See the note below—this post is from July 6, 2014 and is a bit outdated…
I’m about to head back out in a few hours, to do my _last_ US/Canadian book-tour event in Traverse City, MI. But thought I might grab an hour to do a bit of updating before I absquatulate again…
First—I’m delighted that so many of you like MOBY!* Thank you so much for all your kind words.
As for the next book(s), I have no idea.** I finished writing MOBY on April 15th (having stayed up 36 hours straight to do it), spent the rest of April working 16 hours a day to finish the copyedits and galley proofs, then spent most of May dealing with everything (including stuff associated with the TV show) that was pushed out of the way during the Final Frenzy of MOBY. And on June 7th, all hell broke loose and I’ve essentially been on the road for a solid month, with three brief touchdowns at home (ranging from 12 hours to a whole day-and-a-half). So far, I’ve signed roughly 38,000 copies of MOBY and will undoubtedly hit between 40-50,000 by the end of summer. (No, I don’t have carpal-tunnel syndrome, but thank you for your concern.)
Now, I realize that it’s difficult to know what to say to a writer at a book-signing; I’d be tongue-tied myself, in the presence of someone I admired but didn’t know. It’s always great to hear, "I loved this book!" or "I love your books and I’m really looking forward to reading this one!" if you need a default. "WHEN WILL BOOK NINE BE OUT?!?" is possibly a little less welcome.
But I do appreciate the enthusiasm/impatience that spawn this question, so here’s what my immediate writing future looks like (assuming I survive the rest of the summer):
At the moment, there are only scraps of Book Nine—plus a useful "What I Know" document that I wrote right after finishing MOBY, about the "shelf-hung" subplots (those are bits that are kind of folded back on themselves, but not left as cliffhangers—like where William is going or what will happen to Lord John next).
I haven’t even formally sifted MOBY’s Mfile (the regularly updated list of files written for a specific book) and moved the remnant files to JAMIE9 (the directory/folder for Book Nine) yet (that’s a two-day job in itself). The next thing I do is to go through my major reference shelves, cleaning and tidying, and in the process, assemble the "core" shelf for Book 9–for any book, no matter how many references I consult along the way, there will end up being maybe five books that are _very_ helpful/relevant and that I use a lot, and maybe 5-10 more that I want to keep close to hand, for more limited but still important stuff. I keep one shelf for that core reference stuff, and refurbish it when I start serious work on a new novel. adding new sources as I come across them. Then I read through the relevant portions of ALMANAC OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, a _very_ useful book that gives brief notes on everything happening everywhere <g> on a given day, that had any importance in the Revolution. This is my first pass at a historical timeline (which lives in my head and evolves constantly over the course of a book). I’ll probably write bits and pieces while I’m doing these necessary chores, but it’s pretty random and nothing like the sustained effort that comes as I move fully into a book.
In other words, you’re not likely to see #DailyLines from Book Nine for awhile.
Now, there’s a _lot_ of THE OUTLANDISH COMPANION, Volume 2 in existence. I’ve been messing about with that on the side for the last 2-3 years, and most of it is _there_, if not yet tidied into its final form. There are a few chunks of original writing still to be done for that–the detailed synopsis for MOBY is the first that springs to mind, though I’ll also need to add commentary to a largish excerpt section (specialized excerpts), and a few other bits to be collected or contracted (i.e., I may have to get someone to produce things like maps or floor-plans, as I can’t do better than crude sketches on my own). But IF I move OC2 to the top of the work pile (not as the main focus, but as the main side-project), it _might_ be ready for delivery to the publisher around January, and thus might be in print sometime in the first half of 2015, which would be nice. (I also need to do slight updates to OC1, removing obsolete material and maybe improving the Gaelic Pronunciation Guide—that sort of thing.)
Then there’s the HOW TO (AND HOW _NOT_ TO) WRITE SEX-SCENES ebook. That’s actually complete, but I finished it right before both the show and MOBY hit high gear, so I now need to read it through again and do final fiddles (and maybe include a few scenes from MOBY), then run it past my agent for response and suggestions (if any). Ebooks can be produced _very_ fast, though, so once we’re happy with it, it could be out within a couple of months–I’d kind of like to have it out this fall, but that’s a matter for discussion with agents, publishers, etc.
And more or less on the same level with Book Nine (in terms of how eager I am to work on them) are the prequel volume about Jamie’s parents (for which I have only fragments at the moment) and the first contemporary crime novel. I think I have about half of that, and it’s "live" for me–but will take a good bit of intensive work, both in terms of research and writing. On the other hand, it’s short by comparison with everything else on my menu.
And on the outskirts of my mind are the germs of what might eventually be novellas, but I haven’t had the time even to _look_ at those with any attention. They _are_ brief, though, and I might well pick one up to get back into my regular routine–come September. I’ll be traveling/working most of July and August, and won’t have anything like peace and quiet ’til Labor Day. (No, I’m not going to Dragon Con this year, unless Starz decides they want to have a presence there for the show, and at the moment, they don’t.)
In the meantime, any eager soul who foolishly asks me, "When will Book Nine be out?" will be politely ignored. Or bonked on the head with the copy of MOBY they just asked me to sign, depending…
*(And for those few who complained that the ending of MOBY was a cliffhanger….go back and read the end of AN ECHO IN THE BONE, to see what one actually looks like. <g> If you just wanted to "see" what happened next in MOBY…feel free to fill in your own version of "OMG! OMG! OMG! <hughughug> <weep tears of joy> OMG! OMG! OMG! <broken endearments> OMG? OMG? OMG? <hopping up and down> OMG!" I have complete faith in my readers’ intelligence and imagination, and I don’t tell y’all things I know you can figure out for yourselves.)
**Webmistress’s Note on August 28, 2015: A lot has changed in the year since Diana posted the blog above on July 6, 2014:
- See Diana’s Book Nine webpage for excerpts (aka "Daily Lines") and current information.
- The revised, updated and expanded version of THE OUTLANDISH COMPANION, VOLUME ONE, was published on March 31, 2015 in the U.S.A. This ultimate guide to the OUTLANDER series covers the first four major novels: OUTLANDER, DRAGONFLY IN AMBER, VOYAGER, and DRUMS OF AUTUMN. (The original OC was published in 1999. The U.K. edition of this guide was titled THROUGH THE STONES.)
- THE OUTLANDISH COMPANION, VOLUME TWO will be published in the U.S.A. on October 27, 2015. OC II is the guide to the second four major novels in the OUTLANDER series: THE FIERY CROSS, A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES, AN ECHO IN THE BONE, and WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD (aka "MOBY").
So, frankly, Outlander was recommended to me by a friend that doesn’t always share my taste in writing. She’s a good egg though so I took her up on it and bought the book this fall.
My immediate thought was that she’d steered me to a *groan* romance novel. She likes those. Romance?! Never read a decent one.
Then the inevitable happened. I got irrevocably hooked. Great characters and storylines, well-crafted dialogue, thoughtful historical content and context and all at a smart pace. The sex? Well the sex is just brilliant. Best handling of it I’ve ever read;-) I look forward to that instructional ebook.
What I appreciated most? The humor. What a wickedly amusing and cheeky woman you are.
I inhaled all 8 books backtoback and just finished MOBY yesterday. Fortunately it’s the holidays so I can get away with drinking wine to fill the temporary void.
Also know that I’ve recommended these books to all of my reading friends (especially the snobby ones).
You are a cracking good writer Diana.
Thanks for all your work and best wishes for 2015.
PS – Love the show (expected not to because it simply couldn’t hold up to the page. Ha!). I actually subscribed to STARZ just to see it.
I of course realized that the production is of high quality because it has your name on it.
Congratulations.
Dear Samantha–
Thanks! [g] Actually, the show has such high quality because of the talent and dedication of the (literally) hundreds of people involved in making it! From Ron all the way to the unit drivers, everyone is -so- proud and enthusiastic, and that shows in every episode. So pleased that you overcame your scruples [g] (actually, there _are_ good romance novels. There are a couple of excellent romance writers noted (along with books from a lot of other genres) on the Methadone List (under the “Resources” tab) on this site).
