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Sunday, August 9, 2009

And So Begins a New Heimer-Blog

Welcome to Frost Cave.

So it's been a while since I've posted anything online. Many have expressed that they deeply miss my website cheimerdinger.com, all the questions and answers, the forums, the monthly newsletters, etc., etc., etc. Well, here's the scoop: that website became entangled in legal wranglings and no longer exists. Nor will it ever exist again in the same form. It's a long story that I may tell one day, but the truth of the matter is that its demise freed up an extraordinary amount of my time. It was crazy everyday trying to keep up with it. So what have done with that free time? Mostly, I have devoted it to family and personal matters for the past couple years--and I think it was time well devoted. Of course, I also, theoretically, have more time to devote to writing and creating. The primary recipient of such energies right now is the project "Thorn of Glory"--the latest in the Tennis Shoes Adventure Series. This project has been an excruciating exercise in research and discipline. However, so many fascinating subjects have been explored during the creating, and I hope to address many of those subjects in this blog. I've always gotten positive responses and comments to my "Chapter Notes" in back of my various Tennis Shoes books over the years. Well, the Chapter Notes in this latest Tennis Shoes novel are meatier than any that I've provided before. It's fun, but as I say, it's also excruciating.

I confess, there are other reasons that writing has been slow. For those who are unaware, I was remarried this April. It was an incredible day and a glorious rebirth from some sad and trying episodes in my life.

The truth is that I have never been happier. Currently my new wife, Emily, and I have responsibilities for no less than nine children. (My oldest son, Steven, is on a mission in the Ukraine.) It's quite a household. Never a dull moment. Much chaos. And very little quiet time for introspection and contemplation. But that's not totally a bad thing, right? The rewards are legion, and the greatest blessing has been that I totally lucked out by selecting a wife with an incredible passion for making it work.

So here I am, an LDS artist--a person who has devoted his life and career to celebrating the Gospel of Jesus Christ with creative works, and I am no less immune from the tragedies and pitfalls of life on planet earth as any other human being. The best part is that instead of drawing me further away from the Gospel, such events have drawn me closer. I love this Church. I'm so proud to be a part of it. And I enjoy nothing more than bearing testimony of its truthfulness while at the same time creating entertaining and (I hope, sometimes at least) beautiful artistic works celebrating its themes.

Recently I wrote a new fireside and delivered it to a group of single adults in Draper, Utah. This talk gave me a chance, again, to express my deepest convictions in the Restored Church and the Atonement of our Savior. I was also able to discuss a wide range of other subjects, from the conflicts of science and religion to the fact that we, as people, are not as prone to bear our testimonies to friends and associates that way we were back in the 70s and early 80s. Fun subjects, and it seemed to be well recieved. And it may also provide future fodder for a blog like this.

So for those who miss cheimerdinger.com, this is the place to come if you want to hear me rant about the things I care about most. That is, if anyone cares to listen. I'll have to judge that as the weeks go by. Most of my time, frankly, I need to devote to writing novels and developing projects that will feed my family. But a blog may be a great way to blow off steam from time to time, contemplate the higher things of the universe, and seek the healing balm of friends and fans who may, occasionally, reply with some tidbit or comment that will truly make my day and raise my spirits higher. Hopefully time I devote to this endeavor will prove to be a breath of fresh air that I will seek on a regular basis. My fear is that, with the internet these days, there may well be more bloggers than there are readers. Isn't that the way it is with so many of conversations? Also, whose to know if I can really be judged someone with worthwhile things to say outside of telling stories or pursuing creative works?

We'll just have to see. In the meantime, I'll give this a go and see where it leads . . .

(c) Copyright 2009, Chris Heimerdinger

22 comments:

  1. I'm really pleased to see you back --so to speak. I've enjoyed your work for years. Best of luck with the new 'blog.'

    I'm wondering if your movie "Passage to Zarahemla" was successful enough that you might do another?

    Thanks for sharing your talents and I look forward to reading more here.

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  2. I'll talk about that in a future blog, Phillip. "Passage" was successful in its genre, but not yet profitable. Oxymoron? Not really. And a rather complex explanation is warrented. I'll explain some other time. Thanks.

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  3. Thank you for your wonderful testimony. What a great example. These earthly trials can be something else huh?

    I am glad that things seem to be looking up for you and your family. And a missionary out in the field, awesome!

    Good luck with the book and all your future projects! Can't wait for more of your talent to hit the shelves (and hoefully the screen)!!!

