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).)
Dear Diana,
I want to express how much joy,laughter and tears your book has brought me,for hours on end I can just sit,lie or slouch with one of your books and devour it.
The first time I met Jamie and Claire I fell in love with them and have been ever since.
I want to thank you for being such a gifted writer/story teller.
Written in my own heart’s blood also reminds me of the vow Jamie and Claire made when they got married..”Blood of my Blood” .
Hereby I send my Love from the Netherlands just to show you,that even over here you stole some hearts
Mrs. Gabaldon,
While browsing B&N, I came upon Outlander, and made the smartest decision to buy it. That was about 5 years ago and have now read all 7, and am anxiously waiting the arrival of #8. Anyone who asks me for book recommendations instantly hears back, the Outlander series. I always say to myself, “this has to be the last one”, only to come to the end with a cliff hanger.
I love the thought of a movie or mini series, but am always disappointed when books I LOVE get the Hollywood treatment. With this series being so long and detailed, I would hate to see it butchered that way.
I just can’t get enough of the books, but know that it can’t go on forever
. However, I will read them for as long as your creative juices flow!
P.S.- I like the title and I’m sure it fits the book perfectly (they always do). And seeing as how your the only one who knows the story… you know what your doing. I have faith
Diana,
Here’s an interesting thing I thought I’d share with you:
My husband (who I recently got addicted to your writing) and I were discussing this book, and he made a…suggestion…jokingly…
He says that you should autograph several of these books in your blood!
I told him that I did NOT think that was a good idea, and that there is surely a health code that would forbid such a thing.
I figured you might find it humorous in any case.
Hope all is well in your world.
i love how most of us plan our lives around diana’s next book!
I was browsing one day and found the 4th book..read the synopsis and looked for the 1st one. thought I should see if I like it before committing to the other books. .read very little and immediately bought the other 3. I love this series and can hardly wait for the next one. I have a question though.
early in the first book ,Frank sees a “ghost” of a scotsman which I assume is Jamie. When will that tie in? I re read the whole lot before a new one comes out and find that these characters have grown enough to be family memebers.
a compass can have 8 points
For my money, “…Own Heart’s Blood” sounds more Scots, but whatever… I know I’ll be standing in line to read it…
I have been wondering when – if ever – we would ever find out what happened to Brianna, Roger and their son. Thank heavens the series isn’t over.
I am new to these books – even though they are not new. I just discovered these books this summer when I went looking for a good “summer” read. I simply devoured Outlander, rushed to buy Dragonfly in Amber and thought I should pace myself. I was going to wait and buy Voyager for myself as a Christmas present – but I couldn’t wait to find out if Claire found Jamie or not! So I am now in the middle of Voyager and can’t wait to start book 4! I can totally understand why people read and reread these books!
Thank you so much Diana for writing such an amazing series!
I’ve been waiting for “Wheat” to come out. That was the last name I heard for the next book. I’ve been checking the library shelf periodically for years. I sure hope something comes out soon.
Dear Jackie–
Wheat? Well…I don’t _remember_ that one, but not saying it wasn’t an off-the-top-of-the-head suggestion at some point. The eighth book is called WRITTEN IN MY HEART’S OWN BLOOD, though.
–Diana
Great series, Diana. How will we know when #8 is published?
Dear Bob–
Errr….you’ll see it in big piles in every bookstore you go in? You’ll notice me telling you repeatedly on this website? {g} You’ll hear it talked about on all the Outlander-related sites and blogs?
Or are you angling for an engraved invitation? {g}
–Diana
What? It’s not coming out till 2013? But I might die unfulfilled before then!
I purchased all 7 books on cassette and loved them. Now I want to start the series over on unabridged CDs, but am unable to find #4 (Drums of Autumn). Amazon only has abridged, Borders is closed and Barnes & Noble is “temporarily” out. Can you help with ideas of where I might purchase #4 through #5? Sure hope I can wait for #8.
Dear Vera–
Sure. http://www.recordedbooks.com . They’re the producers of the unabridged audiobooks.
–Diana
I discovered your books only last year and have read them all twice. I am now working my way through the Lord John Books and short stories. I love the history, romance and medicine in your books. I am a 46 year old female physician of Celtic roots who grew up on the Cape Fear River and later lived near Old Salem North Carolina! I feel very personally connected to your books . I am very grateful to you for creating such wonderful characters and placing them in such proximity to my own passions. Thank you also to your family for allowing you to pursue all of your dreams.
I read all your books this summer while recovering from back surgery. Just finished the last one. When will the new one be published. I’m missing Jamie and Claire Fraser terribly.
A friend started reading the Outlander series and would give me the book to read when she was done. Well, that lasted for maybe 2 of the books and then I passed her. We are both patiently (her more so than me) waiting for the 8th book. I’ve read many series but this is BY FAR the best one.
I just finished reading the entire series. The last book arguably had the most EXCITING and HEARTSTOPPING ending of the entire story. I’m so ready for book 8 now. I need to know what’s going to happen with Brianna and Jem. And I’m definitely anticipating how William will handle this new revelation about his real father. One thing I was somewhat disappointed in though is Rachel and Ian ending up together. I Rachel has much more chemistry with William. Her and Ian barely had any interaction throughout the whole book so I didn’t really feel the passion with those two.
I love your series!!!! I am so excited for the next one. I look forward to continuing to follow the lives of the Fraser family. They feel so real. Keep up the good work. Whether this is your last one or not I am completely stoked. I think I will be a bit sad to see the Outlander series come to an end which I suppose at some point it will. Maybe you can keep it going long enough that we can read them finish out their lives. You are a very talented writer, thank-you for sharing your gift!
As soon as I wrote the above comment I wanted to undo and edit it. Finish out their lives sounded a bit morbid to me. Anyway I am completely confident that which ever way you decide to end your series when YOU are ready it will be a great ending. I have loved the past seven books of Outlander and I am starting to read the Lord John Grey series. I am also looking forward to going back and re reading Outlander from the beginning!
I’m only on my 3rd rereading of the series but each time it gets better and better. I’m always amazed at how much I missed in the previous readings. I was so excited when I heard about the new book! I know it will be a good one, but I was soooo disappointed when I realized it wasn’t part of the Outlander series. I can’t wait to read Written in My Own Hearts Blood. Please, please please don’t make it the last one in the series!
Glenda and all who are disappointed that Scottish Prisoner is NOT an Outlander book – I think it is! It feels like it is a “missing piece”. Especially since Lord John is center stage in the story as #7 ends and #8 begins. And it’s a whole new book full of Jamie. I got an unexpected gift in this book. Thanks Diana! And all of you waiting and waiting….there’s a new book!