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).)
Am beyond thrilled that it has a title, and such a strong one. Can’t wait to get more of Claire and Jamie. Even as I read other great fiction, I miss them! They can’t be replaced.
Diana,
Love the new title and can’t wait to hold it in my hands! Excitement abounds!!
The title takes my breath away, because I know the ending will be amazing. How could the end not be amazing with Jamie and Claire?!?!?! I am sure this time Claire will not go back through the stones until she knows for sure Jamie is dead, if that is a possibility in book eight. And I keep going back to the ghost of Jamie in Outlander, watching Claire comb her hair through the window of the bed and breakfast. I am sure Jamie is devastated she is there for an intimate get away with Frank. I am so excited and sad to know how that will be woven into book eight. We are all excited about “Written With My Own Heart’s Blood”!!!!!!
I think about the ghost scene with Jamie at the begining of Outlander alot too, and while I’m excited to find out about it, I am by no means anxious (I dont want it to ever, ever, ever end!) But the good news is, that while the new title is ominous, Diana has never said or implied that book 8 was the end. Unless you know something I don’t know????
I’m still trying to figure out what time period in Jamie’s life he was “watching Claire comb her hair through the window of the bed and breakfast.”
The time travel really confuses me — could he have been “watching” AFTER Clare had come to him and she left pregnant?
Anyone have any suggestions?
Maggie,
They are referring to the Prologue or the first chapter of Outlander in which a ghostly figure (who we all know by now is Jamie’s ghost) standing outside the B&B where Claire and Frank are staying during their second honeymoon in Scotland. This occurs before Claire knows anything about Jamie, time travel, etc. But obviously Jamie knows her since all their interactions occur in the 1700′s. Claire doesn’t see him at this point, but Frank practically ran into him on the sidewalk as he was coming back to the inn. Frank tells Claire about seeing someone standing outside looking at the inn, and that the person pretty much vanishes as he’s walking away.
Hmmm….well I like to think of it like this: Jamie’s ghost was maybe searching for Claire, his true soul mate. When Claire goes through the stones, she comes out in the time of Jamie. She (unknowingly) had a driving force, or stiring wheel …if you will to land in that particular time. It is Jamie who stirs her there! He always says how he’s loved her from the first time he laid eyes on her. Remember in Voyager how Geilie the evil witch told Claire about the gems for protection from the horrible things they hear and feel while going through the stones? Well Claire tells her that she didn’t have any gems, she just thought of love/person/feeling or the like that got her through the stones…so, maybe it was Jamie’s ghost that pulled her to 1743 the first time through? No? mmm… how romantic!
I, too, keep going back to this part of the beginning and am intrigued as to if/how Diana will resolve this for us. If time travel is possible, could this then mean that there is no death, just a passing from one life to another. Could this episode have happened to Jamie when he was passing between ‘lives’?
I remember reading, in one of the books (can’t remember which one), Jamie tells Claire that he had a dream about her. In this dream he saw her through a window combing her hair. He new the dream was of her in her own time, because the lighting was different. He knew it wasn’t candlelight, therefore must have been the “electricity” that she has described to him. I don’t know how that will come together in the storyline to come, but it might have something to do with the ghost that Frank saw. I can’t wait to read the next book!!!
I always interpret Jamie’s ghost as his own time travel through a dream. I too keep waiting for this event to pop up in a new book. Although, not knowing if or when it will happen keeps the romantic heart beating.
Jamie’s appearance to Frank has always been a talking point amongst me and my friends. We think Roger is getting closer to figuring out why time travel is possible for some and not others. Perhaps Claire will be able to take Jamie with her through the stones or perhaps he goes after her for some reason. Do we know how old Jamie appears to be when Frank sees him? Any hints Diana?
I love the new title and I’m far from patient. Just have to keep re-reading and enjoying I suppose!!
Not sure what to think about the title. The octopus….eight arms,eight books in the series? It’s sure to be an awesome read. Just PLEASE don’t kill Jamie and Claire off yet. We need to know more about everyone else…Bree,Roger,William,Young Ian,Jem and on and on. And what’s this with Buck in the 20th century and Lord John married to Claire? And Jenny’s left Lallybroch? Too many loose ends for just one book!!!Keep writing Diana and we’ll ALL keep reading!!!! Don’t think I will ever tire of these characters!!!!!!!
