tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post3546730993956282118..comments2024-03-17T00:24:18.754-07:00Comments on Voyages of the Artemis: The Pleasures and Perils of Research - Part IDiana Gabaldonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09537964955785653500noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-52009009678768250842008-02-02T13:54:00.000-08:002008-02-02T13:54:00.000-08:00BOOKS! My house is full of them too, albeit none o...BOOKS! <BR/>My house is full of them too, albeit none on sodomy and pirates, per se. I do have a great many on the history of garments and costumes and items for personal adornment, some of which are full of strange contraptions that people used to stuff themselves into or strap to themselves. Come to think of it, it wasn’t much different than what I see in fashion magazines now…<BR/>Anyway, a co-worker once helped me move my things to a new apartment. I had made one trip already with the breakable glassware and was reusing the large, sturdy cardboard box to carry some of the thousand or so books I had at that time. My co-worker thought the box would be light and nearly threw out his back. He said, “My god, what is in here woman!?!” “Books,” I said. He fell down laughing and told me I was the only person he knew who would box up their books and mark the box “FRAGILE.”<BR/><BR/>Monta<BR/>http://montagael.blogspot.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09881250248739539363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-20574741607148184332008-02-01T09:13:00.000-08:002008-02-01T09:13:00.000-08:00I have seen many blogs trying to answer the questi...I have seen many blogs trying to answer the question your grafic novel is going to answer. What the author sees Jamie,Claire and the others looking like. I think that Claire is close; but in your novel I pictured in my mind's eye Claire having curlier hair. I do not see it as frizzy, although in the Highland humidity it is possible. But, I see our lady Claire as NOT plagued with frizz.<BR/>I was trying to think of an actress with lovely cork screwed curls. Ms. Braveheart used to have this style of hair. As for Jamie good luck! All of us devotees must have visions of him too hard to put into words. Fine boned, strong, alabaster skin, chisled like a Michelangelo, 6'7 like William Wallace, and a sensuality that exudeds from him. His hair; long, short, growing out. I pray the angels are with you there! Good luck.Bracinfanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12441749289699331608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-16206366121308593732008-01-30T14:21:00.000-08:002008-01-30T14:21:00.000-08:00So I posted to the wrong spot. New for me to blog...So I posted to the wrong spot. New for me to blog. I'm excited about the graphic novel. The illustration of Claire is close, but I pictured her hair more like Alicia Minshew who plays on All My Children. She has a website www.KendallHart.com. The hair in the photo is a little tame for her normal light brown out of control locks. I drew a picture of Jamie (I've illustrated a couple of childen's books) that I'd love to share but I don't think I know how to do that. He's got Diana's eyes and cheekbones, but of course he's very masculine.Beverly T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17522052790198683532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-12437593885122039552008-01-24T04:35:00.000-08:002008-01-24T04:35:00.000-08:00We have loads of books too and my cleaned up shelf...We have loads of books too and my cleaned up shelf is nearly full again by now. But that’s only because my parents also read many books. Even my father reads your books. :)<BR/><BR/>JuliaNenyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00949732461243067084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-84920632603223876692008-01-23T23:58:00.000-08:002008-01-23T23:58:00.000-08:00Well in an attempt to get some sleep, after the do...Well in an attempt to get some sleep, after the dog woke me to put her out and the cat jumped on top of me to demand petting, I remembered to look up the word "caul" which I heard in on the way home from work on a Drums of Autumn tape (no, not the IPOD) because I did not remember it from reading the book. With all that said, this is an interesting little tidbit just thrown in. Is it from research or experience? I found it formerly was believed to bring good luck. The mention of the third sight is very interesting. Thanks for the mind stimulation. Good night.Polly's girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02736621685616614387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-1743792976447072152008-01-21T17:01:00.000-08:002008-01-21T17:01:00.000-08:00I'm so glad that you've discovered the joy of 'sau...I'm so glad that you've discovered the joy of 'sauna'. I'm a Cornish Celt, married to a Finn (Viking sort) and we love our sauna.threadbenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17969373607100575836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-44595052642097159992008-01-18T14:38:00.000-08:002008-01-18T14:38:00.000-08:00Gillian-- I have a tax-deductible, gold-plated a...Gillian--<BR/><BR/> I have a tax-deductible, gold-plated astrolabe, too. [g] Still, not quite in the same class with the buttocks.