Oookay, then!
Sorry to be so late in getting this post up; I’ve been in New Mexico for the last week, and the internet connection there was Just Abysmal; could barely keep it open long enough to tweet, let alone upload anything longer.
First things first: Upcoming appearances.
I’m flying to New York on Monday, and will be appearing (briefly) at the RWA convention, held at the Marriott Marquis. Appearances will be:
The Literacy Signing, where most of the published authors taking part will be available to sell/sign books—this is from 5:30-7:30 on June 28th, at the Marriott Marquis. This event _is_ open to the public, and I _believe_ that you’re allowed to bring in up to three of your own books from home to be signed, if you like.
The opening panel of the convention, where I’ll be taking part in a discussion with two other Random House authors, Steve Berry and Tess Gerritsen. This is part of the convention and open only to convention attendees. It’ll be from 8:30-10:00 AM on June 29th.
Then on July 5th—publication date for the cool new 20th-anniversary OUTLANDER edition!—I fly to Laramie Wyoming, where I’ll be doing the keynote speech for the Sir Walter Scott conference at the University of Wyoming. The conference program is here http://www.uwyo.edu/scottconf2011/program.html , but I don’t yet have a detailed personal schedule. I _will_ be doing at least one public book-signing, though; will post time and place as soon as I get them.
On July 8th, I fly _back_ to New York, for ThrillerFest, at the Hyatt. There, I’ll be doing a Livestream event with James Rollins (Powell’s Books is supplying books to be sold during this event—and I certainly _hope_ they’ll have the 20th-anniversary edition!) from 2-4:00 PM on July 8th.
On the evening of July 8th, I’ll be doing a joint signing with several other authors for a collaborative mystery novel called NO REST FOR THE DEAD. (This is one of those for-charity efforts—proceeds for this one go to cancer research—where a number of well-known authors take turns writing chapters, and the editor then goes through and kind of smooths things out so the story is coherent. Or so we hope, anyway.)
The signing will be held at 7:00 PM at the Center for Fiction, (17 East 47th Street, New York, NY 10017), and authors attending will include Peter James, Marcia Talley, John Lescroart, RL Stine, Diana Gabaldon,Jeffery Deaver, Gayle Lynds and Andrew Gulli. (Just for my own part, I’m fine with people bringing their own books to be signed, too.) This is open to the public.
Aaaand, on July 9th, I’ll do a Spotlight Interview (at the Hyatt) for ThrillerFest, Kathleen Antrim being the interviewer. That’s from 1:00-1:50 PM. And then I’ll do a book-signing for the convention (open only to convention attendees) from 5:00-6:00 PM at the convention bookstore in the hotel.
Then I rush home on the 10th {g}, and do the Official Launch Party for the 20th-anniversary OUTLANDER on July 11th, at The Poisoned Pen bookstore in Scottsdale. 7:00 PM!
Righto. Now, I had promised to show you the two openings I have for SCOTTISH PRISONER. As it stands, I’m opening the book with Jamie’s point of view—but I _could_ open with Lord John’s first chapter instead, and do Jamie’s second. I did it this way because I’d like people to realize right away that this is Jamie’s book, as much as Lord John’s—but it _is_ a Rather Unusual {cough} way to open a book.
So—those of you who don’t read excerpts should stop Right Here.
Those of you who _do_…here you go, and hope you enjoy them! Let me know what you think: Jamie first, or Lord John?
THE SCOTTISH PRISONER
(Copyright 2011 Diana Gabaldon)
Chapter 1:
Helwater, the Lake District
April 1, 1760
It was so cold out, he thought his cock might break off in his hand. If he could find it. The thought passed through his sleep-mazed mind like one of the small, icy drafts that darted through the loft, making him open his eyes.
He could find it now; had waked with his fist wrapped round it and desire shuddering and twitching over his skin like a cloud of midges. The dream was wrapped just as tightly round his mind, but he knew it would fray in seconds, shredded by the snores and farts of the other grooms. He needed her, needed to spill himself with the feel of her touch still on him.
Hanks stirred in his sleep, chuckled loudly, said something incoherent, and fell back into the void, murmuring, “Bugger, bugger, bugger…”
Jamie said something similar under his breath in the Gaelic, and flung back his blanket. Damn the cold.
He made his way down the ladder into the half-warm, horse-smelling fug of the barn, nearly falling in his haste, ignoring a splinter in his bare foot. He hesitated in the dark, still urgent. The horses wouldn’t care, but if they noticed him, they’d make enough noise, perhaps, to wake the others.
Wind struck the barn and went booming round the roof. A strong chilly draft with a scent of snow stirred the somnolence, and two or three of the horses shifted, grunting and whickering. Overhead, a murmured “‘ugger” drifted down, accompanied by the sound of someone turning over and pulling the blanket up round his ears, defying reality.
Claire was still with him, vivid in his mind, solid in his hands. He could imagine that he smelled her hair in the scent of fresh hay. The memory of her mouth, those sharp white teeth …he rubbed his nipple, hard and itching beneath his shirt, and swallowed.
