Monday, January 14, 2008

Curls

Umm...look, guys.

YES, Claire has curly hair. I've written about three million words saying so; you can probably take my word for it.

NO, she does not have corkscrew curls. Read back through those three million words (take your time; I've got a lot of patience [g]); does it _ever_ say, "I twirled one of my corkscrew curls around my finger?" "Curls corkscrewed out of my head like Christmas ribbon?" "I hastily thumbed my long corkscrew curls back out of my face"?

Geez, Louise, people. She says things like, "My hair was standing out round my face like a bramble bush." "I pushed drifting hair irritably out of my face." "My hair was standing on end." Where are you getting corkscrew curls out of this?

(Just as a historical note, corkscrew curls are pretty much 19th century. I think y'all are thinking Melanie Wilkes or something.)

Anyway, as a purely technical observation, nobody _has_ corkscrew curls. People who have curly hair (or choose to curl it with irons or whatever), can _get_ their hair to do this, but it's a deliberate styling, not the natural way the hair goes. And as I say--corkscrew curls weren't a fashionable style either for the 18th century (you'll see small clusters of them as part of an elaborate wig, maybe) -or- the 1940's.

"Bob," btw, means "bobbed hair," and while the original bob, from the Roaring 20's, was indeed a short cut, about ear-length, by the '40's, a longer bob, about shoulder-length, was also common. It just meant a blunt cut, and not trailing long hair.

154 comments:

  1. Hmm. I thought the hair in the picture looked pretty accurate myself.

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  2. She is beautiful....I cannot wait to see the other characters.

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  3. Pretty sure you've said so (more than once) in the books. Corkscrew curls may not be natural, but my hair will curl into banana curls all by itself. All I have to do is wash it and let it air dry; no scrunching, no products, nothing. Why yes, I do live in a humid area, why do you ask?

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  4. I thought the hair looked accurate, too. My sorta wavy hair goes curly in humidity. And not in a good way.

    I always felt sorry for Claire because she didn't have access to straightening iron on those frizzy days. I'd cry without mine.

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  5. If I get caught in the rain without an umbrella, I corkscrew quite nicely, but if it's merely humid (which it is in Ohio, 3/4ths of the time) then I just go POOF! I have always felt Claire and her hair to be a kindred spirit.

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  6. Um...I take it the [rolling eyes] didn't quite get the point across? [g]

    For what it's worth, my hair behaves much the same way that Claire's does in the books...or it would, if I ever grew it that long. I haven't had shoulder-length hair since I was 12, because it was far too much of a hassle to try to keep it under control.

    I think the picture is fine, and I look forward to seeing more!

    Karen Henry

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  7. I agree with all that I've read here. I have that same wavy-go-nuts hair in humidity. And, living in NJ, the humidity is a constant. I think the picture looks great. Can't wait to see the rest.

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  8. I think you have the patience of a saint.

    Can't wait to see the finished graphic novel.

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  9. Uh, my hair's just plain stupid.

    Oh, and while we're at it.... Diana, maybe you can develop a character based on me and then you can write me having awesome hair and non-assisted vaginal orgasms, too, just like Claire! Believe me, that'd be much appreciated. :D

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  10. I loved the drawing of Claire. Her hair is gorgeous. When she is in the wilderness and humidity I would expect to be a little more curly but nothing like corkscrew curls.

    I can't wait for the graphic novel and book 7 hehehe. I need to say a prayer for patience so I don't self combust before then.

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  11. Not to split hairs (pun intended) but my hair is wavy and when it is cut short it doesn't curl, it is straight. When it is long and in humid weather, it waves and bushes a bit. If I cut it to mid length, it curls all by itself.

    In the last book, when Claire's head was shaved and her hair grew in, she talked about it being very curly. In every book she's talked about it being very curly.

    The lovely lady in the drawing doesn't have curly hair. She has wavy hair.

    When *I* picture Claire Fraser, I see a version of Amy Irving's hair on a lovely lady's head.

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  12. I assumed from the beginning Claire's hair was like Chelsea Clinton's (and my daughter Elaine's). I'd describe the rendering as wavy hair. I think, too, the hair I imagined would stand up to infrequent shampooing better than long wavy hair. As an aside, she was a British "sister", not an American nurse which the artist's rendering suggests. She would have worn a cotton veil for the sake of modesty and cleanliness. She could have some "higgledy-piggledy" locks escaping from her veil...or just no veil, but a modest neckline with a nurses' cape over her shoulders...or she could be dressed in some other costume. My suggestion is to lose the perky little cap.

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  13. Dear Diana,

    Hello! It's Stephanie from the Forum, and from Surrey, and from Denver. I just saw the portrait of Claire and it's spectacularly beautiful! I didn't know what to think when I heard you were doing a graphic novel, as my daughter reads Manga. But I knew you wouldn't be taking on such a project unless it would be first-rate. Now I can't wait to see everyone else!

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  14. I love this artist's rendering. Claire is as beautiful as she is in my imagination. She's got that lovely underlay (is that a word?) of wavy curl that gives her hair the untamed look. (My hair is not quite as thick as that, but texture wise, I imagine it's very similar--wavy with random curls throughout. It's absolutely huge when I wake up in the morning. Like a rock star.[g])

    Can't wait to see our Jamie!

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  15. Okay I have "curly" hair. I would say mine it like Claire's. Frankly your descriptions of her hair are what make me love her so much. I too fight with my hair and you are so right. You don't have to have some kind of corkscrew curls for it to be a pain. I think the picture of her was perfect! Can't wait to see her all disheveled.

    More on Jamie's buttocks is appreciated. *g*

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  16. Diana, you have more patience then I can ever imagine. It seems that even though you have explained YOUR character over and over again, the comments keep coming at you about Claire's curls! I understand you know Claire better then any of us, and your idea of her is ...well what it is suppose to be.

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  17. Stop being so polite about the hair. The problem is it's just tooo perfect. My daughter's got a case of barbie dolls who could stand in for this version of Claire. Can you really picture her throwing back the whiskey or performing surgery? If this version broke a nail, she'd likely pass out. Keep working on it.

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  18. I was not too happy with the drawing of Claire because she looks very American and very modern. She has sculptured cheek bones like a model and a small pursed mouth, making her look much like all the other avatars in the comic books. Please give her a more rounded English face and some rosy cheeks - and her sense of humor will emerge! I agree with the other comments about her hair. Curly hair has a will of its own (much like Claire) and after the adventures she experiences, her hair will rarely look like the picture. Perhaps use it as a pre-stones representation when she was a nurse.

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  19. The problem is the assumption that this is Claire in Outlander. It's not. We've been _repeatedly_told that it's not. She shouldn't look like the Claire we know who has been roughing it in the mist of the Highlands for days on end. She's young, it's pre-WWII and she is done up for a portrait. Diana has confirmed for all of the disgruntled fans here that yes, Clarie's hair is curly, but that this is a historically accurate version of what a curly haired woman from this modern time person would do with her hair. We will see Claire's feisty curls when the context is right for said feisty curls. Would you do yourself up for a formal portrait? Do you still look like you did when you were in your early twenties? Twenty-year-old faces just aren't very mature looking yet. Get over it.

