A couple of publishers asked me this week to write a brief bit of catalog copy for them, describing MOBY–so I did. For those of you wondering What to Expect from the eighth book in the OUTLANDER series:
WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD is the eighth novel in the world-famous OUTLANDER series. In June of 1778, the world turns upside-down. The British army withdraws from Philadelphia, George Washington prepares to move from Valley Forge in pursuit, and Jamie Fraser comes back from the dead to discover that his best friend has married Jamie’s wife. The ninth Earl of Ellesmere discovers to his horror that he is in fact the illegitimate son of the newly-resurrected Jamie Fraser (a rebel _and_ a Scottish criminal!) and Jamie’s nephew Ian Murray discovers that his new-found cousin has an eye for Ian’s Quaker betrothed.
Meanwhile, Claire Fraser deals with an asthmatic duke, Benedict Arnold, and the fear that one of her husbands may have murdered the other. And in the 20th century, Jamie and Claire’s daughter Brianna is thinking that things are probably easier in the 18th century: her son has been kidnapped, her husband has disappeared into the past, and she’s facing a vicious criminal with nothing but a stapler in her hand. Fortunately, her daughter has a miniature cricket bat and her mother’s pragmatism.
The best of historical fiction with a Moebius twist, WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD weaves the fibers of a family’s life through the tapestry of historical drama.
NB: I’m still _writing_ this. With luck, it will be published in fall of 2013. (Update from the webmaster: This book will be released by the publisher on June 10, 2014, in the U.S.A.) Hope you enjoy it! (In the meantime, if you’re the sort of reader who likes to see bits and pieces as we go along, I do post brief snippets–from this book and other works in progress or coming up for release–most days, on both Twitter (my ID there is @Writer_DG) and Facebook.
NB2: I told my editor I want an octopus on the cover of this book. (There are eight main characters whose stories are told–and they’re all linked together.)
NB3: I call the book MOBY for short. My Own Heart’s Blood = MOHB = MOH-B = Moby. Geddit?
From the webmaster: Visit the MOBY home page for the latest information.
I was hoping for actual “early” 2013! Like, now! I took my sweet time reading the last book in hopes that in reality I wouldn’t have to wait to achingly long! Please, please, please don’t wait until fall! Ugh!
Dear Holly–
Um. You sort of have no choice. As in–I’M NOT THROUGH WRITING THE DANG BOOK!!!! It’ll be done when it’s done and you’ll get it shortly thereafter. Which, if we’re ALL lucky, will be Fall. No WAY will it be done earlier than that. I’m not sitting here gloating over a finished manuscript and meanly refusing to send it to my publisher, for heaven’s sake. [going off muttering under breath]
Oh–and HAPPY NEW YEAR! [g]
–Diana
Take your sweet time, Dear Writer. This Reader finds new things each time she picks up one of your novels. Yes, I wait on pins, and sometimes think I will burst. So what!
Don’t let our whining interfere. Disregard every voice that says, “But you said…!”
Enjoy the beautiful fading light of this day. Let those fabulous characters inform you what they want you to tell us. We might need another few months yet in order to hear it.
Happy New Year.
Regards,
Katherine
a grateful reader
Diana,
love your sense of humor, I wish I had that kind of patience with dumb. Very good.
I’ve just finished reading the 7th book and I have to say I especially liked the ending, so many exciting cliffhangers! Out of them, I found Claire marrying Lord John the most interesting (strangely enough). I really loved their interactions, they were all so brutally honest, interesting and I dare say I picked up on some tender intimacy there. They really did become friends over Jamie’s (supposed) death and I hope that doesn’t change in future books. Besides, Claire having another husband (Jamie’s friend no less) is bound to arise some good drama and while I have no doubt that Claire and Jamie will have their happy ending, I wouldn’t mind Claire being Lady John for a little while longer. Every good love story needs some obsacles after all!
Another thing I hope for in book 8 is more interaction between William and Jamie. Maybe even a heart felt hug between them, after all Jamie can count on one hand how many times he was able to hold is son (whom he loves as much as Brianna) and I always thought that so brutally unfair!
In any case, I am looking forward to read “Written In My Own Heard’s Blood” and I will shorten the time until then by re-reading the Lord John series.
Happy New Year to Diana and all of her fans!
Diana,
Outlander is my favorite book series of all time, and trust me when I say I read ALOT of books. I am glad you take your time in writing, because that can only mean one thing: it’s going to be GREAT. You can always tell when an author rushes through their work, the stories start off good and just fall off at the end. So by all means, take all the time you need! I would rather wait 100 years for an amazing book to continue an amazing series than to rush you into publication and read a so-so story.
Good luck!
- Athena
Somebody essentially lend a hand to make significantly posts
I might state. That is the very first time I frequented your website page and thus far?
I amazed with the analysis you made to make this actual submit
extraordinary. Great activity!
Dear Barney–
Er…thank you. I think. [g] If you’re asking whether I write my own blog-posts (and the other stuff on this site), then yes, I do.
–Diana
I originally borrowed the very first book in series from a very good friend, and i am so thankful that she said ” Read it your gonna love it ” she knew i was a book fiend and cannot read enough. Needless to say i am a very fast reader.
But with this series i really take my time and read them slowly and absorb them. I have since bought a Kindle and have bought them and have them all downloaded, i love these books and cannot wait for the next one. I just keep going back and rereading these, so Diana please take your time on this next one.
Thanks for the many hours of exciting reading and amazing stories.
This is the first time I have ever done anything like this!!
I have never enjoyed reading a set of historical novels so much. I have completed the 7 books in only 4 months, a miracle for me. As long as the Fraser family does not veer too far into the realms of fantasy (or live too long) and we see the echoes of Jamie and Claire in the following generations, I will go on reading.
I am worried that the story theme and the linked characters will be damaged by taking it into other media. These books excel in the imagination and will drop into the mire of us being shown someone else’s impression of what we as individuals see in our own hearts and minds.
A diamond has many facets and lives forever, but to put in the wrong setting for the sake of further enrichment will sully its beauty
Thank you Diana G. for giving me a new sense of my own being in this sorry world. Thoroughly worthy.
Dear Pat–
Thanks so much! That’s a lovely letter, and I appreciate it very much. [smile] As for an eventual TV series or other film adaptation–on the one hand, it would undoubtedly bring quite a few new readers to the books; on the other…you don’t need to watch it. [g]
All the best,
–Diana
Diana,
I just wanted to say, I think you have been blessed with a wonderful gift. Your books are amazing.
P.s. I do not understand how people can think that Chris Hemsworth would make a good Jamie. I find it upsetting. I know we all have an idea in our minds, but the beauty of your work is how detailed you are in your descriptions, so how can you conjure him up as Jamie?
i agree, although i don’t know if i will ever see the film, it would nearly spoil the books for me if someone playing jamie didn’t live up to what i think he should look like. i love your books and am desparately awaiting the sequel to the last which i have to say was cruel in it’s ending when we have to wait so long for the next one. hurry up please!!!
Hello,
I have never commented on a web-site before.
I just wanted to say, that I prefer to enjoy your stories in audio-book form. I own all of the unabridged version of course. I love the way Davina Porter brings all of the characters to life. I might have to replace them at some point, because of usage.
My family can always tell when I have been listening to them. I get a bit of a Claire lilt to my voice and come up with words that make them goggle at me:)
I have mixed feelings about a movie or TV series. While, on one hand this would make me very happy. On the other character casting could destroy my enjoyment. What a sticky wicket!
I am waiting as patiently as is possible for story #8. If it as large as you imply, I had better start saving gift card points. I don’t care how much it costs!!
The ending of A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows, was very confusing, thought provoking, & a puzzle that I hope will be solved in the next book. My mind keeps coming up with theories, but I am waiting to see If I am correct.
Best wishes, but please hurry!!!! Lisa
Dear Lisa–
Errr…what did you find confusing about the ending of “A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows”? I woulda thought that was pretty darn obvious, myself, but then, I’m naturally biased…
Best,
–Diana
Oh no, my work colleague and I have just finished Echo in the Bone! What an awesome series, each book lives up to the last. Just hoping us here in South Africa don’t have to wait too long for MOBY to get into the shops, I don’t think I can do without my daily fix of Jamie, these South African men just don’t come near him! Thank you for such a wonderful story, and if Jamie is modelled on some man you know, please send him our way…ha ha ha
Hello Diania:
Please, Please Hurry ! I have become so addicted to these books that I have the series at least
4-5 times and DO NOT LET CLAIRE STAY MARRIED TO JOHN GREY! I am disabled and your books have really helped me through my difficult neck and back surgeries! I have more neck and back surgeries starting in April 2013 and I could really use more Jamie and Claire! Whatever you do, please do not stop writing. I have never connected with an Author and her series as much as I have with you.
Thank you for writing such a wonderful timeless love story.
