I have, as you might suppose, been getting a certain amount of agitated mail following publication of ECHO, [g] all centering on one question: HOW long is it until the next book will be out?!? (This accompanied by various pleas of increasing age or senility on the part of some readers. It’s not that I’m not sympathetic, and I _am_ flattered–but the fact that you think you might not live long enough to read the next book really can’t make me write any faster. Look, just exercise and take your vitamins; you’ll be fine.) As to the question…
It wouldn’t do much good to speculate; I’m always wrong. The books are invariably longer and more complex than I think they’ll be, and _always_ take longer to finish than I think they will. Sufficiently so, that anyone who’s had the misfortune to work production on one of the OUTLANDER books emerges from the experience with several new white hairs and trembling visibly in every limb.
General observation is that in terms of actual research/writing/etc., it takes me _about_ two to two-and-a-half years to write one of the big novels of the main series. That’s baseline. However…
A) The books get increasingly popular. While this is, generally speaking, A Good Thing, it has side-effects. There’s a HUGE demand on my time, in terms both of physical travel and in-person appearances, and the smaller drag created by endless email, propositions, invitations, cover quote pleas, and now–with the upsurge of online venues available–the demand to create TONS more subsidiary material for blogs, online chats, interviews, phone apps (don’t even ask about that one; the publisher just suggested it and I have _no_ idea), enhanced e-books, viral animated videos, etc. I lose at least two/three months a year, if not more, to this kind of stuff (much more, in years when a new book is out and several different countries want me to come and tour. So far this year, I’ve done Scotland, the US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia–for a total of two and a half months _just on the road_–and will be doing the UK in January, Germany in March, and some miscellaneous Scottish stuff [g] in August. Three European trips in one year? It has its fun aspects, but man, it eats up your work time.
B) I don’t work on one project exclusively, for the most part. I never have. Being able to switch mental tracks keeps me from ever having writer’s block, and it’s good for the separate projects, insofar as pushing one off the front burner while I deal with something else lets the first one simmer peacefully on the subconscious’s lower heat–so the result has _lots_ more flavor and subtlety than it would if I cooked it at a furious boil and splashed it scalding into people’s bowls (cf. James Patterson, if you want to know what _that_ looks like).
So (for instance), while the pub date for ECHO was four years after that for ABOSA, it doesn’t mean that I spent four years tapping away on ECHO without cease or respite. I also wrote (and published) two other books in that time (LORD JOHN AND THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE BLADE, which was a complete novel, and LORD JOHN AND THE HAND OF DEVILS, a collection of novellas), wrote the complete script for THE EXILE (the first “Outlandish” graphic novel), did work on a contemporary crime novel (about half-done at present), worked on THE OUTLANDISH COMPANION, Volume II (rudimentary stuff, but still work), consulted on a film script, and poked around in the research material, coming up with bits and pieces of other, future books (like the first Master Raymond) that I haven’t started working on in any focused way, but that are waiting on the sideboard for their turn.
So I have no idea when Book Eight’ll be up. Not for at least two and a half years (the publisher does need _some_ lead time to actually print the book), but that’s _all_ I could tell you for sure.
Now, I _can_ say what I plan to be working on during 2010 (putting aside all the roaming around the world stuff, promotion for the graphic novel, and Eldest Daughter’s upcoming wedding): I’ll be feeling my way into Book Eight, working in a serious way on LORD JOHN AND THE SCOTTISH PRISONER, ditto the OC II (because I’d like to have that one done before the end of the year), and seeing if I can pull together the contemporary crime novel (which is about half-done, and I think I know where the other half _is_, more or less).
You will get a couple of things in 2010, though: 1) THE EXILE. This is the much-talked-about graphic novel, due out September 28!, 2) a new Lord John novella, “The Custom of the Army” (due in March from Tor books, in an anthology titled WARRIORS), and (probably) 3) “A Leaf on the Wind,” a short story in a Penguin anthology titled STAR-CROSSED LOVERS. This one tells the story of what really happened to Roger’s father, for those with a particular interest either in MacKenzie family history and/or time-travel. [g]
So you will get something to read, and fairly soon. As for Jem…don’t worry about him; he’s a pretty resourceful little guy.
