Bookreporter.com - Author Profile: Diana Gabaldon

Diana Gabaldon

BIO

Diana Gabaldon is the New York Times bestselling author of the wildly popular Outlander novels --- Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross, and A Breath of Snow and Ashes (for which she won a Quill Award and the Corine International Book Prize) --- and one work of nonfiction, The Outlandish Companion, as well as the bestselling series featuring Lord John Grey, a character she introduced in Voyager. She lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.

TBR CHAT

August 22, 2001

HOST BKPG Lara:	Welcome!
HOST BKPG Roz:	We thought perhaps you had vanished into the stones.
Diana Gabaldon:	Thank you, thank you!
Diana Gabaldon:	No, I've just been zigging on and off the phone with my editor -- -the galleys toTHE FIERY CROSS went back last night (thank G_d!).
HOST BKPG Roz:	That IS good news, Diana -- what's the word?
canesl59:	can't wait for Fiery Cross Diana!
CDawnsEarlyLight:	That goes without saying.
TheOutlandish1:	Are we still looking at November 6?
HOST BKPG Roz:	Well, that's a good omen, Diana
Diana Gabaldon:	Yep, Nov. 6 --- hence the Mad Rush on the galleys.
MooShooLizard:	I surely hope we don't have to wait longer.... I CAN'T!
HOST BKPG Roz:	Did you finish it? That's the big question. Did you finish it?
Diana Gabaldon:	I had to correct/turnaround galleys for a 500,000 word book...inTHREE DAYS.
CDawnsEarlyLight:	I'll get it just in time for my anniversary!
HOST BKPG Roz:	Egad!!!!
Diana Gabaldon:	So if I sound a lit-tle spacey...
Ebdmom:	If anybody could do it, it would be YOU, Diana
MooShooLizard:	Well, Diana.. I don't know why you're exhausted!
CDawnsEarlyLight:	My dh will just be thrilled!
Diana Gabaldon:	Yeah, I got it done --- just a matter of small clarifications.
BBWIP4H:	How did you get the idea for Clair and Jamie?
Diana Gabaldon:	Essentially, I just wanted to write a book for practice. I thought a historical novel would be the easiest kind to practice with... and then saw a rerun of "Dr. Who" with a minor Scottish character with a kilt,... and well, one thing leads to another.
Zazzpurrs:	Ah, a Dr. Who inspiration too, I love it!!
canesl59:	Boy that's some book for practice Diana
Ebdmom:	And we're so thrilled that one thing led to all things Outlandish.
HOST BKPG Roz:	Why aren't you at home working on Fiery Cross?
BLJ39:	The books are wonderful...this is my first time reading them...
BBWIP4H:	My first time too -- I love them
CDawnsEarlyLight:	Will we see young Ian again?
Diana Gabaldon:	Yes, we'll see Young Ian again.
MooShooLizard:	I LOVED Ian!!! AND, of course, Jamie!
CDawnsEarlyLight:	yea!
CShank1246:	We are all trying to cast a movie but can't come up with an actor for Jamie. Do you have any ideas?
HOST BKPG Roz:	AHA --- I have the perfect candidate for Jamie
CShank1246:	Tom Baker
Diana Gabaldon:	No, not Tom Baker --- PatrickTroughton. A real old "Dr. Who."
HOST BKPG Roz:	His name is RobertTaylor --- he plays the priest in last year's Ballykissangel on BBC America.
CShank1246:	Claire is great, maybe CharlizeTherone
MooShooLizard:	No, not Charlize!
canesl59:	How long is the new book Diana?
Diana Gabaldon:	980 pages. Plus prologue.
canesl59:	Yes Diana!!! love them long
Laurenkmh:	Better put in for another day off.
DubbyLee:	May I say that my husband is as anxious for your new book as I am.
KET2567:	Will Brianna go back to the future with her husband?
Diana Gabaldon:	Will Brianna go back? I ain't gonna tell you. I never give away plot points in advance of a book.
TheOutlandish1:	Will FC be similar in tone to Dragonfly --- since it is the second book in the American trilogy?
