May 21, 1998
Postchat with Diana Gabaldon- After AOL Live
Location: Book Central@ AOL
EDITED VERSION
Maxy: Hi Diana... \--/ \--/ \--/ \--/...Glenmorangie for all! Pouring for Diana and
Toasting Clan Outlandish!
DGabaldon: HI, all! Nice to see ya'll again! [g]
BC Maxy: HELLO CLAN OUTLANDISH!!! I WANT TO WELCOME YOU TO
OUR POST CHAT PARTY WITH DIANA GABALDON! WHAT A GREAT
EVENING HERE AT BOOK BC CENTRAL! OUR FAVORITE AUTHOR IS
JOINING US TO ANSWER A FEW MORE QUESTIONS...
DGabaldon: Goodness, lots of you, aren't there? [g]
BC Maxy: OK...IT IS WITH MY GREAT PLEASURE, THAT I INTRODUCE
OUR FAVORITE AUTHOR DIANA GABALDON!!! WELCOME BACK TO
CHAT CLAN OUTLANDISH!
DGabaldon: Thank you, thank you! I'm about to fall to her knees under the weight
of such a welcome! [g]
Question: Will we hear more about Clair & Jamie's relationship with new
grandbaby?
DGabaldon: Oh, yes. You can't keep a baby in the house quiet, after all. [g]
Question: What sort of process do you go through in picking out names for
characters?
DGabaldon: Well, some characters just "pop" with their own names--Mother
Hildegarde, Mr. Willoughby, Murphy the cook... and some minor characters--well,
for them I have a SCOTTISH CHRISTIAN NAMES book that I can use for
reference. Sometimes I just see unusual names here and there, and a character will
pop up to match the name. [g]
Question: In "Voyager", on the way back to Lallybroch - Jamie investigates a cave -
is this the Dunbonnet cave?
DGabaldon: Hum. Didn't occur to me, but I don't think so. [g] The Dunbonnet's
cave is well up a slope, and not very accessible from the trail--hence its use as a
refuge.
Question: Diana, you mentioned on your homepage about including music
selections in "The Outlandish Companion". Did you add any?
DGabaldon: Yes, lots! Many thanks to all the people who have been sending me
suggestions--and tapes! [g]
Question: Do you ever check out the newsgroups to see what people are saying
about your books?
DGabaldon: No, I really don't have time. Anybody who wants to talk to me about
the books can usually get in touch with me. Why...what are they saying? [g]
Comment: Only wonderful things!
Question: Is there a connection between the ghosts brooch and MacRannochs in
"Outlander"?
DGabaldon: No. It's just a fairly common motif in Scottish brooches. [g]
Question: Do you know if there are actually any stone circles in North Carolina?
DGabaldon: Not in North Carolina--though the one Roger found is likely a good
deal farther north--he was heading for what is now Upstate New York, after all. [g]
There is a stone circle in New Hampshire, and that's probably the one he found.
There is a place...a weird place...in NC, though.
Comment: I thought he found it 8 days from Fraser's ridge.
DGabaldon: I haven't checked the exact location of the NH circle; somebody told
me where it is, but I don't recall, sorry.
Comment: Its called the American Stonehenge, near Concord I think. In lower
eastern NH
Question: What exactly is scientific computation anyway?
DGabaldon: Scientific computation? That's using computers to do science-- not
computer science, but use of computers in science: physiology, medicine biology,
chemistry, etc.
Question: At the end of the first four books there is no definite closure to the story.
Will there be a definite end to the story in the next one, or will you leave it open for
more possibilities?
DGabaldon: There will be six novels, altogether, in the series, so no, I don't reckon
I'll close it in "Fiery Cross". [g] The final book will have a definite ending, though.
Question: How much of your own personal experience do you use in your writing
about Jamie & Claire?
DGabaldon: Well...lots. Personal experience in small things, though--like what it's
like in a pine woods (listening to birds, smelling things, etc.), what kids are like [g],
what it feels like to blow your nose when your sinuses are full of seawater. [g] That
kind of thing. I've never killed any one, been raped, etc., though. Got a good
imagination, though.