Speaking of that, though–which is the storyline _you_ most want to see addressed Right Up Front in Book Eight?
Diana, you are killing me. I got through 7/8 of the book and said to myself, 'there are still way too many loose ends to wrap up in the number of pages that are left.' Unfortunately, I was right. I'm going to worry about everyone (esp. Roger & Jem — Bree will deal with Rob) for the next 2.5+ years.
I love your work and love how you get right to the soul of human relationships. This passage nailed me when I am reading your books (my poor husband will confirm): "She looked up from a sheet showing the disassembled components of a hydroelectric turbine, with the rather blank look that indicated she was aware of being spoken to, but had not detached her mind sufficiently from the subject matter as to realize who was speaking or what they were saying. Familiar with this phenomenon, he waited with mild impatience for her mind to let go of the turbine and focus on him."
I really can't believe people are so crazed. I mean I am completely obssessed, started reading the series over again and loving every minute of it but I KNOW that it takes a good long while to get something this immense done and over with. But come on people, give the poor lady a chance to rest!!
In the event that it does happen, interested in the Jamie/Clair/L. John problem but they'll work it out. I am, however, extremely concerned about Jem and Roger!
Thank you Diana for your gifts to us in whatever time it takes.
Diana,
I'm glad to know that Jem is safe – that was my first plot I wanted tied up. I think my second is what about Brianna and Roger Mac? I'm concerned for their welfares in their separate times and really want to know what happens!
Great post!
I want to know what has happened to Jem! Where is Roger and what is Bree going to do to find them. I really think about this a lot and I have to remind myself that they are not real.
First I want to hear about Jamie, Claire and John. But I have my own sense, based on what's written already, that Jamie is not going to beat John up and it's all good.
I'm curious about the French Gold. I want to see if it really is still in the cave with the Spaniard. When Jamie showed it to Claire my next reaction was why did he show something as important as that to a woman with a glass face?
Hi Diana -
Thanks for taking the time to give us such details about how your time is divvied. It leaves me quite breathless, I must say & I have the impulse to tell at least half of the parties involved to leave you alone so you can work your craft. I am eternal grateful to the friends who steered me toward "Outlander" and, like, everyone else who read, is intensely looking toward the next one, even though "Echo" is so newly released (and in some parts of the world is still being awaited).
OK, so – to answer your question. I concur with those who say lead with the Jem, Brianna, Roger storyline. I was so relieved to see the good humor return to Jenny and though I was dismayed to see the way things had "ganged agly" with Claire, LJG & Jamie, I too am not terribly worried about them. I can't imagine there is another man in series Jamie would be able to tolerate in the position, but in this situation I think he'll understand, so I don't feel a need to pounce into the next book looking for their thread to pick up. I'm feeling claustrophobic on behalf of Jem, and agoraphobic on behalf of Rog! And just plain hysterical with worry on behalf of Bree…
Well, that got long. Hope it's ok. Hitting "send" now…
Diana,
I'm not so worried about living long enough to read the next book… books… I figure once I'm dead I'll know everything I need to.
However, I do hope you have outlines and outcomes written down and in a vault somewhere. Just think of the millions of people waiting to find out what happens to Clair (what happens when her hair turns white?), Jamie (how many lives does he have left?), Brianna, Roger, Jem, Mandy (you have barely started telling her story), William (he CAN hear the stones, will he Travel?), Lord John (very much a MAN, despite his sexual orientation, well everybody and I'm sure a few I haven't been introduced to yet.
In other words, if you fall through a cleft in a rock while tramping around the wilds of Scotland… well, leave us some letters like Claire and Jamie did for Brianna and family.
