In honor of Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser’s birthday–October 20, 1918– here’s Claire’s first scene from WRITTEN IN MY HEART’S OWN BLOOD. (NO, I don’t have pub date for this book. I’m not done _writing_ it, for heaven’s sake. When it’s done, I’ll tell you, OK? (I’m hoping to have it finished by the end of 2012. Meanwhile, THE SCOTTISH PRISONER and Jamie will perhaps help tide you over–that one comes out next month–November 29th))
WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD
Copyright 2011 Diana Gabaldon
Mrs. Figg was smoothly spherical, gleamingly black, and inclined to glide silently up behind one like a menacing ball-bearing.
“What’s this?” she barked, manifesting herself suddenly behind Jenny.
“Holy Mother of God!” Jenny whirled, eyes round and hand pressed to her chest. “Who in God’s name are you?”
“This is Mrs. Figg,” I said, feeling a surreal urge to laugh, despite–or maybe because of–recent events. “Lord John Grey’s cook. And Mrs. Figg, this is Mrs. Murray. My, um…my…”
“Your good-sister,” Jenny said firmly. She raised one black eyebrow. “If ye’ll have me, still?” Her look was straight and open, and the urge to laugh changed abruptly into an equally strong urge to burst into tears. Of all the unlikely sources of succor I could have imagined… I took a deep breath and put out my hand.
“I’ll have you.”
Her small firm fingers wove through mine, and as simply as that, it was done. No need for apologies or spoken forgiveness. She’d never had to wear the mask that Jamie did. What she thought and felt was there in her eyes, those slanted blue cat-eyes she shared with her brother. She knew me, now, for what I was—and knew I loved—had always loved–her brother with all my heart and soul–despite the minor complications of being presently married to someone else. And that knowledge obliterated years of mistrust, suspicion, and injury.
She heaved a sigh, eyes closing for an instant, then opened them and smiled at me, mouth trembling only a little.
“Well, fine and dandy,” said Mrs. Figg, shortly. She narrowed her eyes and rotated smoothly on her axis, taking in the panorama of destruction. The railing at the top of the stair had been ripped off, and cracked banisters, dented walls, and bloody smudges marked the path of William’s descent. Shattered crystals from the chandelier littered the floor, glinting festively in the light that poured through the open front door, the door itself hanging drunkenly from one hinge.
“Merde on toast,” Mrs. Figg murmured. She turned abruptly to me, her small black-currant eyes still narrowed. “Where’s his lordship?”
“Ah,” I said. This was going to be rather sticky, I saw. While deeply disapproving of most people, Mrs. Figg was devoted to John. She wasn’t going to be at all pleased to hear that he’d been abducted by–
“For that matter, where’s my brother?” Jenny inquired, glancing round as though expecting Jamie to appear suddenly out from under the settee.
“Oh,” I said. “Hm. Well…” Possibly worse than sticky. Because…
“And where’s my Sweet William?” Mrs. Figg demanded, sniffing the air. “He’s been here; I smell that stinky cologne he puts on his linen.” She nudged a dislodged chunk of plaster disapprovingly with the toe of her shoe.
I took another long, deep breath, and a tight grip on what remained of my sanity.
Mrs. Figg,” I said, “perhaps you would be so kind as to make us all a cup of tea?”
[end section]
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh….just enough to keep the DT’s under control until November…..sigh
Oh the sweet torture!!!! I can’t wait! I’m off to go re-read (for the nth time) to prepare for the new one.
Sweet torture indeed. There’s no way I can wait until the end of 2012. I know I’ll die first!
Love this comment! It is an addiction isn’t it? LOL!
The waiting is near unbearable. I am so excited! Happy Birthday, Claire!
I cant wait, you left me hanging with Echo.. take a big breath and keep writing please xx
Wonderful that there will be another book in about a years time , so awful to wait for it. It will be worth the wait I am sure. I have never enjoyed reading so much.. Thank you Diana!!!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE it….. a true teaser ….. can’t wait !!!!
oooooooooooooh! I can’t wait!!!!!!
Oh, please come out before the end of the Mayan calendar 12/21/ 2012. I don’t want to die without knowing how it all turns out!!
LOL! I’m still mad that she left Roger in limbo! She. Must. Finish. Next. Book. Soon.
