Welcome to Author Services Australia, Catherine Anne Castillo, and welcome to our author interviews! If you could start by introducing yourself to everyone, let them know where you’re from and some of your interests and hobbies.
Hey everyone, I’m Catherine! I’m a debut author, though that’s just one of the many roles I embrace. My journey has led me through a wide range of interests, from healthcare to the arts, and I’m especially passionate about mental health, particularly in healing from relational trauma.
I’ve recently returned to some of the things I love, things I had to put on hold because of life and a toxic relationship. Lately, I’ve been diving back into Latin dancing, the gym, martial arts, and pole dancing & fitness, hobbies that keep me grounded and energized. I’m also an introvert, and I really value my alone time and space. After going through a lot, I’m back to living solo, which has been a healing and empowering experience.
Professionally, I’m a nurse – trauma-informed specialist, and I’m also a partner in some exciting startup ventures in Asia. I’m really looking forward to connecting with all of you and sharing in this space!
What inspired you to start writing?
Writing has always been my way of making sense of the world. In my 20s, I traveled solo often, immersing myself in a mix of adventures and misadventures. Writing became my tool to unpack those experiences.
For my debut collection, In the Darkness of Shards: Poems from a Broken Place, the writing began during a relationship I couldn’t yet fully understand. Whenever something felt off or confusing, I wrote it down. Over time, my therapist, who gently helped me face the truth that I was with an abusive man, encouraged me to write about specific moments.
After I was discarded and went to the US to be with family, I was fortunate enough to take a step back and focus on my healing. I returned to school, learned how to put words to what I’d experienced, and revisited my old writing. I kept writing, and gradually, it transformed into this poetry collection. It didn’t start as a book; it started as a need.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Robert Frost, Pablo Neruda, and Maya Angelou are some of my favorite poets because their work reflects themes I deeply connect with — love, resilience, and empowerment.
How do you handle a bad review?
To me, “bad” can mean unhelpful or simply critical, and I’m open to both. Constructive feedback helps me grow, and even the harsher ones remind me that not every voice will resonate with everyone. I sleep well knowing I showed up honestly. You can’t be a voice without being willing to be misunderstood or even reduced sometimes…that’s part of the risk of sharing your truth.
If you could choose one superpower, what would it be and why?
The ability to heal emotional pain instantly. In the past, I experienced how deep emotional neglect and abuse can take a real toll on the body, even when you’re doing all the “right” things like staying active and healthy. Research confirms this too: emotional pain often shows up physically. That experience shaped my perspective and deepened my desire to help others move through their struggles with more ease and compassion. This superpower would allow me to do just that.
Where is your ultimate holiday destination?
As someone who’s lived in different countries and actively sought out dream destinations, I’ve come to realize that a peaceful home is my ultimate holiday destination.
What are some of the items on your bucket list?
Join a research expedition to Antarctica, take a liveaboard scuba diving trip in the Galápagos, and earn the credentials to prescribe medicine in the future (a goal tied to continued education and service).
Thanks so much for taking the time to do an author interview, Catherine Anne Castillo!
Check out where you can buy Catherine Anne Castillo’s books below and how to follow author Catherine Anne Castillo on social media. If you would like to do an author interview or have questions about our author features, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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Author Name: Catherine Anne Castillo
Genre/s: Contemporary Poetry, Memoir
Author Website: https://beacons.ai/caecastillo
Social Media Links: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Amazon Author Central, Threads, and Goodreads.
Best Link to Where People Can Buy Your Book: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones, Indigo, and BookTopia.
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