Question: Never hit a bear with a fish?
DGabaldon: No, but I've seen a black bear (live), and I've handled a fish. [g]
Question: Was the dream Claire had in "Dragonfly in Amber" regarding the
portraits a real occurrence? And if it was real, did Bree paint the portraits?
DGabaldon: I don't know--and since Frank's dead, he can't tell us. We may hear
more about the portraits, though. I can "see" them. She might have--but if so, I
don't (yet) know the circumstances.
Question: Where can a copy of the translation of "thousand kisses" be found? Title
of book? Publisher?
DGabaldon: Oh--that's a real poem, by Catullus (who was an ancient Latin--i.e.,
Roman--poet). The translation I used is in a book called "The Limits of Art", which
has lots of poetry (original and translations) from various periods of history. I don't
recall the publisher; it's quite an old book, that someone gave me.
Question: Did you plan for Claire to be older than Jamie, if so...why? Also, a silly
little point, but are you a DYE anna, or a DEE ana?
DGabaldon: Yes. As I was writing, someone said to me that they wondered
whether the (DYE-anna) book I was working on might be a historical romance,
since one scene they'd read seemed as though it might fit that sort of book. I didn't
know, never having read any, so I said, "Gee, I don't know; maybe so." And went
and read several. Came back and said, "Nope, that's not it." [g] Not that I didn't
like the romance novels-- I liked some of them a lot (others not so much)--but what
I'd noticed is that all of them had 18-year-old virgins as heroines. To which I
said...heck, what does an 18 year old know? [g] Also, I thought it would be more
fun if he was the virgin.
Question: When will "Fiery Cross" be out? And what is the name of the last book
to be?
DGabaldon: OK. "Fiery Cross", will be out six months after I finish writing it. [g] It
takes me (normally) about two years to write one of these, but that's not counting
time to do book tours and other promotions--nearly five months' worth last year--to
say nothing of small family complications (my father died this January, which took
a month or so out of my normal schedule--and then there are all kinds of estate
things.). As for the last book, I don't have a title for it yet. I decided I didn't care
for "King, Farewell". The problem with "King, Farewell" is that nobody could
remember it. [g] I kept getting questions about "Farewell to the King" and
"Farewell to Arms". [g]
Question: Some of your more creative readers have written in a pretentious story
called Dragonfly in my Soup at BC, have you read it?
DGabaldon: No, I haven't read it--I've just heard about it.
Question: Do you think any of the characters will ever find the origin of the circles
(how they came to be)?
DGabaldon: No, but the readers might--when I get around to telling Master
Raymond's story. [g]
Question: How do you feel about Roger? I liked him in the beginning but after
"Drums in Autumn"... well...I'm not so crazy about him anymore.....how do you
feel about him now?
DGabaldon: Do I like Roger? Yeah. [g] Hang around; he may grow on you. You
don't, after all, know a whole lot about him yet.
Question: Could you elaborate about the weird place in NC you mentioned and its
location relative to Fraser's Ridge?
DGabaldon: I'm trying to remember what it's called; "The Devil's...something"
Devil's Dance? Devil's ...oh, that's it! Devil's Stomping Ground. It's a circle way
out in the trees, where nothing grows. Just red dirt, and in the center is a little
hole--where the Devil presumably pops out when he's so inclined. The original John
Meyers (a good friend of mine) is from NC, and he told me about it.
Question: Are you going to Scotland with Romantic Times in December?
DGabaldon: No, my husband says he'll divorce me if I do. [g]
Question: Is Fraser's Ridge in the Smokies or Uwharries
DGabaldon: I think in the Smokies; it's somewhere above the Yadkin River.
Comment: Didn't think the Tuscarora were that far north.
DGabaldon: The Tuscarora were originally from North Carolina. In 1722, they
were adopted by the Iroquois League, and became the Sixth Nation. Sometime in
the late 18th century, the remnants of the Tuscarora moved north, and settled near
the other members of the League.