His eyes were long accustomed to the dark; he found the vacant loose-box at the end of the row and leaned against its boards, cock already in his fist, body and mind yearning for his wife.
He’d have made it last if he could, but he was fearful lest the dream go altogether and he surged into the memory, groaning. His knees gave way in the aftermath and he slid slowly down the boards of the box into the loose piled hay, shirt rucked round his thighs and his heart pounding like a kettle drum.
[end section]
(more stuff in this chapter, of course)
Chapter 2: The Fate of Fuses
London
Argus House
Lord John Grey eyed the ribbon-tied packet on his knee as though it were a bomb. In fact, it couldn’t have been more explosive had it been filled with black powder and equipped with a fuse.
His attitude as he handed it to his brother must have reflected this knowledge, for Hal fixed him with a gimlet eye and raised one brow. He said nothing, though, flicking loose both ribbon and wrapping with an impatient gesture and bending his head at once over the thick sheaf of densely-written sheets that emerged.
Grey couldn’t stand to watch him read through Charles Carruthers’s post-mortem denunciation, recalling each damning page as Hal read it. He stood up and went to the window of the study that looked out into the back garden of Argus House, ignoring the swish of turning pages and the occasional blasphemous mutterings behind him.
Hal’s three boys were playing a game of tigers and hunters, leaping out at each other from behind the shrubbery with shrill roars, followed by shrieks of delight and yells of “Bang! Take that, you striped son of a bitch!”
The nurse seated on the edge of the fish-pool, keeping a tight grip on baby Dottie’s gown, looked up at this, but merely rolled her eyes with a martyred expression. Flesh and blood has its limits, her expression said clearly, and she resumed paddling a hand in the water, luring one of the big goldfish close so that Dottie could drop bits of bread to it.
John longed to be down there with them. It was a rare day for early April, and he felt the pulse of it in his blood, urging him to be outside, running bare-foot through young grass. Running naked down into the water… The sun was high, flooding warm through the glass of the French windows, and he closed his eyes and turned his face up to it.
Siverly. The name floated in the darkness behind his eyes, pasted across the blank face of an imagined cartoon major, drawn in uniform, an outsized sword brandished in his hand, and bags of money stuffed into the back of his breeches, obscene bulges under the skirt of his coat. One or two had fallen to the ground, bursting open so that you could see the contents–coin in one, the other filled with what looked like poppets, small wooden doll-like things. Each one with a tiny knife through its heart.
Hal swore in German behind him. He must have reached the part about the rifles; German oaths were reserved for the most stringent occasions, French being used for minor things like a burnt dinner, and Latin for formal insults committed to paper. Minnie wouldn’t let either Hal or John swear in English in the house, not wanting the boys to acquire low habits. John could have told her it was too late for such caution, but didn’t.
He turned round to see Hal on his feet, pale with rage, a sheet of paper crumpled in one hand.
“How dare he? How dare he?”
A small knot he hadn’t known was there dissolved under John’s ribs.
“You believe Carruthers, then?”
Hal glared at him.
“Don’t you? You knew the man.”
He had known Charles Carruthers–in more than one sense.
“Yes, I believed him when he told me about Siverly in Canada–and that–” he nodded at the papers, thrown in a sprawl across Hal’s desk, “–is even more convincing. You’d think he’d been a lawyer.”
He could still see Carruthers’s face, pale in the dimness of his attic room in [town], drawn with ill-health but set with grim determination to live long enough to see justice done. Charlie hadn’t lived that long, but long enough to write down every detail of the case against Major Gerald Siverly, and to entrust it to him.
He was the fuse that would detonate this particular bomb. And he was all too familiar with what happened to fuses, once lit.
[end section]
Hi Diana,
I vote Lord John.
As much as I love the Outlander series and Jamie in particular, I really do like the Lord John books. Lord John makes me laugh and I like the mysteries. Starting with the Lord John section feels more like a natural beginning to a book to me then the Jamie section. The Jamie section certainly grabs your attention, but, it feels more like starting in the middle. Also, since it is a Lord John it should start with him.
Thank you for the chance to read these bits.
I would have to say JOHN. I think the last sentence he thinks is a really great segway into Jamies part and would make a better fit to the writing. (Sorry about the spelling lol)
Dear Pip–
But neither of these excerpts _is_ a complete chapter; these are just the opening scenes–each one leads to a larger explication; first of Jamie’s circumstances, then of John’s. So I wouldn’t be segueing from “He knew what happened to fuses, once lit” into Jamie’s scene, even if I opened with Lord John.
–Diana
Diana,
Since you are the authoress and have done such a wonderful job with all of your books so far, I think you should make the choice. I’ve read both beginnings and I cannot decide. I’ve read all of the Lord John books — at least twice — and all of the Outlander series — at least twice — and at this point all I want is the next book. Truly, I don’t care who you start with, just do what you need to do to get the next book out so I can read it!!!
Pat T
Jamie’s opening would get my attention more. I am not really a fan of the Lord Grey stories, although learning about how Jamie spent some of his time away from Claire and becomes friends with John as always been of interest to meet. How opposites attract.
