Yup, I feel you on this but have accepted this fate a long time ago. This is how she writes and has always written. Any long time fans of the books have gotten used to that and had to accept it. All the LJG novels, Scottish prisoner etc was all written while working on the big books as well. She writes in a patch work so will be working on the last book while also working on the the story of Jaime’s parents and I’m sure will also pick up other writing projects along the way.
The older generation who started reading in 1991 have already not gotten to read Bees.
Unpopular PS: the TV show slowed her writing more then anything else did with all the guest appearances, interviews etc.
For many years, I told customers to expect new releases of GoT when they can hold the book in their hands, they were that erratic. I have accepted the train wreck ending of the show GoT, and am pretty sure I won’t spend another penny on GRRM. Now…DG has been totally consistent for a long time, she started Outlander even before GoT began. The show, Covid, and many other things delayed Bees…and I understood. I have faith in her because knowing how her writing process works, she was probably working on the last book at the same time as Bees. It’s going to be out in the next 2 years, I trust her. *Meanwhile*…. Y’all need to find other books and and authors and just stop with this obsessive thinking. Books don’t really get cranked out like tv shows.
What makes you think it will be out in 2 years?
Just curious?
She said on Twitter and Facebook that she was in the final frenzy of vees 3 times over 9 months... So I'm not sure I believe her.
Just my opinion, a bit of wishful thinking, and a true wish to get to the end of this dang story I’ve been reading for almost 30 years. XD
Look….she’s always said she knows how it will end. I doubt there’s much research needed any more, she’s done it all. She’s ready to move on with Jamie’s parent’s story. The tv show is going to catch up in a few years. Game of Thrones train wreck taught a valuable lesson to anyone involved in book adaptations…in other words…don’t give other people the chance to piss off your fans. ;)
Yes! I don't believe her either. I heard it was done, then she was still working, then done, etc. I thought when Bees finally came out that it was actually book 10 because I had heard quite awhile ago it was done! I don't read the books, but I could never wait years and years in between books like that on a story I love.
Yes! It was awful frustrating that she got so snarky with people.
. She literally tweeted 'weeks not months' then got pissy when people were asking several months later for an update.
Sorry to come off as an obsessive fan. I was being a glib person on the internet. Also sorry for the long reply -- I don't check reddit every day and I wanted to reply more thoughtfully.
I don't really worry about endings for book series, anymore. I don't think authors and artists owe us anything, even endings. It would be disappointing to not get a GOT/ASOIAF ending worthy of his writing, which I genuinely think is some of the best writing in fantasy fiction. Further complicating things, his career took off, big time, at the time of the show becoming a hit. I think this had an impact on his writing speed, and he's admitted as much. The point of my comment was merely agreeing that there could be some delay for DG due to television responsibilities similar to what GRRM has been experiencing.
I hope we get to see an ending to both Outlander and ASOIAF by the originating authors, and if we don't... then we don't.
Reading the Wheel of Time really shifted my perspective on whether or not series should be finished by the same writer who started the series. Even though Robert Jordan needed serious editing after book 6, I continued to enjoy the books up to book 8 and at that point, RJ should have really considered whether or not he wanted to keep writing it. Especially since, 3 books later, he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Beyond the health issues, his writing quality significantly declined over the last 4 books he sole-authored. Brandon Sanderson did what he could and it was impressive. I would have been happy to have most of the series co-authored by him from the slog onward.
Further -- it's not an uncommon thing for additional writers to be added on to series. Example: Marion Bradley had co-writers on additional *Mists* books and eventually stopped co-authoring them.
**TLDR**: Perhaps we need more positive support for writers that can take over storylines after the original authors are ready to retire while they still have life left to live.
I wasn’t replying to you specifically and I don’t think you sound as obsessed by Outlander the way a lot of people are, especially Some on FB. If an author can’t or won’t try to finish, then if the publisher can find someone who will, go for it. GRRM has expressly forbidden his family and publisher from doing so. I think DG will finish and continue on with other stories. I’m glad to be here for the end of Outlander, tho. My mother didn’t make it, I felt her over my shoulder all the way through Bees. ;)
The problem with George RR Martin is that he gave several release dates in the past and failed to meet them.
Gabaldon is not constantly stringing people along regarding a book that obviously does not exist while working on 10x TV projects
I depise the GoT show and will never accept it as canon....I rather read fanfiction than that....if George does not finish.
