Andrew Zimmerman is the author of the new novel Journey. He is the CEO of the design firm frog design, and he lives in New York City.
Q:
How did you come up with the idea for Journey?
A:
Journey was inspired by a true story, though it is fiction versus a memoir.
I’ve had a career in the fast-moving tech world as a senior executive
including CEO of companies.
About
10 years ago, I did go to Glastonbury and had a soul reading and experienced
a spiritual awakening which continues to this day. I choose to “stay in
this world,” as the CEO of frog design. I chose to write a novel
versus a memoir in order to have more liberty to make the story more
entertaining and engaging.
Q:
What do you think the book says about the conflict between business and
spirituality?
A:
The conflict is an artificial one. [My character] Paul believes that in order to be
successful, he needs to give up his claim to being human. He needs to do a deal
with the devil and worship the pursuit of money and power. Spirituality, to
him, is a fool’s game at best. Or, worse, a weakness that others will take
advantage of.
But
after he awakens and opens his heart and soul to the universe, he becomes a
better husband, father, and, yes, businessman. In today’s world, particularly
in the fast-paced digital space, leaders are increasingly showing their
vulnerability—it demonstrates courage and empathy, not weakness.
Q:
Did you know how the novel would end before you started writing it, or did you
make many changes along the way?
A:
Not only did I not know how it would end, I also did not know that I was
writing a trilogy. I was stuck with a longish draft of 140,000 words and still
writing and everyone was telling me it was too long, particularly for a debut
novel.
I
had a shamanic treatment at a spa focusing on this problem and that is when I
realized how Journey would end and that I was actually writing a trilogy. Most
readers are very surprised by the ending but are eager to see what happens
next.
Q:
What do you hope readers take away from the book?
A:
First, that it is an entertaining and fast read. Second, they open themselves
up to the magic and abundance that surrounds them. Third, they hit the pause
button, take a deep breath and love themselves.
This
review is by an early reader who actually has gone to Glastonbury and had a
soul reading, herself: "This
book will make you think about your own path and perhaps it will open you up to
the idea that it’s never too late to change your trajectory, perspective and
choices in life. A powerful book and a delightful read that may just change the
way you look at life."
Q: What are you working on now?
A:
I’m writing the second novel of the trilogy. The working title is
Journey(ing). Journey takes place over nine months. The trilogy takes place
over 40 years.
I’m
also CEO of frog design, one of the world’s best-known design firms. We
have 14 studios in ten countries. Right now, nearly all of our frogs (what we
call our employees) are working from home and we are designing masks, new
ways of handling patients, telemedicine applications, and supporting our local
communities in this time of crisis.
Q:
Anything else we should know?
A:
On March 3, I was in Glastonbury at the top of the Tor (said to be the Isle of
Avalon). I knew we were about to have a worldwide crisis and thought it was the
worst time for my novel to come out. But I trusted the universe in a way that
would have been completely foreign to me 10 years ago.
It
turns out people have more time to read and my story is very relevant. And it
recently was the #1 hot release in the metaphysical and inspirational fiction
category on Amazon. So, during these challenging and humbling times, we should
listen to our hearts and souls and trust the universe.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
No comments:
Post a Comment