Which is….
WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD
(I still want an octopus on the cover, but we’ll deal with that later.)
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Now home from DragonCon!! Had a good time, but good to be back. Further info on title, pursuant to questions:
Y’all are assuming I _know_ everything about that title, which is not the case. {g} I do know a _few_ things, though:
First off, it has to do with the printing trade, the written word, and its effect on the American Revolution (and the effect of the Revolution on the printers and writers, for that matter). That’s why it specifically needs the “written with…”–
Though that part has also to do with Roger, but I’m not going to tell you why.
And as I said (I think) earlier, it has to do with the Gaelic term “A chuisle,” meaning, “my heart’s blood”–to refer to a beloved child. (You recall that Jamie uses it of his adopted grandchildren as well as those who really _are_ of his physical blood.) Ergo, possibly—you think?–to do with family relationships, of which there are One Heck of a Lot in this book.
I can’t think why some folk assume there’s anything ominous about the title. It just means that something’s done–e.g., written–with passion, not that someone’s stabbing themselves in the chest with a quill and going GAK! on their desk. Have we never heard of imagery or metaphor, for heaven’s sake?
And no, it certainly doesn’t give any intimation that this is the last book. What about it sounds like “THIS IS THE END?” IF it should turn out to be the last book, I’d tell you straight out. At the moment, I’m thinking the odds are against it being the final one, but I won’t know that for a few months yet.
As for the person who thought someone was going to die in this book….well, I can give you pretty good odds on that one. I’ve never written a book that didn’t have anybody dying in it. (And fwiw, Jamie’s _been_ dead for at last part of every single book in the series. It isn’t necessarily fatal, you know. {g})
And as for not sounding like the other books in the series–it has the same number of words, the same number of syllables, and the same rhythm as A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES. Most of the books are paired, in terms of title structure: OUTLANDER/VOYAGER, DRAGONFLY IN AMBER/DRUMS OF AUTUMN, A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES/WRITTEN WITH MY HEART’S OWN BLOOD (I’m leaning toward “Heart’s Own,” if only because “HOB” is easier to pronounce). Only THE FIERY CROSS and AN ECHO IN THE BONE are unlike the others. (I didn’t do this on purpose, btw, with the exception of DRUMS OF AUTUMN–that one _was_ chosen specifically to echo DRAGONFLY (and is subsequently the weakest title of the bunch).)
Well I am working my way through the series for the second time, hopefully it will be out before I am done. But, I have your new book now to help me through the wait.
Just finished reading the Scottish Prisoner and loved it! I was really happy to get to know Lord John a lot better and it gave me insight into a part of Jamie’s life that sadly did not include Claire. I am really looking forward to book #8 in 2013 and will be re-reading the whole Outlander series this year. Thank you Diana for writing these books and sharing them with us.
I “rediscovered” the Outlander series in 2008. Years before, the last book I read was “Drums of Autumn” and I hadn’t realized that you continued with the series! I was so stunned, extremely happy, and kicking myself (rather viciously) for not checking if Jamie’s story (and Claire’s of course) has been continued. I bought “The Fiery Cross” and “A Breath of Snow and Ashes” at once. I also, mistakenly, bought a copy of “Cross Stitch” not knowing at the time that it was a re-titled “Outlander”. (I was so excited I bought any book attached to you, didn’t care if I already have a copy or not).
Ms. Gabaldon, I have a morbid confession. You’ve hinted that Book 8, published by 2013, may not be the last in the series and I am SO glad about that. Which means, Book 9 will be released sometime in 2016 or 2017. I worry sometimes — and I’m so sorry for thinking this — what if she (you, the author) isn’t able to finish the series? Will I never know what happened to Jamie and Claire? I noticed that after “A Breath of Snow and Ashes” you’ve tended to leave terrific cliffhangers (I have to live with that, I know).
Well, as Jamie told Brianna in Book 6, when she was worrying about Roger: “That is what God is for. Worry doesna help — prayer does …”
Slante!
At last!
I will not tell you how often I’ve read each of these books or why– except to say that they are the finest example of fiction I’ve read in many years, and a great teaching tool for other writers.
At the moment I’m writing an article on Voyager, which, if you wish, I will send you.
Thanks for the inspiration– don’t stop!
Dear Valentine–
Would love to see the article–thanks!
–Diana
P.S. You can–if you like–email it to me at dgabaldon@aol.com. Thank you!
I first bought Outlander at a Celtic Faire in Reno, many years ago. The man who talked me in to it told me I’d need it in hardback. He was wearing a Fraser tartan kilt and had a perfect accent… I still think of him as Jaime. BTW, he was right, I should have bought it in hardback. But I’ve given away probably ten copies in paper to get others as hooked as I am!
I’ll wait, Diana. You take the time you need to do your usual great job!
