Friday, February 22, 2008

Graphic Novel Update!

Just to let y'all know that I've posted a sample page of the graphic novel script--so you can see what one looks like--and a page of Hoang's layout sketches. Layout sketches are rough drawings, made so that we can be sure Hoang and I have the same vision of what the page looks like; that he has the composition and perspective I was envisioning, and whether there are any small details that I forgot to include that should be present (or that he's added, but that oughtn't to be there for historical or plot reasons).

Yes, that _is_ Jamie in the third panel. And yes, he is young [g]--remember, he's only 22 here.

As always, I'm fascinated to hear what y'all think!

41 comments:

  1. Diana:

    (I am moving my comment from your previous post. The only reason I'm awake right now is because the damn cat had to go out and woke me up.)

    Just saw your new post at your website and the sketches are FABULOUS!!!! I can feel the movement of the horses in the first and last frames, and Jamie is beautiful. Ah! I am in love all over again, and YES! I'm gushing. Forgive me.

    Midge

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is a PS to my comment above --

    I check out Hoang's website and I am quite impressed. You have been saying, over and over, what a prodigious talent he has -- well, you're right. I especially love the image of the young woman with the chin strap and tattooing. It's beautiful. His CGI stuff is awesome. I wish he was doing the graphics for the Sims2!!

    Midge

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm glad you put up the website of Hoang Nguyen. This should give people a better concept the type of art a graphic novels requires. His work is beautiful.
    Maybe if we had the preliminary sketchs and not the portrait of Claire first, people wouldn't have had such strong opinion's on her hair. Quite pleased with the drawing of Jamie. If the backside looks as promising as the front, you will have my full attention.
    Now... on to the Ode To the Penis. I may or may not leave a comment on that one. I have a feeling the ode will say it all.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear Diana,
    I think the sketch is great!! Nguyen (I looked at his website) is VERY talented and has got beautiful drawings.

    Will see some more sketches on your website in the future?

    Oh man..I can't wait to see the drawings where Jamie and Claire are together (who knows how often you heard that until now [g])
    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  5. The sketches were fantastic as is Nguyen's other art. I'm so looking forward to this project being completed, yet it's so much fun to get some of the day to day along the way!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love the sketches, Diana. I posted this question on Compuserve, but in case you didn't see it, am reposting it here. Which style of Hoang's art will be represented in the GN? Will it be in the style of his CG characters, paintings or comics?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wonderful graphics. Even in preliminary, he's caught the mood. I think, when all is said and done, you will all be very proud of this collaborative work.

    ReplyDelete
  8. The sketches are great! Even in this quick sketch, the eyes are unmistakably Jamie's. And I like the action scenes with the horses too.

    I am really intrigued by that line about Jamie swearing an oath not to kill. My mind has been buzzing with all sorts of speculations, regarding the implications this would have for later events (such as Jamie killing the guard on his way to rescue Claire from BJR). It definitely adds a new twist (or several!) to the story.

    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dear Diana: The sketches are marvelous. What a great way to expand on your story. I can't believe I'm writing this but I'm almost more excited about reading the graphic novel than Echo. Of course I'm looking forward to both. Have you come up with a title for the graphic novel? This is very exciting. Celia

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dear Diana,

    I think it's great! The drawings are exciting, even in their primitive state, and makes me think that when it's done it will REALLY be exciting! I didn't think I'd like to see a graphic novel, or even a movie, but this all looks very interesting, and I will certainly buy the graphic novel when it comes out. It's a different way to look at a familiar story, and that's got me intrigued right about now. Good luck and I can't wait to see it.
    amy

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a tease! The drawings are simply fantastic! Merrymags was right, I can feel the movement of the horses and I swear I can actually hear the clansman talk! Of course, I've no idea what he's saying but I hear him nonetheless. This collaboration is such a wonderful idea - best of luck!

    (PS - A million scenes I'm looking forward to seeing but for some reason, I really want to see Claire trying to patch up Jaime on the side of the road after that first skirmish with the dragoons. Fighting to keep those linen strips in place, cursing up a storm, shouting orders to the Scots and finally coming close to breaking down. I couldn't put the book down after that!)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love the rendition of young Jamie. He's just as gorgeous as I imagined him to be. I can't wait to see the GN!

