Justine Castellon is a brand strategist and the author of four emotionally driven novels: Four Seasons, The Last Snowfall, Gnight, Sara / ’Night, Heck, and I Love You, Sunday Sunset. Across her work, Castellon is known for stories that linger in emotional truth, where love is felt deeply, loss is acknowledged rather than erased, and endings favor honesty over neat resolution.
Beyond her fiction, Justine Castellon brings a rare dual perspective to publishing. As a professional brand and advertising strategist, she approaches storytelling with both creative intuition and strategic clarity. That balance is evident not only in her novels, but also in how she has chosen to build her writing life: intentionally, independently, and with a long‑term vision.
In this installment of the WriteStats Author Interview Series, Justine Castellon reflects on her journey into writing, the discipline behind her process, her relationship with discomfort and uncertainty, and the legacy she hopes her books will leave behind.
How Justine Castellon Began Writing
For Justine Castellon, writing didn’t begin with a lifelong declaration or a sudden burst of inspiration. Instead, it started quietly, with encouragement.
“My writing journey began six years ago when my friend—and now book editor—Frances Sales published her first book and encouraged me to start writing mine.”
Like many writers, Castellon had been collecting fragments long before she ever called herself an author.
“Over the years, I had accumulated notes filled with ideas, anecdotes from friends and strangers, and vivid scenes that had crossed my mind or played out in my imagination.”
What changed was commitment. While working full‑time as a brand strategist, she carved out writing time deliberately, often late at night.
“To make writing a priority, I disciplined myself to write for at least three hours after work, when everyone else was asleep.”
That quiet, nocturnal routine became a space of immersion and emotional connection.
“I created my own world, met my characters late at night, and formed deep connections with them… Finishing my manuscript was so bittersweet. It felt like saying goodbye to old friends.”
The Influence Behind Justine Castellon’s Voice
Much of Justine Castellon’s writing power comes from what is left unsaid.
“My writing is deeply influenced by the way people speak when they’re trying to conceal their true feelings.”
As a self‑described listener, Castellon has long been fascinated by subtext, the tension between words and meaning.
“I was more of a listener than a talker, which sparked my fascination with subtext—the contrast between what’s said and what’s actually meant.”
Her professional background reinforces this instinct. Studying human behavior is already part of her daily work.
“Part of my job involves studying human behavior… analyzing emotions, body language, and mannerisms. This instinct to observe and decode people’s feelings inevitably shapes my characters.”
The result is fiction that feels layered, emotionally precise, and deeply observant.
Writing Through Difficulty and Discomfort
When the work becomes hard, Justine Castellon doesn’t wait for inspiration to return. She treats writing as practice.
“What keeps me going is the understanding that writing is work, not inspiration.”
Instead of aiming for perfection, she focuses on momentum.
“On hard days, I focus on showing up and solving one small problem in the piece: one paragraph, one transition.”
Over time, Castellon has learned to reinterpret struggle as a signal, not a warning.
“When writing becomes difficult, I’ve come to realize it’s often a sign that I’m approaching something honest and meaningful.”
That philosophy aligns closely with what WriteStats research consistently shows: readers respond most strongly to emotional realism rather than emotional comfort. Castellon’s willingness to lean into discomfort mirrors broader trends we explore in pieces like Emotional Realism in Fiction: The Data Behind the Rise of Bittersweet and Honest Storytelling where emotional timing and readiness shape reader engagement as much as plot itself.
Tools, Process, and Reading Life
Justine Castellon’s writing process is intentionally non‑linear.
“My primary writing tool is Scrivener because it matches how I think. I don’t write linearly.”
Scrivener allows her to follow emotional energy rather than sequence.
“Being able to jump between scenes and chapters without losing structure is essential for me.”
As a reader, Castellon is equally committed. She reads approximately 100 books per year, a habit that continually feeds her sense of pacing, voice, and emotional rhythm.
Publishing with Autonomy and Intent
Rather than follow a traditional publishing path, Justine Castellon made a deliberate decision to retain control.
“I knew I wanted full autonomy over the entire process: creative decisions, production, pricing, and long‑term positioning.”
She ultimately created her own publishing firm.
“That approach allowed me to treat each title strategically, maintain creative control, and make publishing decisions that align directly with my vision and audience.”
Because writing is not her primary source of income, Castellon experiences a rare freedom.
“That independence actually strengthens my work. I’m able to focus on quality, honesty, and long‑term impact rather than short‑term commercial pressure.”
On AI, Craft, and Creative Boundaries
Justine Castellon draws a clear line between assistance and authorship.
“AI tools have a place… but the actual writing—the ideas, voice, and storytelling—always comes from the writer.”
For her, authenticity depends on preserving that connection.
“Writing is a deeply personal process, and maintaining that connection ensures the work stays authentic.”
Legacy and What Comes Next For Justine Castellon
When asked what she hopes readers carry with them, Justine Castellon’s answer is simple and powerful.
“I hope my writing leaves a legacy of connection and emotion.”
Her next project, The Runaway Prince, marks a new creative chapter.
“What’s exciting about this project is that it pushes me outside my comfort zone… I’ve ventured into non‑romance, which is new for me.”
Yet even as she explores new terrain, her core remains the same: emotional honesty, thoughtful restraint, and stories that trust readers to sit with complexity.
Justine Castellon writes the kind of books that don’t rush resolution or dilute feeling. Instead, they invite readers to pause, reflect, and feel—sometimes uncomfortably, often beautifully, and always truthfully.