Heart blooded…ventricular (bright red-more oxygen) or atrial (dark red-low oxygen)? Before people figured out the heart was a pump, it was associated with emotion (valentines) or the soul (Egyptian ka). Hmm…in financial symbolism red ink indicates debt or loss and black is for profit or balance. Octopi are really cool. There’s a video of a giant pacific octopus interacting with its keeper at the Monterey Bay Aquarium that shows how smart they can be. The die-after-reproducing strategy sucks though.
I love it!! Its deep, emotive and sensitive… Now we just can wait…
Best wishes, Diana!!
I hope to see you at the Brooklin Book Fest!!
See if they can somehow semi-hide the octopus in the cover art? Author, Title, accolades, main picture thingee (something socially acceptable – chalice, ring, what-have-you artifact that pulls it all together?) somehow superimposed on a sort of semi translucent (why did I almost type crocodile?) octopus, with it’s sneaky little tentacles just starting to wrap around it (central cover illustration, that is). . . wrapped around a Sword of Caduceus, bleeding out into the Bowl of Hygeia. . .
Okay. Sorry. Will not quit day job…
Hmm. Eighth book? Eight plot lines? Eight games to Lord Stanley’s Cup? Have you become a Hockey fan lately?
Elaine
Dear Elaine–
Love the idea of a shadow octopus! {g} I’ll suggest it to the (no doubt flabbergasted) art department.
–Diana
I like the idea of a shadow octopus. Sometimes less is more you know?
And about the title– you are the heart and soul of this mammoth, wonderful tale. Whatever title you come up with will be the right one.
It sounds perfect. I never read spoilers anymore but I always look forward to finding out the upcoming book’s title. This sounds like there will be tragedy, but isn’t there always? I won’t even begin to speculate, you always take us on such an amazing journey with these characters that I’ll wait to see where this one will lead. Thank you so much for giving us this incredible story.
OH yeahhhhhhhh that’s a good one!!!!!
Diana, I hope you get your octopus! I can see how this book is going to have eight different plot lines that all tie back to Jamie. That image that Tenessa shared the link for seems very representative… each arm has many twists and turns which is how I imagine the plot lines will be. Oh, I canna wait!!!!!
Diana,
It doesn’t matter how you title it, it will be fabulous. I am however very excited as it makes it sound extremely romantic and I just can’t wait for the release!! If you want an octopus then you should have it! My only fear is that this is going to be the last book…..I hope not!
Nice title. I like it.
An octopus? Don’t suppose you could tell us…never mind. I know what you’ll say.
Pam
I love the title but I predict Someone will die. Is it crazy be sad already?
i would like to buy the book as soon as possible. thank you for for being an awesome writer.
Octopus makes ink… book written in ink… written with my heart’s own blood… hmmm
Heartink, nothin’ but heartink…Inkheart is the title of a popular fantasy by Cornelia Funke. Cuttlefish ink was used for drawing and writing and Sepia (which is a cuttlefish genus name) is the same as the ink and its color.
Cannot wait! Wa updating the ckbk and thought I’d pop over to see if there was anything new. oh boy! I read the last one with an excerpt of book eight,where Roger goes back. Fantastic!!!!!! I cannot wait! I purchase book one over the summer-the 20th anniversary issue,and I loved the new things! I even loved the cd sampler! I know the series has to end sometime,but I’m hoping that it will later than sooner. I did tear up a bit when I saw the title.
P.s. Jaime’s or Claire’s? Or possibly Brianna’s Or Roger’s?
do you guys really think the title is “written with my own heart’s blood”? don’t you think maybe diana meant that the title is written in her own heart’s blood, i.e. she has made up her mind about it but is not going to reveal anything yet? I mean, it sounds so different from the others and after all she has a gift for humor…
Finished Echo in the Bone about 5 minutes before I checked the website for an arrival date for the next installment Monday a.m. at 12:05–Didn’t have that feeling about Jamie or Roger, but I’d say Rob Cameron is a possibility. My daughter who was 11 when I brought home the first two books, read them all in order after they first came out. So when I find a particular section in desperate need of direct, immediate retribution, I go to her and say something like I did toward the end of Echo when Jem was taken–”Tell me Rob Cameron is going to have something awful happen to him and soon…”
I love all of the books, but Echo left a lot of “cliff-hangers.” Didn’t you trust us to come back (like Rollo) with just one or two? I was heartened to read your comment, “IF it turns out to be” the last… As usual, starting with Voyager (the first time we “thought” that was the last one) there are just too many things left hanging in Echo, and I expect when you finish the series, that we will be like a huge, soppy mess of tissues, wrung out with the emotion, but that we will KNOW this one is the last one.
