Massiel Valenzuela-Castaneda shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Massiel, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I typically begin my day walking my dogs, grabbing a coffee and going to my painting easel. I listen to audiobooks while I paint, whether that might be fiction, nonfiction, or catching up on client works.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Massiel Valenzuela-Castañeda. I’m a certified book coach, writer, ghostwriter, and former producer in both animation and live-action production. I help authors and professionals turn their ideas into polished books, compelling content, and organized systems that make their work shine.
What makes my work unique is that I blend honesty, authenticity, and enthusiasm with deep technical expertise—whether I’m creating a nonfiction book, a memoir, or a detailed SOP for a company, I focus on clarity, impact, and storytelling. My background in production gives me a strong sense of narrative, pacing, and creative vision, which I bring to every writing and coaching project. I also host The How to Write a Book Podcast, where I share insights, tips, and motivation for defeating writer’s block and finishing books.
Right now, I’m focused on helping gritty, dark writers transform their pain, trauma, or intense experiences into stories that are cathartic, raw, and compelling. I love helping them take difficult, complex ideas and turn them into something both powerful and actionable for readers.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
The earliest time I felt powerful was in high school, when I was writing an essay about Indiana Jones and our reflective society. I remember realizing, mid-sentence, how much I loved analytical thinking — how ideas could open up whole new ways of seeing the world. It was the first time I understood that writing wasn’t just about words on a page — it was about shaping meaning, and that realization made me feel unstoppable.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the defining wounds of my life has been dealing with a serious spinal injury and navigating the legal battles necessary to regain my independence. Facing a physical disability was incredibly challenging, both physically and emotionally. One of the most transformative ways I healed was through writing and creating art. Turning those dark, difficult experiences into pieces of writing allowed me to process pain and reclaim a sense of power.
For example, I wrote a college essay that ultimately earned me a scholarship. It told the story of a child slowly losing a grandparent while their family ostracized that elder, and how the child learned to navigate aging and separation. Writing it allowed me to explore grief, loss, and resilience, transforming my own challenges into a form of catharsis and connection.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think a lot of smart people are getting it wrong when it comes to the new myth around self-publishing and rapid releasing. There’s this growing belief that AI tools or ghostwriters can fully replicate an author’s voice — but they can’t. Writing fast isn’t inherently bad, but when speed or automation takes the place of soul, something essential gets lost.
Readers don’t fall in love with perfect prose; they fall in love with imperfection — with the raw, messy humanity that bleeds through the page. People read fiction to see themselves reflected in another fractured, complex, and darkly beautiful human being. That kind of resonance can’t be manufactured by an algorithm. The most important thing any writer can do is write honestly — not for trends, not for speed, not for perfection — but for truth.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired tomorrow, I think my clients would miss my unwavering enthusiasm and positive perspective. I deeply believe in the power of stories — I’ve seen how a wide range of experiences can shape and transform a life. So when someone comes to me with an idea that feels “too out there,” too weird, or “unmarketable,” I remind them that writing for yourself can be one of the greatest goals of all. I’m constantly cheering my clients on, even in moments of hopelessness, and letting them know that their work matters — that someone out there, even if it’s just themselves, will connect with what they’ve written.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://howtowriteabookpodcast.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/?skipRedirect=true
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/5coFY0t8f2LkHrK3yYux6r?si=f7a2e9d8920d4ff0
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-write-a-book-podcast/id1476562705
