Diana Gabaldon is the New York Times best-selling author of the Outlander series, which tells the story of Jamie Fraser, a Scottish Highlander from the 18th century, and his time-traveling wife, Claire. The latest book in the series, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, is on bookshelves now. ...More Biographical Information

Diana has two books being published this year, both in the Lord John series. The first, Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade, will be released on August 28, 2007, and Lord John and the Hand of Devils will be on bookshelves November 27.

Diana’s Blog

9 June 2008

A Gaelic Treat

Every so often-well, actually, all the time-people come up to me at signings and ask respectfully how long it took me to “learn Gaelic.” Well, the truth is, of course, that I didn’t. Not that I wouldn’t like to, but as of the moment, I know three bits of Gaelic to write in people’s books:

“Le meas,” (“with respect,” or-roughly-“best wishes”)

“Slainte!” (“To your good health”-often used when drinking whisky)

and

“Alba gu brath!” (“Scotland forever!”)

(I can also say (or at least write) “Merry Christmas!” (“Nollaig Chridheil”), but can only put that in people’s books when it’s December, and even then, I always have to ask whether they’re Christians, as there really is no way—that I know of—to say “Happy Hannukah!” or “Have a Terrific Kwanzaa!” in Gaelic.)

Anyway, as for the Gaelic used here and there in my books, I get by with a little (or a lot of) help from my friends. [g] For some time, the kindly Iain MacKinnon Taylor (and his brother Hamish)* assisted me with the Gaelic. More recently, I’ve had the good fortune to become acquainted with Catherine-Ann McPhee, one of the world’s best-known Gaelic singers, and a great teacher and

Catherine-Ann McPhee and Diana.

proponent of the language, who’s provided not only translations of Gaelic bits, but also explained the nuances of social relationship involved in said translation (“You want to say, ’cousin’? Well, now, is the person speaking to an older person whom he respects, or to someone his own age, or to someone older, but who…” or, “Now, if you really want to say “Son of a pig,” that’s mac an muice, but it’s more usual just to call him a son of a bitch, though it’s more meaning monster than bitch, really…”), as well as making sure the Gaelic is historically correct—something I couldn’t do myself on a bet.

This is of course wonderful—and my profound thanks not only to Cathy-Ann, but to Catherine MacGregor, who introduced me to Cathy-Ann and helpfully facilitates our conversations.

Cathy MacGregor and Diana.

Well, a couple of months ago, I got an email from the person who records my books for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Betty Tyrrell. Betty told me that she was about to record Drums of Autumn, and wishing to do the best job possible, asked whether I might be able to provide her with correct pronunciation for the Gaelic bits of that book.

“Not me,” I said. “But I might just be able to get you some expert help with the Gaelic.” Whereupon I wrote hastily to Cathy MacGregor, who rushed off to recruit Cathy-Ann—and the upshot of all this helpfulness is that Cathy-Ann not only made Gaelic recordings for Betty, but kindly agreed to let me post the sound recording of her reading of one of the longer Gaelic bits from that book—Duncan Innes’s notable caithris, the formal Gaelic lament for his friend Gavin Hayes (who, as you may recall, was hanged around page 3).

So, in case you have found yourself wondering what spoken Gaelic really sounds like…

[NB Rosana: This file has an m4a extension, so I believe that Windows Media Player 10 is required. Alternatively, I can listen to the file using QuickTime and iTunes.]

And if you’d like a real treat, here’s a link to Cathy-Ann’s music, as well.

*Iain very kindly drove to New York from his home in New Hampshire, in order to provide on-the-spot Gaelic pronunciations for Davina Porter, for her reading of Drums of Autumn. So if you have the Recorded Books unabridged audio edition of that book-you have the Right Stuff there, too.

NB: Cathy-Ann’s introductory remark regarding champagne glasses [g] is a reference to our first meeting, where she and Catherine hosted me at a delightful tea (featuring chocolate-dipped strawberries and champagne glasses without stems—you rested the glass in a little spiral holder when not sipping out of it) in Ottawa (I think it was Ottawa. Things blur when you’re traveling a lot). We had a great time, anyway. Photos attached: I am the one in blue/green, Cathy-Ann is the one in black and white, and Cathy Mac is the one with the red hair and the other champagne glass. (Photos courtesy of the nice waiter at the hotel who figured out how to use the camera when none of us could.)

27 May 2008

Rob’s Website

When I was telling you about my brother-in-law’s new book last week, I forgot to include his website address. My sister says she’s been getting lots of requests for the enchilada recipe [g]-hope you enjoy that, btw!—but that several people have been asking how they can get in touch with Rob himself, presumably to tell him how much they liked the book, or ask when the next will be available.

Anyway!—should you want to talk to Rob or ask about his other books or whatever, his website is www.robpalmerbooks.com. I think he has a German section on the site, too, as his books are also published in Germany.

