Well, I _was_ going to kick off my trip to the UK with a sprightly essay entitled “A Brief Disquisition on the Existence of Butt-Cooties.” Had it mostly done; meant to post it just before we left, then follow on with a general blog about our doings in England, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. Unfortunately, I left it in my other computer. (No, really; I brought my new MacBook on the trip, and forgot to transfer the essay out of my PC, where it’s still sitting.) So I guess I’ll use that as a closing flourish, instead. We arrived in Scotland today! (Spent two days in New York first, to break the journey–poor Doug is 6’3 or 4, and Suffers Terribly on long flights, as he can’t sleep on airplanes.) Then landed in England, which was quick, but fun. We had dinner with friends, had another dinner with the new UK publishing people–Orion is now my UK publisher, and a lovely lot they all are, too–went to the Museum […]
Search results for ‘Culloden’
“My shield and buckler…”
Yes, it is my birthday (I’m always astonished when it comes round again, but there it is…), and MANY THANKS for all the kind good wishes! For the record, I’m 72, or will be, as of 6:01 PM tonight (the night of January 11th, I mean). Aside from minor arthritis here and there, I seem to still be in decent working order, so we’ll hope for the best during the coming year! (NO, the book won’t be out this year. No, I don’t know when it will be done. Books have their own time, and I’m not rushing this one, but I hope you’ll enjoy it when you get it. In the meantime…) . . . . . . . [Excerpt from BOOK TEN (Untitled), copyright © 2024 Diana Gabaldon] . . [Yes, there is a small spoiler, but most people already know it.] . . . “So,” I said, sitting up. “You’re proposing to go off for some unknown period of time, to unknown places, to do unknown things […]
Books by Sam & Graham from the Pen!
The Poisoned Pen, my hometown independent bookstore, asked me to share some special offers on books written by Sam Heughan and Graham MacTavish, two great guys and very talented actors. (And both are quite fetching in kilts. <g>) For those who are new to the Outlander TV series, Sam Heughan is the actor who plays Jamie Fraser. Graham MacTavish portrays Jamie’s uncle, Dougal MacKenzie. Graham was also cast as Buck MacKenzie, the son of Dougal MacKenzie and Geillis Duncan. Enjoy! -Diana With a new memoir centered on New Zealand coming in November from Sam Heughan and Graham MacTavish, the Poisoned Pen bookstore offers the following: WAYPOINTS: My Scottish Journey WAYPOINTS: My Scottish Journey by Sam Heughan (Radar, U.K., $60). This is Special Pricing for the U.K. edition signed by Sam in London on the title page and in Scottsdale by Diana on the title page, too. Click to purchase WAYPOINTS from the Pen. In this journey of self-discovery, Sam Heughan sets out along the West Highland Way to explore his heritage and […]
“Two Warriors”
Social Media Hashtags: #DailyLines, #InHonorOfMemorialDay #AndAllThoseWhoServeTheirCountries, #WRITTENInMyOwnHEARTSBlood, #TwoWarriors THE FIRST SHOT took them by surprise, a muffled boom from the cider orchard and a slow roll of white smoke. They didn’t run, but they stiffened, looking to him for direction. Jamie said to those near him, “Good lads,” then raised his voice. “To my left, now! Mr. Craddock, Reverend Woodsworth—circle them; come into the orchard from behind. The rest—scatter to the right and fire as ye can—” The second crash drowned his words, and Craddock jerked like a puppet with his strings cut and dropped to the ground, blood spraying from the blackened hole in his chest. Jamie’s horse shied violently, nearly unseating him. “Go with the reverend!” he shouted at Craddock’s men, who stood there drop-jawed, staring at their captain’s body. “Go now!” One of the men shook himself, grabbed the sleeve of another, pulled him away, and then they all began to move as a body. Woodsworth, bless him, raised his musket overhead and roared, “To me! Follow […]
In Honor Of Memorial Day 2022
Social Media Hashtags: #DailyLines, #InHonorOfMemorialDay #AndAllThoseWhoServeTheirCountries, #WRITTENInMyOwnHEARTSBlood, #TwoWarriors THE FIRST SHOT took them by surprise, a muffled boom from the cider orchard and a slow roll of white smoke. They didn’t run, but they stiffened, looking to him for direction. Jamie said to those near him, “Good lads,” then raised his voice. “To my left, now! Mr. Craddock, Reverend Woodsworth—circle them; come into the orchard from behind. The rest—scatter to the right and fire as ye can—” The second crash drowned his words, and Craddock jerked like a puppet with his strings cut and dropped to the ground, blood spraying from the blackened hole in his chest. Jamie’s horse shied violently, nearly unseating him. “Go with the reverend!” he shouted at Craddock’s men, who stood there drop-jawed, staring at their captain’s body. “Go now!” One of the men shook himself, grabbed the sleeve of another, pulled him away, and then they all began to move as a body. Woodsworth, bless him, raised his musket overhead and roared, “To me! Follow […]
Great Scot Award 2022
