Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Massiel Valenzuela-Castaneda. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Massiel, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Along with taking care of clients, taking care of our team is one of the most important things we can do as leaders. Looking back on your journey, did you have a boss that was really great? Maybe you can tell us about that boss and what made them a wonderful person to work for?
One of the best bosses I’ve ever had is Trish Blackwell, the confidence coach. I stumbled upon Trish during a pretty dark phase in my life. She had this podcast that lifted people up, and I was hooked. Trish was straightforward yet super encouraging. She gave me the guts to tackle some tough decisions, like dealing with workers’ comp for an injury.
Before Trish, I didn’t believe things could get better. But after that podcast experience, I decided to apply for an internship with her. To my surprise, she welcomed me into her business. At first, I was nervous and stuck in perfectionism, struggling with even the simplest tasks. But Trish showed me the ropes of her business. She didn’t always have it all figured out, but she tried things, learned, researched, and found ways to make things work.
Watching her make mistakes and grow, I realized I didn’t need to have everything nailed down. I didn’t have to be an expert; all I needed was the willingness to learn and the patience to make mistakes and figure things out. Thanks to her guidance, I learned that having an entrepreneurial mindset wasn’t about knowing everything but being open to learning everything it takes to run a business.
Massiel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m Massiel, a book coach, publisher, and marketer, holding an English degree from San Jose State University. My journey began with creative writing classes, earning awards, and a scholarship for a summer program. While initially contemplating a career in technical writing, the dynamic landscape of self-publishing drew me in, fueled by my love for books.
Transitioning from freelancing and ghostwriting, I now assist writers in navigating the emotional and production challenges of book writing. I guide them through actionable steps, especially those struggling with confidence, story structure, or character arcs. Writing a book is complex, and capturing voice and emotion adds an extra layer of challenge.
My proudest moment came when I fully committed to book coaching. Despite independently publishing books, I felt something was missing. Upon dedicating myself to coaching, extensive research and certification courses revealed emotional tools that enhanced my ability to assist other writers. This realization opened up new ways to support writers and utilize my skill set to help them create work they can be proud of.
Additionally, I host the “How to Write a Book” podcast, initially created to promote my coaching services. Over time, it evolved into a platform for diverse perspectives on writing books. The process of revision and feedback emerged as a crucial aspect, emphasizing the importance of external eyes and feedback. Understanding this underscores the value of a book coach as an additional set of eyes and a source of encouragement.
In my podcast, I strive to spread positive messages, motivating and inspiring listeners. The core of my message is that everyone, regardless of background or writing expertise, should feel empowered to write a book. I believe the world deserves their unique stories, emphasizing that even if a message has been shared before, it hasn’t been expressed in the way they can convey it.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the significant lessons I had to reevaluate was the pace of writing a book. When I embarked on my publishing journey, producing my first book was a breeze, fueled by straightforward motivation. However, after completing that initial book and engaging in ghostwriting services for a couple more, I felt the urge to delve deeper into the craft of writing.
Engrossed in online research, I immersed myself in blogs, YouTube videos, and podcasts about writing. Unfortunately, this led to a misguided belief that speed was key in self-publishing and that overthinking a book was counterproductive. This misconception was fueled by the trend of rapid self-publishing success stories, where some books, though not meticulously edited, gained significant traction—cue the mega success of E.L. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey, which, despite being a bestseller, wasn’t a literary masterpiece.
Regrettably, I succumbed to the notion that quick publication was acceptable. I published works hastily, lacking the quality I aspired to achieve. Fortunately, my lack of substantial marketing spared these works from reaching a wide audience. However, an underlying dissatisfaction nagged at me.
It took time to unlearn these habits acquired from social media and other writers. I came to realize that the speed of writing a book is secondary to the importance of ensuring its quality. Investing ample time and incorporating feedback and revisions became crucial aspects I initially overlooked.
Recognizing this void within myself, I took down some of my books, opting for a comprehensive rewrite. This time, I approached it with a fresh perspective, emphasizing the feedback and revision cycle to a much greater extent. Previously, I revised in isolation and sought feedback only after publication. Now, I seek feedback early in the process, enlisting kind readers to help identify gaps in my story.
This shift in mindset turned out to be one of the most valuable lessons I had to unlearn. It not only improved my own writing but also enabled me to connect more meaningfully with my clients, guiding them through similar mental blocks.
Have you ever had to pivot?
At around 22, a significant shift occurred in my life due to a serious spinal injury resulting from an accident. The pain in my legs persisted and worsened over the years, impacting my ability to walk and even causing moments of numbness. Despite the ongoing struggle with the injury, I remained determined to pursue my dreams of becoming a business owner and delving into writing the fictional works I’d always envisioned.
Dealing with the pain, doctor’s appointments, and medications for nearly eight years, I finally underwent surgery, marking the end of almost a decade of suffering. Today, I am pain-free and able to walk normally. Throughout this challenging period, I was harsh on myself for not achieving my writing and business goals as I had hoped. It took several years to come to terms with the emotional trauma, but I eventually recognized that this pivot was necessary.
I gleaned valuable lessons during this transition. Slowing down and cherishing moments with loved ones became essential. I discovered that life tends to find its own course, guided by my spiritual beliefs that I am protected and loved by God who wants good things for me. This also made me realize that others may be facing similar external challenges and might feel disheartened about writing. The biggest blocks in writing come from our own belief systems.
The pivot allowed me to explore different aspects of life, trying out various industries, relocating to a new city, and expressing my art visually. While these shifts were enlightening and helped me understand myself better, I ultimately rediscovered my unwavering passion for books and writing. Despite exploring different directions, I came to the conclusion that my heart’s true love was within the book industry. This self-discovery led me to the role of a book coach, realizing that I could make a more significant impact in this capacity compared to being a freelance writer. This pivot not only provided a new title but also a fresh perspective as I reentered the book industry with a renewed sense of purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://blackheartedstudios.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/