Comments on: “Expedition” (from Book Nine)

By: Diana

Diana — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 03:06:52 +0000

Thank you, Richard! That’s fascinating information; you’ve just trebled my knowledge of the sgian dubh!

Best,

–Diana

By: Richard Eline

Richard Eline — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 21:03:57 +0000

I’ve loved your books since I bought the first one by accident-truly, this is inspired fiction!

I cried for two days when Rollo died, it still makes my eyes sting to think of it.

But, on to serious business! You once expressed a bit of puzzlement over the skean dubh knife, and how it was carried in the armpit. This being my first opportunity, I’d like to offer such poor knowledge as I may have.

The skean dubh was carried in the inside of the coat sleeve-and it was sheathed. I owned several made in the twilight years of the Sheffield knife business, and the sheaths were made by wrapping leather around the knife and sewing it down the center. They were not ornate and few have survived.

I’ve seen several skean dubh that looked like putty knives-Scottish bladesmithing was not highly regarded-and they were very flat slashing knives of thin steel, much like a modern paring knife.

The Scots imported their blades from Germany
Italy or Spain, though they often hilted them at home.

The famous dirk was often fashioned from broken off foibles of backswords or broadswords.

Waste not, want not.

Your books are a great comfort to me, truly, works that defy description, works that will live for centuries.

Thank you!

By: Diana

Diana — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 16:22:36 +0000

Dear Susan–

Despite the name, I don’t really post them every day. [g] Need to save some suspense for the actual book, you know? The lines are still on Facebook, though; post scroll down, but I don’t think they go away unless the page’s owner deletes them.

Best,

–Diana

By: Susan Walker

Susan Walker — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 03:23:53 +0000

I’m new to a lot of social networking stuff, and I can’t routinely find daily lines anywhere–I go on Diana’s facebook and found some but couldn’t find them again. Help!

By: Diana

Diana — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 08:11:03 +0000

Dear Maggie–

Anatomy rants? Um…do you mean “Outlander Anatomy”? That’s not me; that blog is the brainchild of a delightful retired anatomist from Portland, who likes to exercise her skill in the context of the Outlander TV show.
I always post links to her stuff, but I don’t write it.

Best,

–Diana

By: Karen

Karen — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 13:39:13 +0000

Dear Diana, having read, and loved your eight books, I was at a loss as what to read next. Well, as much as I liked the John Grey character, wasn’t sure I’d enjoy the book. Anyway, I bought ‘ The Scottish prisoner,’ I’m now halfway through, and am pleasantly surprised! Can you tell me, other then Jamie, are there any other characters from Outlander, in the other Lord John books? Regardless, I will buy the others though! Please, let us know, if you decide to come to Italy, for book signing. Preferably, in the southern region (Ischia). Best wishes Karen x

By: Toni

Toni — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 15:49:44 +0000

Dear Diana, Honestly, I had lost the love of reading fiction until I started reading Outlander in August. I fell upon the television series by accident but was only able to watch up to episode 7. I decided that I could not wait for the second part of season 1 to find out what happened. Between August and now I have read all 8 books. I am so
enchanted by your characters and your gift of writing. Thank you for leaving “Written in My Own Heart’s Blood” with such a great and uplifting ending!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 00:39:56 +0000

Hello,
I just finished your eighth book and am looking forward to your ninth. I love the parts about Claire’s medical practices as I am a medical doctor in the states. How did you research your old and new medical stories? Do you have medical doctors advising you?

Thanks,
Nancy Ott
Minnesota, USA

By: Jeanette

Jeanette — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 15:54:50 +0000

Diana,

I had never heard of your books until I happened upon the Starz pilot episode while I was looking for something to watch while I drank my wine. Needless to say I am not OBSESSED with your story. I have watched all of the episodes multiple times and read and re-read all of the Outlander series books. I can not wait until season 2 and am thoroughly looking forward to Book 9. In the meantime I am working hard at getting others as obsessed as I am.

Thank you for writing such a captivating series.

Cheers,
Jeanette

By: Diana

Diana — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:24:47 +0000

Dear Catherine–

I’m so sorry about your husband. I’m glad the books can be of some help to you!

Best wishes,

–Diana