WE know that Roger and Bucliegh (sp?) were going to go back (or try) in time. What about Jem in the tunnel when he comes across the same area that Brianna felt? Will he time travel again as well?
LOL …that’s what I was thinking
Be sensible if the Mayans could forsee the end of the world they shoud have seen the Spaniards coming.
Fabulous, just fabulous
Must be a nurse…and I completely agree!!
I guess that I gonna re-read the books again and again till the new book comes out!!!
Guess that I gonna bye the English book first and later the German one can´t wait to read it!!!
Greetings from Germany
Sabrina
Happy Birthday Claire! ( I named my border collie Emily Claire after Ian’s Emily and Claire). When’s Ian’s birthday maybe we can have an excerpt about him and Rachel.
I can’t stand it! If I could only go through stones and end up at the end of 2012!!!!!
I am going through withdrawals big time waiting for the next book! I haven’t enjoyed a series of books like this since I was in grade school. I think I was in shock when I turned the last page and realized that I didn’t have the rest of the story and wouldn’t have it for sooooo long! I actually feel depressed when I think about it but just reading the excerpts about Jem and Jamie helped…a little bit. I have been trying to find another book that helps but every book seems boring…like a soap opera or worse. They say it helps to vent…..PLEASE FINISH THE BOOK #8! This feels better! ahhhhhhh feel your pain Ladies! Are there any men that read this series? I just noticed that it is all woman responding! LOL I totally would love to see this series as a movie….not sure about it being a play…
None that will admit to it……..darn ! I just did !
I was going to write the self same thing, we must be on the same wavelength. I can’t believe all the cliff hangers on the last book, I feel like I’m in the middle of things and everthing is in limbo until help comes – which it will in the new book – BUT A YEAR!
Glad everthing is on my Kindle and I can just go happily though them all again, that should last for at least a month, then back to paceing the floor.
Hey, November 29th is almost here everyone!!! Don’t despair!
Awh man,,,, your killing me, I know I know, you can’t rush perfection.
So looking forward to November 29th and the continuation of your wonderful story! I never thought I would learn so much history from a marine biologist and be so well entertained at the same time.
Thank you for sharing your gift.
what happens on the 29th?
Dear Jacq–
Er…did I not say? November 29th is the pub date for THE SCOTTISH PRISONER. Hope you enjoy it!
–Diana
Already have my copy on pre-order through Amazon! Not to wish time would go faster, as I have so much to do, but November 29th can’t get here soon enough.
I have preordered my copy also, through Doubleday…waiting for “Moby…”
I’m so glad that Jenny is in America now. I’m sure her feisty personality will fit in well with all the hijinks that Claire, Jamie, and Ian find themselves involved in, and she’ll be able to spend time with Ian to make up for the years they spent apart.
What is your favorite place in Scotland? I’ve been twice, and find that it has a way of drawing you in. The people are wonderful, and the history is amazing. Being the ancestor of Highlanders, I get a sense of coming home when I’m there (not that I don’t love the US). How did your daughter come to the decision to have her wedding there?
I love Lord John sooooooo much! I am so excited for The Scottish Prisoner. You can’t get better than Jamie AND Lord John together in one book!!! I have read every excerpt over and over.
Thank you, Diana for your wonderful work.
I am a descendant of Clan Ferguson and my ancestors were Jacobites. I have read and re-read your novels countless times. I must say “Echo” left so many unanswered questions! I cannot wait to see how all of them are resolved!
It feels so wonderful to hear Claire’s words again…although I kind of feel homesick. I miss her & Jamie!
Happy Birthday Claire!!
Can’t wait for your return
I agree!! I am so homesick for Jamie and Claire!! Happy Birthday, Claire!!
Happy Birthday Claire!!!
I read all of the books all at once, finishing one per week. And when I was done, I was a little depressed. So I would flip through each one to read random parts that I really loved. But I started sharing them with my friends and it was so fun to hear their favorite parts.
This just gave me goosebumps! I cannot wait for Written In My Own Heart’s Blood and am excited to see more of Jenny, not to mention every other character I feel like I’m friend with. I wonder if I have time to reread the whole series before this one comes out?