    And yes, I can see this version of Claire throwing back whiskey and performing surgery. It's her strength of character not her physical size (and yes she can have a big booty and still be a small person)that makes her tough. I think her strong will, determination, and inner strength show through in this painting.

    Try to look beyond how curly or not curly her hair is in this (clearly stated on the web page)preliminary version and look for the overall impression. I think it agrees quite well with how I read Claire.

    I wonder if some of the difficulty people are having visualizing the same version of Claire comes from how we don't get much actual description of her as she is telling so much of the story. We are introduced to Claire in Outlander through her actions rather than through physical description and thus perhaps formed a visual idea early on based on her strength of character. In any case, I don't think that being petite precludes you from being tough.

    A few references to how pretty Claire is: Ian (the Elder) remarks directly to Claire upon meeting her that she is quite the bonny lass. When Roger opens the door to find Claire (who is much older but still has her looks) standing on the doorstep in the beginning of DIA he describes her a "very pretty" and he has the impression of "fine bones" and "white linen."

    I don't think anyone is being too polite about the portrait. Patient, yes, although how, I do not know!

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  20. As far as I'm concerned, if this is your version of Claire, then it is right. After all she came to you and started taking over the story, you know who she is and what she looks like. I'm looking forward to seeing all the other characters too!

    Just an aside, my daughter's hair does do corkscrew curls, it is butt length when she pulls it straight and "boings" up to waist length when she lets go! *G* The secret is to finger comb, or wide tooth comb only, never a brush! Just in case you ever want a character with corkscrew curls. DNR!

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  21. This is not curly hair. It looks like wavy hair brushed out. I have curly hair and even without the use of styling products and high humidity it would still have curls along with the frizz.

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  22. I think the painting of Claire looks *amazing*. She looks very much as I would picture the timeframe. And I very eagerly await more teases.

    Seriously, for me, a good part of the fun, watching the graphic novel unfold, is the fact that we're going to get to see what YOU think these characters looks like. I mean, as much as I love Claire and Jamie and the rest, they *are* yours after all. :)

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  23. mollyb--

    I'd assume that's a probationer's cap, rather than a sister's uniform.

    Doesn't matter, though; as I think I said elsewhere, this particular portrait actually has _nothing_ to do with the story, and won't appear in it; it's just the artist's initial take(well, actually, his second try) on Claire's general appearance, to see whether he and I were on the same page, so to speak. Fortunately, we are.

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  24. Just wait until you post a pic of Jamie. Eep! Build a moat and nail the windows shut now.

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  25. Well, you *did* ask people to let you know what they thought.

    Here's a picture of Joanne Samuel, who's more like how I envision Claire.

    http://www.imdb.com/gallery/ss/0079501/Ss/0079501/MadMax_PUB07.jpg.html?path=pgallery&path_key=Samuel,%20Joanne

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  26. LOL at Chris.

    I am really a little surprised at some of the reactions on this blog.

    I think that everyone with naturally curly/wavy hair has imagined themselves as Claire while reading the series and now, after seeing that it doesnt look like them.....................

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  27. I think the picture is excellent. The first impression is of a beautiful young lady, eyecatching, but not really remarkable. Then you notice the eyes.

    She's a lioness.

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  28. Well, people _do_ have their own opinions, which are perfectly valid--and I do appreciate hearing them. I don't know what the poor artist will do if he sees these, though, and realizes just what's riding on his version of Jamie...

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  29. I think she looks like a beautiful mess which is just how I always pictured her.

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  30. As far as Claire's hair goes, it took several books before the appearance of her hair sunk in. At first I imagined dark curly hair, just a tad beyond wavy. Once I realized her hair was much lighter than I envisioned, I suddenly took more notice of the descriptions and felt rather sorry for the state of her hair in the 18th century. Her hair (and appearance, aside from her eyes) is much like mine and I know the heartache of hair that should be curlier than the weather allows it to be.

    I admit that I agree with the comment that Claire should have a more British appearance with a slightly more rounded face, but that small note aside, this is just how Claire should be. I can't wait to see a rendition of Claire in the Highlands.

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  31. sorry... she's not the Claire i had seen i my mind. somehow i pictured her with chestnut, but lighter hair (all the strains of gold that Jamie always talks about). and curly. i may be lost in translation, because english is not my native language. but wavy is not curly... and i agree with the comment above, about her face needing to be more rounded. and an amber touch of light in the eye...

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  32. Hey Diana,

    Just came over by way of the writer's forum, I never thought Claire had "cork-screw" curls, but I did think they were a bit curlier than the picture shows. I actually imagined her with all types of curly hair. Her curls in the pic seem more large, rounded and billowy, I like it. Curls or not, she's beautiful, so innocent and young, just how I pictured her during WWII England. You can even tell in this picture that there is a lot going on behind those big brown eyes. Can't wait to see Jamie and all the other characters!

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  33. Diana, I adore that you decided to blog!I want to email all my friends and tell them, but I think I will be selfish and - not - for a few days - cheshire cat. Now I can add my 2 cents and say I have always pictured Claire's eyes as slightly rounder. Even so, I would say Jamie's bum is spot on!

    Thank you for an afternoon pick me

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  34. Diana, I think this is wonderful. Claire looks delightfully spunky, and you are working with a very talented artist!! I can hardly wait to read the graphic novel.

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  35. Well, I think she looks wonderful. She has a spunky look to her, and I can hardly wait to read and view the graphic novel. What an amazing artist!!

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  36. I love the artwork! I can't wait to see the rest!!

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  37. My idea of Claire's hair comes from the times someone has pulled one of her curls to watch it spring back (Nayawenne, for instance). Some separation of the curls seems to be necessary to attain this effect. Nothing that the lack of creme rinse and "finger brushing" wouldn't cause!

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  38. What a hoot! Can't wait to see the comments about Jamie. Hearts will be broken and heated words will fly through the ether.

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  39. Please draw your own graphic novel if you don't like the artist's picture, sheesh.
    DIANA,
    The artist's vision of Claire is beautiful, artistic, and this will be such a fun graphic novel. The hair is exactly as you described. I think people are forgetting there will be about 100 other pictures of her once the book is published showing all sorts of situations and emotions and everyone will drool over it once it's completed. CAN'T WAIT!!! :)

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  40. I love the picture but think Claire's should be much more wavy, since the word "curly" appears to be unliked. JMHO.

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  41. I hope the artist is too busy sketching and painting to be reading this. Now that I have gotten used to this image of Claire, I will say she looks like someone who doesn't take any crap off anybody.

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  42. My image of Claire is close to yours. Though I have her looking more like Juliette Binoche, a French actress, who played a Canadian nurse in the "The English Patient". Also really think Jamie will be the tricky one to draw. Oh God, do not make him look like a redheaded Fabio. Think Liam Neeson. Not classicly handsome but someone who draws you to them with just their presence. You can tell I like movies too.