<BR/><BR/> I don't suppose every writer of historical fiction does it the same way, but given the odd way I write--in disconnected chunks--I find that the research and the writing feed off each other in a very useful way. Something I stumble over in the research gives me the kernel of a new scene--something I need to know in the progress of the scene sends me to another book, and in looking up the distribution of wood hoopoes, I discover what loa-loa worms do, and...Diana Gabaldonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09537964955785653500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-28033477705217112632008-01-18T07:53:00.000-08:002008-01-18T07:53:00.000-08:00Oh what a pleasure to read your blog and find that...Oh what a pleasure to read your blog and find that not only do you write remarkable books but that you are remarkable too.<BR/>The idea of tax deductable male buttocks will stay with me now and lighten my darkest moments.<BR/>Thanks for sharing the fact that your research often colours and navigates your story-telling.<BR/>xxxGillian Mowbrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10160959456219735545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-44811692848507162512008-01-17T18:59:00.000-08:002008-01-17T18:59:00.000-08:00Just found your new graphic novel info today...so ...Just found your new graphic novel info today...so exciting. The pic of Claire is beautiful. I see her not quite so soft and a little more "golden", but that may come with age as you said. A graphic novel - GREAT idea; BTW-I have been an Outlander junkie for years; liked Donati's Wilderness; but cannot do without Jamie & Claire! Love 'em - And YOU have inspired me to start blogging (sounds kinda nasty)...Tah,tah Dahlin'Polly's girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02736621685616614387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-56899904680743811652008-01-17T16:56:00.000-08:002008-01-17T16:56:00.000-08:00I'm sure you're starting to get tired of answering...I'm sure you're starting to get tired of answering that one [g], but you can't blame us for being curious. It may not be a cliffhanger on the level of the one in DRAGONFLY, but it's a cliffhanger all the same, and not at all obvious how it's going to be resolved. Oh, well, I can wait...Karen Henryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07635855088490793965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-71399909187911559862008-01-17T13:50:00.000-08:002008-01-17T13:50:00.000-08:00Sharaf and Karen-- I don't know. All I _do_ kno...Sharaf and Karen--<BR/><BR/> I don't know. All I _do_ know about SCOTTISH PRISONER for sure is the title. [g] (Well, I do have a couple of small scenes written--but they may not be for this book; they might end up in a shorter piece I'm writing for a new anthology called WARRIORS (edited by George R.R. Martin and somebody else). But I'm mostly working on AN ECHO IN THE BONE and the graphic novel right now, so I know virtually nothing regarding the plot, scope, or time-line of SCOTTISH PRISONER yet.<BR/><BR/> I really _don't_ plan out books ahead of time, you know. What fun would that be? [g]Diana Gabaldonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09537964955785653500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-70553486583289167632008-01-17T13:47:00.000-08:002008-01-17T13:47:00.000-08:00Max-- Yes, you will see Dougal in the graphic n...Max--<BR/><BR/> Yes, you will see Dougal in the graphic novel. [g] Don't yet know what he'll look like, though--the artist hasn't tried him yet.Diana Gabaldonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09537964955785653500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-83734881030858124472008-01-17T12:54:00.000-08:002008-01-17T12:54:00.000-08:00Hello! As much as I'd like to see Jamie's buttock...Hello! As much as I'd like to see Jamie's buttocks, it's really Dougal I'd rather see. I'm only on book 4, new to your story, but I miss his character quite a bit and think about him far more than I do Jamie. Hoping to see the darkheided laird in the graphic novel or movie someday! I tend to picture the late Kevin Smith from Xena-verse/Ares for him. Thanks for such a wonderful story and colorful characters. As for doing research for writing, I avoid it at all costs in my own, but then again I'm not