Yes!! You have enough time to read the series I think. I re-read all the released jamie and claire books last year in about 7 months…. and that was with working a full time job, a part time job, having 2 teens in the house needing rides here there and everywhere, 2 cats as well as a needy husband!!!
I’ve read the series 4 or 5 times already waiting for the latest one to come out! It’s just as good each time!
Oh certainly you do. I re-read them all this year. Of course, I had to get my reading glasses a bit stronger. The end of 2012, huh? I don’t think I can wait that long. And my husband might not put up with me reading the whole Claire/Jamie series again. (It’s a good thing that he loves to cook.) I’m so glad Jenny is in America now. And she and Claire have found peace with each other. I’m so looking forward to The Scottish Prisoner.
Happy Birthday, Claire!
Try the unabridged copies on CD through your local library. The adventures of Claire and Jamie are always on in my car and pass time quickly on long rides!
I re-read the series at least once a year also. My sister and I are planning to get a lot of meals stockpiled in the freezer for when Written in My Own Blood is released. Our kids nearly mutinied when Echo in the Bone came out because of all the cereal they had to eat.
I’ve pre-ordered The Scottish Prisoner and will be anxiously waiting for the mailman on November 29. I have the whole series in three forms, now. Hardcovers – for my own book shelves; paperbacks – to share with friends; and on my Kindle – to reread anytime, anywhere, with the print big enough to make it easy on my eyes!
Diana, thank you for being so generous with your excerpts. Mrs. Figg sounds like an excellent addition to the unlikely and wildly entertaining cast that springs fully formed and totally alive from your writer’s imagination.
Jessica, I agree and have already decided that I am to try. I all the books in hardback and the first thing I did when I got my Kindle for Christmas was to download the entire series!
That’s hilarious. I have read the entire series every time a new book comes out AND have duplicate copies in hardbound, paper and kindle…I guess that would be triplicate. I even buy cheap paperbacks of “Outlander” to give to people that haven’t heard of it.
Oh, I’m so glad I’m not the only one. My dad is always teasing me that I’ve read them 20 times (it’s really only 8 times). I love them more every time I read them.
Don’t have a Kindle yet, but I have the entire series in hardcover and paperback. And at least 4 extra copies of Outlander already passed out. 
Already so excited for Written In My Heart’s Own Blood!!!! End of 2012 CAN’T come fast enough …
What a great idea, I must request this from the family..
I love this series. I started reading it 2o years ago when a friend gave me “Voyager” to read while I was at the end of a difficult pregnancy. Little did I know that it was the 3rd book in the series. When I discovered this I went on a mad hunt for “Outlander” and “A DragonFly in Amber”. I own all the books, both hardback and paperback. My daughters and daughter in law gave me a kindle for my birthday this year and they had downloaded “Outlander” and then gave me a $50 Gift Card. My Purchases were the whole “Outlander” Series ( minus “The Outlandish Companion” ) I am finishing up “Echo” and will just have to drive my family crazy looking for the new book. I really do not think I will be able to wait for 2012.
December 21, 2012 is going to be a very busy day, hopefully during celebrating my 22nd wedding anniversary and waiting for the world to end (ha ha ha) I will be reading “Written In My Own Heart’s Blood” I just have to know how badly Jamie is going to beat the stuffing out of Lord John for “having had carnal knowledge” of Claire.
Diana you are truly one of the world’s greatest authors.
I have the hard copy books, but I also have them on audio. Purchased from Recorded books. They are great. I listen through the whole series once a year. Davina Porter is wonderful. Can’t wait for book 8 to come out !
Happy Birthday, Claire!
I cannot wait for this book, Diana!!!
I’m so excited for this book. They just get better and better.