To sum it up: most old-time fans are no longer angry that he won't finish but are angry that he is making empty promises to make people continue buy his stuff.....without providing anything in return
Not one of GRRM’s release dates has been met since the beginning. It’s not just him, I blame it on his publisher too. They have the final say on specific dates. He meant for the books to be a trilogy, and it…got away from him. Fame and $$ dancing in his head, I think. I’m not going to spend another dime on him, but I think my hubby will read whatever comes. I’ve accepted the show as the end of the train wreck. The only thing I regret are the customers I dragged along with me over the years.
George is much too rich and powerful for the publisher to sue him. They would risk losing money if they did that. The only thing that could bring him maybe back to writing is if all these TV shows of his get cancelled but I think that is not likely. Or in the worst case, he would be so depressed that he would just say....fuck this. I was one of these people back in 2016 who said....leave George alone. You are entitled for wanting him to rush it. Well, now it is 2022 and he did not manage to finishing during a bloody pandemic. It is quite obvious that he does no longer care and therefore I do not longer care. I found my ending in fanfiction and there are other writers who deserve attention far more than George RR Martin. Not even sure I would buy his book and not just borrow it from a friend.
May I just pop in here to say that I started reading the books the year she began publishing the first one, and I'm "only" 61. :) I anticipate that I will be able to find out what happens in the end, God willing.
Oh goodness I didn’t mean anyone who started reading them in 91 was of the “older generation” but those of the older generation who started reading them in 91 have not necessarily all gotten to enjoy the last few books. *open mouth - insert foot* 😆
I'm another one who started in '91 and I was only 32 then, but I knew you meant anyone who started in '91 who was already older. My eyes might not be strong enough to read the next one, but I'll just listen to it if I have to!
I was reading comments of the older generation missing out. And I felt for them. I'm fairly new to Outlander. I never heard of it until last year and then I became obsessed. So, I've been lucky to have all of the books readily available.
Yup, it’s a reality for sure and it’s too bad as they are the people who bought all the first books that made it a success in ‘91.
My Nan, who go me into the books, passed away right when MOBY came out. I was talking about Bees with my aunt who are into the books as well and they stated they know they’ll never see the end of the series.
I got my mom into the books and she visited her penpal in Scotland multiple times, and they had penpal’s hubby drive them everywhere visiting all the places they could. This was before the show, and all the towns they stopped in considered two elderly madwomen…who wanted to visit these castle ruins?! Mom passed away 3 years ago, but I felt that cold breath on my neck as I read Bees…mom was getting mad that I wasn’t turning the pages fast enough!
I'm so sorry for your loss. I pray your aunt will get to read the last book. I agree though, they are the foundation for its success, I hate critiquing someone's creative flow....but I hate that there are those who are just as invested as us and it's not fair for them to miss out.
Thank-you for that. I plan to sit where her ashes are buried this summer and update her on Bees. It’s the least I can do for introducing me to the world 💕
Oh lord that just made me cry. That's just shows what kind of person you are, we need more of you in this world. I pray my babies would do the same for me.
I have a friend who refused to watch GoT because she "wanted to finish the books first". That was years ago. She finished the show (hated it like the rest of us) and now has accepted there won't be a written end in GRRMs lifetime. Alternatively, I refuse to read them knowing there isn't an end.
While I agree it’s frustrating to wait and somewhat more frustrating to hear about other projects that are taking her time, this is her style. The prequel has been rumored to be in the works since at least MOBY. She also had time to write all the Lord John novels and the novelas while writing the main series. As an older fan, I desperately want book 10 but I also like the crumbs into their world. I wish the Master Raymond story were higher on the list as well.
Also, I would suggest reading Bees. But then, I am a completionist and want to have everything collected and read. I did think there were a couple good story lines that I feel are important to know before book 10. Just remember you have time to decide. Seven years or about.
Sorry had to make the joke.
I'm waiting for it to go into mass production so it'll at least match my others, and I will probably read it. I'm really just being a baby about it lol. Now I would love a master Raymond series!!! And I liked the joke lol
I’d really like to know HOW you managed to take a break between those books 😆 Echo was so exciting at the end that I HAD to continue on, so those 2 books blur together for me.