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  43. Well, corkscrew to me does not call up images of perfect sausage curls like the kind found on wigs or that irritating blonde girl from Little House on the Prairie. But some naturally curly hair will, if left to dry alone, curl into loose (or tight) spirals. which is kind of what I was imagining for Claire, except for those times when she brushed it; then it became thick and bushy, with frizzy waves. [g]

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  44. diane m.
    THANK YOU for you little diatribe! it's exactly what i've been thinking.
    chris and lindy, you too.
    imagine the uproar if a movie comes out... actors aren't nearly as editable as drawings!

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  45. I love love love love the picture of claire! It is perfect! As far as curls are concerned I think of Carrie Russells' hair, the perfect amount of curl in my opinion.

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  47. Lisa,

    My pleasure! It felt good to "say" it. People can imagine whatever they like about how they think Claire should look, but the only version that matters is Diana's. I think she would know. It's one thing to express an opinion, but another entirely to blatantly ignore the comments Diana has made about the time & place of this portrait and to contradict what she says her own character looks like.

    I sometimes want to ask, "What book did you read?" because the Claire in my Outlander has loads of soft curls and an oval face, not a full, rounded English face (In Outlander, just after they are married, Jamie comments on her waves(hair), fine-boned face reminding him of the Angevin ladies. He says she has the look of a Frenchwoman). Claire is considered so beautiful that the King of France has his eyes on her, a much younger man (Mr. Wiley)is terribly smitten with her (to the point that he doesn't even consider the danger he faces in making the moves on Jamie Fraser's wife!), and Jamie has to constantly demonstrate that Claire is HIS woman to ward off the hopeful men when they travel with troops. It's her inner strength that _we_ all know that makes _us_ love her, but the men sniffing all around her all the time don't know that about her.

    Ordering Diana back to the drawing board is objectionable to me, but not because it isn't polite. It's objectionable because I can't conceive of telling an author she doesn't understand what her own character looks like!

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  48. Well said DianeM....I think there were many who were thinking that very same thing.

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  49. I always imagined that Claire would look like Alex Kingston.
    The face on the painting is lovely, but I do think she needs more curlier hair.

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  50. yes! Alex Kingston! that's how i imagined Claire at first. my two cents about the "wavy x curly controversy": if i recall, DG asked for some feedback regarding the drawing of Claire. that's what everybody is giving. some more effusively than others... :) i guess it just shows how passionate we all are about the Outlander series. i've been "hosed" less than a year ago, and i confess i've never really "seen" Claire and Jamie, as complete faces, in my mind. more like ideas, and features and personality. somehow i thought, i'll recognize them when i see them. i really did not recognize Claire in that drawing. my loss. but there's one thing that's also true: no creator really owns his/her creation, once it's out in the world.

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  51. Re: Sharaf "Also really think Jamie will be the tricky one to draw. Oh God, do not make him look like a redheaded Fabio."
    I second this. Here's a suggestion, just have Gerard Butler sit down for the artist.

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  52. Well, DG has already said, somewhere here in one of these threads, that in no uncertain terms does Claire have hair like Alex Kingston. In addition, I believe she wondered aloud how anyone could have gotten that out of her descriptions of Claire.

    Yes, DG did ask for feedback (and I think she has very graciously accepted this feedback), however there's a lot of explanation and information in subsequent posts and follow-up comments that would be useful for people to read and thoughtfully consider.

    It may be true that no one owns their creation, but only in terms of how the creation will impact someone else. Most people look at a painting, read a poem, or hear a song and automatically relate it to their own life. Meaning is assigned based on how each person interprets the piece in relation to their prior experiences. A sad love song becomes about a recent break up or a poem about death becomes about the loss of a parent.

    I think, however, that sometimes people do a bit too much of this when it comes to "seeing" characters. You certainly own your experience when you read a novel and you own the meaning that you can assign to the events and to the characters. This is unavoidable, as each person comes to a novel with a different set of experiences, knowledge, and emotions to relate to the events in the novel. When it comes to reading the descriptions of what the characters look like, however, well I think that is solely dependent on good critical reading skills. I teach reading, and while feelings and impressions and how you relate to the material is a big part of critical reading, sometimes just getting the facts down is important too.

    As my husband is fond of saying to me when I say when I try to justify my actions or reactions by explaining what I thought..."You can think what you like, but that won't make it true." I'm not at all surprised that people have varying versions of Claire, that they do indeed own, in their heads. I am surprised that when shown what the author says Claire looks like, taken from the actual physical descriptions in the books, that people actually say she is wrong.

    If I had a tremendously different version in my head from what I saw in the painting, I think I would go back and re-read to see what had gone wrong. Perhaps the character reminded me of my friend, my mother, or an aunt and my brain naturally used that person's features mixed in with the character's features as described in the writing. Perfectly normal, but not necessarily accurate. If the character stays in your head forever, then you can own it there forever - no big deal. In a situation like this, however, I think we need to be flexible and open up what we own to mesh better with how the character is truly written.

    And yes, for those you haven't read the informative comments here and elsewhere on this blog, we have been told that once Claire is out of preliminary drawing stages and no longer sitting for a formal portrait, we will indeed see how her hair escapes from being coiffed and orderly to its regular state of unmanageable, but not corkscrew, curls.

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  53. Diane:

    > "You can think what you like, but that won't make it true." <

    Very well said!

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  54. Oh my where to start. Until I seen the portrait of Claire I had moved on to what she looked like in her fifties. Had to back track and reread the earlier depiction of her. I came to the conclusion that over a 30 year span her hair was not an issue. Her personality had already taken over. Speaking of that, I didn't always like or agree with her, but loved her anyway. I never did have a clear image of Jamie. Just enjoyed watching him grow from a young man to the more mature version. Such a strong personality. I know this has nothing to do with the graphic novel, but just had things I wanted to say.

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  55. Just reread my blog. I wanted to clarify why I said I didn't always like or agree with Claire. For example: When Jamie spanked her I understood her outrage. But then later on the when he did something she didn't agree with she kicked him in the shins(Bree was bad about this too}. I thought Girl! you don't get to have it both ways. I don't know what I would have Jamie or Roger do but they should have let them know it wouldn't be tolerated. Just little things like that. Like I said I loved her anyway. I know I should have joined a book club. Nothing like being a backseat critic.

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  57. Well, I'm really late to the party here, as I just began reading Dragonfly in Amber. I did have Claire pictured a little differently as she seems so advanced for her age. At first glance of the picture, she looks a little "delicate." However, upon further review, she definitely emits an inner strength. If Diana is happy with the rendering, so am I. Again, I'm only beginning the second novel, so I haven't formed a hard core picture in my mind of Claire the way others may have. Now I can picture her Diana's way as I enjoy the story. I'm very much looking forward to seeing Jamie!