Diana Gabaldon:	No, I don't think it's quite similar in tone --- though we do have a war going on --- the War of the Regulation.
BLJ39:	Diana ...Are Claire & Jamie a part of your "real" family?
Diana Gabaldon:	Well, they're part of me. Don't know if that counts.
HOST BKPG Zia:	And they are part of my household too!
KASHPA24:	It counts, DG, part of me too
MooShooLizard:	Did you do your own research, Diana?
Diana Gabaldon:	Yes, I do my own research; I wouldn't know how to tell anyone else what to look for.
HOST BKPG Roz:	Diana: Do you still work with online writing groups?
Diana Gabaldon:	I don't "work with" online writing groups. I hang around in the Compuserve Writers Forum, where I "lead" (haha) a section called "Research and the Craft of Writing." It satisfies my teaching gene. I've been hanging around with the Compuserve Litforum for some fourteen years now --- it split into LitForum, Writers, and a few others.
MooShooLizard:	Where did you get your historical information, Diana?
Diana Gabaldon:	Where did I get historical information? Er...from the library, mostly.
Zazzpurrs:	I have some students thankful for your story telling when they are to read historical fiction
HOST BKPG Roz:	And a few forays to Scotland, perhaps? And a few forays to Scotland, perhaps?
canesl59:	How long did it take you to write your first book?
Diana Gabaldon:	It took me about eighteen months. Nowadays, it takes 2-3 years.
HOST BKPG Roz:	Much to the sorrow of your many fans, Diana
canesl59:	Well it's well worth the wait.
MooShooLizard:	When you began the publishing process, where did you go in AZ?
Diana Gabaldon:	I didn't go anywhere in AZ. I got an agent in New York --- that's where all the major publishing houses are.
MooShooLizard:	And you got an agent in New York right from the start?
Diana Gabaldon:	Yes, I got an agent in NYC on the basis of my first query letter.
KET2567:	Are you still going to write mysteries?
Diana Gabaldon:	Yes, I have a contract for two mysteries.
CShank1246:	Do you write under any other names???
Diana Gabaldon:	No, I don't write under any other names. Goodness, what for? It takes me long enough to write books under one name.
Ebdmom:	Are you open to bribes to go ahead and finish this series before the mysteries???
Diana Gabaldon:	No; books have their own rhythm; they come when they're ready.
Ebdmom:	Alright, I guess the kids' college funds are safe for now.
MooShooLizard:	What did you do before you found Scotland to write about?
Diana Gabaldon:	I was a scientist. I have assorted degrees in Zoology and Ecology, and I was an Assistant Research Professor in the Center for Environmental Studies at ASU.
Zazzpurrs:	Do you have the series outlined already? Do you have the series outlined already?
Diana Gabaldon:	No, I don't work with outlines at all.
HOST BKPG Zia:	You manage to be very consistent in all the books, Diana.
CShank1246:	Do you write for x number of hours a day or have a kind of schedule?
MooShooLizard:	And do you just sit down and "go" so to speak when you begin a book?
Diana Gabaldon:	I write where I can "see" something. I have a loose kind of schedule, but it flexes a lot --- I have kids.
KET2567:	So, Jamie has been to the future then?
Diana Gabaldon:	No, of course Jamie hasn't been to the future.
CDawnsEarlyLight:	His background is sooo confusing!
MooShooLizard:	I thought Jamie HAD gone through??
KET2567:	I'm just curious as to the "ghost" in Outlander. Will that be explained
Diana Gabaldon:	Yes, I'll explain the ghost --- last thing in the last book, though.
KASHPA24:	Just finished the tapes, knocked my socks off.
Diana Gabaldon:	Kash--I hope you got the UNabridged tapes?
MooShooLizard:	I would give ANYTHING to get my hands on the tapes!!
Diana Gabaldon:	You can rent the UNabridged ones from Recorded Books --- it's something like ten bucks a month, I think.
TheOutlandish1:	Diana... will the unabridged tapes EVER come out in CD form???
Diana Gabaldon:	I really hope they'll do them on CD.Those suckers take up a lot of room!
HOST BKPG Roz:	Who narrates the unabridged version?