Question: Does Claire ever think that the stone circle in America's could open up in
a subdivision or something?
DGabaldon: Well, she hasn't thought that so far, but then, nobody on Fraser's
Ridge has had time to discuss the aspects of time travel yet. (My editor gets really
antsy when the books start reaching 1000 pages).
Question: Will there ever be any "Outlandish" items made? Such as, Jamie's brooch
or Claire's rings.
DGabaldon: Well, there will be illustrations of some things--like Claire's ring--in
"The Outlandish Companion", because people keep writing to me to find out what
it looks like, so they can have one made for their wedding. [g] But no, I don't have
any immediate plans to open up a factory. [g]
Question: There are ringing rocks near Washington's crossing Pa, will Claire &
Jamie's visit them? They sing when struck! maybe they are part of a circle.
DGabaldon: Hadn't heard about the ringing rocks.
Question: Master Raymond's healing of Claire is very accurate. How did you come
to find that?
DGabaldon: Very accurate? In what way? (I made it up, if you're asking where I
got what happened.)
Question: I read that you found a ring in Scotland similar to Claire's. In Edinburgh?
And was it a common one?
DGabaldon: The ring. No, not in Edinburgh, though I'm sure there are plenty there.
I found my ring at a Highland Games in Phoenix [g], while I was writing
"Outlander". It's not quite like Claire's; it's silver, with a Highland interlace (Celtic
knot) pattern, but narrower, and without the blossoms--her ring is wide, like my
wedding ring (which has a blossom and fern-leaf pattern). I just combined my two
rings, when I made hers.
Comment: Thank you for signing a card last fall for a friend in WA. I got it the day
I brought him home from the hospital and it means the world to me that you did it.
Thank you so much.
DGabaldon: More than welcome!
Question: How much research do you do before you start writing or do you do both
at the same time? Does any thing come back to haunt you after you wrote
something?
DGabaldon: I do the research and the writing at the same time; both processes feed
off each other. Yes, sometimes I'll think of something later--but it takes me so long
to write a book, there's usually a chance to change it before I send the manuscript
in. [g]
Question: Do you dabble in any of the other arts? I write and have just begun
sketching. Have you tried anything else?
DGabaldon: I draw now and then--have painted some. I knit while I read on
Wednesday mornings at Recording for the Blind. [g] Oh, and I sew, if you count
that.
Question: I had the pleasure of meeting you at a highland games last summer. You
signed "Outlander" for me. Will you be at any more games this summer? Need to
get other books signed.
DGabaldon: Highland Games? Yes, I'll be doing two--the San Diego HG, which I
think is June 21-22, and one in Fergus, Ontario, Aug. 8-9.
Question: Is there any chance that Claire or Roger's parent(s) didn't die but went
back in time and were presumed dead?
DGabaldon: No, I don't think so. SOME people do really die in these books, you
know. [g] On the other hand.... Well, I haven't written the last two books yet--I
don't know everything that's going to happen yet!
Comment: Diana... this possibility of something going on with Claire and Rogers
parents gives us wonderful headaches
DGabaldon: The idea's there. [g] It's something to do with Claire's family--just not
her parents.
Question: Genetically transmitted time traveling genes?
DGabaldon: Yes, but not everybody who has the genes travels; not everyone
knows they can.
Comment: Her Uncle Lamb?!
DGabaldon: And no, not Uncle Lamb. [g]
Question: Is Master Raymond a part of Claire's family way back?
DGabaldon: Yes, he is a part of her family, but it wasn't him I was thinking of,
either. [g]
Comment: I just wanted to thank you for all the effort you put into writing these
books. A lot of us have reread them multiple times and discussed the interweaving
of the plot and the character development to unbelievable ends on the boards
here.... I am amazed every time I reread all of the information and detail that you
cram [g] into each one thanks ever so much!
DGabaldon: Thank you!
Question: Will Jamie and Claire visit Boston or Philadelphia during the Revolution?