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  58. Sharaf--

    Hey, people don't always behave ideally or with sense, even. [g]

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  59. Diana....what you said is true, so very true. That's why my blogging days will be no more. My short comings are showing(especially my spelling). What surprised me was you took the time to answer. I thank you. I will still read the other comments. They have been a hoot. You know of course, you have openned "Pandora's box". People do like to give their opinions.

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  60. I am disappointed with the image. She just doesn't have enough curls, and I wanted them a bit more out of control. I imagine the curls slipping out the plait, resisting the retraints of the plait. This image feels 1980s. Sorry, I wish I did not see the image now. She is too perfect, playmate perfect. I imagine a large portion of your market wants to feel ---she was a bit like themselves. I think people wanted her to be pretty with a splash of average.

    Please do not make Jamie perfect in appearance. I want him to be strong, lean, yet not overdone with bulky muscles. Very attractive, but not perfect.

    Do love the story!

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  61. Sharaf--

    Goodness, don't leave! Or don't stop talking, I mean.

    There's nothing at all wrong with what you said. I was just noting that often characters (well, mine, at least [g]) do behave irrationally or in ways that might be criticized. That's just because they're real. [shrug] Nothing wrong at all with your disagreeing with one of them, though! [g]

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  62. I love the way he did Claire's face it's beautiful, I do think that the way Jamie described the color of her hair means it should have more golden highlights or just be a dark blonde/brown color rather than plain brown. What about her eye color, Golden Eyes like a Hawk, are you going to have that fixed?

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  63. My son naturally has corkscrew curls, although he hates it. Granted he's mixed caucasian, native american and african american, but I went to school with a girl who was not mixed and had naturally corkscrew curly hair (she also hated it) and my Uncle had naturally corkscrew curly hair until he got old enough to lose his hair. It does naturally occur. I thought Claire's hair was somewhere between the big loose waves shown and the corkscrew.

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  64. On a positive note, the graphic novel is a really great idea, I can hardly wait to buy a copy :)

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  65. Sorry I think the hair in the artwork is more wavy. I have wavy hair that is very thick; I have to fight with it in the humidity, when I let it air dry it comes out looking like a BAD perm, and when I blow it dry with a dryer it comes out to a big poof. I have to use a BIG barrel curling iron after it drys, everytime I wash it, or I have to use a straight iron on it. I always felt for Claire's hair situation, because if I could I would have mine poker strait and THIN. I leave the house half the time saying I HATE MY HAIR!

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  66. sd--

    Er...slipping out of/resisting the plait?

    Claire's never even tried to plait her hair, so far as I know (or wrote [g]).

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  67. Waving HI to Diana and Everyone,

    I so love the picture. The face is how I imagined. Being 5'6" at appox. 126lbs (9 stones) her face would have most likely been slim. The hair could be a bit more curly. I guess I just keep going back to chapter one of Outlander. BUT the eyes, that is Claire. The artist did a wonderful job.

    I can not wait to see a picture of Jamie. I was watching Rob Roy the other night and seeing Liam Neeson in a kilt was pretty nice.

    Off the Topic.....

    How many Stones was Jamie?

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  68. Well about Claire wearing her hair in a plait....Gee, I thought there were a few times describing Jamie plaiting her hair because her curls would spring out around her face.

    But, then again all the books were published when I started reading them just a short time ago. I have crunched a lot of Jamie and Claire into a short amount of time.

    Maybe the plait thing was my own detail? Laugh at self

    But I sure thought I remembered it.

    Thanks for such a complicated and excellent story.

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  69. SD:

    You're not imagining it. [g] The example that comes to my mind is in FIERY CROSS, when Claire is "frazzled" on the last day of the Gathering, and Jamie comes up very quietly behind her without saying a word and plaits her hair for her, to save her dealing with the frustration of it on top of all the other frustrations she's going through at that moment. I've always thought that was very sweet.

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  70. Karen,

    Ah yes. Thank you. It was an endearing moment.

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  71. sd--

    Oh, OK. Yes, you're right--Jamie did/does plait it. She doesn't, though.

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  72. The artist's rendition of Claire is pretty much how I imagined her. I look forward to seeing Jamie. There is a painted image of him on the cover of the unabridged Recorded Book, Outlander. I really like that image as well.

    What about a movie? Any discussion about that? First time on this web-site, so I may have missed previous comments.

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  74. Roger thought Claire's eyes were like fine aged sherry. Jaime thought they were like aged whiskey with the sun shining through from behind and her hair colour is described as ash brown (now those colours should fire up a few imaginations).

    Brew asked about Jaime's weight. Claire figured around 15 stone and for you non UK residents 14lbs = 1 stone.

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  75. Gee: this will be my 3rd posting this morning. Beginner's fascination I guess. After reading so much about curls vs. cork-screws, I find myself reflecting on my own 'locks' and their transformation during the past year and a half. After my trip to Scotland in July 06, I returned home to a breast cancer diagnosis. After all the requisite treatments (none of which were available during Jamie and Claire's time) my hair has returned! It is curly and wavey after being straight all my life. I am enjoying my 'new'hair in a way that I never imagined. My awareness around this reminds me of Claire's brief encounter with a well-intended hair-cut and near baldness in book 6. Eventually, she arrived at a place of defiant peace with her new 'doo'. I am defiantly peaceful with my new hair, just as I was with my shiny bald head!

    Diana, thank you for the gentle reminder that despite the warmth of a head of hair, it doesn't necessarily create one's value and self-esteem.

    Loretta

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  76. Loretta--

    Congratulations! Both on your successful treatment, and on your enjoyment of your head--in whatever state. [g]

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  77. I think that the rendering is amazing, I had always pictured Claire as this ethereally beautiful woman. I had a little more of the Kate Winslet type (Titanic era--when she was still nicely curved) in mind, but this is just as good. The artist is amazing. Also...I love the hair, but considering, I think I should send the artist a picture of my Mother's hair..hers is completely Claire hair, curly, thick and tempestuous...

    With regards to the comments about her not looking like she would be tossing back whiskey, performing surgery and such, since when did being pretty mean that you cannot have fire in you? Force of personality is much much more than looks. Its just a bit exhausting to have everyone question Diana on HER characters. I hate to see what it gets to Jamie also... As far as I am concerned though, I would walk through hot coals to get more of Claire and Jamie's story...and considering we get all these goodies from Diana..I am super happy!!

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  78. Like many of us I'm sure, Jamie and Claire are dear friends of mine. I think of them fondly, and even find myself turning to them for advice in my mind - "Well, what would Jamie do?" (and often wish I had Claire's quick wit for comebacks). So of course I have mental pictures of them based on Diana's descriptions and my own imagination. And someone else's interpretation (even the author, apparently!) is never going to be exactly like your own - but I have to say, Hoang's depiction of Claire is stunning. She is beautiful and intense and fragile and strong and haunted, just like I thought but somehow better even. And so what if her hair is less curly and her eyes less yellow? Or even that she's 30 years younger (having just finished my second time through the series a few days ago)? She is exquisite! I think Jamie would be pleased with the painting. I can't wait to see Murtagh... and Jamie!

