Which is….
WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD
(I still want an octopus on the cover, but we’ll deal with that later.)
*****************************************************
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).)
You know what? I love the title. But for some reason it instantly makes me think that Jamie is going to die in this novel. I don’t know how I have jumped to that conclusion but it’s where the title seems to land me.
Please don’t kill him off! Or let him kill himself off!
Jamie CANT die, for some reason i had a similar feeling, but with Roger! JAMIE JUST CANT DIE!
Could be right about Roger. Remember that Brianna found a cryptic message from Frank suggesting something dark about her.
Oh man. Sounds awesome! I can’t wait.
P.S.
I’m all for the octopus cover.
Octopi makes me think poor Jamie will be subjected to traveling by water…we all know the effect that has…can hardly make myself sit still for the next one…thanks Diana for bringing us this timeless wonderful story.
Octopus related — could be that the lady Diana has come in touch with her inner Steam Punker as they, too, enjoy exploring the concept of time travel, so I’ve been told, and are more than passing fond of octopi and owls. I’m happy, though not necessarily patient in waiting, to wait because the continuing tale only continues to improve.
Dear Binneas–
Well, I’ve enjoyed what steam-punk I’ve read (mostly Gail Carriger and Cherie Priest, so far), but writers have been playing with time-travel since the late 19th century, if not earlier. As for the octopodes, I was actually a marine biologist in a previous professional incarnation. (See blogpost titled “Dingbats and Whale Penises.)
–Diana
Im so grateful you decided to leave your marine biology behind. You began these books not knowing what a world for the readers was about to be opened up! I picked up a used copy of Outlander expecting it was something along the lines of a Harlequin book. Much to my surprise it was full of everything I enjoy, romance accurate history and fantasy. Thank you so much for not stopping with the first. When I finished the book(7 yrs after picking it up) I was desperate for it not to be over. I re-read it immediatley. After the 2nd read i thought “what if theres another?” AND I WAS HAPPY TO FIND 5 MORE! I am waiting to to re-read the whole series again attempting to coincide it with your next books release. Please never say the series is over. Even if it takes you ten yrs to write another w/many projects inbetween, keep the hope for us alive. I have purchased several copies to get women I know “started”, I know they will not finish, just like me. God Bless-
Thank you for your time,
Kathyrn Shirey
We love the series and would love for it to continue but PLEASE don’t leave it hanging like the last installment.
careful what you wish for!
cliff hangers = another book
all wrapped up = possible end
Oooohhh. That gives me pause. And the hairs are standing up on my neck too. Diana, what a twisted web you weave. As echoed in other statements, please stay home so we can all just buy it and read it. Love from Tucson.
I think my heart skipped a beat. omg. I’m only on book three going to book 4 now. I’m happy for more books coming. hahah! <3 Diana you are amazing! :3
I don’t like it- to me it portends the end of the series and after 20 years of living with these books, I don’t want to think of being without a new one to look forward to. My mind keeps flashing back to “Outlander” and the scene with “Jamie’s ghost” standing outside of the boarding house and later the comment that Jamie makes about seeing an elderly Claire, with a device (identified as a telephone) in her hand, so we know that Jamie departs first, and that Claire must go back through the stones…. But knowing it isn’t going to make it any easier to deal with….
There’s no indication whatsoever that Jamie has any predispositions to see the future. Whenever he
connects ( in his dreams) with Clair or Brianna while they’re separated by the 200 years chasm,
he sees them in the parallel reality so that’s not the future time for Clair. And again, when he sees
Brianna, Roger and the kids safe ( or less than that later on) in Lallybrook, it’s the same idea.
In my opinion, Jamie’s seeing Clair sitting somewhere in a 20 century office could be a reminiscence of his visions of Clair while they were separated for 20 years. I don’t think Clair will
ever time travel again, unless something unthinkable happens. Only Diana can solve this puzzle.
I think that Jamie’s ability to time travel while his consciousness is asleep originates in the almost fatal head injury inflicted on him by his devious uncle Dougal. Maybe Jamie’s wounded brain
made up for the damaged nerve connections by forming new ones or activating some dormant potential making him even more special. Clair and Jamie’s transcendent love could also be a factor.
Iwona, you clever fan! I’ve wondered why the injury to Jamie’s head has been included in every book—it has to be important, but I couldn’t imagine why. I think you’ve got it! Now here’s a question—does your theory also explain why he’s completely tone deaf? That tidbit has been repeated several times. Remember Jamie said that he could differentiate musical notes before the accident but afterward he couldn’t hear anything in the music.
Please refresh my memory, which book is this in. I remember Jamie telling Claire that he had “seen” her, but I recall him describing her just as she was described in the first book, by Frank. I thought the “telephone incident” was from BSA when he was describing seeing the children.
I think that this is my favorite title to date. Previously it was probably A Breath of Snow and Ashes. I like to wander the library and a book really needs to have an interesting title to get my attention, since I usually have no idea what I am looking for. That title would _definitely_ get my attention. It’s got my attention now.
