Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniela Campos.
Daniela, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am the daughter of a single mother. My mother was born and raised in a family of migrant workers. With twelve brothers and sisters, my mom would spend six months in South Texas and six months in Michigan, working the fields. That’s her story, I know, but her stories and her life inspire and shape me every day. I knew I always wanted to be a writer. I wanted to create stories and share them with people in the hopes that someone would find solace in my words and relate to my story.
So, at a very early age, I decided I would create stories through my words on paper and through a camera.
In August 2018, I graduated college, and then four days later, I packed up my entire life and moved to Austin. Four days after moving, I had my first gig as a production assistant for a commercial. Since then, I have been a production assistant, a coordinator and an Assistant Director on countless projects, ranging from commercials to network television series.
Currently, I work on CW’s Walker, a family drama series starring Jared Padalecki (any Supernatural fans, anyone?)
When I’m not working on a TV show, I’m working on my book series.
Being an author has been the biggest dream and goal of mine since I can remember. And in 2019, in the midst of working on an Amazon series, Panic, I wrote an entire book on my phone.
I finished Say My Name in May 2020, during the peak of the pandemic, and by January 2021, I self-published through Amazon where it can be purchased!
I am currently working on book two and hope to publish it as early as Fall of this year, 2022!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There were and still are a lot of struggles and obstacles that I had to push through. In the film industry, it continues to progress and be more welcoming towards all diverse types of people, but it is still mainly a white male-dominated industry. As a Hispanic woman, I feel the need to prove to everyone that I am a capable AD in the making while not falling prey to harmful stereotypes (i.e., too loud, aggressive or bossy)
When it comes to writing and publishing, it really was the internal struggles I have as a writer and a person. The lack of confidence and self doubts really get in the way. Constantly, I am scared that I’m not good enough, or smart enough or talented enough to do anything worthwhile.
I have to remind myself every day that even though people may not like my writing or my book may never be popular, I’m ultimately writing for me. I’m doing this for me. I’m doing this for my mom. And that’s all that really matters at the end of the day. Everything else that comes along is a happy bonus.
I’m lucky that I have my friends and family that support me every step of the way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My book, Say My Name is my greatest achievement and it’s only the start. SMN is book one out of a planned series that I hope to continue writing and publishing. It is currently available for purchase on Amazon and if you’re in the Austin area, you can pick up a copy at BookPeople.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Because of Covid-19, I have learned the importance of self-love. I’m not talking about self-care, where you do a face mask or do a yoga routine (although those are super important). I’m talking about really loving yourself as a person. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say I really struggled during the pandemic. Depression hit me hard and there were many days where I didn’t leave bed. Writing got me through the darkest days (and my amazing partner and my two adorable cats). It took me a long time to learn to say no. Reject things that may benefit others but wouldn’t benefit me. Self-love is about acknowledging your faults and working on them while celebrating the good things about yourself, and trust me, there are a lot of good things about you, I promise. Self-love is having the confidence to work towards your goals and push through the self-doubt and doubts of others. I queried Say My Name to agents all throughout the pandemic and got rejected 26 times. I nearly gave up.
It wasn’t until a coworker earnestly asked me, “what are you doing here? Why aren’t you a writer?”
It’s like I was pulled out of a haze.
“Yeah, you’re right. What am I doing here?”
For me, validation from others is important, but there is nothing more important to me than the validation from myself. I know who I am as a person and as a writer and although I’m not the greatest person to ever live or the best writer to ever write a book, I’m still good. I’m good because I have a perspective to offer people they may have never seen before. I have a story to share.
Self-love is not a constant. There are days where I still doubt myself. Days when I don’t write a single word on paper. But I never give up. I won’t ever stop learning and growing as a person or a writer. I’ll never stop loving myself.
Pricing:
- Paperback: 14.99
- Kindle/e-book: 4.99
Contact Info:
- Email: dacampos14@Outlook.com
- Website: https://www.amazon.com/Say-My-Name-Daniela-Campos-ebook/dp/B08RWWXFPR/ref=mp_s_a_1_15?dchild=1&keywords=say+my+name&qid=1609604058&sr=8-15
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatevaella