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  79. Well, Claire is only in her mid twenties when the books first start. I'm sure we will all like the graphic Claire. Even if the drawing isn't what each individual believes her to look like, we will all keep our own Claire image smuggly to ourselves.

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  80. Thanks Sherrye for answering my OT question.

    I can not wait for Jamie's pic.

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  81. I had to add another "plait sighting" - In "Breath of Snow and Ashes", Clare tells Jamie that her hair was "plaited, and quite respectable" when she had found Hiram Crombie and the fisher folk all praying reverently in the kitchen of the Big House after their arrival to Fraser's Ridge.

    After reading the first page of "Outlander", Christmas Day 1996, I have not put the books down. I'm hopelessly "hooked"! I'm now finishing the series for the 6th time in the past year! They just have EVERYTHING!

    I along with the rest of you; can't wait for the next piece of the saga to be released...

    Diana, I am in awe of your work!

    As for the rendering of Clare. Of course, Diana really does have the best vision of what Clare looks like. Yes, this seems to be a very young Clare; before we meet her. I picture her a little 'earthier' as well; but most of us "clean up pretty well" when faced with a portrait or formal occasion, as this rendering would suggest.

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  82. Threadbender,

    Thank you. I thought of that mention of plaits also, but without the books in front of me, I wanted to double check my memory.

    Since the books aren't with me, maybe someone can help me with a question nagging at me. Although I don't remember if a plait was specifically mentioned, but doesn't Claire goes into a store and buy ribbons for each in the family. She carefully chooses the color to suit each person. Did she buy herself a ribbon? If so, what color?

    I just imagined those ribbons were for plaits.

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  83. OK, _je me rends_! [g] Yes, she must have plaited her hair now and then.

    No, though--she didn't buy a ribbon for herself, but Fergus insisted she must have the pink one, in spite of her saying no, no, that was a color for a young girl.

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  84. All in good fun. Truly.

    I treasure the story.

    I just finished another book by a well known author. It felt very watered down after The Outlander series.

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  85. I'm also fairly certain that Claire never plaited her hair. I was thinking that aside from those specifically mentioned moments, that she would only plait it for special occasions. Then I realized she doesn't even do that. Most descriptions of her hair coming loose are either from it being tied back with a ribbon (which seems hard to manage!) or coming loose from it being pinned.

    I feel for Claire, I really do.

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  86. Diana
    Even though I know very little French, it didn't take but seconds to figure out "Je Me Rends",__ I SURRENDER. This blog aside, do you reference your own books when you start a new novel. Especially the side characters. The staggering amount of detail over a long period of time has to be over whelming (I can't remember what I said last week). I know you acknowledge a network of people who help you research historical facts and information, but do you have anyone who researches your own books?

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  87. Sharaf--

    No. And since you mention it, I had been meaning to do the next installment of "Research," which addresses that topic. [g] Stay tuned!

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  88. I love the picture of Clair. I think it is perfect. Don't change a thing.

    Now...when you get to Jamie, that's going to be a little harder. Everyone of your loyal Outlander readers has their own "fantasy image" of "their" Jamie. I know I do! {wicked smile}.

    Thank you for a wonderful series that I have read...re-read...over and over for the past 10+ years. Everytime you come out with a new book I read the series from the start again before I read the new book. I'm even own all the unabridged versions on CD.

    Thank you again. Keep writing.

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  89. Is it normal to be so wrapped up in a story as I am in yours? Everyone I know who read your books have re-read them many times. I am on my second go around. I can not bring myself to read anything else. Your writing is beautiful.

    I have started taking history classes at my local community college, because of your books.

    You opened up a whole new part of myself I never knew existed!

    I am nervous to see the images of the charecters though. Claire is beautiful but Jamie will be hard....

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  90. I realize I spelled characters wrong, sorry.

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  91. Claire's hair looks like Diana says it does. Period.
    On a personal note, by all descriptions in the book I have Claire's hair. I'll admit, I pictured a touch wilder, only because of what's going on on my own head. I assume when Claire is in the wild it will get wilder (I especially hope it will be for the scene where she (SPOILER) kills Gellie in the cave). With product, good weather luck and better luck, hair like mine/ours is curly ringlets. Without, it looks a bit like the picture. It's a brown lion's mane when left to it's own devices, and is as difficult, unruly, and unpredictable as Clarie's personality. I love it for that.

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  92. --ddwinton

    I don't know how "normal" it is, but I have the same problem...I just finished "Breath of Snow..." the other day, and just like most folks who love Diana, I have also read Outlander 3 times...books 2-5 twice...
    Ditto on the love of history entering my life...never saw that coming!

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  93. ps.
    I am sure Jamie will be exactly as Diana pictures him...

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  94. One thing about Diana's books is you cannot skim through them. If you do, you find when reading the next book that something happens that relates to the previous book or 3 or 4!! They are books that I never tire of reading (I have read the complete series 3 times - saw a lot of 3am and 4am timings there - good thing I'm single). Once started it is like your hand becomes a magnet and you can't let the book go! In other words, fantastic writing. Thank you Diana for sharing your wonderful talent for storytelling.

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  95. The girl in the picture is perfect and pretty with lovely delicate wispy hair, but she just looks like any other pretty lass, she does not represent the stubborn and unruly woman we have imagined.
    Claire has an edge; she should have stubborn and unruly hair.
    We want CURLS - give Claire CURLS!
    Personally, I like the Alex Kingston suggestion.

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  96. Okay to jump back in here; first of all THANKS SOO Much to Diana for taking the time to reply to our suggestions; I really don't know where you find the time to read all the opinions and respond, your emails, respond to the posts on the compuserve forum, as well as here, and oh yeah write. Second I pictured Claire's hair not spiral tight or Alex Kingston tight, but still more curly, just bigger curls.

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  97. Sometimes I wish my hair would be a bit curlier. It’s just straight and nothing special.

    Julia

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  98. I think the rendering of Claire is lovely. If DG thinks this is what Claire looks like then who are we to say differently? I must addmit that all these reader's comments cannot be wrong about the preceived curliness of Claire's hair. How else would so many of us find her hair in the portrait conflicting with so many of our conceived notions of what we beleive it should look like? Here is one example from Outlander. Jamie is saying how he loves Claire's hair and she says "But it's so...curly." Jamie goes on to say how one of Dougal's girls at the Castle would like to scratch Claire's eyes out for having hair like that without lifting a hand-hair that "would have taken her three hours with the hot tongs." Jamie "tugged gently on one curl, stretching it down so that , uncurled, it reached nearly to my breast." Jamie says "Jenny's hair is curly, too, but not so much as yours." I think that our reading comments like this throughout the books are what has given so many of us the picture of curlier hair on Claire.