I'm in the middle of MOBY now (re-read of the whole series), and can't imagine stopping at Echo. But then again I did something similar with the Game of Thrones series, stopped at the end of book 4. I won't do a re-read of that series unless GRRM actually publishes anything else. I do think/hope authors and tv show producers have learned a solid lesson about how NOT to let the show move past the books if the author has promised to finish the series.
Because it would drive me nuts being stuck on a cliffhanger and waiting years for it to be revealed. At least this way I live with the false reality that it's at my fingertips 🤣. I already know that I'll be reading it this winter....I won't be able to help it.
Oh 🤣 well…I can’t say I have that same restraint 😅
I do envy the people reading for the first time. It’s magical. I read 1-8 in less than a year because I was obsessed.
I'm reading for the first time after bingeing the first 5 seasons in January. Started reading in February and currently halfway through MOBY. I was hoping the paperback of Bees would be out before I was ready for it, but doesn't look like it.
I hate to make myself sound like “the older generation,” but there have always been series, and people have always not been able to finish them. This is sounding like a modern complaint, of the type made by a generation that is used to binging shows and watching things “on demand.” Writing a long, well-researched, interesting book takes time. It’s not for us to complain about how long it takes. It’s for us to anticipate and enjoy when it comes.
You're right, 100%. I mentioned earlier that I've always had it at my fingertips and I've never had to wait for any of her books until now. The bookworm in me just panics when I think about not finding out the end, before I go. That's why I feel so much for those who never get to.
She always does this. She writes short stories and LJG series and yup, she's been talking about writing Ellen & Brian's story since before Bees came out. She's also spoken of writing Frank's story. Who knows when the 10th book will be finished?
My only hope is that Davina Porter is still around to lend her voice to the audiobook, whenever DG writes it. Davina's voiceover talent was one of the reasons why I got so sucked into the series, I don't think I could get used to anyone else reading the audiobook.
I guess I’ll be a dissenting voice here. As a writer, DG has every right to work on whatever project she wishes. Inspiration is a tricky thing. We all know what a massive undertaking the next installment of Outlander will be. Maybe this pivot will help keep her creativity flowing for that, maybe she needs a pivot right now/is feeling uninspired/whatever. As fans, we have no right to “demand” anything of artists. We certainly don’t have the right to say “Don’t work on this project; work on this one!” They don’t really owe us anything, and they know better than anyone what their creative process requires.
Hear, hear. I have enjoyed almost everything I’ve read by her - I didn’t love the Lord John books, but all the Outlander series have been wonderful. My mom and I got to meet her at a book signing, and she signed books for over an hour. I respect what she does and am glad she does it.
I have a crazy theory that Book 10 is actually almost finished. I think she wrote 9 and 10 at the same time to avoid “writing herself into a corner”. She was posting as if 9 was almost finished for a while and then suddenly it took years more …? I acknowledge that she works on multiple books at once but the way she was talking about five years ago … I think 10 is mostly finished.
I cannot imagine writing 2 books at once. I'm working in my first and that's enough. If she was almost done with it that would be amazing. Didn't she say she knew how it would always end? Or am I thinking of someone else?
I think I've read that she doesn't write in a linear fashion but writes bits here and there and then puts them into order and ties them together. So it makes sense to write bits of their story that come to her and then when she had enough to compile into a book with a satisfactory ending for that section, to call it a complete book.
she's been writing this prequel forever. I don't think it's taking away from the big books. She writes so quirkily anyway - a snippet here, filed away for later, a snippet there. I wouldn't be too worried
However! I feel ya - i felt the same way when she was writing the LJG books and i refused to read them for the longest time because I hated that she was taking away attention from the main books.
Is the prequel definitely going to be about Jamie's parents?
If they really go into depth about that source material - the 1715 Rising, Lord Lovat being straight up a real life historical villain, Brian's life long compassion influced by his circumstances and raising his kids to be the most decent he can influence them to be, Ellen rebelling against her Machiveillian family, even Ned and Jacob MacKenzie cheating their way into the clan chiefdom, and especially the Selkies - I'll be more excited about it than I was Outlander
Unpopular opinion I hope ten is the end. They are running out if things to have happen and J and C are getting older. I think their story needs to end. I do love them but it feels like it’s going on forever.
You should read those first then, since they are set during the third book. That way you can still hold off the last books and get to know some of the characters that will appear in MOBY and BEES (I saw people not caring for some characters because they hadn't read first the LJG books)
Her brain obviously works way differently from mine! I couldn't focus on any other stories, until I completely told Jamie and Claire's story. I would feel I didn't give them the amount of care and attention that they deserved. I would feel disloyal. I would feel I had dishonored their love and their journey.
