tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post2600701155970179119..comments2024-03-17T00:24:18.754-07:00Comments on Voyages of the Artemis: In Which I DigressDiana Gabaldonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09537964955785653500noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-36400311763904557532008-03-30T15:50:00.000-07:002008-03-30T15:50:00.000-07:00Mrs. Gabaldon you live a truly amazing life!! I do...Mrs. Gabaldon you live a truly amazing life!! I do not know anyone who can accomplish all of that AND still have time for themselves. I just have one question. When all is said and done, when do you think you will be able to come up to Canada? Is that your choice or your publishers ?Samanthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05495876612128889594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-57827655344104664672008-03-26T12:23:00.000-07:002008-03-26T12:23:00.000-07:00Diana said:"And in all fairness, I've been accusto...Diana said:<BR/><BR/>"And in all fairness, I've been accustomed to a large amount of hair-raising change in life, ever since I met my husband. [g] Not that he is solely responsible for this; it's just that we both have this wild streak of "Oh, why NOT?" and we reinforce it in each other. So we've done something guaranteed to turn our lives upside down, on an average of once every two years. Move across the country with all our possessions in a U-Haul to go to graduate school? Have a baby? Buy a house? Have another baby? Start a business? Have _another_ baby?!? Buy a much bigger and more interesting house? (that's what we did with the advance, when I sold OUTLANDER, btw). Write a novel? Quit your job? Oh, heck...why NOT? [g]<BR/><BR/>You know, we just roll with the punches."<BR/>************************************************<BR/><BR/>Midge responds (belatedly):<BR/><BR/>There are folks in this world with adventurous spirits and those without; there are those who roll with the punches and those who get bruised. One is not better or more preferable, but it takes both to appreciate the specific gifts and talents of the other.<BR/><BR/>Diana, you are a most talented writer. You have put to good use the gift that God granted you. You have a mighty support system -- your beloved husband, your loving children and family, the professionals who help make it possible. But, without your fans, your gift would go largely unappreciated and you would be unfulfilled. <BR/><BR/>I do not subscribe to the gluttonous consumption of celebrity that is prevalent in our world today because it smacks of one being better than the other. But, I will admit that when you signed my hardback copy of FC at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, CA., way back when, my knees were knocking and I was speechless. I may have even drooled on my blouse......!<BR/><BR/>All I'm saying is that the pleasure of our dialogue here at this blog, the glimpses inside your marvelous brain and thought processes, the fun of sharing with the other bags at LOL, being challenged to be intelligent at CompuServe, all of it is a wonder and gift. I am deeply aware that we, I, take up your time when you could be better employed -- thank you for every bit that you share. And thanks to us for keeping you motivated!<BR/><BR/>MidgeMerrymagshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03067685823930927536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-26853885390421299462008-03-26T12:00:00.000-07:002008-03-26T12:00:00.000-07:00Diana, you are just the best. I wish I could have...Diana, you are just the best. I wish I could have been your student in college. Two quick questions, just because: are you excited for the new X-Files movie (providing you knew about it and/or gave a shite anyway), and did you like the 1993 movie Contact? I have English and theater degrees, but have a fascination with science fiction and astrology, and sometimes wish my career path (high school teacher) would have taken a more interesting route. Maybe the vision of myself in "robes of oriental splendor" telling fortunes is just an amusing result of reading about Mrs. Graham and her triple strand of pearls. Anyway, I was just curious how you (one of my Favorite People I've Never Met But Feel As Though I Actually Know) felt about an old favorite movie. I would love love love to read a contemporary novel you wrote with an X-Files-like plot. Not that you don't already have enough to do. Thanks again! You rock. =)Addiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17175908027522745109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-31830114234603137722008-03-26T06:06:00.000-07:002008-03-26T06:06:00.000-07:00I am a "Stay-at-Home-Mom" in training. :) Having...I am a "Stay-at-Home-Mom" in training. :) Having worked throughout my first 10 years of motherhood, I've left teaching for awhile to stay home while my one-year-old is little. I find that I get less accomplished now that I'm home! I find that I have too many "interests" that pull me in different directions now that my "teaching life" is on hiatus. Unexpectedly, housework continues to be a disruption of my valuable time! *laugh* And here I thought I would have House Beautiful knocking down my door once I was home and had the "time" to keep it neat. What a myth!