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  99. The hair I find to be a good representation. I do however think their needs to be more work done on the facial features. In my minds eye I see Claire as fuller in the face, less anime. Also, Claire is a tough broad. The current face seems to delicate. Maybe it's the lips????

    Also, don't forget that it is mentioned pretty often that Claire has a "fine, fat, arse" God, I love that!!!

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  100. Clair can still be a tough gal and pretty; its all in the attitude not as much the looks. I agree with Linda, we've all taken the description of her hair and come up with an image in our head of Claire havin much curlier hair.

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  101. I've always pictured Claire as looking like Emma Thompson, roundish face, curly hair, and ample body (not big or small just sort of average) and I must admit I was a little surprised by the picture of her.

    But, like others have said, if Diana thinks this is Claire then so be it.

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  102. Lovely representation. It is wonderful to see how you "see" Claire. I cannot wait for the graphic novel. Also, as mentioned by several others, I hate to see what the reaction will be when you first introduce the artist rendition of Jamie. This place will be on fire with heated words. Best of luck and thank you for your wonderful words!

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  103. Her hair looks to blowen dry and modern. Needs more frezz.

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  104. After reading the series more times than I care to admit, in my mind Claire looks much less 'Barbie'. She has redder, less coiffed, curlier, less manageable hair - a glint in her eye. A little less 'the perfect model'. But Diana, since you are Claire's creater, you know her best.

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  105. Dear Lilymar--

    I've seen any number of people draw "their" conception of Claire--or talk about it--and am amazed at how many people see her with reddish hair.

    It isn't red in the slightest. It's _always_ described as brown, or light brown, or light brown with "paler bits".

    On the other hand, a lot of people imagine her with _black_ hair--having evidently been brain-washed by the author's picture on the back of the book.

    No accounting! [shrug]

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  106. Diana, I checked your Blog today and I am amazed. I'm wondering if you are growing weary of re-stating the details regarding Claire's hair?

    Loretta

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  107. DG and fans -
    I'm guessing that another level of what's going on here is that people are unfamiliar with the graphic novel. Everything and everyone are exaggerated and glamorous...and the artist's vision. If you are unfamiliar, see 300.
    Similarly, the joy of reading is that it is an experience that activates our imaginations. The Claire in your imagination is true for you, as is the Claire in mine.
    (this is why I'm the one person on earth that DOESN'T want hollywood to get a hold of our beloved series, even though I'm in the film industry).
    All that being said, Diana IS Claire, as she is Jamie, and all the others.

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  108. My daughter has natural corkscrew curls, especially around her face. So there are "natural" corkscrew curls!

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  109. KKB210
    You are probably not alone in hoping Hollywood doesn't get ahold of this series of novels. I have sweaty palms imagining how a screenwriter would adapt one or all of these books. I have seen some very fine adaptations (Gone With The Wind) and some nearly unrecognizable ones. I guess it would depend how much control D.G. would have over her own work. What ever happens, it's going to be interesting.

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  110. Dear jwiles--

    I daresay there are--but Claire doesn't have them.

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  111. Loretta--

    Well, you notice that I only post a reiteration of what i said every thirty or forty messages, not each time. [wry g]

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  112. Oh god... She IS white... just like Irish white...

    And well... mebbe I dont know enough to say this.... But she has that look about her which (if she were for real), would definately make Jamie (if he were real) say, what he did in book 6 about something in a woman that makes a man want to take her. (if you will pardon my being very inexperienced in life and still saying so)

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  113. Dear Rashi--

    Thank you! Yes, one thing that causes me to think we're fairly close with this portrait of Claire is that both my agent and my husband fell madly in love with her on sight. [g]

    I was out of town when I got the portrait, and emailed it to my husband, who described her in an immediate return email as "lupine...compelling. I like her!"

    My agent, meanwhile wrote back that couldn't stop looking at her, and kept opening up the picture again and again.

    That's the effect that Claire appears to _have_ on men--judging from the response of everyone from Dougal to Philip Wylie to Tom Christie--so apparently this portrait is along the right lines in that respect.

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  114. The more I look at the drawing of Claire, the more I like it (except for the hair - just needs to be a bit more curly/wavy from the top down - but no corkscrews please.

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  115. In response to Diana; I think its the eyes. I'm an 'eye' person, thats the first thing I notice on a person. You can speak volumes with your eyes, you can relate anger, flirting, warmth, confusion, intimidation. My grandmother was Native American and she had these dark pools for pupils; I always felt like she could look right through me. My cousin has those same eyes, and I feel like she can do the same.

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  116. I think she's lovely. I don't suppose we would have been shown the picture if it were not what Diana had in mind.

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  117. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  118. Accepting the fact that my opinion is really of no consequence and that DG's image is the one that counts, I'll still add my two cents worth to this debate. The woman depicted is beautiful, but my first (and after many reappraisals)final impression of "Claire" was: What's with those thin, fine sculpted eyebrows and all that shaded eye makeup? And are those top lips for real? The hair is gorgeous, but has no natural look to it, just the look of a stylist. This image doesn't have a sense of either a l940's or l960's woman, rather a very modern look of a model in Elle magazine advertising a sex kitten nurse. Rather than a natural beauty that combines sexiness and strength of character, this "Claire" merely looks to have a pouty sex demeanor. I love the Outlander books and have never really had a specific face for any of the characters, but this is certainly not what I would have thought of for Claire.

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  119. AMEN to Kristine!! You put it very eloquently. :)

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  120. She looks very much like I thought she would! I have always imagined her eyes a much lighter color, though.

    I do have some corkscrew/ringlet curls in the under section of my hair, but the top curls up in waves or a poofy fro depending on the amount of moisture in the air. I feel Claire's pain.

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  121. oh well,
    atleast from now on (since the picture has been out) Jamie can stop worrying that the woman he married might have a face like a sheep, no matter what her bum feels/looks like

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  122. Hello Diana! The girl in the picture is very pretty, and agree that with Claire being your creation she should look just as you want. So the following is just 'in my opinion' of course.

    The girl seems a bit too delicate, and Claire has always struck me as being quite physically strong, and being a bit more filled out in the face as a result. In my mind's eye I've always pictured Claire with much curlier hair, not corkscrew, just very clearly define curls. As I recall, Nayawenne was delighted at how Claire's curl sprang back when pulled. I just assumed that when Claire's hair was all around her face, it was either frizzy from the weather, or messed up from an adventure. The girl in the picture has waves, and in real life would probably have to really primp and twist them into being springy curls. The hair colour in the picture is quite nice. The eyebrowns are much to thin and tweezed looking.

    I've always pictured Claire as a fairer version of Catherine Zeta-Jones - in particular the gorgeous sherry eyes, full rosy cheeks, not overly full lips, nice teeth, womanly body. Except with Claire's lovely ivory skin and lighter and curlier hair.

    That being said, I haven't touched a flat iron since I started reading the series 3 years ago and am very proud of my curly hair now! Thank-you very much for giving Claire the hair she has, as it's truly been liberating for me!