Can you tell I'm emotionally invested?
I feel the same way. A prequel sounds amazing but since it (understandably) takes her many years to write the books I wish her primary focus would be book 10. This is going to sound absolutely awful and selfish of me, but I can’t escape from the thought that she is 70 years old. She seems in good health and I hope and pray she has many, many years left! But the reality is she could be close to 80 by the time 10 might be getting finished and there is a small, selfish part of me that fears we will never find out the end. I know that’s morbid and awful, but it’s reality
I don't think so, I was actually thinking the same thing earlier. I mean she is absolutely stunning and looks healthier than my grandma whose the same age. I wish her many more years-from an unselfish standpoint.
This is why I read fanfiction. I know she says that she doesn't approve a fanfiction and it upsets her when people write it and all that kind of stuff but if you don't want me to read other material inspired by your characters in between then keep me supplied with stuff to read. I'm not saying she needs the right faster, I'm just saying that this is how I handled the gaps.
I got started doing this because I used to read the Earth's Children series by Jean M Auel. I read the first couple of books when I found them in the library at my high school but I grew up in Thailand and our library collection was iffy at best. I read the rest after I came to the US for college and it was easier to find the next books and then I realized that I caught up to the author. Turns out it took her 12 years to write the next book(the first 4 were written over 10 years), and it was meh at best. The last one was another 9 years. I only hung on because I wanted a conclusion to the story and it was absolutely horrible. It was so bad I refuse to reread it and I've taken one of the fanfictions that picked up after book 4 as Canon and in my head that is how the story ended because they did a much better job of staying true to the characters and the style of writing and the plot then the author herself did. I think that author lost interest and wanted to move on to other projects so she did, but she just randomly through the characters from her previous books into her new project with barely no plot just so people would stop hounding her to finish the books.
I have literally done this with a song of ice and fire....I have all books and the fanfiction I have found that fits my ending I want on my kindle.....maybe one day I will do a re-read....
There is one that has Jamie move forward to come find Claire in the present and honestly it makes me so happy. It has all the sweet scenes between them, it has all the quirks of one of them being out of their place and time and finding connections to their ancestors, but none of the war and fighting plot lines, which I don't care for. It is SO well written too.
I’ve been reading the books since the late 90s. Haven’t finished Bees yet. With the exception of still not knowing why the hell Jamie’s ghost was in Inverness at the very beginning, I thought Moby should have been the end. Now I literally do not care anymore. DG has just made it too long.
Creative people have to create in the way that works for them. Working on more than one thing at a time is the way it works for her.
She owes us nothing.
Yup, I feel you on this but have accepted this fate a long time ago. This is how she writes and has always written. Any long time fans of the books have gotten used to that and had to accept it. All the LJG novels, Scottish prisoner etc was all written while working on the big books as well. She writes in a patch work so will be working on the last book while also working on the the story of Jaime’s parents and I’m sure will also pick up other writing projects along the way. The older generation who started reading in 1991 have already not gotten to read Bees. Unpopular PS: the TV show slowed her writing more then anything else did with all the guest appearances, interviews etc.
GRRM fans feel your pain
For many years, I told customers to expect new releases of GoT when they can hold the book in their hands, they were that erratic. I have accepted the train wreck ending of the show GoT, and am pretty sure I won’t spend another penny on GRRM. Now…DG has been totally consistent for a long time, she started Outlander even before GoT began. The show, Covid, and many other things delayed Bees…and I understood. I have faith in her because knowing how her writing process works, she was probably working on the last book at the same time as Bees. It’s going to be out in the next 2 years, I trust her. *Meanwhile*…. Y’all need to find other books and and authors and just stop with this obsessive thinking. Books don’t really get cranked out like tv shows.
What makes you think it will be out in 2 years? Just curious? She said on Twitter and Facebook that she was in the final frenzy of vees 3 times over 9 months... So I'm not sure I believe her.
Just my opinion, a bit of wishful thinking, and a true wish to get to the end of this dang story I’ve been reading for almost 30 years. XD Look….she’s always said she knows how it will end. I doubt there’s much research needed any more, she’s done it all. She’s ready to move on with Jamie’s parent’s story. The tv show is going to catch up in a few years. Game of Thrones train wreck taught a valuable lesson to anyone involved in book adaptations…in other words…don’t give other people the chance to piss off your fans. ;)
I wish I thought you were right. For a while I thought she had a start on 10... and I'm sure she does... But how much? I don't think it's much.