MANY thanks to the National Trust for Scotland Foundation (USA) for naming me as the recipient of the 2022 “Great Scot” award! I’m Extremely Honored and very grateful! They’ve asked me to share their press release on my official social media accounts and website. -Diana Diana Gabaldon, Best-Selling Author of Outlander Novels, To Be Honored as NTSUSA’s 2022 Great Scot Gabaldon’s novels, and the Starz television series they inspired, tell the story of a British army nurse who mysteriously travels back in time to 18th-century Scotland. The ninth Outlander novel, the New York Times #1 Bestseller GO TELL THE BEES THAT I AM GONE, was published in November 2021. The Great Scot Award will be presented on April 14, 2022, at The National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA’s first in-person fundraising gala since 2019. January 18, 2022, New York City—American author Diana Gabaldon has brought the romance and drama of Scottish history to life for more than 50 million readers worldwide with her best-selling Outlander novels. Now, The National Trust […]
“Love Shines LIke The Stars…”
Friday, January 1, 2021 Social Media Hashtags: #DailyLines #HappyHogmanay The year turns And the moon fills and wanes Some things go Some things stay the same Life waxes and ebbs But love shines like the stars Constant at night [This excerpt is from VOYAGER, Copyright ©1994 by Diana Gabaldon] The house was bright that night, with candles lit in the windows, and bunches of holly and ivy fixed to the staircase and the doorposts. There were not so many pipers in the Highlands as there had been before Culloden, but one had been found, and a fiddler as well, and music floated up the stairwell, mixed with the heady scent of rum punch, plum cake, almond squirts, and Savoy biscuits. Jamie had come down late and hesitant. Many people here he had not seen in nearly ten years, and he was not eager to see them now, feeling changed and distant as he did. But Jenny had made him a new shirt, brushed and mended his coat, and combed his […]
“Love Shines Like The Stars…”
Social Media Hashtags: #DailyLines #HappyHogmanay The year turns And the moon fills and wanes Some things go Some things stay the same Life waxes and ebbs But love shines like the stars Constant at night [This excerpt is from VOYAGER, Copyright ©1994 by Diana Gabaldon] The house was bright that night, with candles lit in the windows, and bunches of holly and ivy fixed to the staircase and the doorposts. There were not so many pipers in the Highlands as there had been before Culloden, but one had been found, and a fiddler as well, and music floated up the stairwell, mixed with the heady scent of rum punch, plum cake, almond squirts, and Savoy biscuits. Jamie had come down late and hesitant. Many people here he had not seen in nearly ten years, and he was not eager to see them now, feeling changed and distant as he did. But Jenny had made him a new shirt, brushed and mended his coat, and combed his hair smooth and plaited […]
Scotland’s Treasures – Virtual Gala
September 29th, 2020 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Eastern Time or EDT in the U.S.A.) — is the first Virtual Trust for Scotland/USA Gala! (i.e., it’s the first time they’ve had to do it virtually—it happens every year, normally in New York, but physically.) It’s a fundraiser to help support Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage, and includes a live auction. They’ve asked me to share the link with you all (below), and note that while the usual donation asked is $150 (which will, among other things, sponsor a puffin), you can go ahead and register without donating. The website for the event is: https://ntsusa.org/about-us/celebration-gala/ You do need to sign up before the event on the website. If you don’t want to donate, click the box that says “No, thanks” when it asks for a credit card number. -Diana From The Scotland Treasures Website From the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA website: Each April, The National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA’s A Celebration of Scotland’s Treasures gala raises thousands […]
“Remember Why We Are Free”
Social Media Hashtags: #DailyLines, #GoTELLTheBEESThatIAmGONE, #Book9, #NOitsnotdoneyet, #GettingThere, #Meanwhile, #HappyIndependenceDay, #RememberWhyWeAreFree [Excerpt from GO TELL THE BEES THAT I AM GONE Copyright © 2020 by Diana Gabaldon.] “That’ll be Colonel Marion, Reverend,” his escort said, and pointed. “When you’ve done your business with him, one of his men’ll bring you back to General Lincoln’s tent.” The man turned to go, but then turned back to add a caution. “Don’t you be a-wandering about by yourself, Reverend. ‘Tisn’t safe. And don’t try to leave the camp, either. Pickets got orders to shoot any man as tries to leaves without a pass from General Lincoln.” “No,” Roger said. “I won’t.” But the corporal hadn’t waited for an answer; he was hurrying back into the main body of the camp, boots crunching on white oyster shell. It was close—a lot closer than he’d thought. He could feel the whole camp humming, a sense of nervous energy, men making ready. But surely it was too early for… Then he walked through the high stone […]