Noel Daniel acknowledges her transition into becoming an English Major has been a reflection of heart and is accompanied by a journey in between. As a student at California State University, Stanislaus and Production Manager for The Signal, Daniel’s evolution of academic plans have merely been the groundwork for numerous writing achievements including being the recipient of financial awards, opportunities to give presentations on her pieces and recognition by an award-winning author.
“I started here as a Psychology Major,” Daniel said regarding the beginning of her college career. She has since accumulated different minors, concentrations and majors including English, and has been guided by a debate so often revisited in this stage of life. “I decided I wanted to risk doing something I enjoyed for a living.”
The risk has proven more than worthwhile for Daniel and her talents. She is the recent winner of the Hugh Howey Fanfiction Contest for her composition of a sequel to the American writer’s novel Half Way Home under the pseudonym “Elodie West.” For her piece she was granted $5,000 in addition to editorial commentary from American author Howey himself- an honor beyond the scope of dollars.
“It was very flattering,” she said, “and most of all, it was inspiring.”
Feedback from a published writer is just one outcome of Daniel’s tireless determination. After this artistic feat she also entered the Writer’s Digest Popular Fiction Contest and Short Story Contest. In addition, Daniel has been featured in CSU Stanislaus’s literary magazine, Penumbra, and has given presentations on her short story The Tsar’s Songbird at regional and national Honors Society conferences. As president of the Alpha Mu Xi chapter of Sigma Tau Delta Honorary Society at CSU Stanislaus, Daniel’s occupational background has also been dedicated to building any writing-related experience.
Her extracurricular successes can be added to the stack of jobs she has held driving her towards exceptional writing. Noel has been Editor in Chief of Penumbra magazine for one year, an intern at Velocity House publishing, served as the Municipal Liaison for the Modesto region this last year of National Novel Writing Month, and finally, continues to dedicate time as the Culture Editor and Production Manager for The Signal. Though earning money for her abilities has been a result her work, Daniel shares that effort does not always end in this luxury, but sometimes pays in a different way.
“Even if it was only volunteer and non-profit work, I applied,” she said, “It’s all experience that I’m endlessly both proud of and glad for.”
The 23-year-old artist, who applied anywhere that granted her to opportunity to write says those eager for a profession in the field should carry out the dream by by doing just that, writing.
“Find any excuse to write. Look for writing contests of all kinds. I write science fiction and fantasy novels and I used to think that all I needed to do was chug along in my story and read the occasional fantasy book. When I finally realized that I needed to both write and read practically anything I could get my hands on is when I started drastically improving.”
Artists in this profession are paid of course with immeasurable creative fulfillment, but as with anything the job bears it’s cons. An imaginative field leaves room for nearly too many choices and truly thrives on a relationship between the artist and his or her work.
“I find myself saying “why does anyone want to be a writer” a lot more often than I should,” Daniel said. “It can be emotionally draining to commit yourself so completely to something like a novel, or an art piece or whatever form an artist’s work manifests as.”
Future writers out there can expect to be bombarded with companies pushing for money upfront before delivering. Steering clear of vanity presses is a must, as Daniel advises. To publish, she recommends creating your own query letter as well as teaming with an experienced agent. Furthermore, those looking to self publish can anticipate to commit much of their time to self promotion.
As far as plans post her graduation in 2016, Noel is letting opportunities come as they may. She is certain her future includes a profession in which she has the opportunity to write, and hopes to incorporate her passion for science fiction and fantasy. Daniel is currently taking on Computer Science classes and spending time on programming that will aid her in building experience useful for her ultimate goal.
“It’s my dream to write a story for a video game someday. My pipe dream is to work for Telltale Games and write stories that make gamers cry.” For those who dub the art realm as “not real” work, the commitment to such professions as writing can prove emotionally and financially difficult before reaching reward.
“I want to believe that my passion for the field will ultimately find me doing something I love,” Daniel said. “Although it’s a labor of love, it’s still a labor, but I’ll keep writing in spite of this– and I encourage other writers to do the same.”
Where to find her writing:
Official Site
Booktrack: bit.ly/1zdwZDp
Tumblr: elodiewestwrites.tumblr.com
Twitter: @elodiewestwrite
Wattpad: EllyWest