I’m going to have to vote to start with John. I’m afraid that people new to your books might get put off by opening with Jamie’s story, and those of us who already love you (and them) can manage to wait. As I will, with baited breath.
The Jamie chapter certainly gets your attention.
I can see why you would want to lead with it.
Bottom line I love Jamie, and any scene this graphic makes me love him more. However, this is Lord John’s spotlight. I think he deserves the respect of opening the novel.
I love anything Jamie, however, I believe Lord John’s story should go first. Don’t get me wrong, I am team Jamie all the way. But, I believe that much of a juicy story should not be the start of the book.
Lord John
My first thought was to put Lord John first. Then I read through all of the responses and flip-flopped several time. But in the end, Lord John should be first.
Lord John
One more vote for Lord John! I’m already intrigued
I think you should start with John! After all, its his series! It wouldn’t seem right to start with Jamie, even though we all can’t wait to get to that part!
Definitely the LJG scene. This is, after all, a LJG book. His scene sets up what (I believe) will become the plot here. And as much as I love the emotional scene with Jamie in it… It just seems too easy and too obvious, if that makes sense. At that point in the book, I’m not sure it is what’s needed (I think it’d fit in better later in the book.) Thanks for sharing these tidbits!
Love them both, but I have to say even tho I love Jamie just a little bit more, I think the Lord John bit should open the book. Save the best for last kinda thing…
No matter how it starts I’ll be one to run to the register with it!
Jamie, please. Lord John’s scene is good, but my heart is torn for Jamie. You captured my interest from the first sentence.
I vote for the Lord John excerpt, as it leads into the following chapter. But I love the Jamie excerpt and, as your writing has never failed to lead me deeper into a story, I’m eager to read the book no matter which excerpt you choose to lead with! Thanks so much for asking our opinion
My vote is for the Lord John opening. I love both openings. You’ve never been wrong yet so either one is great! Thanks for letting us be a part of your decision. What fun! Can’t wait for the book!
Dear Diana,
I have read this series over and over again to the point that the characters have become burned in the recesses of my mind. Their lives are like sunrises and sunsets, known to me, but still fascinating as if I have just read about them for the very first time. Sometimes I wish you could have this done in some kind of movie or short TV series, but I am afraid that medium would not do such a work of art as this justice! I hope, no, I pray that you do not ever end this touching embodiment of life you have created, that it goes on, leaving all of us burning evermore deeply searching for another tomorrow, today. It is amazing isn’t it when you delve deep into such descriptive characters and bring not only with them personalities, but a heartbeat that does not diminish with time, but grows stronger, louder, rhythmically beating to the point of a deafening noise where it over takes your own. So, thank you, Diana, for having the drive, tenacity, and love of these characters, that you have not gotten bored with them, but that you have continued on to let them live as we do.
Your faithful fan,
Sherrie
Postscriptum: About who’s point of view should go first, hmmm, I say trust your instincts, Jamie and Claire would have!
Diana,
Please DO take us to a conclusion to the Jamie and Claire story! It has been 20 years and some of us are reaching old age now. I would love to know how the “ghost” in Outlander comes full circle. Please don’t let this become a “Time/Life” series that doesn’t end. I expect that the conclusion to such an epic love will be your best writing yet. Just hope I’m still around to read it.
Yes, I too am a little worried that I might die before I get to experience the END.
And what about the bit with the ‘White witch in Voyager when Lord John took Jamie out of Ardsmuir prison to interpret for the dying kinsman who had hidden the gold. The dying kinsman stated that the ‘white witch ” was coming for both Lord John and Jamie.” What the heck does that mean! There have been repeated referenced throughout the ‘Outlander Series’ about how Claire’s powers will be greatly enhanced once she has white hair. Will she be able to flit about through time and stir things up. Since Echo we know that she must feel a strong loyalty and affection for Lord John as well.
On another note:
I have even told my children that if I was lying in a coma that I would really like them to play all the Outlander audio books to me, a couple of times through before switching off the life support. My funny yet wicked son said that he would hit ‘shuffle’ to torment me into waking up!
Please, please Diana…… more……..
I’m more kind of afraid of an end. Cannot think of loosing them (kind of).
Please stop writing not to soon ;-).
I have just finished Lord John and the hand of devils trillogy – WoW! I am so enthrawled with the Outlander series that I did no think I would like the Lord John series ( his realtionship with Jamie frustrates me. It is so convoluted and complex.) I thoroughly enjoyed them. He is from a different “world” but it intertwines with Jamie’s in a fascinating way. I am looking forward to the next and I like the Lord John opening – I think it sets up the intrigue and will eventually draw the two together.
BTW I cannot wait for “..My Heart’s Own Blood” – You almost killed me with the way “Echo ” left off.
If you ever have reason to come to Las Vegas, You have many fans!!
Thank you for your amazing imagination and dedication to your art! I will read anything you write.
Patti Waters-Decker ( in Las Vegas)
Absolutely Jamie! Thanks for sharing!
John, I’m already hooked!!