full-time.
What is it you like the most about being able to be free to write at your leisure?
Because I’m free to write at my leisure, I’m always creating. Some days I spend time with one project and the next day another project so by the end of the week I’ve made progress on several of my projects. Plus, I’m always submitting my work and looking for new venues to submit it to.
You are the creator and owner of CRM Enterprises. Please share with us what this all details, including your literary publication, jewelry-making, and anything else you would like to share.
CRM Enterprises is my home business and my very own special creation. I offer typing, editing, and proofreading services. I design labels, business cards, bookmarks, notecards, and now also poetry cards. I make my own beaded jewelry: earrings, bracelets, necklaces, watch bracelets, and head bands. I also sell my own books that I have written. Plus, I have my own e-newsletter that I publish. I offer affordable rates for my services and products.
Can you tell us about your latest work of poetry?
My latest book of poetry is entitled “All The Wonderful Things and People I Love”. Poems about my family; Las Vegas; my guitar; my favorite singers; my favorite TV Shows; the New York Giants; soap operas and Teddy Bears.
Thank you for sending me a copy. A review is posted at the end of this interview. What are a few of your favorite poems from this book of poetry, and why?
I love all the poems in this book-“All The Wonderful Things and People I Love”. Two are especially precious to me-those are “That’s My Dad” and “In Memory of My Uncle, Dominic Louis Iannotti”. I miss them both so much. My Dad and my Uncle always cheered me on with my writing. Another special poem is “The Salute,” also about my Dad and Uncle; and my other poem “Uncle Tony”. Another special poem is “Vegas is the Place”-our favorite place to go on vacation. And “Tom in Cardiff” about my favorite singer, Tom Jones.
You also write novels and have several books in print, correct?
Yes, I’ve written quite a few books. Some are children’s books; others are ghost stories; science fiction; mystery/detective; poetry books and a collection of short stories. I’m always working on new books.
I know you are a busy person. Any plans for 2025, in addition to the works you are doing now?
I guess all I can say is I’m always working on many different stories and hope to find publishers for all of them. I have so many of them I’m working on, so it keeps me super busy.
How can those interested in any of your literary publications, jewelry, books, and other, get in contact with you?
They can e-mail me at [email protected] or go to my web site: http://crmenterprises-homebusiness.com
Allow me to thank you again for this time and opportunity to interview you. It has been a blessing! Please have some closing words.
I’m honored to be in the “Spotlight” interview. I have always loved to write; it’s my occupation; my passion; my raison d’etre, as the French say. Not a day goes by that I’m not writing. I write every day.
A Review of Celine's Book
Celine’s poetry book, All The Wonderful Things And People I Love, is a very nice collection of exactly that, ‘things and people she loves.’ The book opens with a powerful poem about America’s Independence, and then is laid out into sections…10 of them, each representing poetry pieces that reflect Celine’s creative voice and thoughts. If you like Vegas, space, musical instruments, entertainers, vacation spots, sports, stuffed animals, daytime entertainment, old 80’s show, or family and friends, this book of poetry has something for you.
Several of my favorites in this collection are “4th of July-Our Independence Day,” “Frank Sinatra-The Man of the Hour,” Bermuda,” “Our Trip to Italy,” “The Price is Right,” and “The Wheel of Fortune,”
All beautifully-written and good-feeling poetry, and it got even better for me with Section Eight: “Poems About the Special People In My Life Who I love with all my heart.” To me, this entire section is the ‘gem’ of this collection. In reading these pieces, you get a two-fold treat, 1. Knowing that these poems came straight from the author’s heart, sharing her heart-felt feeling for those she loves, and 2. Being able to relate and personify these feelings to your own with those you love and care about. A few of my personal favorites in this section are: “You and Me, Sisters, Pals,” “My Mom-My Best Friend,” “Treasured Time,” “Uncle Dominic-My Angel,” “Grandma and Grandpa-You’re Always With Me,” “My Beloved Skinny,” and “If Only You Were Here” (my #1 favorite).
All The Wonderful Things And People I Love is a great read, one that I do recommend.
-MJ Reynolds,
Author, editor, owner,
Creative Inspirations
www.cipoetrypublication.com
Celine’s poetry book, All The Wonderful Things And People I Love, is a very nice collection of exactly that, ‘things and people she loves.’ The book opens with a powerful poem about America’s Independence, and then is laid out into sections…10 of them, each representing poetry pieces that reflect Celine’s creative voice and thoughts. If you like Vegas, space, musical instruments, entertainers, vacation spots, sports, stuffed animals, daytime entertainment, old 80’s show, or family and friends, this book of poetry has something for you.
Several of my favorites in this collection are “4th of July-Our Independence Day,” “Frank Sinatra-The Man of the Hour,” Bermuda,” “Our Trip to Italy,” “The Price is Right,” and “The Wheel of Fortune,”
All beautifully-written and good-feeling poetry, and it got even better for me with Section Eight: “Poems About the Special People In My Life Who I love with all my heart.” To me, this entire section is the ‘gem’ of this collection. In reading these pieces, you get a two-fold treat, 1. Knowing that these poems came straight from the author’s heart, sharing her heart-felt feeling for those she loves, and 2. Being able to relate and personify these feelings to your own with those you love and care about. A few of my personal favorites in this section are: “You and Me, Sisters, Pals,” “My Mom-My Best Friend,” “Treasured Time,” “Uncle Dominic-My Angel,” “Grandma and Grandpa-You’re Always With Me,” “My Beloved Skinny,” and “If Only You Were Here” (my #1 favorite).
All The Wonderful Things And People I Love is a great read, one that I do recommend.
-MJ Reynolds,
Author, editor, owner,
Creative Inspirations
www.cipoetrypublication.com
For past "Spotlight" interviews, please contact MJ at the email below.
January - Joan Leotta
February - Glenda B. Fraizer
March - Rishan Singh
April - Nila J. Webster
January - Joan Leotta
February - Glenda B. Fraizer
March - Rishan Singh
April - Nila J. Webster
Creative Inspirations - P.O. Box 19051 Kalamazoo, MI 49019
[email protected] - www.cipoetrypublication.com
[email protected] - www.cipoetrypublication.com