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01620376070067867504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-63484005328438398692008-03-24T13:08:00.000-07:002008-03-24T13:08:00.000-07:00Karen, I couldn't have said that better myself! W...Karen, I couldn't have said that better myself! Well said.<BR/><BR/>Diana, you? Digress? How on earth would your characters have gotten into such wild situations if not for a little digression once in a while? I'm so glad it's in your nature to follow wherever your thoughts lead, to answer honestly, to say "why not?" You books wouldn't be half as fun otherwise.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and I'm looking forward to seeing those pics!Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02174494230596500519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-7929409800578372752008-03-24T12:19:00.000-07:002008-03-24T12:19:00.000-07:00Diana:Well I now have a second life as well. It's ...Diana:<BR/><BR/>Well I now have a second life as well. It's composed of deciding which book of yours to re-read, deciding which cd of your books to listen to in the car on the way to work, and deciding when to log in to Voyages of the Artemis to see what you've been up to. I think I need to start a Gabaldon 12-step program....Marciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02002616692977371995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-92073213854268618242008-03-24T07:40:00.000-07:002008-03-24T07:40:00.000-07:00Err... that should say "The Queen OF Juggling!" h...Err... that should say "The Queen OF Juggling!" hmm... first life got in the way at that moment! ; )Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07980432635760119084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-89743423664874653142008-03-24T07:34:00.000-07:002008-03-24T07:34:00.000-07:00Diana,I bestow upon you the crown and title of "Th...Diana,<BR/>I bestow upon you the crown and title of "The Queen Juggling"! I am still a victim of early morning rising... I have to get up at 6:40 to get myself ready for work and then my boys ready for school.. Well, DS#1 is pretty self sufficient. I have a lot of first life interruptions in the evenings too. <BR/><BR/>I guess my "second life" of writing... or other obsessions... fits in where the housework portion of the first life is. Fortunately, the hubby doesn't mind too much. Wish I could hire a housekeeper... I guess I need to do a better job training the boys! ; ) If my Mom were still alive, I am sure she would ring my neck. ; ) Well, she was a 'stay at home Mom'. <BR/><BR/>As always, your blogs are refreshing to read! You have been a busy girl... hope you get a chance to relax a bit in Scotland! Thanks for sharing yourself to us in your "third life".<BR/><BR/>Well, I gotta get back to my first life... work. Have a good day!!<BR/><BR/>Vicki (Piper Mom)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07980432635760119084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-24897692817845875872008-03-23T16:05:00.000-07:002008-03-23T16:05:00.000-07:00Ok, don't know how I did that, but somehow I mana...Ok, don't know how I did that, but somehow I managed to accidentally delete my post? Oh well, here's what it was:<BR/><BR/>And a GREAT BIG THANK YOU for allowing me a part your "lives" and for bringing so very many blessings into my life! Hugs! -- JPJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17404750242779093598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-75354677667164475072008-03-23T15:53:00.000-07:002008-03-23T15:53:00.000-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.JPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17404750242779093598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-33106572809985653642008-03-23T06:47:00.000-07:002008-03-23T06:47:00.000-07:00Diana:I think that "why not?" attitude carries ove...Diana:<BR/><BR/>I think that "why not?" attitude carries over very clearly into your writing, too. It shows in your willingness to let your characters be who they are. Claire insisted on "being modern" right from the beginning, something you clearly didn't anticipate. But you said, "Why not?", and here we all are 20 years later [g]. Or, to take another example: I imagine you didn't create Lord John specifically as a gay character, but when he revealed himself to be attracted to men, you said, "Why not?", and ended up exploring all sorts of issues, both personal and societal, that we never would have heard about otherwise.<BR/><BR/>I also think that your characters share that same attitude of "rolling with the punches". You've put them through some really traumatic situations (to put it mildly!); in some cases it may take years for them to recover, but in the end they always manage to pull themselves together and get on with their lives. And in my opinion at least, that constant struggle to deal with whatever life throws at them, their refusal to allow themselves to be destroyed by it, is one reason that they are so compelling to watch.<BR/><BR/>(Hmmm...pretty deep thoughts for a Sunday morning [g]. Didn't mean to get quite that analytical, but once I started, I just couldn't seem to stop myself.)<BR/><BR/>KarenKaren Henryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07635855088490793965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-83989793214725292932008-03-23T06:13:00.000-07:002008-03-23T06:13:00.000-07:00Thanks for your answer Diana.I had an interview an...Thanks for your answer Diana.