KASHPA24:	Davina Porter, Roz:
Zazzpurrs:	I'm using the tapes as a re-read since our library got them
HOST BKPG Roz:	LOL, Diana - especially 900+ pages
canesl59:	I got them at a book store here in Albuquerque New Mexico
HOST BKPG Zia:	Hearing the Accents would be wonderful on audio tapes.
KASHPA24:	Zia, that's what knocked off my socks
Archangels03:	the library also has unabridged.
Mystic3841:	I would only want the unabridged
Diana Gabaldon:	The abridged reader is fine. But consider...the abridged tapes are four cassettes per book. The Unabridged are 32 cassetted for OUTLANDER-- which is the shortest of the books. Figure how much you're missing!
Ebdmom:	I just found a site tonight that has the abridged on mp3
MooShooLizard:	Who does the recording? Does he/she read with the accent?
BBWIP4H:	It's a she - she's great
BLJ39:	I am going to buy the CDs after I read all the books
Diana Gabaldon:	Yes, both readers are excellent--but Davina (the Unabridged reader) is just fantastic!
BBWIP4H:	I've only heard Davina
TheOutlandish1:	Davina is AWESOME!
MooShooLizard:	Is Davina "Scottish"?
Diana Gabaldon:	Moo--Yes, Davina is half Scottish--and her husband is Scottish.
Archangels03:	Davina's voice sounded very much like Claire's voice in my head.
HOST BKPG Roz:	Diana -- do ye have e'n a drab o' Scots blood in your veins?
Diana Gabaldon:	No, not Scots at all. What sort of name do you think "Gabaldon" is, anyway?
KASHPA24:	mine too Arch
canesl59:	do you ever do any book signings in New Mexico Diana
KASHPA24:	DG, please come to Pittsburgh!!!!
CDawnsEarlyLight:	How about MO, Diana?
TheOutlandish1:	Diana...any chance Chicago is your way when FC comes out?
BBWIP4H:	Then Michigan
Laurenkmh:	Boca Raton, FL
Diana Gabaldon:	Yes, I usually end up in Albuquerque on book tours.
Ersike:	When are you in NY Diana?
CShank1246:	Please come toTampa!!!!
MooShooLizard:	Diana, do you still live in Scottsdale year-round?
Diana Gabaldon:	They've given me just a tentative itinerary so far, but yes,Chicago is on it!
BLJ39:	Diana...do you ever come to Long Island, NY
Archangels03:	chicago....YES!!!
canesl59:	how can i find out if or when you will be here
Diana Gabaldon:	I put tour and appearance details on my web page, as soon as I have them--www.dianagabaldon.com.There's a possibility that I may be doing a German book-tour in February this year, but no dates as yet.
canesl59:	thanks I'll keep a lookout
CShank1246:	can we write somewhere for signed copies of the books?
Diana Gabaldon:	Yes, you can order signed copies from me, if you want to. Information's on the web page.
Zazzpurrs:	Which clan is Gabaldon?
Diana Gabaldon:	"Gabaldon" is Iberian --- via New Mexico. My father was born in Belen, just outside of Albuquerque --- that's why I always go there; lots of family. My mother's side of the family is from Yorkshire, England, and Germany, though.
Archangels03:	Diana do you have time to just read??
Diana Gabaldon:	Yes, I read all the time, whether I have time or not.
Ersike:	What Authors do you like to read books by Diana?
CShank1246:	Who is your favorite author, or some of them anyway? Can you give us a couple of recommendations
Diana Gabaldon:	Oh, tons of favorites--there's a whole list in the OUTLANDISH COMPANION.
Diana Gabaldon:	But off the top of my head--Reginald Hill, Dana Stabenow,...
KET2567:	Love Dana Stabenow. Your recommendations are on the money
KET2567:	Diana, you have great taste in books---Laura Kinsale
MooShooLizard:	Diana, do you keep a "cheat sheet" on dates, names, etc while you write?
Diana Gabaldon:	No, I don't usually keep any kind of notes, until close to the end--then I'll sort of draw up a kind of flow-chart of scenes, so I see where the holes still are (I don't write in a straight line; I just glue things together).