    ReplyDelete
  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Beautiful! Love the sketch of Jamie. Looking forward to more glimpses of the GN!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Diana,

    Thank you for posting these sketches. They are amazing. This is truly very exciting! What I love the most is the opportunity to go back to the time of Outlander but get new scenes from different perspectives. Thank you, and thanks to Hoang, for ahring this with us!

    Diane

    ReplyDelete
  16. Diana,

    Your graphic novel has left me breathless. I am so anxious to see more!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Cheese on Rice I am excited! Wow. This book is number one on my wish list. Any idea on pub dates?

    Thank you so much for giving everyone a peek - despite the curly hair saga, it's an amazing process from script to page.

    Jen (not Peter)

    ReplyDelete
  18. I wish I could draw horses as good as Hoang does in his fast sketches. Jamie looks great.I like his eyes.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Dear Diana,

    I love, love, love the sketches! Very exciting to finally see Jamie, and just that tiny glimpse leaves me craving more, of course.

    How brilliant to have the GN show a different side to the story, instead of just a graphic re-telling (not that I'd mind that, either).

    Thanks for always keeping things fresh, always surprising, and never disappointing.

    teddie

    ReplyDelete
  20. ok so. i just have to say that i had already googled Hoang as soon as i saw the pic of Claire as well as that I checked your website several times a day everyday since you mentioned the update. I think I may be borderline obsessed. The sketches are wonderful! The pic of Jamie is so exciting! i cant wait to see more!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks for sharing these sketches. The process is fascinating and I anticipate a great story from Murtagh's POV. Regarding the hint of Jamie shown...a few of us opined (tongue firmly in cheek) that in light of the comments after Claire's portrait was shown, the GN when showing Jamie might adopt the QUO VADIS or BEN HUR method of showing Christ....a mere shadow, a hint of a figure, an arm, maybe. Since so many fans think of Jamie as next to God Almighty already, this would have distinct advantages....cough and grin. However, no sooner had we began that delightful speculation, we were quickly brought to heel by several others who with great pomposity informed us that the hero must be shown in the GN in order for the story to work. (oh?!) Never mind, carry on and I'm sure the end results will be delightful. Janice

    ReplyDelete
  22. Janice~

    That's actually a really good idea, the Quo Vadis thing, but I'm also content, quite so, to see Diana's idea of Jamie. She's gifted us with him thus far -- I'll trust her with the visual, too.

    Midge

    ReplyDelete
  23. Diana,

    I love the sketches, especially the one of Jamie, even if it is just a first glimpse. He looks so... I don't know, I guess handsome is the best word for him (in Spanish "apuesto" seems to describe it better). I also loved the one of Claire, and I saw how many comments that one got. I've seen more of Hoang's work, and I just think it's incredible how he draws and paints. Fantastic! Can't wait for more of the GN!

    ReplyDelete
  24. This is completely off of the main topic....but, could someone please tell me how to subscribe to the Main Blog here, so that when a NEW one is posted from Diana I actually get a notice? I only get updates if I myself post a blog, then click on the little square that says: Email follow up comments to...
    If I don't remember to check daily, I get so far behind, and I hate that!!! By the time I want to add a message, everyone is onto the next topic! HELP!
    Thanks,
    Sharon ☺

    ReplyDelete
  25. All the way down at the very bottom of her blog, you'll see Post Atom. That's an RSS feed. Click on that, and you can add the notice to your google home page or the google RSS reader. That's the only way I know. And I use Firefox which has an RSS notifier add on so a little icon lights up every time I get a new feed.
    Every time Diana posts on her blog, you'll get a notice that way.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thanks, Nightsmusic, I'll try that.
    I don't want to miss a word from Diana! :)
    AND I have noticed most of her fans are quite interesting too!

    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  27. Interesting is probably the polite way to describe us, what with Ode to a Penis and such....