I am an audio book junkie and very few consecutive days have passed over the last five years without listening to one. I first stumbled on this series purely because of the length of the books, and needing more to fulfill my habit. I wasn’t overly impressed with the first couple of books, but found them enjoyable. Since then, I have fallen in love with these characters. The depth of their personalities and relationships are amazing, and though I have an incurable obsession to know how every story ends as quickly as possible, I know that when their story ends I will not be happy. I will feel a loss for these fictitious inspiring people, so I’m glad this will not be the last. Davina Porter, the audio narrator is a goddess, I aspire to be as talented as her one day, when I finally fulfill my dream of being a narrator, she is an inspiration. Thank you Diana for the beautiful imagery you paint in my mind and for the 318 hrs and 27 min of history and art you have shared with me. I can’t wait to learn more.
This series needs to be wrapped up.Enough is enough.Don’t get me wrong,I like the stories
I just think it needs to end while we are still able to read it.
Dear Karen–
Oh, don’t worry–there are lots of young readers in their teens and twenties to carry on if you can’t. [g]
(It’ll be done when it’s done. I think there are nine books altogether.)
–Diana
What a surprise, I just turned the last page on your last Scottish Prisoner/Lord John book to discover a new book is in the works! Will look forward to its release and can wait.
Love your books and characters, even more special since I met you in Perth (WA not Scotland).
Thank you for being a great writer and sharing your work with us here in Australia.
I don’t really care what it is called, although I do like that title, I just want it finished so I can read it. There has been a definate stagnation in my reading habits because whilst everything I read is good, it’s only a fill in until the next book in the outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. For heavens sake, where are Jamie and Claire now, and what have they been up to, and do Roger and Brianna rejoin them? It’s eating away at me!
I really like your blog as well. You’re funny. Well, we all know. I hope you’ll write a lot of books! I’m looking forward to reading your MOBY.
Enjoy your writing,
=))
I absolutely love the Outlander series. I am almost through listening (to Davina Porter) for the second time around. Don’t know about any other narrator doing the series, but Davina Porter brings the characters to life! I don’t believe I would get the same experience out of reading the books. I NEED Davina Porter. I hope she narrates the next book!
Been giving a lot of thought to who should play the various characters if a movie is ever made. I have very strong feelings about Kate Winslett playing Claire. She would be perfect. she has the look. She has the intelligence, the very voice, of Claire. I think she would be able to portray the compassionate yet cool logical personality of Claire.
Jamie is tougher. Would have to be someone who could make every woman fall in love with him and every man respect him. The toughest part would be finding someone who could be fierce and confident, yet naive and gentle at the same time. If a movie is to be successful, Jamie must be believable. He must embody everything you put into the books about him. He is what makes Claire, Claire. Just saying
I would love a movie series. But for now…I’m looking forward to the next book. Been worrying about Jemmie and Briana for a while now. Keep on writing! You have made my life a little more tolerable. Especially during the power outages during Hurricane Sandy. I have an old “discman” and lots of batteries.
My grandson’s girlfriend introduced me to Outlander two weeks ago and told me that she only read books by female authors. Since I was out of reading material at the time I opened it, started to read, and by the end of the second chapter James Michener and W. E. B. Griffin had slipped from numbers one and two to somewhere down the list of my all-time favorite authors. Since I am one of very few men who have posted on this site, I can say without any fear at all of contradiction that these are NOT “girly books”! I have already read the first seven in this series and am halfway through Outlander again, waiting anxiously (and eagerly) for the next one, whatever you decide to call it.
Since I have passed my 75th birthday I hope I live long enough to learn how the series ends.
Diana, I salute you, Lady. You are the very best at developing your characters, because I would know any of them if they walked in my front door (most of whom would be welcome), and I am amazed at how much research you did in so many fields to write these books.
I haven’t started the Lord John Grey series yet, but will probably get them read before Heart’s Blood comes out.
Thank you so much for this tremendous obra.
Dear Joe–
I hope I live long enough to finish writing it. [g] One day at a time!
Appreciate the vote of confidence. I do in fact get quite a bit of mail from male readers (they’re more inclined to write privately than to post things on a public board, though many do that, too), and am always entertained to get one that says, “Boy, you sure don’t write like a woman!” [g]
Best,
–Diana
Diana,
I am in the same age group as Joe Remore. I wake up dreaming about your characters and wondering what is going to happen to Jem, and Claire,and Jamie, and Ian, and Rachel, and even Rollo! You do realize we are all “hooked” on your books? Any chance there will be half-way houses someday for withdrawal from Diana Gabaldon? I have already pre-ordered WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD so am wishing you “Godspeed” in finishing it.
At this time it appears like Expression Engine is the preferred blogging platform out there right now.
(from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
Dear Vonnie–
No, WordPress.
–Diana
Thank you diana for this amazing epic. A friend introduced me to your books as the best she had ever read~high praise i assure you! She was so right! My husband has you to thank for the steamy looks he gets {not that he has a clue why} he is my jaime ~thanks for adding spice to life and substance to storytelling you are a true artist
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.
You clearly know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your weblog when you could be giving us something enlightening to
read?
Dear IM–
Er…what are you talking about? I don’t post videos here.
–Diana
How soon will “Written in My own Heart’s Blood” be in an audio book version and will Davina Porter be the narrator?
Dear Susan–
Davina will be narrating, and we hope that the audio will be out about the same time as the print hardcover edition. Hope you’ll enjoy it!
Best,
–Diana