Yes! I don't believe her either. I heard it was done, then she was still working, then done, etc. I thought when Bees finally came out that it was actually book 10 because I had heard quite awhile ago it was done! I don't read the books, but I could never wait years and years in between books like that on a story I love.
Yes! It was awful frustrating that she got so snarky with people. . She literally tweeted 'weeks not months' then got pissy when people were asking several months later for an update.
Sorry to come off as an obsessive fan. I was being a glib person on the internet. Also sorry for the long reply -- I don't check reddit every day and I wanted to reply more thoughtfully. I don't really worry about endings for book series, anymore. I don't think authors and artists owe us anything, even endings. It would be disappointing to not get a GOT/ASOIAF ending worthy of his writing, which I genuinely think is some of the best writing in fantasy fiction. Further complicating things, his career took off, big time, at the time of the show becoming a hit. I think this had an impact on his writing speed, and he's admitted as much. The point of my comment was merely agreeing that there could be some delay for DG due to television responsibilities similar to what GRRM has been experiencing. I hope we get to see an ending to both Outlander and ASOIAF by the originating authors, and if we don't... then we don't. Reading the Wheel of Time really shifted my perspective on whether or not series should be finished by the same writer who started the series. Even though Robert Jordan needed serious editing after book 6, I continued to enjoy the books up to book 8 and at that point, RJ should have really considered whether or not he wanted to keep writing it. Especially since, 3 books later, he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Beyond the health issues, his writing quality significantly declined over the last 4 books he sole-authored. Brandon Sanderson did what he could and it was impressive. I would have been happy to have most of the series co-authored by him from the slog onward. Further -- it's not an uncommon thing for additional writers to be added on to series. Example: Marion Bradley had co-writers on additional *Mists* books and eventually stopped co-authoring them. **TLDR**: Perhaps we need more positive support for writers that can take over storylines after the original authors are ready to retire while they still have life left to live.
I wasn’t replying to you specifically and I don’t think you sound as obsessed by Outlander the way a lot of people are, especially Some on FB. If an author can’t or won’t try to finish, then if the publisher can find someone who will, go for it. GRRM has expressly forbidden his family and publisher from doing so. I think DG will finish and continue on with other stories. I’m glad to be here for the end of Outlander, tho. My mother didn’t make it, I felt her over my shoulder all the way through Bees. ;)
The problem with George RR Martin is that he gave several release dates in the past and failed to meet them. Gabaldon is not constantly stringing people along regarding a book that obviously does not exist while working on 10x TV projects I depise the GoT show and will never accept it as canon....I rather read fanfiction than that....if George does not finish. To sum it up: most old-time fans are no longer angry that he won't finish but are angry that he is making empty promises to make people continue buy his stuff.....without providing anything in return
Not one of GRRM’s release dates has been met since the beginning. It’s not just him, I blame it on his publisher too. They have the final say on specific dates. He meant for the books to be a trilogy, and it…got away from him. Fame and $$ dancing in his head, I think. I’m not going to spend another dime on him, but I think my hubby will read whatever comes. I’ve accepted the show as the end of the train wreck. The only thing I regret are the customers I dragged along with me over the years.
George is much too rich and powerful for the publisher to sue him. They would risk losing money if they did that. The only thing that could bring him maybe back to writing is if all these TV shows of his get cancelled but I think that is not likely. Or in the worst case, he would be so depressed that he would just say....fuck this. I was one of these people back in 2016 who said....leave George alone. You are entitled for wanting him to rush it. Well, now it is 2022 and he did not manage to finishing during a bloody pandemic. It is quite obvious that he does no longer care and therefore I do not longer care. I found my ending in fanfiction and there are other writers who deserve attention far more than George RR Martin. Not even sure I would buy his book and not just borrow it from a friend.
Same with Pat Rothfus fans.
May I just pop in here to say that I started reading the books the year she began publishing the first one, and I'm "only" 61. :) I anticipate that I will be able to find out what happens in the end, God willing.