CShank1246:	Will the companion be out in paper soon?
Diana Gabaldon:	I don't know; they haven't said anything about releasing OC in paper-- which I suppose means it's still selling in hardcover!
MooShooLizard:	Diana, when you "found" the idea for the first book, how long did it take you to write it?
MooShooLizard:	Did you do it in your spare time around your job or were you home?
Diana Gabaldon:	It took me about eighteen months to write OUTLANDER. I did it while holding a full-time job as a university professor, a part-time job freelancing for the computer press, and with three kids under the age of six. I don't sleep, (or I didn't), and I don't do housework. It took me about eighteen months to write OUTLANDER. I did it while holding a full-time job as a university professor, a part-time job freelancing for the computer press, and with three kids under the age of six. I don't sleep, (or I didn't), and I don't do housework.
Archangels03:	I'll never complain of being tired again.
Ersike:	My God, what an accomplishment.
HOST BKPG Roz:	So, you're saying that if you're inspired with a book, it makes you write it???
Diana Gabaldon:	I'm saying that if you want to write, you make time--because if you don't make it, you don't have it.
MooShooLizard:	And how many re-writes were involved in Outlander?
Diana Gabaldon:	I don't write all the way through and then rewrite; I just fiddle endlessly with each scene; by the time it's done, I will have been through it hundreds of times--but it's the way I want it, and I don't touch it again until the final assembly part.
HOST BKPG Roz:	Some authors say that certain characters "move in and take over" -- did this happen to you?
Diana Gabaldon:	Characters? Yeah, most of them do. I just listen.
CShank1246:	Do you have help with historical and medicinal research
Diana Gabaldon:	No, I don't have help; I do my own research --- though that of course involves asking people who know things.
MooShooLizard:	Do you know about the herbs/medicines yourself, Diana?
Diana Gabaldon:	Moo--yes, I know a lot about herbs and medicine now-owing to a lot of research.
MooShooLizard:	What (if I might ask) is a "query" letter?
Diana Gabaldon:	A query letter is what you use to approach an agent or publisher.
Diana Gabaldon:	It's very short--a page, two at most--and just explains what it is that you've written. With luck, the agent or publisher will a) perceive that you can write, and b) like the idea/description of your project. If they do, they'll ask to see more--or, as in my case, offer to represent you.
MooShooLizard:	Diana, do you send a copy of that letter to several agents?
Ebdmom:	Verra clever, those agents were
HOST BKPG Roz:	You were very fortunate to be picked up on the first query letter, D
Diana Gabaldon:	Yes, I've been HUGELY lucky. Moo--you can send a query letter to several agents at once. Some people do, some don't--they're afraid that several will answer, and THEN what? Yes, I've been HUGELY lucky. Moo--you can send a query letter to several agents at once. Some people do, some don't--they're afraid that several will answer, andTHEN what?
MooShooLizard:	And what was it about time travel that "grabbed" you, Diana?
Diana Gabaldon:	Moo--nothing. It was an accident. When I introduced Claire into the story, she wouldn't shut up and act like an 18th century woman--just kept making smart-ass modern remarks, and took over and started telling the story herself. So I said, "Well, it doesn't matter what bizarre thing you do here--nobody's ever going to see this. OK, go ahead and be modern--I'll figure out how you got there later!"
KET2567:	I'm very glad you did I'm very glad you did
Volibal99:	lol...it worked! I love Claire lol...it worked! I love Claire
HOST BKPG Roz:	LOL, Diana -- so you're not all that good at prophecy, huh?
LRozek:	My favorite character is Jenny
MooShooLizard:	It was truly magic, Diana.
Diana Gabaldon:	Roz--I'm a Catholic; we aren't allowed to practice divination.
MooShooLizard:	What a gift you have!!
HOST BKPG Roz:	LOLOLOL
Diana Gabaldon:	Thank you, Moo!
CDawnsEarlyLight:	IT really made them a family for the first time!
KET2567:	Jamie and Claire are the most memorable couple
Diana Gabaldon:	Well, I thought it was too bad that Jamie didn't see his own children born--though he should get to see his grandson.