I can’t wait. I love your Outlander’s series so much and I love Claire and Jamie. Your books got me through a lot of turmoil. I felt like I had fallen through the stones right along with her and just could not put the books down. I wanted to see you so bad this year at Dragoncon, in Atlanta, but never made it to where you were. there were just so many people there. If you are coming next year I am going to try to find you , so I can tell you how much I love your books. I will be waiting for this one to come out. good luck finishing it. I know it will be a big success just like the rest of them….One of your biggest fans from South Carolina….vicky
Vicky, You have to be ‘ONE of the biggest fans’ in SC, because I am CERTAINLY the other!!! Seriously, I know lots of folks who are addicted to the books (no other word fits so well as addicted). I’ve re-read the series every time a new book comes out. Own the hardbacks, (which I do not loan), paperbacks – which I travel with. Always take one of the Outlander books to read – or maybe 2, depending on how long I’ll be gone. I’ve bought ppbacks at flea markets to give to folks. Don’t have a kindle yet…but when I do…oh boy! Another source of Jamie & Claire. I read Dragonfly first, and quickly realized there HAD to be a 1st book. Library did not have Outlander, so I had the local bookstore order BOTH the books so that I could read them in sequence. Was I ever hooked. And the amazing thing, to me is, that each successive book is as good as the previous book. One doesn’t find that often. Enjoy MOBY, and Scottish Prisoner.
A fellow South Carolinian
i can’t wait to read the rest ………….happy birthday Claire !! give John a big hug from me, my son is also gay, and John gives me (as his mother) the hope that it will all come to a good end xxx love you Diana !
sorry if my English is not without mistakes, buth i did my best.
Finally, the next book! Yay! I started reading “An Echo in the Bone”, and stopped part way in. It is like I cannot finish one of these books until I know another will be out! I atarted the series when the first 3 books were out, and it seemed to take forever for the fourth! So now, I go slow, savoring every word, and stop part way until I know another one is around the corner! Lol! I see people reading a book like the 3rd or 4th, and ask if they have read the series, and most don’t even KNOW it is a series! I say heck yeah! Stop reading that one now, and go get “Outlander”. I mean come on! How on Earth can you know WHAT is going on if you don’t start from the beginning!!!
I know exactly what you mean. Its worse than the day after Christmas. Trying to read only 1/2 chapter a day of “Echo” because I dont want to go through Outlandish detox.
How on earth do you stop reading partway in??? You must have more self-control than anyone else on the planet!
More, please
Thank you so much! I have been hungering for this new chapter in Claire’s wonderful life. I know you said it hasn’t been written as yet, but I am having a tough time waiting. There was so much left to my endless imagination that I had to stop thinking about it. Good luck in writing this and thank you for your effort and your talent.
I have loved all your books!!!!! Wished you wrote faster, LOL!!!! Have loved books all my life because they let you dream. So thank you from the bottom of my heart for your creativity! Happy Birthday Claire!! May all your dreams come true! Thank you, Diana!
I wish she could write faster, too but, after reading “Outlandish Companion” and seeing how much research is required (not to mention book signings, editors, and having a life), I have new respect for Diana as an author. It will be tough, but I’ll be patient…I know it will be worth the wait!
Happy Birthday Claire….
am still absolutely in shock over the whole Claire and Lord John situation……..can’t wait for Written in My Own Heart’s Blood to answer a few cliffhangers!
I’m in shock too. And not only about the Claire/John/Jamie/William situation. The separated Mackenzies in Scotland in 1980 and somewhere else …? have left me reeling with the possibilities that they may not be re-united again for many years and scenarios as to how they may be re-united in either the present or the past or the future..? Jem in the tunnel can only go back into solid rock or … Have just read the entire series again in a few weeks flat only to be flabbergasted that the next one will probably not be out till 2013. I know what I’ll be doing this time next year.
my mother talked me into reading the outlander when it first came out, i kinda avoided it for awhile, but gave in, and have been forever greatful to mom and diana since. i had my own “jamie” and lost him to cancer 10 months ago, but the series gives me comfort, and my mother, (at 80 years of age is still an avid reader) and i, look forward very much to WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD
Diana, that is such a teaser!! We know how Lord John told Jamie about him and Claire and now I can’t wait to hear Claire explaining to Jenny, of all people, what is going on.
Mmmm let’s see..”the young man you just happened to see rip out of here is actually Jamie’s illigitemate son whom he’s never told a soul about execept me. And then Lord John is Jamie’s best friend who raised his son and by the way he happens to be homosexual, and then because John and I thought that Jamie had perished at sea and I was about to be arrested as a spy I ended up marrying said Lord John, AKA, Jamie’s best friend and now Jamie has just abducted Lord John, AKA, William’s stepfather and William has just found out he’s not really Lord Ellsmere but the bastard son of a Scotish prisoner and I’m not sure where he’s gone. One lump or two Jenny?” LOL to be a fly on the wall. Can’t wait to see how this will all work itself out but I’m sure it’s going to be one hell of a good story.