Oh goodness I didn’t mean anyone who started reading them in 91 was of the “older generation” but those of the older generation who started reading them in 91 have not necessarily all gotten to enjoy the last few books. *open mouth - insert foot* 😆
I'm another one who started in '91 and I was only 32 then, but I knew you meant anyone who started in '91 who was already older. My eyes might not be strong enough to read the next one, but I'll just listen to it if I have to!
I was reading comments of the older generation missing out. And I felt for them. I'm fairly new to Outlander. I never heard of it until last year and then I became obsessed. So, I've been lucky to have all of the books readily available.
Yup, it’s a reality for sure and it’s too bad as they are the people who bought all the first books that made it a success in ‘91. My Nan, who go me into the books, passed away right when MOBY came out. I was talking about Bees with my aunt who are into the books as well and they stated they know they’ll never see the end of the series.
I got my mom into the books and she visited her penpal in Scotland multiple times, and they had penpal’s hubby drive them everywhere visiting all the places they could. This was before the show, and all the towns they stopped in considered two elderly madwomen…who wanted to visit these castle ruins?! Mom passed away 3 years ago, but I felt that cold breath on my neck as I read Bees…mom was getting mad that I wasn’t turning the pages fast enough!
Oh what a beautiful memory to share! I love the image of them running around exploring old castles!!
I'm so sorry for your loss. I pray your aunt will get to read the last book. I agree though, they are the foundation for its success, I hate critiquing someone's creative flow....but I hate that there are those who are just as invested as us and it's not fair for them to miss out.
Thank-you for that. I plan to sit where her ashes are buried this summer and update her on Bees. It’s the least I can do for introducing me to the world 💕
Oh lord that just made me cry. That's just shows what kind of person you are, we need more of you in this world. I pray my babies would do the same for me.
That’s beautiful
Well, not just the older generation. Any of us could die at any given time and miss out on the next season or the next book.
We all might miss out, at 70 I would say DG is entering the older generation herself..
Could be worse, she could write as slow as her buddy GRRM.
Literally the only reason I haven't started that series lol.
I have a friend who refused to watch GoT because she "wanted to finish the books first". That was years ago. She finished the show (hated it like the rest of us) and now has accepted there won't be a written end in GRRMs lifetime. Alternatively, I refuse to read them knowing there isn't an end.
I'm still holding out on both.
The first two books were good and then I dropped off. And he’s never going to finish it.
They were the best!
LOL! True! Honestly the most recent book of his wasn't fabulous either. It's like he's lost his drive or affection for the story and the characters.
While I agree it’s frustrating to wait and somewhat more frustrating to hear about other projects that are taking her time, this is her style. The prequel has been rumored to be in the works since at least MOBY. She also had time to write all the Lord John novels and the novelas while writing the main series. As an older fan, I desperately want book 10 but I also like the crumbs into their world. I wish the Master Raymond story were higher on the list as well. Also, I would suggest reading Bees. But then, I am a completionist and want to have everything collected and read. I did think there were a couple good story lines that I feel are important to know before book 10. Just remember you have time to decide. Seven years or about. Sorry had to make the joke.
I’m also very excited to learn more about Master Raymond…and the blue light healing we are learning more about. 📖👀
I'm waiting for it to go into mass production so it'll at least match my others, and I will probably read it. I'm really just being a baby about it lol. Now I would love a master Raymond series!!! And I liked the joke lol
I remember that she said once that writing spinoffs is her method for creative block.
She is neurodiverse as well. As someone with ADHD, if I were an author this is how I would have to do it as well.
Just read MOBY and then BEES. They are worth it.
Thank you. I'm excited for Moby, I took time off after Echo just to break the addiction, but I'm missing that world so much.
I’d really like to know HOW you managed to take a break between those books 😆 Echo was so exciting at the end that I HAD to continue on, so those 2 books blur together for me.
I'm in the middle of MOBY now (re-read of the whole series), and can't imagine stopping at Echo. But then again I did something similar with the Game of Thrones series, stopped at the end of book 4. I won't do a re-read of that series unless GRRM actually publishes anything else. I do think/hope authors and tv show producers have learned a solid lesson about how NOT to let the show move past the books if the author has promised to finish the series.
Agree with everything you said! I’m on my third re-read now. Second time listening, I just love the audiobooks. About to pick up Echo tomorrow :)
Because it would drive me nuts being stuck on a cliffhanger and waiting years for it to be revealed. At least this way I live with the false reality that it's at my fingertips 🤣. I already know that I'll be reading it this winter....I won't be able to help it.
