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?
I guess it takes all kinds and that applies to readers. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I, for one, am endlessly fascinated by Claire's ability to apply her 20th century medical training and expertise in 18th century conditions.
Its so hard to pick just ONE predicament but i geuss if i HAD to choose i would say i want to see what happens to Jemmy and Roger! I am waiting with baited breathe with roger potentially back in time and poor jemmy in the tunnel! What will become of them?! lol…
Thats not to say i am also excited to find out about Claire and Lord John being MARRIED and how Jamie is going to take their ermmmm time between the sheets…hehehhehe…
But definetly most excited to find out about Jemmy and Roger!
Can't wait! Take as long as you need! No one wants you rushing through anything – then the books wouldnt be as amazing!
p.s. CANT WAIT FOR THE GRAPHIC NOVEL!
Traci- you are one brave soul to make that post. That said, I totally blew raspberries at you when I read your comments.
I, too, am spoiled by finding the books rather recently…I have only been reading them for the past three and a half years, but I have re-read them all several times and just can't get enough!!! Echo was the first time I really had to wait for a release date and even that wasn't so awful. Two+ years for the next seems like eternity!
I am so grateful for the gifts of these books and will wait however long I have to and I also hope the series continues even after Jamie and Claire. I've fallen in love with so many of the supporting characters that life without them will just feel wrong.
I'm so interested in Roger's storyline and can't wait to see if my prediction re: Claire and John's marriage is correct. (Thinking it will be null since Jamie and Claire were still married- similar to the Laoghaire plot)….
AND I ABSOLUTELY CAN'T WAIT FOR THE GN!!!! WHOOT!!!
Diana anything you write on this subject is pure gold, so I am willing to wait to be sure we get your best. However, like many others I am interested in the current love triangle between our favorite homosexual hunk and our two main characters. I am more interested in Ian and his quaker love interest. How will they recolcile their lives and love. And Jenny, and how she fits in…So much to deal with! But I am looking forward to the graphic novel. Keep up the good work!
Dear Traci–
Well, you know, the story will be done when it's done [shrug]. I certainly wouldn't "keep them coming and coming" if the story wasn't there to be told–but it is.
I'd thought ECHO might _be_ the last book, but plainly it wasn't. [g] Don't know about Book Eight, but I _do_ need to get through the American Revolution.
I would like to know how William handles his new knowledge concerning Jamie. Meanwhile, the time until the next book comes out gives us time to read the entire series again. I'm also looking forward to reading the other books, Roger's father, Lord John, etc.
Funnily enough I have been listening to Echo via Audible and I picked up on something that William was thinking when he was in the Great Dismal – he "talked and listened" to the rocks in the Lake District! Is this because he also has the ability to "hear" the stones and if so, from whom did he get this ability, since it definitely isn't Jamie's genetic trait. Just imagine what complications this could give rise to if William can "travel" where Jamie cannot.
Also, I want to know how Claire and Jenny resolve their differences.
I would like to hear how "Lady Grey" gets out of being Lady Grey and back to plain old Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser — and how little Jemmy finds his grandparents and Roger when he swoops back through the "time hole" in the tunnel! I'll be thinking about that for the next two years. In the meantime, I've started rereading them all over again.
Jaime, Claire & Lord John's current circumstances. They are the heart of Outlander. Then Jem and Roger please!!!
> poked around in the research material, coming up with bits and pieces of other, future books (like the first Master Raymond)
I'm excited about this. Another Master Raymond book, yay!
> that I haven't started working on in any focused way, but that are waiting on the sideboard for their turn.
I'm not excited about this. [g] I hope his turn comes quickly.
As for book 8, I want to know what Jem's up to, in whatever time he's in, and if Mandy can "see" him, again, in whatever time he's in.
Of course, as the consensus seems to be, I'd love to have the Bree/Jem/Roger/"Buck"/Rob Cameron situation explained, and the Claire/John/Jamie situation. I immensely enjoined William's narrative throughout Echo–I've been itching to know more about him ever since the fourth book when he sees Jamie and Claire on the Ridge. I was so happy to see him emerge as a main character in Echo, and I really hope the trend continues in the next book!