DGabaldon: Yes, Philadelphia for sure; Boston maybe--Claire's lived there in
modern times, so the contrasts would be interesting. I can't tell, though; depends
what happens in both the story and in history--they might not fit.
Comment: Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your sense of humor
throughout these books. I won't be able to read anything until "Fiery Cross" comes
out!!
DGabaldon: Thank you! It's not really on purpose; just can't help it. [g]
Question: When will we meet the 3rd Randall brother? Or will we?
DGabaldon: Ah, the 3rd Randall brother. Yes, I rather think we'll meet him--that's
where Mary Randall (nee Hawkins) is, after all--with her baby.
Question: I don't suppose there's any chance Jamie can come to the present? I love
when she describes it to him.
DGabaldon: No, Jamie can NOT time travel. He's very intrigued by Bree's
descriptions of Disneyland, though ("A six-foot rat?" he said, frowning. "And
children play with it?").
Question: The last time you were here, I asked if we would ever find out details of
Jamie & BJ's last encounter; is the answer still a big NO [g]
DGabaldon: Yes. If any of you have read the "Surgeon's Steel" piece that appeared
in the "Excalibur" anthology, you know that Claire gives Jamie opium (laudanum)
before repairing his wounded hand. He objects, because as he says, "It gives me
bad dreams," but she insists. What it gives him is a flashback to Culloden--rather a
bad dream, indeed!
Question: Where is this "Excalibur" anthology?
DGabaldon: "Excalibur" is a fantasy anthology, edited by Martin Greenberg. I think
it was published a couple of years ago. Don't know whether it's still in print, but
likely to be.
Question: Will Jamie's son be in the last two books
DGabaldon: Jamie's son, Willie. Oh, yes, he'll definitely be in the next two
books--very prominently in the last one, since at that point, he'll be old enough to
be a (young) officer in the British Army. [ahem]
Question: Were the etched stones Master Raymond sent to Claire related to
Ottertooth's a "ticket back"?
DGabaldon: No, those are "medicine stones" (which exist; I've seen them in the
British Museum), made by ancient people, presumably to assist in healing. We'll
learn more about them when I tell Master Raymond's story--though come to think
of it, that's not a bad idea... [g]
Question: How do you decide which cities to hit on your book tours?
DGabaldon: I don't decide; the Delacorte publicist decides. As to how-- I think they
use a crystal ball. [wry g] Or maybe a Ouija board!
Question: What happened to Mister Willoughby? Will we ever know?
DGabaldon: And I think we'll find out about Mr. Willoughby, but I can't be sure.
Question: Diana, I tried to catch up to you in Phoenix last summer, but you were
out of town. I was wondering if you knew when you'd next be on the East Coast,
and just wanted to mention that I've now got my fiance reading the books, and
trying to learn a Scottish Accent!
DGabaldon: No, I don't have any specific events planned for the East Coast right
now. Well, I find that most men do like the books quite a lot.
Question: How much of "Fiery Cross" have you finished writing?
DGabaldon: I don't know because I don't know how much there's supposed to be.
[g] I figure it will be at least another year before I finish the manuscript--I think the
mystery will be done first, since it's shorter!
Let me ask you guys something? WHY the urge to come look at me? I've never
understood why people want me to go places so they can see me.
Comment: You are a master at your art
Comment: We like to be in presence of greatness.
Comment: Just want to see that yes you are a normal person like us... that the
stories about people we love came from someone like us. Plus, when we see you
we can quiz you to death with all the little nagging questions we have.
Comment: To be in the presence of genius. Maybe some will rub off!
Comment: To meet someone who's made us sooo happy!
Comment: We love you!
Comment: We want proof that you're still alive and will FINISH the books :-) We
have to know how they end.....
Comment: To say thank you.
Comment: I live in Scottsdale, and dream of the day I run into you at Smitty's!
DGabaldon: I don't shop in Smitty's; I go to Albertson's because I like their produce
better.
Comment: Because you are the Creator! [g]
Comment: To a lot of people you ARE Jamie and Claire
Comment: And we like to hear all of the interesting little things you have to share
with us. Besides - you speak as well as you write!