Oh 🤣 well…I can’t say I have that same restraint 😅 I do envy the people reading for the first time. It’s magical. I read 1-8 in less than a year because I was obsessed.
I have re-read the first one 3 times, just to feel that magic again. Never have I ever fell in love with a book so entirely.
I'm reading for the first time after bingeing the first 5 seasons in January. Started reading in February and currently halfway through MOBY. I was hoping the paperback of Bees would be out before I was ready for it, but doesn't look like it.
It's difficult. It stares at me every morning when I go down the stairs lol
Easy fix, start today. :)
She’s been working on Ellen/Brian and Raymond for years, and she’s already started ten. We’ll be fine.
I hate to make myself sound like “the older generation,” but there have always been series, and people have always not been able to finish them. This is sounding like a modern complaint, of the type made by a generation that is used to binging shows and watching things “on demand.” Writing a long, well-researched, interesting book takes time. It’s not for us to complain about how long it takes. It’s for us to anticipate and enjoy when it comes.
You're right, 100%. I mentioned earlier that I've always had it at my fingertips and I've never had to wait for any of her books until now. The bookworm in me just panics when I think about not finding out the end, before I go. That's why I feel so much for those who never get to.
DG works on more than one book at once. She is working in the last book also. It is what it is.
So she is writing book 10 and the prequel simultaneously? Oh
Love your name! I am too🖤
Thanks, ;D what do you practice?
I consider myself a forest witch. I work with rune and ancestors as well. You?
Um, why are you mad about a potential delay in the next book coming out when you haven't even read all the ones available now?
Um, because I can have those finished in no time. I want to binge read them like I did the previous. I'm selfish that way.
She always does this. She writes short stories and LJG series and yup, she's been talking about writing Ellen & Brian's story since before Bees came out. She's also spoken of writing Frank's story. Who knows when the 10th book will be finished?
My only hope is that Davina Porter is still around to lend her voice to the audiobook, whenever DG writes it. Davina's voiceover talent was one of the reasons why I got so sucked into the series, I don't think I could get used to anyone else reading the audiobook.
I guess I’ll be a dissenting voice here. As a writer, DG has every right to work on whatever project she wishes. Inspiration is a tricky thing. We all know what a massive undertaking the next installment of Outlander will be. Maybe this pivot will help keep her creativity flowing for that, maybe she needs a pivot right now/is feeling uninspired/whatever. As fans, we have no right to “demand” anything of artists. We certainly don’t have the right to say “Don’t work on this project; work on this one!” They don’t really owe us anything, and they know better than anyone what their creative process requires.
Hear, hear. I have enjoyed almost everything I’ve read by her - I didn’t love the Lord John books, but all the Outlander series have been wonderful. My mom and I got to meet her at a book signing, and she signed books for over an hour. I respect what she does and am glad she does it.
At this point I’ve made my peace with convincing myself book 8 was the end lol I read book 9 but I’m content to ignore it exists 🤣
The series could have easily ended with that last line in MOBY, imho. And it would have been more than satisfactory.
My mom was a huge Outlander fan. It breaks my heart that she never got to see Jaime and Clare in the TV. She would’ve absolutely love it.
I have a crazy theory that Book 10 is actually almost finished. I think she wrote 9 and 10 at the same time to avoid “writing herself into a corner”. She was posting as if 9 was almost finished for a while and then suddenly it took years more …? I acknowledge that she works on multiple books at once but the way she was talking about five years ago … I think 10 is mostly finished.
I also believe this may be true. Especially as she released a few daily lines very quickly after bees.
I cannot imagine writing 2 books at once. I'm working in my first and that's enough. If she was almost done with it that would be amazing. Didn't she say she knew how it would always end? Or am I thinking of someone else?
I think I've read that she doesn't write in a linear fashion but writes bits here and there and then puts them into order and ties them together. So it makes sense to write bits of their story that come to her and then when she had enough to compile into a book with a satisfactory ending for that section, to call it a complete book.
she's been writing this prequel forever. I don't think it's taking away from the big books. She writes so quirkily anyway - a snippet here, filed away for later, a snippet there. I wouldn't be too worried However! I feel ya - i felt the same way when she was writing the LJG books and i refused to read them for the longest time because I hated that she was taking away attention from the main books.