All the best,
–Diana
Hi there,
The Outlander novels were suggested to me some years ago and I raced through the first novel in a record amount of time, as I was unable to put it down. I then went right into Dragonfly in Amber, read about 2 chapters and then went back to the end of Outlander to make sure I hadn’t skipped a book (or 3). Once I realized the shift in chronology, I couldn’t bring myself to continue to read, and I chose to pretend that Outlander was a stand-alone novel. The same friend who originally suggested the series to me mentioned that they were making a TV series and when Starz put the first episode online, I figured I’d give it a try. It was so fantastic that I went right back to the series and read them straight through! I don’t know if it was the ability to read all 8 books in a row (whereas when I first read Outlander there were probably 5 or 6) or just being in a different stage in life, but I now find the shift in chronology endearing and moving. In fact, the beginning parts of Voyager are some of my favorite scenes of the series! I’ve always loved history and the series offers an insight into a very interesting time period (I’m nervous–are the Frasers going to end up in the winds of the French Revolution next?? ) based around an amazing host of characters–truly a testament to a great author! Thank you for your hard work–the series is fantastic. Just a quick question (as now I am a fan of the show which is incredible in every aspect–I mean did you _see_ that wedding dress!!)–any coincidence that one of Jamie’s mother’s names is Caitriona, or that one of the homes where the family is quartered belongs to a man called Heughan? Looking forward to anything that comes next!
Dear Beth–
No, not coincidences; compliments to a couple of friends. [g]
Best,
–Diana
Thank you for such a wonderful read.
I don’t know where to start, I love your books I just finished your last one book and I’m anxious to read the other one, I also love to know what will happens with Bree, Rogers, little jimmy also Michael Jamie’s son, John I feel attached to those character I cant wait to read your next book
I’m re-reading the series for the 4th time while patiently
waiting for book 9. I hope you NEVER finish this series. Thank you for writing books that I can’t put down.
I tried to read slow – I really did. I tried pacing myself, limiting myself to only a few pages at a time, making myself wait a week to start the next book – none of that worked.
What a wonderful beautiful adventure – I am seriously looking forward to Outlander 9. Thank you.
Hi Diana, I just finished MOBY. What a great book. It took me a long time to read it (you know – details). It became an old friend that I read bits at a time, wanting to prolong the experience. I really appreciate your style of writing and look forward to #9.
Thank you
Like a well loved movie that you are happy to watch, regardless of how often it is screened on TV, I still find something new very time I read your stories.
I have just finished reading through the series for the eighth time and after I visit with Lord John again I will probably go back to Jamie and Claire.
I often think about the stories as I go about mundane tasks and will have a quiet chuckle about something remembered.
I love my life. My husband, children and work but I also enjoy dipping into the fantasy lives you create as well.
Thank you for my time out.
Diana!! STOP Everything else you’re doing and PLEASE work on BOOK NINE exclusively!!! I absolutely CAN NOT wait for this. It is an ABSOLUTE addiction!!!
I am currently on MOBY and am TRYING to take it veryyyyyyy slow. This is the most amazing, well written, interesting, mind-consuming series I have EVER read. And I didn’t even used to like reading!!!! Ask my husband- he says I am cheating on him with the Outlander series. It’s true! Every waking moment I am reading it! I don’t know how on earth a book can invoke so many emotions as your writing does- it’s like I’m there with the characters!
I am begging you!
Signed,
Going crazy because I can’t wait,
Sherry
Dear Diana, I truly love your books, have read them 2-3 times each, except for the last one. They are like Russian novels in their massive size and no. of characters. I have ONE complaint, tho. According to Amazon you have published 2 novels that are only available on Kindle, and I strongly object. I’m sure I can’t be your only reader who loves BOOKS, rather than Kindles or other reading devices. I hope you have not been paid to publish these 2 books (The space between, and A leaf on the wind of All Hallows) exclusively on Kindle. Please, for those of us who like their tech in small doses, publish these and other items in the future in hard copy. I, like those on this blog, can read faster than you can write; we look forward to every volume you publish. I feel a bit cheated that I can’t have access to everything you’ve published. Please consider this when you publish in the future; let us all read ALL your novels. Thanks.
