What is the best thing that I love about my work?

A: Having the ability to tell incredible stories. Not just my own, imaginary ones, or ones I wish were real, but all the surrounding stories. Stories of people who have surpassed fiction and lives so beautiful they exceed dreams. Being able to communicate all kinds of feelings, experiences, and stories through narrative is something that fulfills me completely. I can’t imagine being or doing anything other than writing.

What is my idea of happiness?

A: I consider happiness to be abstract. It is more of a state than an emotion itself, but my happiness lies in fulfillment, wherever I can find it. In a good story, on a rainy day, or in the laughter of loved ones. Happiness is hidden in all those little moments of everyday life that seem simple but are actually true gems. For me, being happy means being able to fully enjoy those moments.

What is my greatest fear?

A: A: I have many, but one of the biggest is having to give up writing as a profession and relegate it to the background. This is not always an easy path to follow, and fear is often present. For a long time, I was unable to do what I loved—writing as a profession—and now I constantly struggle to stay on this path. But I think that even if that were to happen, I would not stop writing. I would find a way to do it differently, but I wouldn’t give it up. Because this is who I am.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

A: My lack of self-esteem. Because I know I have the talent, ability, and perseverance to get where I want to go, but most of the time I don’t believe I’m capable of doing it. If only I could silence that voice inside me that constantly sabotages me and instead use all that energy to create, it would be wonderful. It’s a struggle I’m slowly overcoming, but I remind myself that I can do it, that I’m worth it, that I am and can be everything I long for.

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?

A: There are only two possible answers to this question. I will try to answer it as it deserves.

If I have to talk about authors, Bran Sanderson definitely tops my list, followed by Patrick Rothfuss. Their way of telling stories, of creating universes that you can immerse yourself in and get completely lost in, is what I aspire to achieve as a writer.

But, if I have to be totally honest, I would talk about my mom. She is the reason I do this, because of her love of literature and stories, which she passed on to me from a very young age. So, if I have to talk about admiration, above all else, I admire the wonderful woman and writer that is my mom.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

A: If I had to choose, I would say the inconsistency and undervaluation. Often, when working as a writer and freelancer, you face the uncertainty of not knowing if the job you are doing is the last one you will see for a long time, and that is mentally and physically exhausting. There’s also the factor of others imposing their expectations and prices above the cost that you know your work has and deserves. This constant struggle, I would say, is perhaps what exhausts me the most.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

A: I would say that I am happiest with what I do at night. It’s not so much about a place, a person, or a company, but rather the spaces I have when I can just sit down and write.

My mom has always told me that the night belongs to artists, because it is in the silence that we truly find inspiration, and over the years, I have learned that this is true. Perhaps that is why nights are the perfect time for me to listen to the muses and just sit down to write. It’s just me and my stories.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

A: I would say my self-confidence, because I know that lack of confidence often sabotages me, and it’s a struggle I’ve had my whole life. Recognizing, loving, and honoring who I am is one of my main goals and something I want to improve on.

What is my greatest achievement in work?

A: Continuing to believe in myself and what I do. Many times, giving up seems like an option because you know that you could perhaps find another path; devote yourself to something a little easier, but that would be like betraying a part of yourself. Loving what I do and persisting in the process, beyond the bad times, is my greatest achievement and source of pride. Because I know that I will always bounce back.

Where would I most like to live?

A: If I could, I would probably live traveling. I would be like the protagonist of “Eat, Pray, Love” and live between my country, because I love it, Spain, and Japan. I would spend four months a year in each place, with intermittent stops in hundreds of other places. The world is too vast not to dream of seeing it.

What is my most treasured possession?

A: A small, simple silver ring given to me by the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.

What is my most marked characteristic?

A: Perhaps my creativity and fluency when expressing myself. I have integrated writing so much into my daily life that I feel I find inspiration in every aspect of everyday life.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

A: It’s not so much a place as the movement itself. The hours at sunset, when everything is quiet and I can walk along the path without so much traffic. That moment when I can go to the beach and watch the sunset, listen to the sea, and feel the breeze. That’s where I find my inspiration.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?

A: There are several, because I love going out to eat, but there is one place, a tiny spot that goes unnoticed. It’s on the way to a famous beach, and it’s a small, family-run place. The food there tastes of tradition, love, and the Caribbean. It’s a place I don’t deprive myself of eating at whenever I can.

What books influenced my life and how?

A: There are too many to name them all! But if I had to choose, I would have to mention Mistborn by Bran Sanderson; The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss; Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen; The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman; and The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

A: Many songs come to mind, but I think the only music I would want to listen to on my last day of life is the laughter of my loved ones.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

A: I think if I had to choose, I would go with Jo March from Little Women because I identify with her a lot. With her strength and perseverance in trying to make a place for herself in a world with imposed rules and with her passion for writing. I would also mention Sazed from Mistborn, because he is a beautifully created character who I think could inspire anyone.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

A: My mom, and I don’t think I’ll ever tire of mentioning her. Her strength, resilience, and love for life inspire me every day. Likewise, my wife, because she is a tireless fighter. And if I may continue, my best friends, because they are incredible women who inspire me every day.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?

A: As with books, there are too many to mention them all, but here goes: Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle, Beyond Dreams, Soul, and probably anything starring Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep, or Anne Hathaway, because they are incredible actresses.

What role play stories in my life and work?

A: Every role, or at least the most important ones. I am and live for stories. Without them, I would not find myself.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?

A: I think it’s a very powerful phrase. We can’t define our situation or choose our battles, but we can decide how we tell our story, and that gives us power over the situation.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

A: My wife, definitely. She has been the one who has encouraged me to follow my dreams of writing, to seek out opportunities, and to persevere. If my mother was the one who planted this seed, my wife has been the one who has watered it over the last few years. 

Which people or companies would I like to work with ?

A: A powerful question. If I had the opportunity to really be heard and to contact some potential influencers, I think I would like to get in touch with:

– Bran Sanderson: Because I completely admire his work.

– Penguin Random House: It would be a dream to be published by them.

– Netflix (Original Content Department): Because I would love to write stories for them.

– Editorial Planeta: I’ve always wanted to send them my manuscripts.

What project am I looking forward to work on?

A: I am currently working on a book that I really want to publish. It is a project that I have invested a lot of time and love in, and I hope that many people will read it.

Where can you see me or my work?

You can contact me through my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-delgado-lezama-052601174/

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

A: I once heard it said that musicians don’t retire; they just stop when they run out of songs to sing. The same goes for passion. As long as you feel it inside you, it will be a flame that guides you, regardless of age, time, or distance.

How can you contact me?

Through my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-delgado-lezama-052601174/ or my email: lilis.dea1122@gmail.com