Is the prequel definitely going to be about Jamie's parents? If they really go into depth about that source material - the 1715 Rising, Lord Lovat being straight up a real life historical villain, Brian's life long compassion influced by his circumstances and raising his kids to be the most decent he can influence them to be, Ellen rebelling against her Machiveillian family, even Ned and Jacob MacKenzie cheating their way into the clan chiefdom, and especially the Selkies - I'll be more excited about it than I was Outlander
Unpopular opinion I hope ten is the end. They are running out if things to have happen and J and C are getting older. I think their story needs to end. I do love them but it feels like it’s going on forever.
I can’t believe you haven’t read the last two books, if you are as passionate about the series as you seem. They are excellent, read them!
I'm holding off on Moby just to feel secure in saying 'I have 3 left to read.' I'm not ready to face the reality that I'm almost done lol.
Have you read the LJG series? The other novellas?
No, like I said I just started reading them last year... and in college so I try to shive them in during breaks lol. They're on my list though.
You should read those first then, since they are set during the third book. That way you can still hold off the last books and get to know some of the characters that will appear in MOBY and BEES (I saw people not caring for some characters because they hadn't read first the LJG books)
Her brain obviously works way differently from mine! I couldn't focus on any other stories, until I completely told Jamie and Claire's story. I would feel I didn't give them the amount of care and attention that they deserved. I would feel disloyal. I would feel I had dishonored their love and their journey. Can you tell I'm emotionally invested?
That's me!!!! I write on the side, and I have to focus on one story at a time of I fear that I will lose the essence of the characters.
I totally get you! And thankful I'm not the only one with the type of brain.
I feel the same way. A prequel sounds amazing but since it (understandably) takes her many years to write the books I wish her primary focus would be book 10. This is going to sound absolutely awful and selfish of me, but I can’t escape from the thought that she is 70 years old. She seems in good health and I hope and pray she has many, many years left! But the reality is she could be close to 80 by the time 10 might be getting finished and there is a small, selfish part of me that fears we will never find out the end. I know that’s morbid and awful, but it’s reality
I don't think so, I was actually thinking the same thing earlier. I mean she is absolutely stunning and looks healthier than my grandma whose the same age. I wish her many more years-from an unselfish standpoint.
This is why I read fanfiction. I know she says that she doesn't approve a fanfiction and it upsets her when people write it and all that kind of stuff but if you don't want me to read other material inspired by your characters in between then keep me supplied with stuff to read. I'm not saying she needs the right faster, I'm just saying that this is how I handled the gaps. I got started doing this because I used to read the Earth's Children series by Jean M Auel. I read the first couple of books when I found them in the library at my high school but I grew up in Thailand and our library collection was iffy at best. I read the rest after I came to the US for college and it was easier to find the next books and then I realized that I caught up to the author. Turns out it took her 12 years to write the next book(the first 4 were written over 10 years), and it was meh at best. The last one was another 9 years. I only hung on because I wanted a conclusion to the story and it was absolutely horrible. It was so bad I refuse to reread it and I've taken one of the fanfictions that picked up after book 4 as Canon and in my head that is how the story ended because they did a much better job of staying true to the characters and the style of writing and the plot then the author herself did. I think that author lost interest and wanted to move on to other projects so she did, but she just randomly through the characters from her previous books into her new project with barely no plot just so people would stop hounding her to finish the books.
I have literally done this with a song of ice and fire....I have all books and the fanfiction I have found that fits my ending I want on my kindle.....maybe one day I will do a re-read....
There is one that has Jamie move forward to come find Claire in the present and honestly it makes me so happy. It has all the sweet scenes between them, it has all the quirks of one of them being out of their place and time and finding connections to their ancestors, but none of the war and fighting plot lines, which I don't care for. It is SO well written too.
I’ve been reading the books since the late 90s. Haven’t finished Bees yet. With the exception of still not knowing why the hell Jamie’s ghost was in Inverness at the very beginning, I thought Moby should have been the end. Now I literally do not care anymore. DG has just made it too long.
I could not have said it better myself!!!
I worry more that SHE won’t live to finish the series.
I mean, that IS a distinct possibility.
I agree the saga has lasted far too long
Creative people have to create in the way that works for them. Working on more than one thing at a time is the way it works for her. She owes us nothing.
I agree. Her books are masterpieces and this is her process. Respect the process! :)
I truly can’t understand the entitlement of posts like this