Women's Fiction
Date Published: November 20, 2014
Haunted by a traumatic incident in his past, Alan Christiansen desperately wants to learn how to dance. After several failed attempts, he stumbles onto Choreographed Ballroom Dance (Round Dance), and begins to make progress. His instructors, Ray and Shelly Tenrio, are famous in the Round Dance world, popular choreographers and featured teachers on the festival circuit. Once married, they are now divorced, but Ray seeks a reconciliation. Shelly's world is turned upside down when one of her nephews is diagnosed with a rare case of thyroid cancer. As his parents fly around the country searching for answers, it falls to Shelly to care for his twin brother. Uncomfortable with children in general and boys in particular, she turns to Alan for help. Thrown together with the sort of man she used to disparage, she discovers hitherto unsuspected talents and depth in Alan, and unsuspected and somewhat unwelcome feelings in herself. In the end, Shelly must choose between the sort of life she's always known with Ray and a life she's only glimpsed with Alan. Along the way, we learn about round dance, romance, thyroid cancer, Silicon Valley startups, the wit and wisdom of Bill Watterson, and what sort of vegetable goes best with tuna-chip casserole
#1 – Do You See Writing as a Career?
Not unless we sell a LOT of books. Paul already has a career he enjoys which still
allows time for writing, so writing will likely continue to be a hobby for us.
#2 – What was the Hardest Part of Your Writing Process?
The editing! We loved
the story development and the writing, but the editing isn’t nearly as much fun.
#3 – Did you have any One Person Who Helped You Out with
Your Writing Outside of Your Family?
No. It’s a family
affair.
#4 – What is next for your writing?
Not sure. After being
unable to come up with a book idea for ages, we now have several percolating. We'll see what rises to the top.
#5 – Do you have an addiction to reading as well as writing?
If so, what are you currently reading?
Paul: I mostly read
via audiobooks. I read a lot of science,
classics, and I often re-read my favorite authors (Sabatini, A. Conan Doyle, James
Herriot, Agatha Christie, Rowling)
Jean: I read a lot,
mostly fiction, and especially these last few months, as I've been recovering
from a couple of pelvic fractures. A
couple of books I've recently read, and enjoyed, were "Delicious!" by
Ruth Reichl, and "Never Change" by Elizabeth Berg.
DESCRIBE Your Book in 1 Tweet:
A love story set in the wonderful world of choreographed
ballroom dance.
This or That?
#1 - iPd or Mp3?
Mp3
#2 – Chocolate or Vanilla?
Paul: Vanilla
Jean: Chocolate
#3 – Mashed Potatoes or French Fries?
Mashed Potatoes - with Broccoli (excellent combination!)
#4 – Comedy or Drama?
A little of both (just like life)
#5 – Danielle Steel or Nicholas Sparks?
Paul: who?
Jean: Nicholas Sparks
#6 – Fantasy or Reality?
Paul: I’m living my fantasies – they are my reality.
Jean: What he said...
#7 – Call or Text?
Paul: Call! (‘cause I can hear without my glasses…)
Jean: Call
#8 – Public School or Home
School
Public School
#9 – Coffee or Hot Chocolate?
Tea
#10 – eBook or Paperback?
Paperback
Paul and Jean Zimmer are first time authors. “The Bicycle Waltz” began with casual remark by Jean that it would be great if somebody were to write a book featuring their favorite pastime, Choreographed Ballroom Dance (Round Dance). That is, somebody else should write such a book.
But then a story began to form around a germ of an idea Paul had while watching some instructors at a dance festival. Pretty soon, the story had taken on a life of its own. Scenes played out across the kitchen table and the characters became like old friends, crying out to have their story told. Before they knew it, the book had practically written itself.
Paul is, by training, a computer chip designer. He has worked at several large companies, including Hewlett Packard and Cisco, as well as several start-ups, so he had the knowledge to describe this world to readers. He has written many award-winning technical papers, but these are (or are intended to be!) non-fiction. Writing fiction required something of a leap of faith.
Jean trained as a speech therapist, but left the working world to become a full-time mom when their twin sons were born. She is an avid reader, and she knows what makes a story flow. Her detail-oriented approach was the perfect balance to Paul’s impatience to get on with the story, and she thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to help craft a story herself.
In addition to their twin sons, the Zimmers have a daughter. It is her thyroid cancer story that Matthew lives in “The Bicycle Waltz”.
The Zimmers have traveled far and wide, and lived in Germany and England. They currently live in Roseville, CA, near Sacramento, where they are active in the local Round Dance community.
April 28 - Texas Book Nook
April 29 - My Reading Addiction
April 30 - The Indie Express
May 1 - Steamy Side
May 3 - Palmers Page Turners
May 5 - Penny For My Thoughts
great interview
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