I saw your post. I love to read from a real book too. “A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows” and “The Space Between” are in the book, “A Trail of Fire”, four Outlander novellas.
Dryden
Dear Diana,
Thank you for giving us characters we have grown to love so much that they feel like family. As an English teacher, I understand that all stories must eventually come to an end, but please know that when Jamie and Claire’s story reaches that point, all of your readers will miss them as one misses a family member who has passed on. To breathe such life into your characters is truly a gift. Saddened as I will be whenever the time comes to bid farewell to Jamie and Claire, I will always find comfort in knowing that their story lives on in your books, so I can reconnect with them whenever I miss them most.
Gratefully,
Casie
I am just so glad that you are in the world (even if we are downunder), along with Jamie and Claire and all the cast of Outlanders. You make my world just so amazing! Thank you.
Thank you Diana!!
My mother has dreamed and talked of visiting Culloden for so many years that I have been a bit concerned about where her fettish comes from. Understandably our families Scottish genes were in there somewhere but now I ‘understand’ having just read the complete 8 books in 6 1/2 weeks (I have just graduated university and whilst I was thrilled to be reading something other than a nursing text whilst on holiday this surpassed any of my expectations and then some).
Mum suggested the books many years ago but I must have brushed off her suggestion and quite frankly I wasn’t much of a reader then. It is so wonderful to experience the story now with her. We often throw in a line or two out of the book just to annoy our families with our Australian attempt at a Scottish accent!!
I have been completely enthralled and lost in the books and and it is with a heavy heart that I am now back in the real world, Western Australia…40+ degrees celsius, flies and not a kilt or Scottish accent to be found. My husband felt so sorry for me on New Years Day ( I admit I was moping around) that he rewatched the TV series I had purchased with me.
Thank you again for such beautiful writing, I enjoyed every minute of it!!
Diana,
I woke up around 4am the other night because my sweet bairn
needed another bottle… As I was settling back to bed I was thinking over how lovely the ending of MOBY is. My only regret is that I hadn’t read it more slowly. Anyway, as I was settling in, out of the blue, I thought of how I missed reading the line about Jamie shrugging his shoulders as though his shirt was too tight. Perhaps I simply missed it, or perhaps he’s grown out of that habit. You’re the author for good reason, just wondering your thoughts on this small, yet historic- I guess- gesture of Jamie’s.
Greatly enjoying your writing,
Pamela
P.S. I really enjoyed reading your Author’s Notes. It’s nice to see bits of how your work takes shapes and how others have had input.
Dear Pamela–
Jamie’s inclined to do that more when he’s feeling trapped or troubled about something, with no immediate outlet. While he had plenty of trouble in MOBY [g], he also had several physical outlets, so you saw less of that particular gesture.
Best,
–Diana
Dearest Diana,
I want to gush over your book, but that has been done by many before me ( it’s a compliment). My gushing would just be repetitive, and I would be fawning for days. With that said, I laughed with tears and the sex scenes made me blush. That’s a challenge seeing I’m an African American. I wrote a kids book, and now I want to start all over after reading your series! Hey Diana, I hope you branch off with Marsalis family, and Ian’s. Please don’t let Claire and Jamie die. I just want to hold on to them in my dreams. I’m giving the book to my husband hoping he will catch on to the intense devotion Jamie gives Claire. Wish me luck! Trust me, I’m going to need it when it comes time to drop those hints! Take care, and get back to writing!
Will the television series eventually be packed for DID sales?? I’ve been living on the reruns but STARZ is halting even those at end of January. Come on…..
Dear Judy–
Yes. DVD’s of the first eight episodes are already being advertised for pre-order on amazon.ca. I’d imagine the US wouldn’t be far behind.
Best,
–Diana
I have so enjoyed Written in My Own Heart’s Blood. I also finally figured out how to get Starz, and am watching “Outlander”. I have been very impressed with the first 8 episodes. It’s slightly different, but makes sense.
Thanks for all your stories!
PS. Why is Geillis Duncan’s hair so dark?
Dear Dryden–
Er…it isn’t dark at all. Lotte Verbeek (who plays Geillis) has very pale red hair.