Here, here! I agree as I am sure all readers of Diana’s would that all of the Outlander books are fabulous but Echo is by far the best. I must admit that as the book was drawing short of pages my panic set in, when I realized that so much was going to be left up in the air. Four years to the next one almost feels like cruelty! Shamefully, it had occurred to me to re-read the books simply for pleasure but now I think a re-read is neccesay as I may catch some things that I missed while devouring the books the first time. Guess that is how I will use the next year and a half of wait time. Can’t wait to see how you work all of these loose ends out.
OMG I can’t wait I have a feeling that Jamie is dying in that book… Ojala y no!!
saludos!
I am so looking forward to #8 – I almost had a heart attack with the ending of #7 (n Echo)
I am a newcomer to the series – it was recommended to me years ago – I just started Outlander in 2010 and ( gosh it sounds like I don’t do anything but read) I have finished all 7 in the past ? 18 months. I am a midwife – I guess I have a lot of “waiting” time in which to read.
Here’s Hoping the new one gets “Birthed ” successfully, SOON!
Thanks You, Ms. Gabaldon for great enjoyment and exhausting adventure!
I started reading the series the first time in December of 2004. I was finished byApril of 2005 (I believe there were only 6 books then) so I know what you mean about it looking as if we do nothing but read. Since then I’ve read the entire series about 5 times and it seems like I always wait months between each read. Jamie and Claire are like members of my own family now.
I offered my books to my cousin to read. Her home was destroyed in an April 27th tornado, along with 3 of my books. She has heard me talk about them so much that she payed to replace them herself eventhough I begged her not to. Although I hate that she spent her much needed money on my books, I’m very glad to have them back… I think it’s about time for another reread and I suspect that I’ll do another one before “Written With My Heart’s Own Blood” is realeased.
On a side note, I love the title! I see the ownership that Jamie feels toward his family and his work in it. He gives everything of himself when it comes to either one and the title hints at how important he sees them in his life. I can’t wait til the release!
How bad am I? My bookclub posted this book back in Nov 2010. I knew nothing of this book or the enfolding series of books. I read all 7 plus 2 Lord John series books by April 2011. How bad is that? I’m not ashamed. I loved every word of those books. Even re-read most of them and also listened to the audio books for Outlander and half of Dragonfly. I search in vain for suitable books that will give me the pleasure of the read as the Outlander series did. I’m afraid Ms. Gabaldon has spoilt me rotten! Nothing can compare to Jamie and Claire and the rest of the characters.
Hi Maria! Glad to see another re-reader admit to reading through the series quickly. Outlander was recommended by the mother of a member of my book group, so I checked it out from the library, read it in a few days, then went to the bookstore and $90 later I had them all (through BSA). I took the day off when Echo came out. I read other books for book group, but always go back to the series between “assigned” books. Nothing comes up to it.
If there were a fire in my condo, I’d do my best to get the books, my purse, and my medicines out safely, probably in that order. Like most of us, I really don’t want to read of Jamie’s demise or his being separated from Claire (the ghost scene).
Ah well, I’m about 1/4 through Echo in my latest re-read. I do find something new each time through – the first few times they were what I refer to as “popcorn” reads – just kept stuffing them in, so I didn’t taste every kernel. That’s my excuse for the re-reads. Whatever works!
Maria, there’s just no use in trying to find another Diana so I’ve stopped trying. 4 yrs. ago I hadn’t read a romance novel in 30 yrs until someone coerced me into Outlander and then I borrowed all the other books from her and read them in a month. Then I ordered the Lord John books on-line.
Since Outlander, I have been reading romance novels out the wazoo. But Diana is in General Fiction as we know– She was taken off the Romance shelves right after the first book because so above and beyond all the historical romance writers. A student could probably use her books as reference because the accuracy.