Lenore Borja
Lenore Borja grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. She attended Arizona State University before moving to New York City to study acting at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. After a brief career as an actress, she spent several years working in executive search and human resources in both New York and San Francisco. She now resides in Fort Collins, Colorado, with her husband and a bossy feline named Maximus. When she’s not writing, she enjoys adventure travel and anything that gets the heart racing, whether it’s hiking, running, or getting lost in a good book.
Twitter: @LenoreBorja
Have you ever experienced Imposter Syndrome?
Almost daily. It’s a constant struggle to stay positive and not give in to self-doubt or fear. Every time I feel myself slipping, I try to remember my mindset when I started writing. I told myself, “All I have to do is write a novel I’m proud of. That’s it. And if I do that, I’ve succeeded.”
Not all books are for all readers… when you start a book and you just don’t like it, how long do you read until you bail?
As a writer, I try really hard never to quit on a book. Not to say I haven’t, because I have. But 99% of the time, I’ll stick it out. I know firsthand the blood, sweat, and tears that go into writing a book. So unless something about the story is offensive or triggering, I’ll see it through to the end.
Is there another profession you would like to try?
YES! If I had it to do all over again, I’d work for the CIA (assuming they’d have me!). I don’t know why. I just always thought I’d be a really good spy. I used to be an actress, so the idea of acting like I’m someone else but doing it for my country? Sign me up.
What do you worry about?
EVERYTHING. I toss and turn all night, worrying about things I can’t control. The fact that I know I can’t control them only makes me worry more. I wish there were a quick fix for this kind of thing, but other than smacking myself upside the head with a frying pan, there isn’t much I can do. It’s just who I am. Sometimes diving into the minds of my characters is the only way to escape my anxiety-ridden mind!
What brings you great joy?
So many things. My husband. My cat. My friends and family. My readers. A crisp autumn day. A bag of hot, buttery popcorn. A cup of coffee before the sun comes up. The charged air before a thunderstorm. Many ‘big things’ bring joy (e.g., a book deal, winning the lottery, a bucket list vacation, etc.), but it’s everyday little things that make up a life. Those are the things we’ll remember in the end.