Now that you’ve revised your entry for the title, I like “Heart’s Own” better than “Own Heart’s” (not that it really matters what I think). It flows off the tongue better, so it feels more poetic and evocative (not to mention that the acronym for the title looks and sounds better). When you announced the title, whether it’s “in” or “with” or HO or OH Blood, it really spoke to me of passion and loyalty and the depth of devotion among all the members of this family and its extensions. I love it!
I also recall (I think) that you had originally pondered “an Echo in the Blood” for book 7′s title, but Doug had been turned off by it on account of it sounding sort of “slasher-esque”. I’m glad you were able to work “blood” into the title and I think it works very well for book 8. And now I will stop fawning over the name of the new book.
I like the new title, but wondered about the Gaelic term “A chuisle,” meaning, “my heart’s blood”– I’m Irish & the usual translation is “heartbeat” or “pulse”. Perhaps it is different in Scotland.
Love the title. One step closer to publication! Any thoughts on when that might be?
Something like this:
http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~jbass/courses/425_samples/octopus2_files/oct2.gif
perhaps?
Tenessa, that is exactly what I pictures when Diana said “octopus”! Love it!
I LOVE it! It sounds absolutely heart wrenching though, which terrifies me. It sounds like an ending, and I can’t even let myself think that without tearing up! Whatever happens, I just hope Jamie is still alive and well at the end of this book! I’m already half way into my 2nd re-read of this year & very much looking forward to the next one! Thanks Diana for all you do & most of all for Jamie & Claire!
ooh no, or maybe with the new spoiler I just saw you posted, maybe the title is to do with the Fraser men, Brian, Jamie, William, & Jem… wouldn’t it be just amazing to have some story line showing their connections more. Especially what if we could see Brian, young Jamie, & possibly Jem together? Too many possibilities! I’m bursting here!
What?! Eight different story lines or something else? This title is making me nervous, who’s blood and who’s heart???
You’ve done it again Diana!
Aww jeez….. I’m sorry but I just don’t understand why this title is so very personal sounding compared to the rest of the books in this series. To me it just doesn’t fit with the rest of them…… Couldn’t we not find something a little less ominous sounding ?
I like the octopus idea though
Could mean eight different ways to say I love you by eight different people etc
But I still don’t like this title, sorry, it just sounds too much like something Dracula would say
I hate to say it but I don’t like it either. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the series and I’m one of it’s biggest fans, but I think this title is too long and doesn’t ‘fit’ well with the rest of the titles.
I’ll still read it though
I don’t like it because it’s written in the first person, so it doesn’t “match” the others. It’s like a jarring note. But of course it’s DG’s baby and she knows what she’s doing!
I do like the imagery.
Dear Christine–
Rof,l! Er…tell me…what point of view is “VOYAGER” in? And how does “A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES” match “OUTLANDER”? {g}
Didn’t know there was a requirement that titles match…
–Diana
Quite frankly Mrs. Gabaldon could call it “cooking with crap” and as long as it has to do with the Fraser family, I’ll buy it and read it! Ma’am you name it whatever you feel Jamie and Claire need it to be, who am I to second guess a genius!
OMG – thinking maybe something not too good will be in the story – yes – makes me nervous too … wondering who it applies to …
OMG WOW, YEA, I CAN’T WAIT WHOOHOO!!!!!
I know that was alot of caps there, but I am so excited. I have been looking very forward to this next novel!
~elaine ossipov
I do like the title, don’t get me wrong; but I can’t help but think that non-reading bookstore owners will be even MORE inclined to put the book amongst the bodice-rippers and romances with a title like that (although the octopus will be sure to confuse prospective readers!)
There is nothing wrong with “bodice ripping” as long as its Jamie doing the ripping!
I just finished reading the fourth book(not in order), and was captivated after reading the first. Just ordered two more and hope I’ll have finished them by the time the new one is released. Love your writing!
Hi Diana,
fascinating title, love it . But I prefer “Written with my heart’s own blood” to “Written with my own heart’s blood”.
Can’t tell you why, it’s the sound of it… I think… No, can’t explain.
But really, I like it. It’s got the right feeling.
I like the mistaken title, too, but with the preposition ‘in’. It is something about the feel of it, even though the corrected title arguably makes a little more sense.
Diana,
Do you know yet if this is the last one?
Thanks!
Dear Anieva–
Actually, my husband likes “in” better, too–so I’ll consider that. {g}
No, I don’t know yet whether this is the last one or not, but I should know within the next few months.
–Diana
Dear Diana,
He does? You will? This is so exciting – all of it! Thank you for your response. I’ve only read Outlander, but I have all the others and I’m looking forward to reading them. You’re editor was right; these books are not like any other. I’m so glad you broke new ground.
Best,
anieva
Great title, I think it seems to fit in very well with all the others! I bought Echo yesterday at a discount store, but can’t read it yet because I am still reading Drums of Autumn! I am going to peek at the clifffhanger I keep reading about though…!!
Don t do it!!!! its a BIG cliffhanger, you wont get any sleep for a week if you do!
Oh. My. That’s good and forboding and everything we expect of your titles. ; )
Your titles are very thought provoking…and from reading all the tidbits over the last few months this title really has my mind thinking all kinds of things.
The worst is how long we must still wait for book 8! Sigh…………………….