Comments on: “A Small Gift In Honor of My Birthday” (BEES)

By: Loretta

Loretta — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 11:46:56 +0000

Dear Sheila,

It’s wonderful that you and others are excited about BEES, but this question is sent to Diana each week so often in various ways: on her official social media accounts, asked in web comments like yours, and even sent to me, the Webmistress!

And the answer is always the same. When Diana and her publishers announce the release date of GO TELL THE BEES THAT I AM GONE, Book 9 of the Outlander series, it will appear on her official BEES webpage at:

http://www.dianagabaldon.com/books/outlander-series/book-nine-outlander-series/

The news will also be announced on her web blog, on her social media accounts, and no doubt immediately will spread all over the international news media very quickly. (Her books are now translated into 34 languages!)

Diana’s books require hours and hours of historical and other research besides the many hours of writing and editing the actual book. She will not release a book until she feels it is the best she can do. And you wouldn’t want anything less.

Have you tried the books Diana suggests on her Methadone List?

http://www.dianagabaldon.com/resources/the-methadone-list/

Those might help some in the interim.

Cheers,

Loretta
Diana’s Webmistress

By: Barbara Wood

Barbara Wood — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 21:39:36 +0000

Hi Diana

As the Outlander cast is having a 7 month break until they start filming again, will this give you the time to finish ‘ Go tell the Bees I am gone’ ? I do so hope so and even more please. Bree and Roger have children now. Thank you for giving me hrs of pleasure reading your books, include the Lord John Grey.

By: Sheila Schrock

Sheila Schrock — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 11:08:05 +0000

Love it all! I have now read every word in the Outlander series (all novellas too) written by you. It is easy to see why you are the favorite author of so many people, myself included! The excerpts are great, but I am anxious to read what happens next. I hate to sound so needy, but any clue when we will be able to read “Bees”?

By: Sherry Stotts

Sherry Stotts — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 18:20:22 +0000

Diana,
I just want to thank you so much for your books. Not only is the whole story so absorbing and entertaining, but the characters are my fictional best friends! The other reason I wanted to thank you is that you have managed to bring back so many happy childhood memories of visiting my great-grandmother (Granny Rilda) at her little house tucked away in a hollow up on a ridge in Eastern Kentucky. After I would get home it would be weeks before my mom could get me to brush my teeth with a toothbrush. Granny used willow twigs and I thought that was just too cool. I loved drinking water out of the dipper from the enamel pail she kept on the back porch. She didn’t have a springhouse, but she had a wellhouse that was always cool and damp inside. Not only was her well in there but also her food. Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, onions, and the smells were so distinct. She kept “Banty” chickens and my child self loved those perfect sized portions of chicken and tiny eggs! But I think what brings my grandparents back with the most force is your dialogue. My pa (left us 10 years ago) used your words. Slugabed, crack-brained, thrapple, and so many more of the. Reading an aggravated Fraser makes me always think about my pa and my heart smiles. You haven’t used two of his favorites yet, about to perish with a thirst, and larupin. I can’t wait to stumble on them someday! Again, thank you for all of the enjoyment of your stories, and for bringing back beautiful parts of my childhood!

By: Carlene

Carlene — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 19:00:09 +0000

Dear Diana,

Love all eight books so far ( re-read them twice). They have spiced up my marriage of 26 years. Both my husband and I watch the series together . Then when the season is over we rewatch the whole thing from start to finish again and again.

Patiently waiting for season four and book nine.

Carlene

By: Claudia

Claudia — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 21:24:52 +0000

I have loved your books since the 1990′s. I wait with baited breath every 4-5 years for the next one. I have owned all of them several times keep giving them to libraries. Then keep buying more. Hiding them in my dresser drawers from the kids in the early days. Finally stopped doing that since I am now your age. No kids at home just grandchildren around. Loved the CD music. Love the Starz series. But waiting so, with baited breath for Bees. You are a very good writer and may I say great. And your research surpasses all. Love the herbal stuff. Waiting.

By: Gayle MacDougall

Gayle MacDougall — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 23:18:23 +0000

Dear Diana,
As you write my mind absorbs. Thank you from our heads and hearts for the fabulous characters and robust stories you magically provide your hungry fans.
I am very happy you are not challenged to replicate our beloved ‘Jamie & Claire’ to match the Starz version using ‘Sam & Catriona’. I adore your ‘Claire’ much more than the TV version. The producers decided to focus on Claire’s shrillness and obstinate nature that makes their version so inflexible and less sympathetic than the original delightful ‘Claire B. R. Fraser’ (my view). They chose to represent ‘Jamie’ as a more rounded character and as a result ‘Sam’ fits our impression of ‘Jamie’ better.
Needless to say, I too await the ‘birth’ of your ninth ‘child’ with bated breath and hope for another adventure filled with hours of delightful transportation, via the written word, to Fraser’s Ridge and all who live there.
Thank you from a reader who started with ‘Mary Poppins’ in 1959 to ‘Bees’ in 20?? I truly adore what your pen discloses – and inspires old women and men to dream. BTW: Happy belated birthday!

Gayle from Midland, Ontario, Canada – where the scenery is very much like Fraser’s Ridge.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 01:41:00 +0000

Diana, I just love that you said that. I like most have probably started out watching the Outlander series. But I knew I had to read the books. T.V series always leaves out too many of the finer details that you get from a good read. My “Jamie” (Steven) got me my first book this past Christmas and the other 7 followed shortly. Hardcover of course. You have a great gift and I thank you for sharing it with the rest of the world.

By: Jessica Ellyson

Jessica Ellyson — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 20:40:07 +0000

Whaaaaaat? Your husband is Jamie? I feel terrible but I inevitably compare my husband to Jamie (sorry baby) and it’s fascinating to me to see the similarities and the differences. My husband is fiercely protective, loyal, and all the good things that make Jamie a “man” (you often describe what Jamie seeks to be, often more than anything just a man of quality. My husband is this). All to say, my husband is, but not sooo practical, well spoken, educated or stubborn. He is all those things, just not to the magnitude that our Mr. Fraser is. THUS- my main point- I love coming away with an appreciation not just for my husband (who is Jamie, accept the personality traits I mentioned) but for men in general. I admire a good strong woman, but I feel like our appreciation for a strong, capable man has been diminished in our society in recent times. “Let me talk to the boss” he says (he being an American husband although not mine). Just my thoughts. Love your books. Obviously.

By: Tania

Tania — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 10:19:37 +0000

Hi Diana,

Just to congratulate you,

I am / was NOT a reader at all. I am 42 years old, and I think I have read 4 books that I can remember in my life. I saw series 1 of Outlander and enjoyed it so much I thought I would attempt the book connected to it to see how close they stuck to the actual story. Oh my word! In 10 days I now have 10 pages left of Dragonfly in Amber, and Voyager is ready and waiting for me. (I am full time employed, and a mother, and wife…..) so this is serious achievement for me!

Very well written, and thank you so much. Your novels has got me to read at last, all 3 my kids are amazed that mom is actually reading, no longer a case of do as I say, now they do as I do

I will get through all of the,, including your add on’s (Lord John…. to seven stones)

Thanks again.
Tania