Saw you this summer in Fergus and it was an honour to speak to you and to your wonderful husband. I`still buying books that you have writen anthologies in and collecting them all for my next meeting with you to get them all autographed. You signed 11 of my books this summer and they will be with me forever.
Like it or not the Frasers, McKensies and Murrays and all assorted characters including the author are now part of my extended family. May it continue to grow for as long as you continue to write.
You are universaly loved by all of your fans . an;t wait for the end of November for the Scottish Prizoner.
A huge fan……Fran
I cant wait to find out what Jamie did to John, and if he forgives Claire.
Dear Debbie–
She hasn’t done anything to be forgiven for, has she?
–Diana
Dear Diana and Debbie:
Well NO! Claire hasn’t done anything wrong.
Loretta
she only married John and had “relations” with him…. Yes they both thought Jamie was dead at sea…. But Jamie __doesn’t__ share….and John only married her to protect her….idk…we’ll see….
Fran,
Thanks for the laugh – your summation was brilliant!
Rita
LOL over that summary. I’d also like to be a fly on the wall for that one. Are you paying attention, Diana?
Another point, though, which no one seems to have picked up on…
“the minor complications of being presently married to someone else.”
Technically, Claire’s NOT married to Lord John. Even though she *thought* Jamie was dead, he wasn’t, and that makes the marriage to LJ invalid.
Or will that be addressed later?
Diana. You’ve absolutely ruined reading any other books for me.
Totally.
Finally.
There, I’ve said it. After reading your entire series before “An Echo In The Bone” was published, I was completely distraught. I couldn’t find anything else worth reading. Oh, I tried. I rattled around through a few books, and finally gave up and read your entire series for a second time.
Then I tried again, and rattled through a few more books. But then I heard that “An Echo In The Bone” was soon to be published, so I decided I should brush up on the series again so that once it was published I would have just finished “A Breath Of Snow And Ashes” and be ready for more. My poor paperbacks are so dog eared now; I went out and bought the entire series in hard cover to put in my family’s cabin for others to read.
Well, you must realize you nearly killed me with the ending… how could you leave such a cliff hanger like that? So, what did I do? I read all the Lord John books, then read “The Exile” (which is rather strange to see your characters drawn in Japanimation style). Well, I just couldn’t stand it, so I read the entire series again…… this time on my iphone. It goes everywhere with me so I really never have to put it down!
But now I wait….. very (im)patiently I might add. How a single person can be so gifted as you, I have no idea. It’s not fair. But on the other hand, I am so glad you are who you are and write what you write, because you have made my life so much richer for it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Now, quit reading your fan mail and write!
Jan, it is so true. Nothing compares. Nothing is quite as good. I did love Sara Donati’s Wilderness Series which has the same feel because it spans a families lives but while it was good it wasn’t Outlander.
*sigh*
Sara Donati is right up the alley for a fan of Diana’s. The Wilderness Series is not as good but a heck of a lot better than anything else. I strong recommend The Wilderness Series. I’m presently taking turns reading all of Diana’s books (my sixth rereading) interspersed with The Wilderness Series (4th rereading).
agree Jerry…
Jill I too have read Into the Wilderness…my second choice after Outlander…just finished that series again…but sad that it has ended …so now I wait with others for Diana next book.
Jill, I read those books, enjoyed them immensely, but as you say, JUST NOT OUTLANDER! I was sorry to see the end of the Wilderness series though. Donati is a good writer, and I was so thrilled to see Claire mentioned in one of the books. It was sort of like meeting an old friend, “Oh I KNOW HER!”.
I also love the sara donati series but NOTHING beats Diana! I have read all my books so many times the pages are falling out and my best mate gave me a leather bound first edition of “the fiery cross” which she got Diana to sign Ahhh! Someone said it will be devalued if she signs it, but not to me! My books are so precious I have told hubby if there is a fire tell the kids to run for it and then GET MY BOOKS!!