Best,
–Diana
She was the best Actress to play the part of Geillis. So she does not have blond hair as in the book and way shorter than the book’s character but what the heck. The actor who is playing Claire is way to skinny but like all movies and TV productions the female has to be slim and perfect. I am 5 feet 8 inches and 127 lbs and feel fat beside her. That’s tv/movie land. The male actors are perfect and the costumes are fabulous. They look dirty and ill kept. Claire is way to clean and her clothes never seem to get dirty except for blood stains that disappear in the next scene. Don’t get me wrong I love the series but Claire should be a little more grubby than she is. Her clothes are way to clean specially in the episode Rent.
Lol! so true much too clean and skinny! Beautiful though!
Sarah,
My husband and I both agree about the actress, Caitriona Balfe, being way too thin for portraying Claire. Also, in Diana’s books, Claire was about 5’7″ which was tall for her time and, certainly, the 1740′s, and, (as Jamie remarks, she has “the roundest arse”)! Whereas, Caitriona has a cute bottom but it resembles a 14 year old girl as opposed to a mature, curvy woman.
The other thing that doesn’t set well with casting is that Sam Heughan (who does a great job playing Jamie Fraser, and IMO, looks much like the character from Diana’s books), is only about 6’2″ while Jamie from Diana’s books is closer to 6’4.” In the books, Claire’s face hits Jamie’s chest but the actress on the series is 5’10″ and seems only a few inches shorter than Jamie (Sam). Soooooo, when their daughter, Brianna comes into the picture and as a young woman is supposed to be taller than her Mom. how will they cast the actress so that she doesn’t tower over her own father (Jamie/Sam)?
Caitriona is a fine actress and believe she does a good job capturing Claire’s character (especially in the recent episode, “The Search,” singing Scottish ballad to the 1940′s ‘jazzy’ “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” had us chuckling). However, even my husband, has noted that he thought her to be unappealing unclothed “because her ribs, chest bone, collarbone, etc., all stuck out as if she were underfed.” The fact is, if a woman were that tall and thin in 1740′s Scotland, she would not be considered attractive because she would appear to be either ill or very poor (malnourished). Men sought women with curves and some flesh on their bones because it signified a healthy woman capable of child bearing.
The TV Series is so well done with costumes, set styling, back drops, scenery, etc., that it surprises me the Producers and Director didn’t ask Ms. Balfe to gain about 15 healthy pounds before shooting the series.
I really enjoyed reading OUTLANDER. I had not heard of it until I saw an ad on my parent’s television one weekend about the show. Then I saw the book in the store and on impulse bought it to see what it was like. I had read another set of books that had time travel in the theme of the story bringing the male character to the present from the past. I liked that alright, but OUTLANDER brought a lot more with it. It had history (one of my favorite things), adventure with fictional characters in a historical setting, and it had all of it coming through a woman’s eyes. I really loved it. I finally got the second book and am reading it now. Just wanted to say I am hooked on the story!!
Ms. Gabaldon,
I have only read one of your books: SCOTTISH PRISONER.
The other eight wonderful books I have listened to on my iPod as I do chores at the barn, clean house, walk, etc.
So, they truly live in my brain like no other book I have ever read.
I’ll even admit that I have listened to all 8 TWICE . That’s a lot of listening. And yes, I do have a life as well.
My fervent desire is that you actually bring out book number nine before my cancer kills me. I don’t want to be melodramatic about it. But, I definitely want to know what happens to everyone before I go the way of some of your unlucky characters.
No pressure. Just get at it.
Lana Santamaria
I have to say I am extremely excited and impatient for book 9 to come out, but I can understand your position with being pulled from many directions. I just wanted to say that I have enjoyed your books very much and am actually rereading them for the third time to keep the story fresh in my mind with the waiting for the next books arrival and to refresh my memory with the series on Starz. Another thing I was curious about is did you have any influence in the casting of the characters? I wish they would have given the Claire character contacts to change her eye color only because you referenced them so often in you books. Well, I hope this message find you well and am a big fan. Also I enjoyed seeing your cameo in “The Gathering” episode.
Sincerely,
Tina L. Miller
Lennon, Michigan