Love, Sandy
I know, I know!! I actually asked her something similar during the questions portion of her visit in Salem a while back. I wondered if she had made any provisions for if "God forbid, something should happen to her", and she replied that "Well no, since she didn't_know_the rest of the story yet…" We must all keep those positive energy thoughts going her way to keep her safe, eh?
Dear SL–
I know everyone thinks that _all_ writers know every last thing about everything they'll ever write in their lifetimes–but this is not actually the case. [g]
If JK Rowling mapped out all seven books of the Harry Potter series ten years ago, more power to her. Not all of us work that way.
I personally don't use outlines (kind of pointless, if you have no idea what will happen, and don't write in a straight line anyway), and while I may know a couple of things that will happen–in vague general shape–I have no idea how, when, or in what circumstances they might happen, nor yet what the outcome may be.
No, I reckon y'all had better just keep me in your prayers, if you're worried about me lasting long enough to write everything. [g]
I LOVE your books! I was so excited to read this latest one, and when i got to the end I just sat there with my mouth hanging open. lol I can't wait(though obviously i have no choice ) to hear what happens to Roger, Jem, and Bree and then Clair and Jamie. But really i hope that Roger, Bree, Jem and sister(why can't i remember her name?!?) end up back with Jamie and Claire. Looking forward to all your upcoming releases. Have a Merry Christmas and a Very Successful New Year!!!
(And get some rest for pity's sake LOL)
The "Triangle" for sure! Then poor Roger! Honestly, it doesn't really matter because I know you will do what you do best….make all of us verra happy! It's ALL GOOD!
william. definitely william. he's the "newest" character to have a big part in the books, and since he's had a "different" upbringing than the rest, i'm curious as to how that affects what he does (it's the whole nature vs nurture thing, lol)
other than that? jemmy. especially with his sister's reaction
If William has heard the rocks sing, in or out of the fog, is he going forward to his sister or back to the frog. I have not finished Echo because it is frustrating to me that you spend so much time on other projects, and I am trying to stretch it out.
Dear Spud–
I wouldn't write any faster if I spent all my time on one project. Books are organic things, and they come together in their own time. I work on other things _because_ there's space in my head while the book of the moment is slowly gathering itself, somewhere below the surface. [g]
Diana, you may live to regret asking us the question!! I would like to know why the Murrays have abandoned(?) Lallybroch after Jenny's departure for America.
Diana,
I am curious about the contents of the Companion Part II. Will there be room for some tricks of the trade? I enjoyed the writer's corner of your website when you were updating it and love the podcasts you share. I am amazed at how generous and encouraging you are to aspiring writers and I have heard it mentioned that you might consider writing a book on the writing craft. Is that on the radar at all? Like everyone here, I enjoy the obsession with your work. I am, however, inspired by your teaching even more so. The permission not to conform to writing in a straight plot line opened up a whole new world for me.
Wishing you and yours a beautiful Christmas,
Jewell
ALL of them!
Jem, closely followed by Roger and Buck.
And that can be taken literally, too. [g]
I'm sure you know by now, how you and your books are loved. While many challenging things have happened in the last few years, I have so enjoyed "escaping" into your wonderful series. What a gift you have been given (and I know that you work really hard at it too)! Enjoy your daughters wedding and your travel. And yes, I hope you start with Jamie and Claire and then continue with the Mackenzie clan and where that leads. Happy New Year! And thank you for your work.
Diane
Diana,
I have been a faithful reader of your series and I must say I just finished EOTB a half hour ago. I wish you hadn't left so many loose ends. It is upsetting because I know I will have to wait so long to hear what happens.
I think Book 8 should be the last. I know you had started out thinking 4 or 5 but they keep going on and on. I have started skipping through Claire's lengthy medical procedures.
I know you've fallen in love with the characters–we all have, but it is time to be done.
My husband had to stop reading Tom Clancy who fell in love with Jack Ryan and kept the novels endlessly coming.
So…please finish the story with the next book and put in as much Jamie and Claire as you can.
Thank you for your efforts.