    LOL

    And you're welcomed :D

    ReplyDelete
  28. "a mere shadow, a hint of a figure, an arm, maybe."


    Well, as is obvious from what Ms. Gabaldon has been saying, it would be a buttock. :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. I checked out Hoang Nguyen's website and he is incredible. And, I love the picture of Jamie. I realize that it needs to be fleshed in but what a great start. He looks beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing so much of your work with us. I can't wait to see more and, now that the writer's strike is over, anything new on the movie possibility??

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi Diana,
    Like everyone who has left a comment so far, I love the image of Jamie and the sketches you've shown, can't wait to see the GN!

    Can you please refrain from going to so many engagements (I just checked your appearances on your webiste) and finish the GN and Echo quickly? Can't wait.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Love the sketches and Hoang's website. Fascinating to see Jamie. I agree with Crissylass...less public appearances and more writing of the GN and/or Echoes or The Scottish Prisoner [g]. I just love your work. Looking forward to more sketches.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'm so excited for this! Nguyen's art looks gorgeous, and I like his Claire, she's very captivating! But I think her personality comes out when she's speaking, or gesturing or something [g]. Also, Jamie is making me drool, even as a rough sketch. I don't know if my heart can take Full-Color-Jamie. I might die, but of happiness, so that's alright at least. I think this might be better than a movie for the sake of a visual, since you have input and can really get your characters across in the way you see them.

    This is going to be a long, long year, isn't it? Oh dear. At least I have something to (re)read while I'm waiting!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I'm just tickled that we get a "behind the scenes" peek at the graphic novel. Thank you. :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thanks for taking us along for the ride! This is just so neat to see how the process works, and the fun of it all when it's completed. I can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
  35. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Diana,

    I love love love the sketches. Jamie is everything I thought he would be and more! Also I dont think you could have found a more capable artist... its so exciting

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love the sketches so far but think Claire should have much more curlier hair.

    ReplyDelete
  38. i really liked the sketches. i love horses and black & white. one of my favorite pastimes nowadays is casting for an imaginary Outlander movie. it’s fun, especially now that i’ve been going through my first Outlander reread (the Cross Stitch version), try and see the scenes with the faces of my cast. i was a little worried with Claire’s picture, that she might end up looking like an anime character. about Jamie, he still seems to be faint in the drawing, not completely incarnated. i can’t see where’s it’s going yet. i just imagined that his hair was shorter. if i’m not mistaken his hair is not that long; at the beginning of Outlander Jamie had shortly arrived from France, the Abbey, here he stayed for four months recovering from Dougal’s attack, and i imagined that the monks had shaved his hair to look after the injure… i may be wrong, i’ll find out soon as i go on rereading :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. Diana,

    My God, they're gorgeous. Jamie looks great: young and studly and striking. (I'm fine with 22 since I started reading your books when I was just under that age myself.) Love your dialogue and Hoang's art is perfection.

    Lauren

    PS. The Last of the Mohicans is my favorite film -- excellent choice of hair model with Madeleine Stowe.

    ReplyDelete
  40. I know this posting was a while back, forgive me for neglecting to visit for such a long while. I love, no, adore the "S K E T C H" of Jamie. It's perfect, in every way. An artist myself, I have tried on several occasions to put his face to paper. This is so very close to what I had come up with. He is perfect however because Herself had input on the drawings. I love him. Not too young. Not at all. He is perfect! Nicely done!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Diana:

    I must say that I love the idea of a graphic novel.


    I have to agree with Midge, that the sketches are WONDERFUL!!! Jamie is just as I pictured him, amazing and beautiful. The only thought that I have on the picture of Claire, is I guess I assumed her hair would be curlier? No matter, he has captured her beauty and is breath taking. I CAN NOT wait to see a portrait of them together. It is most exciting to see them come to life.

    Also I read on one of the posts that there is a movie in the making?? Just curious if this is true or false info. I am crossing my fingers that it is true (though casting will be very difficult no doubt)I only say that because, you have painted them already in my mind a set picture of rare beauty, which will be hard to follow.

    Rachel

    ReplyDelete