<BR/>I had an interview and they checked my marks and said I was not good enough.It's a bit unfair cause for the diploma you had to sign on only once and with bachelor and master you have to apply both times and they only take the best.<BR/>So practical work for now or my Mom will kill me. :)<BR/>Oh I write something right now.It's a crime story in which a young policewoman has to find the killer of the president of the university in Braunschweig.I know the city so I thought I write something which plays there.Nenyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00949732461243067084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-41159153772310157262008-03-22T20:18:00.000-07:002008-03-22T20:18:00.000-07:00Dear Diana,At the risk of fawning, you never cease...Dear Diana,<BR/><BR/>At the risk of fawning, you never cease to amaze me. Whether it's from the books directly, or this Blog that I am come lately to...you continually "deliver". <BR/><BR/>You never disappoint (well, maybe when you used "normalcy" in ABOSA, I was a LITTLE taken aback, but that's just a personal pet peeve, and certainly just a very small point!) and I can never get enough of what you write! Your writing gives me SUCH pleasure and entertainment, and has reinforced my interest in our American History!<BR/><BR/>I felt very bad for you when you lost your Gus. I am a Dachsie lover from way-back and know how much the little guys can wrap themselves around your heart!<BR/><BR/>I thank you very much for everything you write, here, the books (OF COURSE!), and the CompuServe list, and any others I'm not aware of. <BR/><BR/>All my best, always,<BR/><BR/>MikkiCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10639195815362908725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-16655136397932823512008-03-22T14:55:00.000-07:002008-03-22T14:55:00.000-07:00Hello! New Visitor Centre at Culloden Battlefield?...Hello! <BR/>New Visitor Centre at Culloden Battlefield?? You there? Next month? :D <BR/>I missed you when visiting Canada by about a week at a book signing in Victoria a few years ago and was QUITE bummed to put it nicely... I live on the <I>opposite</I> side of Scotland... and will be 8 months pregnant by then.... hmmmmm.... wonder if it'd be possible.... :)<BR/><BR/>How did you manage to find yourself as a judge for a sexy knees competition? That'd be great fun! :DUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13921059095659866963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-54898814269148430152008-03-22T14:15:00.000-07:002008-03-22T14:15:00.000-07:00Dear Midge-- Well, I did _wonder_ what it might ...Dear Midge--<BR/><BR/> Well, I did _wonder_ what it might be like, but at the time, I knew only a few published authors, and while they'd occasionally tell stories about (usually humiliating) book-signings and horrible cover-art, I don't believe I heard a word about book-tours, fan-mail, or what to wear on TV. [wry g]<BR/><BR/> Bear in mind also that all this stuff only happens to you if you're sufficiently lucky as to be fairly popular. I didn't have any expectation that I would be.<BR/><BR/> And in all fairness, I've been accustomed to a large amount of hair-raising change in life, ever since I met my husband. [g] Not that he is solely responsible for this; it's just that we both have this wild streak of "Oh, why NOT?" and we reinforce it in each other. So we've done something guaranteed to turn our lives upside down, on an average of once every two years. Move across the country with all our possessions in a U-Haul to go to graduate school? Have a baby? Buy a house? Have another baby? Start a business? Have _another_ baby?!? Buy a much bigger and more interesting house? (that's what we did with the advance, when I sold OUTLANDER, btw). Write a novel? Quit your job? Oh, heck...why NOT? [g]<BR/><BR/> You know, we just roll with the punches.Diana Gabaldonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09537964955785653500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-91027652060404771122008-03-22T13:12:00.000-07:002008-03-22T13:12:00.000-07:00Diana~To echo Karen Henry, I am grateful that you ...Diana~<BR/><BR/>To echo Karen Henry, I am grateful that you answer our questions honestly. I am happy I waited to respond to your post -- I saw it last night and was uncertain as to my feelings: my Catholic self felt instant guilt for wanting more from you, of you, and never once contemplating the drag on your psyche, your hubby, or your children; my intellectual self responded to the titles of your tax-deductible books (lovely, those); my avaricious streak thrilled to the thoughts of the perks and gobs of money I assume you make; the chick in me nodded to the fact that you still dress for your hubby because <I>it does matter</I>, even after thirty-some years of marriage. <BR/><BR/>Then, there was the part of me that simply wanted to confront you and ask, "Didn't you, at least one time, ponder what could happen to your life when your publisher gave you your initial three-book contract?" Though, I admit, there is no true understanding of some events until you personally experience them, tell me you at least thought about it?!?