Comment: Admiration and appreciation for someone who's brought so much joy
into our lives
Comment: And we hope you'll let a SPOILER slip [g]
DGabaldon: [g] OK. Just wondered, that's all. THANK YOU!!
Comment: LOL....Diana...we know it can get tiresome for you ! :) But it gives us
Something to talk about in the newsletter...LOL
DGabaldon: Well, I 'preciate it, guys! Now...any last-minute questions?
Question: How did you decide that we needed to hear Master Raymond's story to
tie up loose ends?
DGabaldon: Oh, Master Raymond. No, it's just that when he popped up in
"Dragonfly in Amber" (I didn't plan him; it was all his own idea), I knew who he
was. And he has a Really Interesting story. So he gets his own series, once I've
finished Claire and Jamie's story.
Question: Diana, I was wondering if Brianna and Roger ever go back to their time?
DGabaldon: If I knew, would I tell you? [g]
Question: Does the appearance of Jamie's "ghost" in "Outlander" have anything to
do with him being a "hero" because of his May 1st Birthday?
DGabaldon: Jamie's ghost--umm, why would his birthday have anything to do with
his being a "hero"? Oh--you're thinking about legends of heroes who "walk" on
Beltaine? Maybe.[g]
Question: At the dinner where Geillie kills her husband her eyes are grey, but later
they are green. Was this just a typo?
DGabaldon: Geillie's eyes were a mistake on the part of the copy editor. [g] [They
are green like Roger's]
Question: Will we ever see Jenny again?
DGabaldon: Oh, yes, we'll see Jenny again. She has something to do with the
member(s) of Claire's family--and it would scarcely be right for her never to see her
youngest son again, would it?
Question: Are Jamie & Claire going to die?
DGabaldon: Well, someday, I suppose. [g] If you mean in the books... well, if I
knew, would I say?
Question: What do your children think about your books? Have they read them?
DGabaldon: No, my kids don't read my books--the younger two are too young for
them. My oldest daughter's friends read the books [g], and like them, but Laura
said to me, "Mom, I hope this doesn't hurt your feelings, but I'm never goin to read
your books. I just don't want to read sex scenes written by my mother!" "Not to
worry, darling," I said. "I understand entirely." [g]
Comment: Diana... we are so thrilled you were able to join us tonite....I certainly
hope that this room didn't scare you to death..
DGabaldon: My pleasure, guys! Had fun. [g]
Comment: We certainly kept up with breaking records around here...the room has
never seen so many people.
DGabaldon: Thank YOU! (Boy, there are a lot of you, aren't there?) Well....I'm
glad you like the books. [smile] Thank you!
Comment: We hope you will spend your time not worrying about us obsessing...but
Writing On... so we have something to talk about And thanks for all the great
insight...our message boards will be buzzing ! Yes, I'm still here...just watching in
bemusement. [g]
Question: What do you think about Jamie "raping" Geneva? We've been debating
on whether he raped Geneva or not considering that she said"no"at the last minute?
DGabaldon: Er...who did he rape? Oh, Geneva. Nah, that was her idea. Slightly
after the last minute. And I don't think a moment's panic amounts to refusal--since
she both instigated the process (explicitly), and appeared pleased at the end. [cough]
Comment: Thank you Diana...that will be Quoted in the Message Boards tomorrow
DGabaldon: One more question--got hungry kids here, clamoring for supper.
Question: Will "Dragonfly in Amber"be recorded unabridged?
DGabaldon: Yes, all the books will be recorded unabridged; "Dragonfly in Amber"
is already in production. Same reader--Davina Porter--who is wonderful! Gotta go,
guys. My husband is asking "Is Mom still on the computer?" [g]
Question: Is Jenny going to travel through the stones?
DGabaldon: No, Jenny can't travel--no genes.
BC Maxy: Diana...Thanks Again
DGabaldon: Bye~!
Copyright 1998 Franklin Spier. All
Rights Reserved.
