I was both flattered and amused to get an email from Bruce Tinsley, who draws (and writes) the “Mallard Fillmore” comic strip (it’s syndicated by Knight, so appears in a number of newspapers), saying that he’d done a strip on me and my books, inspired by a conversation he’d had with his wife, who is a fan of the books.
Here’s a link to the strip, which appeared in newspapers yesterday:
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/mallard/2000/mallard1.asp
Lest anybody think that he was making fun of me or the books (well, hey, it’s a comic strip!), I asked Bruce if I could quote his email to me, which he kindly allowed me to do:
Dear Ms. Gabaldon,
My wife loves your books so much, that I had to put one in my comic strip, Mallard Fillmore, which is syndicated nationally by King Features.
The strip will appear on Feb. 11, and feature Chantel’s righteous indignation at Mallard’s stereotyping one of your books as a bodice-ripper. I, of course, had committed the same sin in real life, without having actually read your books, and gotten the same response.
I’ve read some now, and realize that you’ve got a great gift. I also really respect the time you seem to take encouraging other writers…..
Bruce Tinsley
So–Thank you, Bruce! This is even better than being the subject of Trivial Pursuit questions. [g]
(I showed the strip to one of my editors, who said, “Next thing, the New York Times crossword puzzle!” [g])
HAHAHA!! Fantastic.
I’d say next stop, SNL.
Pam
That was so funny! And yes you should never mess with a woman’s recreational reading!
I saw that yesterday and LOVED it! Too funny…and too true.
You know you’ve reached a level of fame when you are appearing in comic strips.
Congrats!
CUTE! That’s frame-worthy
Dear Nathalie-
I agree! Mr. Tinsley has kindly offered to send me the original drawing, so I’ll certainly make sure it gets a frame!
Diana
I can’t wait until the day comes I can shout out the answer “WHO IS DIANA GABALDON” on the nightly Jeopardy.
And to think that we knew her when…before she was in the funnies!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
EXCELLENT!!!
How cool!!!! And well, funny!
Ooh, I like the SNL idea. Just think…next book tour and a stop in NYC.
Oh, my favorite author in my favorite comic strip!! It doesn’t get any better then that!!
You know you’ve arrived when you become a topic of satire!
But then we always knew your books were destined for great things.
Congratulations!
Now, maybe my husband will understand. Probably not!
I’ll put it up on my fridge next to the Baby Blues clipping I have.
Ha ha ha! That is so totally cool!
http://sprucehill.typepad.com/
LOL, that’s great. Bloody good for you!
That was funny!
and just wanting to comment on the new excerpt posted on the other site: I want more! argg! It’s is so good and a cliffhanger at that! (enough exclamation points, I think)
Looking forward to the rest!
-Katrina S.
Dear Diana:
Congratulations on making the Funnies!!
BTW, I just read your excerpt posted at your website. I have a question (I’m going to try an be discreet so as not to give anything away). In it, you write that a certain person has been sent away. Then, at the end, when Claire must rise for her task, the person sent away is the one at the door… is that correct?
Midge
Dear Midge–
Yep. _Vide_ what Young Ian said. [g]
LOVE the comic and the most recent excerpt. i sent the comic to several other addicts in my department on campus!
i agree with the cliff hanger aspect of the new excerpt. i am getting to where i can read most any excerpt from your books and snuggle down with it like a favorite memory, it comes back immediately and makes me all warm and fuzzy inside =)
have a great weekend