Devoted Reader
Las Vegas, NV!
i would just like to say that i work in a public library in northern ireland and reccomend your books to anyone who is looking for a good read. your books bring together everything i like in a book, historical content which is believeable, romance and sex scenes which are believeable, medical history which is believeable and just and by no means least a really good story which is satisfying, well written and leaves you gagging for more. and i loved the lord john grey books as well. if you based your jamie character on your husband your’e a lucky woman
Dear Patricia–
Many thanks! Both for pushing the books, and for your kind compliments about my husband! [g]
–Diana
Will the audio book publish at the same time as the HC for Written in My Own Hearts Blood
Dear Jeanese–
Yes, they try to get the audiobook out simultaneously with the print version. Sometimes they get the audio out _sooner_; I think someone told me the audio version of “Plague of Zombies” is already available, while the ebook comes out April 15!
–Diana
These are the most amazing books ever. I, like so many other fans – love Davina Porter. She brings something to your books that makes them come alive. You feel as if you are right there with each character. I cannot imagine Claire and Jamie NOT BEING TOGETHER. They are menat to be together. I think Lord John just needed to look out for her. The sex thing that happened, well-I can almost understand that too. They were both grieving for him. Lord John knows he can NEVER have Jamie in that way; and I think Claire needed to be with someone whom she knew loved Jamie as much as she did (if that does not sound too confusing). Of course another woman would not work. However, Lord John has always “admired” Claire.
Hi Diana,
Girl, you know you left a lot of loose ends with your last book which is unlike you. You might leave one or two, but not a bunch. So that being said do not let your publisher push you in your eighth installment. We love you! We will wait for it to be 100% correct. How about a novella concerning Brian Fraser and Ellen MacKenzie? Would LOVE to read that love story!
Dear Evelyn–
Go back and read ECHO in cold blood, and see if you think I was pushed. [g] Those cliffhangers were engineered with malice aforethought, and a _lot_ of work went into them.
But you will hear about Brian and Ellen, in their own novel, by and by.
–Diana
Dear Diana,
I love the story of Jamie and Claire. I am so looking forward to read more. Can you tell me when your book “Written in My Own Heart’s Blood” will be published in French. (Sorry if it’s not correct but “google translate”). And…Can I use the Claire’s recipes about the aromatic plants, are these correct ?
thank you very much to give us dreams.
Kind regards
Armelle
Dear Armelle–
No, I don’t know that; you’d have to ask the French publisher(s). The recipes Claire uses are real ones, from the herbal literature; that doesn’t mean they’re necessarily safe or effective. I’d be careful what you use them for.
–Diana
diana, as i just spent a couple of hours hanging out on this page after reading all seven big books in a row, i am deeply altered and feel slightly that i have come through some standing stones……….anyway, i wanted to say this: first, i hope i live until MOBY comes out this fall (fingers crossed)….secondly, i have noticed that poisened pen is the indie bookseller of choice here in the valley of the sun……..i have been shopping at changing hands since 1979…….i have bought ALL my outlander books THERE, some multiple times (remember when the cover looked like a bad romance novel??? now i have all new hardbacks with the new covers)……..i have also attended book signings by you at CH more than once……….i just wanted to encourage you to include them as much as possible…….CH is a rich and wonderful store, which carries more than one genre and welcomes children…..and gayle and her team are good people………
thanks for everything you have given us, which includes for me a series i have read at least 30 times….the last page of “breath of snow and ashes” ALWAYS causes me to sob….perhaps it is the brianna-made paper, that the scent of claire moves brianna so much, perhaps it is that i am a mother, and now a grandmother (i was in my 30s when i first read outlander …..)….perhaps it is that you are a genius………
with respect and awe,
kathie
Diana,
My bookclub decided to read Outlander this month as one of the girls had a copy that fell apart from being read so many times. I went through Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber and finally took a breath after Voyager. It took me a week to read all three and I’m just so in love! Thank you so much for creating these characters. I have sobbed loudly and jumped up and down with happiness and held my breath with hope. I’ve never felt so much emotion for a book series. I can’t wait to see the TV series and glad I don’t need to wait too long until book 8 comes out.
thank you!!
P.S. I can’t wait to see how the ghost of Jamie from the first book comes full circle.
I finally (and sadly) just finished An Echo in the Bone. I think reason the 8 books has probably taken me close to a year or two with my busy life but they are the best books I’ve ever read. I don’t even watch TV anymore because nothing compares to the stories that are held in these novels. I can’t wait for the next book and I KNOW Claire and Jamie will be back together. The story wouldn’t be the same without them! If a movie does happen, I wouldn’t mind the guy from Thor playing Jamie (he’s a hottie and more or less what I picture).
Im dumb! I mean 7 books! The best part is I read the last two in a month!
Diana.
Thank you for transporting us to the Scottish Highlands to the states and back again, it has been a most time-consuming and enjoyable journey! Can’t wait until MOBY comes out; I really need to know what happens to Roger and Jem!
Go raibh maith agat,
Gwen