Dear Deb–
My pleasure. {g} Fwiw, an author’s signature increases the value of a book–though if the book is personalized, it’s usually somewhat less valuable than the author’s signature alone, _unless_ the person it’s autographed to is also notable in some way. For instance, if I signed a book for Pope Benedict XVI, that would likely be more valuable than if it had just my signature. {g} Still, bibliographic value is _all_ relative–a book is worth what someone is willing to pay for it, and no more.
–Diana
I tried reading other books, but none of them could compare. My friends suggested a popular vampire story, but apparently, I cannot kick myself in the butt hard enough to finish it before the movie comes out!! It is asking too much of me (sigh). I wanted to wait after that to start rereading “Outlander”, but I need it, now!! I have goosebumps just thinking about it. Un délice!
Ladies, as a die hard Gabaldon fan I have had the same dilemma. But try Karleen Koen. She comes in a close second. Start with Through a Glass Darkly. You won’t be disappointed. Happy reading!
I agree with you all, nothing comes close to reading and re-reading the Outlander series. Haven’t found a book yet to compare. Do you know I dreamed about them for months and even wrote myself in to the story in my dreams. Hint, hint, Young Ian is or was single…. although nothing will top the Outlander Ken Follet’s Pillars of the Earth and World Without End was fabulous, Pillars has a mini-series out and they are working on one for World Without End. Both were great books and almost as good. I also loved Doomsday Book by Connie Willis, its fabulous and another time travel book. I will just have to keep on searching until 2012….. and thanks for the Wilderness Series suggestion…. I need a new series….. Hurry Diana……
Try the Matthew Shardlake books by CJ Sansom. There aren’t many books that meet the standards set by the Outlander series, but the Shardlake books really are excellent and are wonderfully evocative of Tudor England. You could also try Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, ostensibly aimed at the younger reader but well written and enjoyable. Haven’t read Ken Follett’s Pillars of the Earth for a good few years but was completely sucked in when I did, so that’s a good recommendation from Shannon. I also very much enjoyed Wilkie Collins’ Woman in White and The Moonstone when I read those. There are books out there to read while Diana’s writing her next one, you just have to look for them and word-of-mouth recommendations from other Outlander fans are as good a way as any of finding them!
Also try “Blackout” and “All Clear” by Connie Willis, which started out as one book but got so big it had to be published as two volumes. Sound like any other writer we know and love?
They take place in wartime London, so perhaps Claire and Frank and Jerry and Dolly are there in the background somewhere!
another good author is Edward Rutherfurd…London, The Forest, Sarum, Rusika…and lately his new one is New York…he spins a great tale of people and families taken over time in one spot…Loved the London one, but New York was good as I could link some time similar to the Outlander.
Waiting a couple of years or so isn’t too bad. It gives you a chance to indulge in the whole series again. And again.
Although quite different, another series I have re-read over and over is Jean Auel’s Clan of the Cave Bear series, (Stone Age brought to life). Can’t remember how many years I waited for the last one of that series to appear, but, as with Diana, the years of research only make the stories more compellingly realistic.
Looking forward to more little excerpts… (Hint, hint!)
Kirsty, I’ve read all those books, and the first ones in the series were very good reading. I did not enjoy the last ones as much, and was quite disappointed in the very last of the series (Painted Caves). That is another reason I was so impressed that each of the Outlander books has remained as spellbinding to read as the very first one. That is rare in my reading life, and I’ve read a lot of books! I re-read Clan and Valley at least once a year (also Gone with the Wind and a few others.) None has ever held my attention so well as the Outlander series..Wilderness came a close second. There are some others mentioned here that I am not familiar with, but I intend to find them.
Thanks.
P.S. Happy Birthday Claire and many, many, many more!
BTW please excuse gramatical errors on previous post. My fingers go faster than my mind, or maybe the other way around but I sometimes goof up the spelling and punctuations.
;C) Fran
My sister and I can hardly wait for this book! In the meantime, Happy Birthday Claire!
I would like to say a heart felt thank you for these wonderful stories you write!
My Mother introduced me to Outlander about 10 yrs ago and I have been hooked ever since!
I have lost count the amount of times I have read these lovely books!
Once again I am amazed that you carry all these people around inside of you, and am delighted that you have found the way to share them all with us…and we have found them and you. Thank you.