Mystic3841:	They are Ket
TheOutlandish1:	Will we be seeing new members of the "travelers" in FC???
Diana Gabaldon:	Out--I don't know. Out--I don't know.
HOST BKPG Roz:	Are you too modest to tell us how many total books of the series have been sold?
CDawnsEarlyLight:	It was memorable!
MooShooLizard:	Diana, does the newest concentrate on "now" or "then" most?
CShank1246:	Was the historical Jack Randall like you depicted him?
Archangels03:	I'm catholic also. have they given you he for any of the material?
Diana Gabaldon:	Arch--Er...no. Why should they?
Archangels03:	the wonderfully explicit love scenes of course the wonderfully explicit love scenes of course
Diana Gabaldon:	ARch--Hey, the Catholic Church thinks sex is a sacrament-- as long as you're married, and J&C are.
KASHPA24:	DG, so Claire won't get pregnant for her change?
Diana Gabaldon:	Roz--I'm not modest at all. But I don't actually know. Something like seven million,last time we tried to estimate--but that was a while ago.
HOST BKPGTX:	that is outstanding Diana!
HOST BKPG Roz:	pretty danged impressive, Diana -- for a book you thought no one would ever read
canesl59:	that must be an amazing feeling Diana
HOST BKPG Lara:	Sounds like nearly as many books as Mcdonald's has sold hamburgers.... incredible!!!
MooShooLizard:	What a wonderful feeling that must be to have so many people love your work!
TheOutlandish1:	Have we heard the "last" of the fire...or is there more in FC?
Diana Gabaldon:	Oh, you'll hear more. I don't know quite what you'll hear, though.
LRozek:	All of your female characters are strong...I love reading your stories specifically for that
Diana Gabaldon:	Well, I just don't like silly women.
KET2567:	How old is Claire and Jamie now in the new book?
Diana Gabaldon:	Jamie turns 50 in this book--so Claire must be 54/55
MooShooLizard:	Diana, is the new book a "now" or a "then"?
Diana Gabaldon:	Moo--then.
Booknplays:	I'm glad he finally aged!
MooShooLizard:	Oh Diana, I'm so happy to hear that!! You do a GREAT "then"!
KET2567:	Diana, you do bring history alive....I have learned a lot. A BIG reason why I read historical fiction
canesl59:	I love historical novels, especially anything to do with Scotland or Ireland.They are such romantic places
BBWIP4H:	I hated history until I read your books
TheOutlandish1:	If you were leading a reading group to prepare for FC...ahem.... what points from Drums should I focus on??
Diana Gabaldon:	Out...gee, I dunno. FC takes up right where DRUMS leaves off -- at the same Gathering. You might have 'em re-read the last couple chapters, I suppose. Everything else should be adequately referenced in FC itself; I try to make the books able to stand alone, as far as is possible.
Ebdmom:	Is In Medias Res going to be the first chapter??
Diana Gabaldon:	Yes, In Medias Res is the first Section; I think the first chapter is titled "Happy the Bride the Sun Shines On." (This being part of an old Scottish proverb--the other half is "Happy the corpse the rain falls on."
Ebdmom:	Thanks...Oh my--never herad that saying before..
Mystic3841:	Diana, I was at the Libray looking up scotish Clans and found out there really is a clan Fraser, I'm assuming you knew this?
Diana Gabaldon:	Mystic...Um, yes. After twelve years of writing historical novels set in and about Scotland, I sort of picked up the odd bit of knowledge here and there. By accident, you know.
Mystic3841:	ah good I thought so
HOST BKPG Roz:	Is writing recaps difficult for you? Trying to bring new readers up to date?
Diana Gabaldon:	Roz--Well, it's part of the integral structure of the book. Sometimes it's more difficult to work in than others, but it's all part of the challenge of discovering the structure.
HOST BKPG Roz:	Diana - that reminds me - has the series been translated into several languages?
Diana Gabaldon:	Roz--Yes--nine, I think, last time I checked. Besides English, I mean.
MooShooLizard:	Diana, was Jaime molded after your own husband?
