Has a fictional character ever made you swoon so much that it becomes sort of… a real crush?
(Dont lie, weve all been there.)
Check out an excerpt from their conversation, below.Finding Fraseris available on shelves now.
KC DYER: Its wonderful to have a chance to chat today, Diana.
Thanks so much for joining me!
So lets jump right in.
What did you think when you first spied it in your inbox?
Was your first instinctmurder?
DIANA GABALDON:Haha!
No, I saw it was from you, so was at once curious and entertained.
The more entertained, once Id read your cover note and then began reading the manuscript.
KD: I cannot tell you how relieved that made me!
In spite of my massive senders remorse after that email, you have always been so encouraging and supportive.
So, now youve heard mine .
whats been your most embarrassing publishing moment?
cough
KD: Well, youre not the only one.
(Actually, inFinding Fraser, Emma has a very similar problem…!)
What about the oppositecan you share the greatest joy in your writing life?
DG:Oh, every day that I write is a joy.
But in terms of Big Momentswhenever I finish a book; thats sheer euphoria and it lasts for days.
KD: Theres nothing like post-book euphoria, is there?
Okay, lets talk about character for a minute.
Ive heard you talk about how the genesis of Jamies character came from one of the companions inDoctor Who.
DG:Oh, all the time.
(Add the hero of Cheryl ReavissThe Prisonerto the list.)
KD: Interesting about the thing for magicians!
Something about writers and magicand when you add the odd heroic action into the mix, it is irresistible.
What do you think it is about Scotland that caught your imagination, when it came to settingOutlanderthere?
DG:More the Highlands, than just Scotlandper se…. Hmmm…. Mountains, for one thing.
KD: Couldnt agree more.
Emmas sense of wonder as she travels through the country inFinding Fraseris a direct translation of my own.
This book is definitely a love letter to Scotland.
We both hang out with writers a lot.
DG:Oh, sure.
Not all the time, but when the inspiration strikes me.
I showed John the piece starring Johnny Lee Myers, asking, as usual, if he had objections.
Do you feel conflicted about seeing your creations leap off the page and onto the screen?
But Ive never had any trouble maintaining separate versions of a story, in terms of print and movie.
KD: Okay, a final question.
What do you want readers to know?
Frankly, I dont write books foranyaudience; I write them for myself.
While this is undoubtedly A Good Thing, it results in a few odd labels.
Apparently Im now a feminist icon, and I write Strong Woman books.
people have told me for years, Oh, you write suchstrongwomen!
But now we have gasptelevision criticssaying that I write Strong Women.
automatic default to the easiest buzzword, regardless of whether the label is appropriate or informational.
KD: The strong woman issue is an interesting one, isnt it?
I thought about it withFinding Fraser, too.
This is not just a story about a girl who is looking for a man to complete her.
It takes nerve to do what Emma doesto go off and shape her own destiny.
Anyway, its been awesome chatting with you.
Thank you for all your support withFinding Fraserand see you soon!