trying to get published, only share it with friends, so I'm sure that makes a difference too. Long live Dougal .... if only in my dreams (grins)Maxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00337214065309875072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-78707548865058708792008-01-17T09:37:00.000-08:002008-01-17T09:37:00.000-08:00Sharaf:Good question! Many of us have been wonder...Sharaf:<BR/><BR/>Good question! Many of us have been wondering just that from the moment BROTHERHOOD OF THE BLADE first came out. [g]Karen Henryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07635855088490793965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-34270974259712634702008-01-17T09:01:00.000-08:002008-01-17T09:01:00.000-08:00I want to thank you for recommending book's from d...I want to thank you for recommending book's from different author's. I especially liked C.C. Humphrey's "Jack Absolute" books. I read all three of them. Am now reading his earlier novels. Adrian McKinty's books are gritty but riveting. I tend to get in a rut with what I read. Refreshing. Also I read the Lord John novels. Wasn't sure I could give them a fair chance after the Outlander series. Just loved them. A question. Will the next Lord John book (Lord John and the Scottish Prisoner) explain how Jamie comes to view John as a very honorable man and friend? The stable scene in Brotherhood of the Blade was so intense. What takes place to bridge this gap? Was there something in the Outlander novels that I missed? Thanks again.sharafhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11833966382925917160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-29024812223326647202008-01-17T01:49:00.000-08:002008-01-17T01:49:00.000-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.TS Tatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08136046279949457221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-57871594462180597562008-01-17T01:25:00.000-08:002008-01-17T01:25:00.000-08:00I am an incorrigible bibliophile - I'll even admit...I am an incorrigible bibliophile - I'll even admit it in public! Once of the most evil things a local bookstore chain did was put an outlet directly across the street from my (then) bank -I might as well have just had the my darned cheque direct deposited there! <BR/><BR/>However, had I thought of books as being tax-deductible, I would have started writing a helluva long time ago. *sigh* I don't suppose the deductions are retroactive.<BR/><BR/>Mind you, I have a funny feeling I could start browsing through your *ahem* eclectic collection and not be seen again. :)Megwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08681658425296280749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-65617750684388548762008-01-16T23:07:00.000-08:002008-01-16T23:07:00.000-08:00Miss Amanda-- Well, that *is* a substantial dang...Miss Amanda--<BR/><BR/> Well, that *is* a substantial danger--being sucked into the reearch, I mean, and never getting to the writing. I know quite a few people who've fallen into that particular trap and never got out.<BR/><BR/> Which is why, when I began to write a book for practice, I started writing immediately--in spite of the fact that I knew nothing whatever about Scotland or the 18th century. [g] As I said to myself at the time, "The point here is not to learn everything about Scotland in the 18th century; the point here is to learn how to write a novel." So I decided to begin writing and keep doing it, along with the research, and if I wrote something that I later learned was wrong...well, I'd fix it. No big deal.Diana Gabaldonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09537964955785653500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-47831586391789997132008-01-16T20:33:00.000-08:002008-01-16T20:33:00.000-08:00There is nothing better than BOOKS! I get a feeli...There is nothing better than BOOKS! I get a feeling of being connected with the world from nothing else so much as my BOOKS! And yes, I do wish they were tax-deductible since I spend so much of my disposable income on them, but alas...it's for pure pleasure! And thank you, Dear Diana, for the space to say hello to my favorite BOOK author!Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04199827686334797691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-12576655972209675512008-01-16T19:17:00.000-08:002008-01-16T19:17:00.000-08:00Diana-I wish my husband was understanding when it ...Diana-<BR/>I wish my husband was understanding when it comes to my hoards of books! I have a bachelor's in history and a master's in education, so my house is full of all kinds of books. I am attempting to write one of my own, but until I do I don't think my husband will accept them as research material until I finish! Too bad. I love research, but the problem I come across is getting to interested in the research and neglecting the writing. Anyway- I love reading your books because of the way in which I learn all sorts of things while engrossed in a wonderful story!