This week YA Author Yvonne Castañeda took over our Twitter as a part of our weekly Thursday Twitter Takeover. Yvonne Castañeda is the author of “Pork Belly Tacos with a Side of Anxiety” (See YEM’s interview of Yvonne Castañeda here.) See highlights from the takeover below.

I struggled with depression/anxiety as a young adult and wanted to share my story as a way to help others, so I wrote Pork Belly Tacos with a Side of Anxiety #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #BookTwitter #booktok

— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) May 19, 2022

For my tenth birthday, I ask my mom to buy me a typewriter, so I must have known back then that I wanted to be a writer! #YAauthorTakeover #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #booktwt pic.twitter.com/C7kMLedCLX

— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) May 19, 2022

What we experience as kids has an impact on how we see the world, and how we move in it. I couldn't share my challenges with body image without writing about my Latino family and culture #YAauthorTakeover #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #booktwt

— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) May 19, 2022

Writing a book takes patience! At times I felt like my hands couldn't type fast enough. Other times I'd struggle to find the right words #YAauthortakeover #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #BookTwitter #youngadult #depression

— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) May 19, 2022

I knew I wanted to write a memoir, but I had to be in the right headspace for it. Sharing a personal struggle is scary, and I had to be okay with being so vulnerable. #YAauthortakeover #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #BookTwitter

— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) May 19, 2022

I started to write the book in 2013 but it was not the right time. I picked it up again in 2016, and finished in 2021. #YAauthortakeover #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #booktok #booklovers

— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) May 19, 2022

The experience of writing a book taught me that dreams are worth chasing, that all experiences have purpose and value, and that our struggles are never in vain. #YAauthorTakeover #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth

— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) May 19, 2022

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros inspired me. It showed me that stories about Latino culture are important and should be shared. #YAauthortakeover #writerscommunity #latinx #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth

— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) May 19, 2022

I want readers to know that a tough moment is worth living, because it has value and a purpose. I want them to know that healing and grace are possible. #YAauthortakeover #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #writerscommunity #BookRecommendations pic.twitter.com/PThBvamjkY

— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) May 19, 2022

Write whatever sets your spirit ablaze, and never quit. You don't need to be published to be a writer; writing is a gift, not a profession. #YAauthortakeover #writerscommunity #writers #youngadult

— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) May 19, 2022

So many writers inspire me! @isabelallende @junotdiaz @khaledhosseini, Sandra Cisneros, Nicholas Christopher, Vikram Seth, to name a few! #YAauthortakeover #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #writerscommunity #writersoftwitter

— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) May 19, 2022

My close friend, Chris Schiefen, is usually the first one to read what I write. He gives me honest feedback, and pushes me out of my comfort zone. #YAauthortakeover #writersoftwitter #writerscommunity #youngadult #BookRecommendations

— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) May 19, 2022

I know there's another book inside of me waiting to be written, but for now, I'll enjoy the break! #YAauthortakeover #BookTwitter #BookLover #authorscommunity #writerscommunity

— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) May 19, 2022