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  123. Diana's is the opinion that counts of course, but with that said-

    Not sure about the hair- need to see with the cap off but where are the gold streaks?

    Eyes- perfect rendering- love the way the amber light is captured, positively feline.

    Face- don't agree that this should be rounder,but the chin is so delicate and pointy and Claire has such force of will I think the jaw should be a bit firmer. And perhpas the upper lip less like a cupie doll.

    Can't wait to see Dougal!

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  124. I too enjoy how the pic of claire looks but does anybody think Jack
    Randall should or does look like Jason Isaacs? He was the mean english officer in The Patriot (who killed two of Mel Gibson's character's sons)and he also played Malfoy's dad in the Harry Potter series. I think he is dark enough to play Black Jack
    Also i am glad somebody posted how much 1 stone weighs. saved me a trip to google. I first read the series back in 1995 and read over and over. can't wait until 2009

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  125. What about the picture on the cover of the first "Outlander" paperback? That I still have even tho I bought the entire series after that which has no pictures? Jamie describes her as looking like a sheep. Even tho sheeps can be cute. That is how I picture Claire. As for Jamie, well, just don't make him out to be a Brad Pitt or something of that nature. He's from Scotland and should be a rough and tumble, good looking male. Fiery red hair, tall, muscular, sort of on the ruddy side (?) Something like that.
    Donna

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  126. What about the picture on the cover of the first "Outlander" paperback? That I still have even tho I bought the entire series after that which has no pictures? Jamie describes her as looking like a sheep. Even tho sheeps can be cute. That is how I picture Claire. As for Jamie, well, just don't make him out to be a Brad Pitt or something of that nature. He's from Scotland and should be a rough and tumble, good looking male. Fiery red hair, tall, muscular, sort of on the ruddy side (?) Something like that.
    Donna

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  127. What about the picture on the cover of the first "Outlander" paperback? That I still have even tho I bought the entire series after that which has no pictures? Jamie describes her as looking like a sheep. Even tho sheeps can be cute. That is how I picture Claire. As for Jamie, well, just don't make him out to be a Brad Pitt or something of that nature. He's from Scotland and should be a rough and tumble, good looking male. Fiery red hair, tall, muscular, sort of on the ruddy side (?) Something like that.
    Donna

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  128. Dear Donna--

    Jamie said she had a _face_ like a sheep. Not hair like a sheep, for heaven's sake (good grief; have you ever _seen_ a sheep up close?).

    And he was teasing, besides.

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  129. Dear Purdue--

    Um..no. In re Jason Isaacs, I mean. Though I refer you to my earlier comments on actors embodying different people.

    You know--and I mean nothing personal to you by saying this--I'm constantly astonished/amused by the way people glom onto images from random movies/TV shows--not necessarily because they match the physical image with the written description--but because the actor/actress they saw _was playing a role vaguely similar to the novel's character(s)_.

    Can't tell you how many idi--er...grossly impressionable people [cough] wrote to me after BRAVEHEART, telling me that they visualized Jamie looking _exactly_ like Mel Gibson, and Really, Really Hopes that Mr. Gibson would be available to play him in the eventual movie. Ahh...say _what_?!?

    Ditto, when Whatsername Quinn, Medicine Woman was on TV, I'd get wads of mail from people who visualized Claire as looking _exactly_ like Jane Seymour, and they Really, Really Hoped...

    All of which leaves me rather scratching my head over the odd way people's minds seem to work--but it doesn't alter my impression of what the people in my novels really _do_ look like. [g]

    And no, I'm afraid that Black Jack Randall really doesn't look like Jason Isaacs, in spite of the latter having played a Wicked English Officer.

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  130. Wow, Mel Gibson? Really? I'd have thought Brendan Gleeson (Hamish) was a closer match to Jamie - at least he was burly and had red hair. He's too old now though.

    Question - how hard will it be to cast the movie roles, now that the characters' likenesses have been officially formed?

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  131. Diana,

    Not to get off the subject of curls, but keeping with the last few comments. There have been so many suggestions about who should be cast as which character; I've always wondered that if a miniseries or movie were made from the books if you would want the actor who would be cast as Frank to also be cast as Jack? Claire remarks over and over in Outlander about how much the two men resemble each other, that she has to keep reminding herself who is who. I know that you've commented in the past that you would have no say over casting, so this is just a question of your personal opinion. Also any thoughts on the same actors who would be cast as Jamie in Outlander be cast as Jamie in Breath of Snow and Ashes just use makeup and editing techniques to age them? These are just questions to get your opinion.

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  132. I wonder if part of the difficulty in trying to picture actors playing these characters lies in the fact that they are portrayed so vividly in the books that they seem like real people -- and therefore they are as unique in appearance as any of us. Think about yourself, your friends and family. Do you or they resemble any movie actor or actress you've ever seen? If not, then why do people assume that Jamie and Claire *must* somehow look like someone who exists in real life?

    I think if they ever do make a movie of OUTLANDER, it would be better to cast unknown actors.

    Karen

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  133. I haven't blogged for several days and I think it's made me cranky. Just been reading the comments.
    On the subject of Claire's curls(I know D.G. asked for comments) I think we are "flogg'n a dead horse here". Let's think of something else to harass her about. Millions of readers, millions of different images. Only one matters and I thinks she has made it clear (her patience is astounding)what her image of Claire is.
    On the subject of the movie...I want to see a great script, actors and actress's who make you forget who THEY are and what THEY look like, I want them to bring the charaters to life. Jamie, Claire and Diana deserve this. This will be a tall order. Plus it will be interesting to see how the film studio markets this production. That can make or break a movie from the very beginning.
    Phew! I feel better! I promise to go back to just reading the blog.

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  134. Dianna, it is absolutely your right to depict your characters as you see them. As it is also right for me to see them as you painted them for me.

    My own vision of Claire was cemented in outlander, and Jamie’s reference to others needing hours with hot tongs to replicate her curls has stuck with me. It was reinforced when her hair was growing in and lay in tight curls.

    The artists rendering was a bit of a shock, and I think not just to me. I LOVE your characters, and have held them as friends since first introduction. They are vividly portrayed in my mind already. I am actually disquieted by the idea of a film or visual representation, because I am not sure that I want to mess with that.

    My Jamie is tall, strong, with wavy red hair and amazingly blue eyes... and rough a la Keith urban. My Claire will forever be voluptuous, fair and whiskey-eyed, with riotous curls of warm brown hair.

    Thank you for the countless hours of escape and pleasure your words have given me.

    Linda

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  135. Dear Joyce--

    Brendan Gleeson?!? That...hulk?

    I mean, you're entitled to your own opinion, sure, but since when does "young, tall, lean, graceful, muscular..." translate into "gross, whiskery blob"?

    No, never mind, I know...he was the only guy in a kilt with red hair. Ergo...JAMIE!! [wry g] (Similar impressions apparently operating on the people who write to tell me they envision Jamie as looking like Mark McGwire. I mean..yak.)

