Frequently Asked Questions Index

The FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about Diana Gabaldon and The Outlander Series was taken from her answers to the questions from her fans on America Online, Compuserver, and at booksignings. In most cases, the answers are direct quotes from Diana.

Readers be cautioned that some of the answers to these questions will contain SPOILERS. If you don't want to know anything about the future books, be cautious in your reading. I will try to note which questions contain spoilers, but can't promise that I'll catch everything.

About the Author

  • How is Gabaldon pronounced?

  • Are you Scottish or English?

  • Have you ever been to Scotland?

  • What did you do before Outlander was published?

  • Diana's comments about the author.

  • Diana's essay from The Arizona Republic from January 2000.

About the Books (including research)

Publishing Information

General Questions

  • Where did you get the idea for a time-travel novel?

  • How did Outlander get published?

  • What is Cross Stitch?

  • Why did you choose Scotland during the Jacobite period as the setting for your books?

  • Are there audio books?

  • Is there any significance to the title Dragonfly in Amber?

  • The big "romance" question, are they or aren't they?

  • Why is Outlander written in the first person point of view?

Research Questions

  • What kind of research do you do for your books?

  • How did you get the accent?

  • Your books are so complex! Do you use an outline?

  • Do your readers give you ideas?

  • What have been the most difficult sections for you to write?

  • Are all the locations used in the books real?

About the Characters

  • How do you develop your characters? Do you keep charts or index cards to keep track of them?

  • Are any of the fictional characters based on real historical figures?

  • Who is the ghost in Outlander? (SPOILER)

  • How is Sassenach pronounced?

  • When is Jamie's birthday?

  • Is the story of the Dunbonnet and the laird who hid for seven years true?

  • Who/what is Master Raymond? What is his significance? (SPOILER)

  • Were Jonathan Randall and the Duke of Sandringham lovers?

  • How is Laoghaire pronounced? Where did the name come from?

  • How is Geillis' name pronounced?

  • Why doesn't Jamie use the endearment "mo duinne" in Voyager?

  • Who were the Paleolithic lovers in Dragonfly in Amber? What was their significance?

  • As a scientist what do you really think about the Loch Ness Monster?

  • What kind of dinosaur is Nessie?

  • What clan tartan is your husband wearing?

  • Does the photo show you in your office?

  • Does your husband really wear a kilt around the house?

  • What do the words on the computer screen say?

Future Plans

  • Where will the story end? SPOILER

  • Will there be any movies based on the book?

  • What are the plans for future books?

People Magazine Article

  • What clan tartan is your husband wearing?

  • Does the photo show you in your office?

  • Does your husband really wear a kilt around the house?

  • What do the words on the computer screen say?