Diana Gabaldon:	Moo--Well, my husband is very tall, with red hair and a good sense of humor. Moo--Well, my husband is very tall, with red hair and a good sense of humor.
TheOutlandish1:	Diana... is the ABC mini series thing dead in the water for the time being??
MooShooLizard:	Diana, IS there talk of a movie/miniseries?
Mystic3841:	I still think Liam Neeson would be great as Jamie,in a possible movie I still think Liam Neeson would be great as Jamie,in a possible movie
Diana Gabaldon:	Moo--Oh, more than talk; a production company bought an option to OUTLANDER -- but that just gives them the right to try to get someone to do a miniseries. I ain't holding my breath about it. Moo--Oh, more than talk; a production company bought an option to OUTLANDER -- but that just gives them the right to try to get someone to do a miniseries. I ain't holding my breath about it.
KET2567:	Will you have a hand in casting for any version on film?
MooShooLizard:	Would/do you have any control in it?
HOST BKPG Roz:	Hey, those options aren't bad, are they?
Booknplays:	My group and I have been trying to imagine a movie of the books. but we all decided that
Diana Gabaldon:	KET--No, I wouldn't have anything to do with casting.
Booknplays:	There is NO living man qualified to play Jaime!!!
LRozek:	CD I agree whole heartedly
KET2567:	IS there an actor you think could play Jamie?
CDawnsEarlyLight:	It would have to be 16 hours long to get it all in
Diana Gabaldon:	Moo--we wrote a good deal of control into the contract-but there's a limit to what one can control. The director making the movie really need to have the say-so, if it's going to be a good movie.
Archangels03:	Could you see Alex Kingston (from ER) as claire?
KASHPA24:	Arch, i can
HOST BKPG Roz:	But we could run a contest, Diana --
Diana Gabaldon:	Arch--Yeah, I suppose so.
CDawnsEarlyLight:	I could see her if I had to
KET2567:	I picture EmmaThompson for some reason
Mystic3841:	so do I Ket
Archangels03:	I also thought Nicole Kidman.
Zazzpurrs:	There are 'parts' of different people that might go into making a good lead...Sean Connery…just for the voice.
MooShooLizard:	Diana, do you have ideas for who should play the leads?
Diana Gabaldon:	Moo--No. See, I can see Jamie and Claire. So it's like asking, "What actor should play your husband?" It's not like there's anyone who looks like him; just that any number of superficially resembling people might be able to play him.
HOST BKPG Roz:	We could cast your husband, Diana -- that would solve it!
Diana Gabaldon:	Roz--My husband doesn't look like Jamie. Roz--My husband doesn't look like Jamie.
KET2567:	nothing beats the imagination, eh?
HOST BKPG Roz:	that's so true, KET
Diana Gabaldon:	Well, all I can do is write books. And if you read the books, you know what Claire and Jamie look like. Simple.
CShank1246:	Diana, I just want to say thanks for all the great hours of reading
Diana Gabaldon:	CS--Thank you!
MooShooLizard:	Do you spend a lot of the time during the year on tour, Diana?
Diana Gabaldon:	Moo--I only tour when a new book's out--which means only once every 2-3 years--and then only for 3-4 weeks (though there are always tours in other countries--UK, Australia, Germany, etc.).
BBWIP4H:	Do you need a personal assistant to travel with you?
MooShooLizard:	Or two? ;)
CDawnsEarlyLight:	Can I volunteer?
Diana Gabaldon:	BB--Thanks , but they give me an escort who meets me in each new city (different escorts in each city, I mean).
HOST BKPG Roz:	Are your children old enough to travel with you -- in school??
Diana Gabaldon:	Roz-- If you noticed the tall, red-haired young woman behind me at the Poisoned Pen--that was my oldest daughter, presently a sophomore at Stanford. The others are 17 and 15. They don't travel with me, though--book tours would be abysmally boring for anyone accompanying an author.
MooShooLizard:	Now that you finished the latest... what's next?
Diana Gabaldon:	Moo--Now I clean up my office, do the six engagements I have on the calendar between now and November, get ready to book-tour--and in the interstices, maybe go back to work on the first of the contemporary mysteries.
