Well, it is April Fools’ Day, but this isn’t a joke. [g] Mind, it isn’t that “Survivor,” either.
A friend of mine who runs an interesting blog on freelancing had asked me if I’d do an interview with her, for a series she was doing on the blog, explaining a bit about my own experiences with freelancing. I did, and if you’re interested in more of the background of what I did before I began writing novels [g], or what-all is involved with the business/promotional side of being an author…
Here it is.
Hi again, Diana. I’m going almost completely OT here, but I was wondering if you had ever thought of spinning off a series of books with Young Ian?
I think there’s a lot of love out there in Outlander land for Ian Jr.. Next to the two mains, of course, he’s my favorite character.
I know he’s involved in a lot of plot now, but he’s still very young and there’s still so much trouble for him to get into.
Would it be a possiblility in the future?
Thanks much!
Dear Renee–
That’s not something that’s talking to me right now–though I do have a contract for a little “special” book, for an outfit called Subterranean Press, who does limited-edition shortish things with good binding, and that story (whatever it is) will be Ian’s. You never know what that kind of thing might lead to; look at Lord John! [g]
Oh, great! I will definitely get my hands on that when it’s available. If it’s not too limited! I love Ian.
I hope it’s a spark that starts a fire.
Thanks, Diana.
Dear Diana Gabaldon,
I have loved your books for many years. I always called them like the Library of Congress does “historical fiction” not “historical romance”.
I just checked out your blog for the first time. I was surprised to read the response at the bottom of my note to a comment you received.
Please tell me your Fox station is not the Unfair and Unbalanced station with O’Riley et al but like our local TV station that is called Fox and has a news program.
Granted our news sources need to do a better job of reporting the news and not sensationalizing trash. And while CNN is not the sharpest tool in the drawer and MSNBC contributed to the financial crisis I am surprised that a woman who writes so well about homosexuals would condescend to watching Fox’s style of hate and fear mongering.
If you want a change of pace I suggest Jon Stewart’s “Daily Show”. At least they don’t pretend to be real news.
I guess I have fallen prey to the notion / assumption that everyone thinks like I do but there are often many different opinions that require respect.
Diane
Diana Gabaldon said…
Dear Nathalie–
I normally watch Fox News in the morning (finding CNN abysmally simple-minded), but will definitely keep an eye out for you! [g]
Back to Ian. I think it would be great to have Ian involved in some of the early, early explorations of the West. Like Robert Gray and The Columbia, with Ian ending up traveling around the globe. But that 1788 timeline might be a problem.
Okay, I’ll shut up now about Ian.
Diane, this is a free country. It really makes me angry when people insist that FOX news is a hate and fear mongering network. I don’t think it’s really relevant what news Diana chooses to watch. It’s her business and maybe you should practice some tolerance and not judge those of us who watch FOX.
Dear Diane–
I watch TV news while I do my morning exercise (sort of combination of old-fashioned stretches with minor Pilates and physio-ball stuff). I’ve seen Bill O’Reilly now and then–on which occasions he’s been generally witty, but never hateful (unless you consider calling Ted Kennedy a pinhead hateful, and I must say I don’t).
I’d be interested to know exactly what you’ve seen on Fox News that causes you to refer to it as “hate and fear-mongering,” though. It’s naturally not unbiased–nothing on television is, or can be, by its nature–but I’ve never seen anything there that caused me to think there was an anti-gay agenda (which you seem to think there is). They don’t slavishly parrot the “Obama is our Newborn King” message (which MSNBC rather does), and they do have analysts who occasionally point out the idiocy of “stimulating” an economy that’s in crisis as the result of debt by increasing said debt unto the third generation, but I don’t have a big problem with that, either.
Still and all, while I’d be interested in your opinion, I do have a book to finish here, and _very_ little time for discussion. Also, on principle, I don’t discuss politics or religion, as such discussions are invariably futile and lead to nothing but rancorous exchanges. So I hope you’ll forgive my not carrying on a continuing conversation on the subject.
Nathalie, if you’re out there reading this here is a prime example of why you should strive for FOX.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsfvnM0uNHk
I hope ‘you’ watch this Diane and see the true hate and fear mongoring and arrogance involved with this reporter.
Hi Renee –
JUST now saw your note – I have to say, that video was funny and awful all at the same time. I really, really don’t like it when people attack Obama’s character by saying things like he’s a terrorist, fascist…or whatever….I may not have voted for the man, but he’s definitely not a bad man and comments like that make us look bad. Now, his politics….;)
On the OTHER hand, what that reporter did was in no way, no how, at all acceptable in the world of broadcasting. Talk about throwing unbiased, straightforward reporting of the facts out the friggin window…jeez…She made herself the fool in that one, though.
Thanks for sharing
I just call him a Socialist. I think it fits with his politics, without personal besmirchment. ;}
Wow! Lots of talk about politics! I haven’t checked in for awhile, so needless to say I was a little surpised…Just wondering about ECHO and the progress of the the final frenzy?
Diana- will the unabridged audio of the book be available at the same time as the hardcover?
Loretta
Diana,
Thank-you so much for your Drunk Chicken Pasta recipe. It was a great success with all my grandchildren ages 14-20 and i was so pleased to be able to serve a great new dish with nary a pasta bow left in the very large bowl; and even more pleased to share your receipe with their mothers and hear that they in turn have made it several times at the husbands and kids' requests. Gramma rocked- Thanks to you!
Patricia
P.S.Eagerly anticipating the arrival of my preordered Echos-print ,audio and Kindle