<BR/>Amanda V.Mandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01339233879229222392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-61000103898867697962008-01-16T17:52:00.000-08:002008-01-16T17:52:00.000-08:00Like everything else you write your blogs are just...Like everything else you write your blogs are just amazing :) I just have to add that you have a _Brilliant_ mind! <BR/><BR/>I also have to add that I am very greatful that you didn't write a "how to" book, (although i'm sure it would still be entertaining *g* ) and that we got Jamie and Claire to read about (and keep our minds occupied with)! although now that i think about it a "How to write Amazing books" might come in handy for someone like me, who enjoys writing but can't figure out how to end her "short stories" for school (yes still High School)! (and for anyone whos wondering NO! I didn't look at any of the Scottish Buttocks Pictures *g*)<BR/><BR/>Anyway, Keep up your amazing work i can't wait very much longer for more *g* although I think I don't really have a choice eh? :)Ashley-Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14623472654096194139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-87394896298970648612008-01-16T17:21:00.000-08:002008-01-16T17:21:00.000-08:00Rose-- I pick them up just everywhere. I can't ...Rose--<BR/><BR/> I pick them up just everywhere. I can't pass a bookrack (even the smallest railroad-station rack) without giving it at least a cursory look. The weirdest ones by far come off remainder tables, though.<BR/><BR/> Besides that--I pick up a lot of strange things at RennFaire booksellers stalls. And the bookshops at the Visitors Centers at National Parks have amazing things in a historical vein--you find pamphlets written by the local expert/obsessive about the events in the area, stuff produced by and for re-enactors (which will tell you how to make a camp kettle--including an analysis of historical excavations to assure you what the correct dimensions are--or a camp "kitchen" (a fascinating earthen oven arrangement), what "poison balls" are (and how to make one), with helpful remarks on historical evidence indicating that this or that army used them, what a bedsack (issued by the British Army) looks like and how to stuff it with grass to make a field mattress, etc., etc., etc. And sometimes a title just jumps off the shelf at you, or someone mentions a favorite period author and when you go to look for their books, you find something even better sitting alongside...you know--everywhere. [g]<BR/><BR/>(And in all justice, the university library is a _great_ place to find such stuff, since they specialize in stocking titles that provide information, rather than what will sell to a fickle public taste.)Diana Gabaldonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09537964955785653500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-27387822811925794302008-01-16T17:07:00.000-08:002008-01-16T17:07:00.000-08:00As a crazed librarian fan of yours, I promise not ...As a crazed librarian fan of yours, I promise not to invade your house in a mad search for offbeat books. (It may the threat of your Glock, though) *G*KathyShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12656621000420983445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-35201953744673905832008-01-16T16:30:00.000-08:002008-01-16T16:30:00.000-08:00Um, so, where do you _FIND_ these books (asks the ...Um, so, where do you _FIND_ these books (asks the girl whose MA dissertation was on Religion, Authority and the Public Execution in early modern England and who, if she ever bothers to get a PhD will probably continue in the death-disease-destruction vein...)? They sound absolutely fascinating!Kate Mchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02390295121580264292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861575260847050598.post-53763233645531187162008-01-16T15:04:00.000-08:002008-01-16T15:04:00.000-08:00aaahhhhh, that all sounds so wonderful. my dream ...aaahhhhh, that all sounds so wonderful. my dream is to use my (nearly complete) history degree to go into historical research. i don't have the talent to write on my own, i don't know why. i'm excellent at research, compiling notes, and coming up with ideas, but when it comes to the final product (be it literary or academic writing) i freeze up and can't seem to get it out. i'm hoping i can find a place doing research for the projects of those who can (authors, museums, movies, etc). any idea how one would go about doing that?lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06590056751717537853noreply@blogger.com