GRANNANNE6:	DS, someone mentioned your "splitting" FC. what is that about? Is it in 2 books?
Diana Gabaldon:	GRANN--Well, it just got too big to fit in one book, is all. As it is, AFTER splitting it, the resultant FIERY CROSS is a hair over half-a-milliong words.
TheOutlandish1:	Does that mean...two more Outlandish books to come after FC??
Diana Gabaldon:	Yes, I think there are two more OUTLANDER novels. But then... I thought there was only one, to start with.
GRANNANNE6:	DG, and the rest of FC is in another book? To be finished when?
Diana Gabaldon:	GRANN--Geez, how would I know? Books have their own timetable.
TheOutlandish1:	Is the series on Master Raymond still under consideration too???
Diana Gabaldon:	OUt--Yes, I still plan to tell Master Raymond's story--he's an interesting person.
KET2567:	Master Raymond is a very interesting person indeed
HOST BKPG Zia:	Master Raymond is so mysterious.....
MooShooLizard:	Diana, this is NOT fair! You already KNOW how it all comes out! HAHHAA
Diana Gabaldon:	Moo--Well, I know how this book comes out.
MooShooLizard:	YOU are a sneaky little devil, Diana! ; )
Diana Gabaldon:	Moo--This is my trademark. Well, we sort of find out a little more with each successive book.That's just how it works. Moo--This is my trademark. Well, we sort of find out a little more with each successive book.That's just how it works.
Booknplays:	Any chance of Jaime coming to NOW?
Diana Gabaldon:	Book--Certainly not.
CDawnsEarlyLight:	If he can go at all, "it" seems a tad tacky
HOST BKPG Roz:	Is it true that only women can survive the stones?
Diana Gabaldon:	Roz--I would guess not; after all, Roger's there, isn't he?
Zazzpurrs:	Gee, if Jamie could time travel, what happens if they travel at the same time?? they could miss each other!!
CDawnsEarlyLight:	Roger survived!
HantayoClair:	Jamie could handle anything
HOST BKPG Zia:	At an antiques on the road type program, I saw a portrait of a man from the Carolinas, with red hair, named Frasier.. from 1700s...made my heart skip...
MooShooLizard:	Diana, does the new book deal with Jamie/Claire or more with Bri/Roger?
Diana Gabaldon:	Moo--It's Jamie and Claire's story--but Roger and Brianna do have a major part in it.
HantayoClair:	Asking again, where is the Pictish cross?
TheOutlandish1:	Pictish cross is the crossroads where ghosts can appear before the solstices
HOST BKPG Zia:	LOL!
HantayoClair:	Ty Out
MooShooLizard:	And you said that you picked the story up when you left it off before?
Diana Gabaldon:	Moo--Yes, it begins the next morning, at the Gathering.
CDawnsEarlyLight:	Was the Bonny Prince Charlos so wishy washy in your research findings?
Diana Gabaldon:	CD--Oh, yes; I was very scrupulous about him. He really was a weak drunk.
HOST BKPG Roz:	Gang -- we're coming up on the hour -- and we need to thank our guest for being so gracious --
KET2567:	Diana been doing an excellent job of keeping up with the questions
KASHPA24:	DG, thank you so very much! you are definitely my favorite author!!
HOST BKPG Roz:	Diana - it has been such a pleasure having you here - I'm sure your fans are waiting breathlessly for November 6
Diana Gabaldon:	Roz--Thanks so much for having me! I've been having a wonderful time!
HOST BKPG Lara:	Diana, you have done incredible job!! Can hardly believe how well you did answer questions, and how graciously you accepted the praise here.
Diana Gabaldon:	Well, I'm thrilled to hear that y'all like the books--and I do hope you'll enjoyTHE FIERY CROSS as well!
HOST BKPG Roz:	That's a foregone conclusion, Diana!
HOST BKPGTX:	Thanks so much for hosting, Zia, Roz, Lara, and thanks all of you for coming to chat!Thanks again Diana!
Diana Gabaldon:	Thanks and goodbye, all!