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  136. Dear Diana, oy vey, not my opinion at all - I can't picture anyone in the role myself. If Braveheart was the only acting pool available, yes, BG at least had red hair and looked like a highlander - 6'2 as opposed to Mr Hollywood's 5'10 and so on. Hulk, indeed.

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  138. I could maybe see Brendan Gleeson as Angus Mhor, the big, hulking brute who was Colum's aide in OUTLANDER. But Jamie? Absolutely no way! I agree, the thought is revolting.

    For me, any actor cast as Jamie would have to meet all of the following:
    1) Jamie's build (6'4", lean, athletic, graceful)
    2) Would the sight of him in a kilt make women want to "fling him to the floor and commit ravishment"? [g] (to quote Claire in DRUMS) Because if the answer is no, that's not Jamie.[g]
    3) Can you picture this man at the royal court in Versailles, let alone attracting the favorable notice of the King of France? Because, of course, Jamie is not just a Highlander, he is also an 18th century gentleman, well-educated, cultured, sophisticated. Whoever plays him would need to be able to project that part of his character as well.

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  139. To ddwinton:
    It has been a while since you posted your comments, but I felt moved to respond to your question about normalcy and being "wrapped up" with a story...
    Stories can change lives. Sometimes fictional characters can give us the strength we need to deal with things in our lives that otherwise could overwhelm us. Now I am not talking about a WWCD (What Would Claire Do?) kind of approach, or not entirely. What I am talking – er, writing – about is making a thoughtful decision, coming to the realization that even though I have not been so in the past, I can be as strong, or as resilient or as persistent or brave as a character in a story that has resonated deeply with who I think I am, or maybe who I want to be.

    Monta
    http://montagael.blogspot.com

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  140. This kind of goes along with what Monta is talking about; I get as wrapped up in these books as some people do in Days of Our Lives, or Grey's Anatomy. For me each book has been like a season of my favorite show, and when I finish reading it I can't wait for the next one; just as some people hate it when their favorite T.V. show goes on break until the fall. I don't think its odd for people to get so engrossed in these books that they have to read them over and over; I mean look at how many people purchase seasons of their favorite shows on dvd. I don't think its odd for women to be in LOVE with Jamie or admire Claire; who isn't in love with McDreamy or McSteamy? Keira Knightly had the opportunity of a lifetime when she played Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice; she said that it was her favorite book growing up. She said that she read it over and over, and used to imagine herself in that role. It was a dream come true for her. Please don't consider yourself odd, if you love these books and have read them so much that you have to duct tape them back together; you are not alone.

    Amanda

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  141. When I first saw her I thought she looked amazing. I also wondered about the hair, though. My sister's hair is so curly - these natural sausage curls she doesn't have to do a thing for. Of course, her hair gets bushy and stands up about her head sometimes, but I mostly imagined Clair's hair to be like that. I was surprised that her hair seems to be more like mine. I think that us readers tend to have our own painted picture in our head, even though you have done such a wonderful job describing your characters. I think she looks so beautiful. Not perfect, just...arresting. You know, when I looked at that picture, I too, got the overall impression of "fine bones and white linen". :-) Which to me means that drawing of her is just perfect.

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  142. I swore to myself that I was not going to make another comment on the portrait of Claire or her hair, but here I go again. It's not so much the artist's rendition as I have a hard time imagining this head on the full body Claire seems to have (nice size breast and a nice fat bum). Any one else out there that thinks the same?

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  143. The picture of Claire is beautiful, but looks a bit like an adult Hermoine from Harry Potter!

    I never actually imagined Claire to be that beautiful - she looks too stunning. I always imagined her to have a more practical beauty with some imperfections. Her hair wasn't as big or bushy in my head either.

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  144. Hi Diana,
    I hope Im not too late to comment, I really like your Claire. The 'photo' was obviously taken at an earlier time than the story began, she is after all wearing a nurses uniform, therefor she does look slightly younger than I imagined. It must have been sprung on her to have the photo taken as her hair is loose and as a nurse she could not possibly have worn her hair like that on duty, it would have to be up above the collar. She has just brushed it, maybe using some of her favourite perfume in an attempt to tame it. Only the colour is not quite right, I did expect it to be slightly lighter, with dark gold lights that glint in the sun. But thats the problem, the 'photo' must have been taken in the spring and anyone who lives in England or Scotland knows that our hair darkens during the winter and comes alive again with the summer sun. Thats my mystry solved, she is as she is.
    Interestingly my daughter does not want to see her picture, Claire is alive in her head and she wants her too stay that way.
    Thank you for giving us so much enjoyment.

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  145. Great picture of Claire. I am really pleased at her picture. After reading books with no pictures you get a sense of what they look like personally and as I have read over the posts, I have noticed we all have our own version of what Claire looks like and how she is the same and different to each of us. I am anxious to see Jamie. I have also noted that their is a movie going to be made. I have my own ideas as to who could play who and I am really hoping to see some of the people I picture to play the parts of Claire and Jamie and the rest of the characters. I won't bore you with details.

    Diana, keep up the good work. I love your work. I hope things continue with the kids and I can't wait to see how they turn out as well.

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  146. Diana,

    I think she is perfect - thank you for providing this image. You do such a wonderful job of describing everything and "painting" a picture with your words that it seems to have created quite the conundrum for fans of the books.

    I think one thing that people have overlooked - and if they don't have curly hair they wouldn't understand - is that Claire is always BRUSHING her hair. Brushing curls out would make her hair look exactly like it does in the image that you provided. My hair is very much like this - and even without corkscrews I can pull it down, it is quite longer than when it is "puffed" out and it will "spring" back up.

    I do hope that these books are adapted, but wish they would be turned into a long running series perhaps on HBO or Showtime. That way the stories could be fleshed out properly and justice given to the wonderful details and varied plots within.

    I think Henry Cavill from "The Tudors" would make a great Jamie - he has blue eyes, is only 6'1, but seems like a big 6'1 and the build and facial bones look right to me. He quite often makes facial expressions that remind me of those described for Jamie. Dye the man's hair red and I think he would do a fine job. (There was even a nice nude seem with him in the first episode that nicely shows his behind, which using your words I have to say was quite "sublime" - if your still looking for examples of Jamie's buttocks, you should check out Mr. Cavill's.)

    I hope that all of the criticism of your Claire will not prevent you from sharing other images of the characters as they are ready - I am anxiously awaiting to see them and graciously accept your renditions!

    Thank you for everything - you're the greatest!!

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  147. I know that this is a few months past post date but it always made me smile the way claire's curly hair was described, i know because my own hair is naturally curly & has a mind of its own. Some days it will sit in the perfect corkscrew & others it looks like i have been dragged through a bush backwards 10 times over!

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  148. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. No need to be overly sensitive either - Did not mean to be rude (or to delete my comment!) but curly hair is very specific and requires a little know-how!

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  149. Wow, Sirena. No need to be rude.

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