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  4. How timely your blog is! Just this morning, a friend to whom I had loaned your first nine Tennis shoes books over the last few months, returned them and with it a new copy of #10 which I had not yet read. she is an elementary school teacher and a grandmother and she and I have loved this series. We are both eagerly awaiting #11. In the meantime, I am introducing her to your other books including the movie which will make good Christmas gifts.

    I am currently happily remarried (about 4 1/2 years) after 5 children and 26 years of an unhappy relationship. We don't always understand the reasons for the rocks in the road, but obedience and faithfulness have always brought increased blessings - small tender mercies (we have to look for them and give thanks) during the trials and then in the Lord's time, prayers are answered in unexpected ways. The longer I live, the more I realize that we will not go through this life unscarred and oh, the wisdom that we can learn.

    Thank you for sharing your wonderful gifts of creativity with us. Keep writing!

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  5. Thanks so much for updating us. Ever since your website shut down, I periodically wondered about my favorite author. I meant to comment on your other blog, but somehow it forgot. I sort of think it as a gift for my birthday because it's my birthday today.

    I would like to tell you that I love all of your books. I think that the Tennis Shoe Series are just as good as the Harry Potter Series. I couldn't put them down when I started reading them. I love those books because they have a lot of action, adventure, and humor.
    I'm just thankful that I was able to read your website when it existed. I didn't really care about the forum. However, I did love the questions and answers part. I remember asking you about coffee inside of ice cream. You said that one should have that type of ice cream. Thus, I haven't had Mocha Almond Fudge ever since. That was at least five years ago. Those questions and answers strengthened my testimony when I was a teenager.

    I'm sorry that it had to go and very sorry about the divorce. That really stinks. I'm glad that you remarried though. You should come to BYU and give a firesite for the student wards one of these days. That would be so cool. You are probably right that there are more bloggers than readers. I would read books more, but the internet loves to take all of my spare time.

    I liked Passage of Zarahemla. To be honest, if I wasn't a fan, I would not liked it because of some of the cheesy parts and low production value. Since I read the book, I liked it. One part really reminded me of the Tennis Shoe Series which I enjoyed. I'm sorry to hear it wasn't profitable.

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  6. Thanks for the update. Yes, lots of us do have an interest in what's going on in your world.
    Hey, I know this may be a long shot, but an ad for the digital downloads section of Deseret Book recently reminded me that for quite some time now I've been keeping an eye out for, and would love to see the Tennis Shoes books (preferably unabridged) available as digital audiobooks some day. Any chance of that? It doesn't really matter to me if it's through Deseret Book, Audible.com, iTunes, ldsaudio.com, or some other source. I like to listen to audiobooks during a variety of activities but my MP3 player has long since replaced the old bulky and skip-prone portable CD player. Since there's no packaging/physical media cost perhaps it could even be made available at somewhat lower cost than the ~$250 it would take to purchase 1-10 on CD, not to mention the very time-consuming task of trying to import all those individual CDs into my player.
    Anyway, just a thought. Have a great week!

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  7. Welcome back Chris! Congrats on your remarriage. I am so excited to hear that you are writing a new Tennis Shoes book. I can hardly wait until it comes out! My family and I all LOVED the Passage to Zarahemla. We have watched it numerous times. Thanks for all you do! God Bless!

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  8. Hey Ken. The "Tennis Shoes" series IS currently available on MP3. I know it doesn't sell as well as the CDs (still) so many stores may not carry them, but I believe DeseretBook.com will have them. If not, any store should be able to get them in. Unabridged is another matter. My publisher relented only after much debate to allow "Kingdoms and Conquerors" to be unabridged. To do the other unabridged would mean going back into the studio. Right now Covenant (my publisher) doesn't have much incentive to do that since the other version sells just fine. We'll have to wait and see what the future holds. Thanks Ken.

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  9. Ah I see, MP3 on CD versus the Audio CDs. I must have missed it since I normally look for downloadable audiobooks (that would be nice too though). Thanks.

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  10. Hey Chris, it was great meeting you a while back at that showing of Passage To Zarahemla at Stadium 10 in Washington City, and getting that autographed movie poster. I still have it, but it ripped a little when I was trying to roll it up.

    Anyhow, I just want to tell you what I forgot to then, that I'm an author myself, and have been working on a novel on-and-off for a little over five years. I wanted to know if you had any pointers. Thanks.

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  11. Pointers on finishing a novel? Just finish it. The only way to know if it works/sucks/or is a masterpiece is to get 'er done. I would propose that the number of unfinished manuscripts outnumbers finished manuscripts, because completing something like a novel is a very hard thing to do.

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  12. Glad to see you back in the world! :-) I really do miss the website, but this is also a welcome switch.

    I have loved your books for years, and I am anxiously awaiting #11.