<BR/><BR/>So, all that being said, thank you for an honest glimpse into your life. You have given me much to consider. <BR/><BR/>Midge<BR/>Pax and Happy EasterMerrymagshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03067685823930927536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-91793723680089979692008-03-22T12:10:00.000-07:002008-03-22T12:10:00.000-07:00Don't you just love electricscotland???And thanks ...Don't you just love electricscotland???<BR/><BR/>And thanks for the heads up on the cleaning arrangements. I'm going to have to try that. I have always adhered to the belief that an investment in my girls was much more important the arguing with the health department so the housework always came last but with your schedule. Oi!<BR/><BR/>;)<BR/><BR/>nmnightsmusichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05984119792540771870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-13911090055472777162008-03-22T11:03:00.000-07:002008-03-22T11:03:00.000-07:00Hi, Mary! I saw this piece (and photo [g]) some ...Hi, Mary!<BR/><BR/> I saw this piece (and photo [g]) some time ago on...electricscotland.com, I think. Thanks for reposting it!Diana Gabaldonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09537964955785653500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-34147649831121061282008-03-22T10:59:00.000-07:002008-03-22T10:59:00.000-07:00Dear Julia-- Oh, I'm sorry you're having trouble ...Dear Julia--<BR/><BR/> Oh, I'm sorry you're having trouble finding a place. I think our educational system works a little differently; you do have to be accepted to a Master's Degree (or Ph.D.) program, but that's usually not much different than the application process to university in general. <BR/><BR/> Oh--you do need to have a major advisor; perhaps this is what you're referring to? That would be a professor under whose guidance you do your thesis/dissertation project.<BR/><BR/> Any way, good luck with the next term. If biology doesn't work out...maybe you can write novels? [g]Diana Gabaldonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09537964955785653500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-61475914558717045722008-03-22T10:57:00.000-07:002008-03-22T10:57:00.000-07:00Dear Karen-- Chag Sameach! The ways in which peo...Dear Karen--<BR/><BR/> Chag Sameach! The ways in which people and approach the knowledge of G_d are various--but the reasons why are not.Diana Gabaldonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09537964955785653500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-53892794810119488212008-03-22T10:48:00.000-07:002008-03-22T10:48:00.000-07:00I've been absent too and am luckily of the mind th...I've been absent too and am luckily of the mind that it doesn't matter how long it takes you to post. I will patiently wait to read. <BR/><BR/>I was needing a good long post from you this week. Thank you for coming through and squeezing us (your thirds) into to the craziness that is your multiple-life (dis)order. (Ah parentheses, what would I do without you?)<BR/><BR/>Thanks too to my cohorts, who always provide thoughtful (who are these scarily intelligent people?) and entertaining commentary. <BR/><BR/>Nontheless, I am post-surgical and medicated so all I can comment on is you said, "drop his package." Hee Hee Hee! Sorry, its the meds talking. I'll be back when I'm more coherent.Candy Applehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13403700388989811816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-2439641282668086532008-03-22T06:20:00.000-07:002008-03-22T06:20:00.000-07:00Diana,Congrats on the invitation to dedicate the C...Diana,<BR/><BR/>Congrats on the invitation to dedicate the Culloden Visitor Centre! Wish I could be there.<BR/><BR/>Reading your comment on going over more artwork from Haong, I may have found the perfect Jamie butt for him to draw inspiration from! Check it out at http://eyesofgarnet.blogspot.com/.<BR/><BR/>MaryMary Duncanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09099418115687661920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-7168970143342087492008-03-22T06:01:00.000-07:002008-03-22T06:01:00.000-07:00Something that hasn't to do much with your post.Is...Something that hasn't to do much with your post.<BR/>Is it also so difficult to get a master place in biology in America?<BR/>I had to talk to some Profs and so on and they didn't pick me and now I will do some practical work in a lab.Dunno what I do when they don't pick me in winter term.Bachelor doesn't count very much in Germany.<BR/>Happy Easter.Nenyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00949732461243067084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-4527926002114591892008-03-22T05:58:00.000-07:002008-03-22T05:58:00.000-07:00Diana and bedelia, Your comments remind me of my h...Diana and bedelia, <BR/>Your comments remind me of my husband's gram, who was very well read, and who had a plaque on the wall which read, "A clean house is a sign of a wasted mind."<BR/><BR/>MelissaMelissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16134174317791499851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-2113220449341218662008-03-22T05:13:00.000-07:002008-03-22T05:13:00.000-07:00Your mom sounds wonderfully practical - a trait sh...Your mom sounds wonderfully practical - a trait she no doubt passed on to her daughter (then to be given to Claire!). I'm of a similar bent wrt cleaning. My 3 kids gave me a t-shirt that said "life's too short to do housework! I wear it alot.Bedeliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15658352822026274568noreply@blogger.com