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C.J. Heigelmann

Goodreads Author

Born

in Hartford, The United States

Website

http://www.mustreadcj.com

Twitter

cjheigelmann

Genre

Contemporary, Historical Fiction, Fiction

Influences

Homer, Hemingway, Tolkien, Twain, Emerson, Hawthorne, Alice Walker, ...more

Member Since

December 2017

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/cjheigelmann

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Influenced throughout his life by the works of Homer, Hemingway, Tolkien, Twain, Emerson, Alice Walker, Langston Hughes, and Whitman, C.J. Heigelmann fluently expresses his work through a unique style in the classic form of innocence and eloquence, balanced by raw truth and grit without pretension, producing unique and compelling fiction novels. His focus on perspective and realism separates him from mainstream contemporary authors.

Comparable authors: Charles Martin, Robert Whitlow, Denise Hildreth Jones, Therese Anne Fowler.

"I express my characters in their pure flawed form because all of us are flawed. I don't shrink from using stereotypes whether positive or negative. Instead, I promote them and in the next breath completely shatter ...more

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Popular Answered Questions

Just finished An Uncommon Folk Rhapsody. It was a 5*. My question is you said most of book is non-fiction, correct?

C.J. Heigelmann Hello Barb, I'm glad you enjoyed the novel! Thank you for your great question!

No, that's not correct. This novel is inspired by historical events and…moreHello Barb, I'm glad you enjoyed the novel! Thank you for your great question!

No, that's not correct. This novel is inspired by historical events and is a historical fiction novel that weaves together the lives of lesser-known historical figures into an intimate folk tale while keeping an accurate historical timeline.

In my preface and author notes, I go into detail about which main characters were inspired by historical figures, as well as actual historical figures and actual lesser publicly known historical events. Here are my preface and author's notes for clarification.

PREFACE
This literary work was inspired by true historical events and the people who participated in them during the American Civil War. While illuminating the lives of lesser known individuals and historical facts, it paints a unique and realistic picture of that tumultuous time in world history. Great care and effort was taken to ensure that every detail of speech, dialect and custom be replicated ethically and accurately. The reader is carried backward in time with each character, and into every situation which transpires, compelling them to share that character’s intimate perspective of life.
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Author’s Notes
As stated within the preface, this book was inspired by true historical events and the people who participated in them during the American Civil War, while illuminating the lives of lesser-known individuals. The acknowledgment of these particular people and events within the book was done with the intention of shedding light on certain myths and stereotypes many people hold to be true as it pertains to the African slave trade to the Americas, and the American Civil War in general.

Not many people imagine that there was a Chinese Union Army soldier like Shay, who was formally adopted by a merchant ship captain in China. Actually, there was not one, there were two, and very well documented. Edward Day Cohota and Joseph Pierce. As their real-life stories are mirrored in this book, so are the men who adopted them.

Captain Price is one such character. In exploring the dynamics of their lives, the reader has an opportunity to ponder the implications of such an adoption, specifically the stereotypes of Caucasian males living during the 1800s. It seems improbable to some, that the selfless and charitable act of adopting an orphan of a socially non-inclusive race would be socially acceptable and occur, but it did at least twice. It is a prime example of an individual who chooses to be obligated to, and driven by, compassion rather than conform to the social prejudicial norms of his society.

Victoria was inspired by my 4th great-grandmother, known as Mary Clark, who allegedly was the second generation of my African ancestors who endured slavery, lived and worked on a plantation in Alabama, and bore three sons from a renowned colonel and surgeon of the Confederate States Army.

Little Jefferson was inspired by my 3rd great-grandfather, Jefferson Clark, the bi-racial son of Mary. I display photographs of them both at my residence, taken during their elder years. They were a great inspiration in the development and the acknowledgment of the vision which compelled me to undertake this literary work.

Levi Holloway Naron or “Chickasaw” is a lesser-known historical figure, but one who’s life story is remarkable on many levels. Civil War historians who read this book will note that the fictitious “Chickasaw” and his timeline near the end of the war, fits perfectly with the entries of his biography, including him checking on one of his scouts and learning the fate of another. That particular scout inspired the character of Hardy.

These are only a few examples of lesser-known historical facts in the book, which unpretentiously incorporates many other such uncommon or lesser-known details of the time period. I have attempted to explore a variety of topics within various subplots, such as racism, prejudice, religion, belief, class, sexual assault, and nationalism. I was determined to examine the intangibles of the human heart through situational character interactions, such as love, hate, forgiveness, empathy, resentment, guilt, and pride.

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So Barb, all of the historical events are true, and some characters are fictional and based on lesser-known historical figures which lived during the same timeline and woven together into a story. I invite you to research the historical characters listed in my author's notes to learn of their incredible lives so you can recognize the snapshots that I illustrated in An Uncommon Folk Rhapsody. I look forward to more of your great questions!

Warmest Regards!

C.J.

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What’s the best thing about being a writer?

C.J. Heigelmann Experiencing the story while writing. Immersing myself into the situations and events, while experiencing the emotions of the characters as a…moreExperiencing the story while writing. Immersing myself into the situations and events, while experiencing the emotions of the characters as a spectator and a participant.(less)

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Combine Editions
C.J. Heigelmann’s books

Average rating: 4.34 · 56 ratings · 15 reviews · 2 distinct works • Similar authors

	An Uncommon Folk Rhapsody 4.40 avg rating — 43 ratings — published 2017 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Crooked Fences: A Novel 4.15 avg rating — 13 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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C.J. Heigelmann is now friends with Dawn Hutto
Apr 05, 2020 09:28AM · like
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C.J. Heigelmann liked Shaney Stewart's review of Crooked Fences: A Novel: "A wonderful story! Todd's transformation from a broken man filled with anger and hate to a man that learned forgiveness and acceptance was truly inspiring."
Mar 08, 2020 10:41AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Crooked Fences by C.J. Heigelmann. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Crooked Fences by C.J. Heigelmann <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
C.J. Heigelmann liked Barbara Michaels's review of An Uncommon Folk Rhapsody: "Very interesting This book was at first confusing but as it went along and the characters developed, it was fascinating! Not the typical Civil War historical fiction, but a well woven tale of love and loss and love found again. I heartedly recommen..." Read more of this review »
Feb 26, 2020 06:57AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of An Uncommon Folk Rhapsody by C.J. Heigelmann. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — An Uncommon Folk Rhapsody by C.J. Heigelmann <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
C.J. Heigelmann answered Goodreads's question: What are you currently working on? Literary Fiction- Murder/Mystery Psychological Thriller.
Jan 16, 2020 06:49PM · like
C.J. Heigelmann rated a book really liked it Zion's Road A Love Story about Faith and Redemption by Imani Wisdom (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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C.J. Heigelmann liked Michelle's review of Crooked Fences: A Novel: "Flaws & Self-Reflection We are all flawed. Whether it be our upbringing or own views. Sometimes in life we need to review why we are and if its who we really are. And the make the the changes we need to be who we need to be. " Read more of this review »
Jan 15, 2020 07:28PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Crooked Fences by C.J. Heigelmann. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Crooked Fences by C.J. Heigelmann <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
C.J. Heigelmann joined the group The Bookish Elves
Jan 14, 2020 07:48AM · like
C.J. Heigelmann is currently reading Crooked Fences: A Novel by C.J. Heigelmann (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 05, 2020 06:57AM · 9 likes · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Crooked Fences by C.J. Heigelmann. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Crooked Fences by C.J. Heigelmann <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">