    I am sorry to hear of your divorce, but happy to find that you have found someone to make you happy! Glad to know you're back!

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  13. I am so glad to see this blog, i have been a long time fan and i adore your books, i have read them so many times that a few years ago #8 fell apart and had to be replaced, 3 and 4's covers and mangled from me falling asleep reading them.
    Number 9 (my fave) is completely color coded so i can go to my favorite chapter in a moment.
    Ben franklin and the chamber of time will always be in my top 5 favorite books and Eddie fantastic is well fantastic!
    I have grown up with your books and i look forward to the 11th tennis shoes adventure.
    Thank you for sharing your imagination with us all.
    -Amber

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  14. Ok, so I have been wondering where one of my favorite authors had disappeared to. I kept hoping that after the movie came out that you would be able to go back to it. I loved reading about you and your books. One of the highlights was getting your newsletter monthly. I have shared your books with many friends who have fallen in love with them. I am so glad that I found this blog after wondering for so long.

    I am sorry to hear about your divorce but so happy you have found and married a wonderful woman. There is nothing better than having a wonderful marriage. I thank heavenly father constantly for a wonderful husband and father to our children.

    Thank you for being you and sharing your imagination with us through books and movies. You are well loved by many!!!

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  15. I feel mildly cheated because of my lack of tech understanding. I had seen your original post from Aug. 2009 and theought I subscribed to follow it, but appparently did not. NOW I've got about 73 pages worth of catching up reading to do. I copied & pasted the blogs to a document, downsized the text & stuff. This much reading to do I do better on paper.
    I caught glimpses that there is to be 10 11 and 12. My husband will not believe this. He is a huge a fan as me, because I read the books to him.
    I'm glad you are doing well, We can't wait to read the 'new' books as they come out.
    2nd marriages can be interesting, wonderful things. This is my husband's 2nd marriage and my first. There were no children in his other marriage and I'm just glad to have him now, since when he got married the 1st time in 1979, I was only about 14. But we have each other now.
    Is there still a way to get signed copies of your books?
    Lorilyn

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  16. Yes, you can get signed copies directly from me. Just email me at my regular email--cheimerdinger@gmail.com and I can make arrangements. As soon as I know a price for the new book and audio, I'll make some kind of announcement for how fans can order autographed books. Thanks Lorilyn.

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  17. Thanks for responding, Chris. I've received pretty much the same advice from the Writing Excuses podcast. I'll get back on my novel as soon as possible, and put off editing previous chapters until after the book is finished.

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  18. Today my copy of 'Thorn of Glory' arrived in the mail (I can tell you just how much I love it after Christmas). Thank you for the time and energy that would have gone into writing your books I have loved all of them.
    Like many others I have read your books from cover to cover many times over, so much so that I need to replace my 2nd set of tennis shoe books. I remember the first time I heard of you - In 1999 I was an exchange student in USA and a friend lent me the first 2 books in the tennis shoe books. 5-6 hours later I had finished both of them, being unable to put them down. When I returned home to new zealand a few months later I had all of your books in my suitcase. Since then I have lent my books out often to many families with the same reaction - they love them as much as I do and go and buy their own set.
    I look forward to Christmas day when I am able to open your new book and to reading your future books. Thank you once again, Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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  19. I certainly noticed your disappearance and am very happy that you're doing well! I'm also happy to have another book in my most favorite book series! Every time a new book comes out, I re-read the entire series! I was even tempted to buy the series again when I saw it at Costco-even though I already have it!
    I hope you and your family are doing well. You've been missed by your fans.

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  20. I just want to say that I really enjoy your books. The first Tennis Shoe book is one of the things that really helped me to get into reading the Book of Mormon. Your movie Passage to Zarahemla is one of the few 'LDS movies' that I really like. Actually I think it's the only one other then the ones that the church releases at the Joseph Smith building.

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  21. Dear Chris,
    Thank you for sharing your ups and downs with us. We are all human and all have the opportunity to grow and learn when beset upon by such trials. I am grateful you chose to grow closer to the Lord during your unexpected family change; good job!
    I just finished rereading the TS Series: WONDERFUL AGAIN! Thank you for all of your writings. I enjoy everyone.
    May God continue to bless you and yours as you strive to share His Gospel with others.

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  22. I'm so glad to hear that you are still around and writing! Sorry for the trials you've had to endure, but sounds like you are getting your life back in a new way. Much success to you in all your new endeavors! I have enjoyed everything that you've written, produced, etc. and look forward to any new releases. May God bless you and your family. It's true the children are the ones that really suffer in divorce situations. I'm glad that you are staying strong in the gospel and are willing to share your many talents! Good luck and best wishes!

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