Diana, LOVED Echo. I guess I'm a little late to the party, but I'll give my preference.
Jemmy seems like he has Jamie's luck when it comes to getting out of a jam and Bree is not a mama bear I'd want to mess with. IM WORRIED ABOUT ROGER!!!! If he went through the stones and Jemmy didn't and hes just running around the 1780s looking for him i think that spells trouble.
I'm fairly certain that the whole Jamie/Claire/John situation will be figured out.
and I just wanted to say I've been writing screenplays for that past 3 years and you've motivated me to actually get on with my first novel. Thanks!
- Rebekah Weatherspoon (someone on the line was Scottish. i am very much so brown)
ps Jamie reminds me so much of my father who is a very good man. just another reason i love your books. he has added your series to his to must read list.
as an american history teacher and an indescribable fan of this series, I must say I love the way the revolutionary war and all its intricacies have been portrayed. as we all patiently await the next book, I look forward to seeing how the political positions of Lord John and Jamie play along with the conflicts between dottie and Denzel, etc. It was all so masterfully interwoven I was continuously amazed at the recurrence of these conflicts. if was historical fiction that made me love history as a child and this series has kept that flame burning.
I have to echo Kym's comment. I teach American History and love the way the revolution is portrayed in this novel particularly. I wondered why Claire called Henry Knox – Henry Fox? Was that intentional or am I mistaken about who brought the cannons from Ticondergoa to Boston? Is Arch Bug dead for sure? I am also mostly curious about what is going on with Roger and Buck. Where are they? Did Buck make it through the stones okay? If Brianna read more of the letters, would they mention Roger showing up at some point. 2 and 1/2 years….well, you are a wonderful writer and I will surely be looking for the nexxt book with eager anticipation.
I will just be delighted to read whatever is written…though it really did concern me about Jem Roger and Brianna…Lets face it – there is HEAPS I would like to know…but know it will all ..mostly..be there whan you have finished No8…with probably as many questions about the 'next' book after that. ?No9
Oh… Jem, please! I worry about the little guy. That is the one thread that, when I closed the book at the end of the text, caused me to stomp about the house, ranting about the frighteningly long wait until I can find out what happens! I have three little boys of my own, and do tend to get attached to your characters like they were my own family… especially little Jem.
Thank you, most talented of authors, for another beautifully- written tome about my favorite literary family.
I felt like the last 200 pages of Echo were somewhat rushed and incomplete…. What were Jamie and Jenny up to? I could see starting the next book up when they left Scotland and fill in what was going on with them and then flesh out details of the other story lines. Then the book can just keep on going from there. I can wait as long as it takes and console myself reading the overs over again. Thanks for your transporting work.
What a loaded question, but I'll bite anyways.
I am interested in William's state of mind. How will he handle this whole mess, and a new-found dad? I would be interested to read interaction between him and his (new) aunt Jenny. I wonder if they rub along as well as she does with his father? Will she be the glue for some mending of fences? Jenny always held everything together at home, I remember her being the force to reckon with. I doubt this will change.
Thank you Diana, for feeding our imaginations with your Mind's Eye world. Your passion to tell such amazing stories gives us the passion to keep reading.
leave jem stranded in the stones, leave roger stranded in the past, leave bree fretting at lb. I want to know how is Jamie, what is Jamie thinking, what is Jamie doing, what is Jamie feeling, what is Jamie eating, what is Jamie wearing, what is Jamie ……… all Jamie all the time.
Of course, I'd be happy to read absolutely anything you write, I cannot seem to get enough. I do feel at a loss after reading all that you have published – finished this week, actually – I'll have to start re-reading things until something new is released! I do share a sort of fear that one of us will not live to see the end of the series, if it in fact has an end… (Jemmy will have his own children, too, I would imagine. Do any of your own children share your talent for storytelling?)
I would have to say I really NEED to know what is going to happen with Claire! She is my all time favorite heroine, thank you so much for creating such a brilliant and inspirational character!
Godspeed with your writing, and as always, I remain
your most humble servant,