19 May 2008

New Excerpt from An Echo in the Bone

CLARIFICATION of May 23rd appearance at Burton Barr Library

When I first posted this, I wasn’t sure whether it was a “Friends of the Library” only event, or open to the public, but intended to ask and post the information. When, then all hell broke loose (a not unusual occurrence), and while I did receive a clarification from Janet Sanford of the FoL, I’d completely forgotten to post it until someone reminded me by asking this week. So, this is what Janet says:

“It is a members only event (there is no charge for members). However, if someone wants to attend, they can become a member two ways: Go to our web site: www.plfriends.org and sign up there, or pay at the door. However, both ways, they must make a reservation so we know how many people are attending. Lowest membership fees are $20 a year for seniors and students, $25 for others, or a family membership for a couple with children, $35. Reservations: 602-534-5208.”

Homonyms That Drive Me Crazy

Palate
Palette

I saw this one misused in an Anne Perry novel just last week, and it drove me particularly crazy, because I know Anne Perry, and there’s no conceivable way she’d do that. Ergo, we lay the crime at the feet of either BWOYC (Bad Word of Your Choice) Microsoft Word and its intrusive, error-ridden, nannying, BWOYC grammar-and-spelling checker, or some hapless and doubtless overworked copyeditor.

Righto. A “palette” is that bit of board or lucite that an artist uses to hold blobs of color while working with pigments—oils or acrylics—that come in tubes. The word can also be used to describe a specific assortment of colors—“The window designer had used an autumn palette: legless mannequins clad in browns and rusty reds hung against a background colored like ripe wheat. Blown by a wind-machine, artifical leaves in golds and reds and yellows swirled below the floating hems, stirred as though by the mannequins’ invisible feet.”

Your “palate,” on the other hand, is the roof of your mouth. You have a “bony palate,” and a “soft palate,” both of which you can easily feel and/or see in a mirror. The word is also used metaphorically, to mean an ability to distinguish or appreciate specific tastes. “He had a well-developed palate for fine wines and the sorts of cheeses that would make a normal person’s eyes water.”

Rein
Reign
(Rain)

In all justice, I don’t usually see people using “rain” when they mean one of the others, but I see “reign” and “rein” confused all the time. This one is particularly annoying, because “reign” and “rein” can both be used as either nouns or verbs, and do share one particular meaning, even though they’re separate words.

“Reign” means to have dominion over, to rule over—or used as a noun, means the span of time during which a particular ruler was in power (“the reign of Charles II was referred to as the Restoration”).

“Rein” is either a noun meaning the leather strap attached to an animal’s bridle, by which said animal is directed, or a verb meaning to control an animal’s (usually a horse’s) movements by means of its reins.

Where the confusion usually comes in is in the common expression, “to give free reign/rein”. Even though the words don’t mean the same thing at all, this expression does mean pretty much the same thing, used with either word. “To give free rein” means to give a horse its head—to allow it to go where it pleases. And thus, as a metaphor, to give someone free rein is to let them do what they like. OK. “To give free reign” essentially means the same thing—to allow a person to govern his or her own actions.

And worst of all…

Peek
Peak
Pique

I can’t tell you how many times nice people have written to thank me for giving them a “sneak peak” at work in progress. Argh!

“Peek” means a brief glimpse.

“Peak” is the top of a mountain (or the height of some experience, like the “peak of ecstasy,” though I sincerely trust we do not read books that use that sort of language).

“Pique” is a word derived from the French, and used as a verb, it means to stimulate something (“His interest was piqued by the glimpse of the snake tattoo that writhed down her spine and disappeared head-first into her low-slung jeans.”). Used as a noun, it means a state of indignation. (“In a pique, she threw the flowers on the floor at his feet and stamped on them.”)

2 May 2008

New and Recommended!

For all of you who read and enjoyed my nice brother-in-law’s excellent first book (No Time to Hide), I’m thrilled to announce that his even better second book came out today!

Rob (Rob Palmer is his name) writes marvelous, twisty thrillers, with 3-D characters and breath-holding suspense. And very appropriately to this election season--

Eyes of the World is a story of lies and betrayal, the tragedies that bind us together, and the blinding trust of love. America has its first woman president, Lynnie Connor, whom Mike Stanbridge has known since childhood. Their friendship is common knowledge; their love affair is the most carefully guarded secret of their lives. It’s campaign season, and as Lynnie runs hard for reelection, Mike is framed for murder. His only way out is to dig into Lynnie’s past, learning something that seemingly turns her whole life into a lie. Pursued by the FBI and a squad of assassins, Mike runs for Lynnie’s political life-and his own survival.

Praise for Eyes of the World:

“Suspenseful and affecting. A top-notch thriller with a tender heart.”
Diana Gabaldon, bestselling author [cough] of the Outlander and Lord John series

“5 Stars! A perfect read for the election year! . . . Rob Palmer’s book [is] superlative. . . . I was kept on the edge of my seat the entire time. I cannot recommend this one highly enough. Magnificent!”
Huntress Reviews

“You’re gonna want to read this one! Hold on for an intricately plotted, wickedly smart trip through presidential politics. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, you’ll realize the games have just begun. An excellent book.”
Fresh Fiction

I’m sure you’ll enjoy this terrific book as much as I did-though should you need any extra inducement [g], my sister, Theresa Gabaldon, is offering the famous family enchilada recipe to anyone who buys the book before the 4th of July.

Here’s the link to the book’s page on amazon.com:

And here’s my sister’s email address, if you’d like the enchilada recipe: tgabaldon@gmail.com

from Diana newsletter 2008

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