Outlander author Diana Gabaldon insists she isn’t bothered if fans are disappointed by her next book because the only opinion that matters is her own.
It’s been five years since she published the eighth instalment in the Highland time-travelling saga but says there is no pressure.
“I wrote the first book completely free of pressure because I didn’t tell anyone what I was doing,” said Diana, 67. “I didn’t want anyone’s expectations forcing me into something.
“I’m determined to keep that freedom, so I don’t care what people think about it. It’s going to be the book I want it to be. If people like it, that’s great but I don’t care what they think.”
The Outlander books have sold 35 million copies and the Scots-shot TV series is shown in more than 120 territories.
Now the Arizona author says she can’t even get away from mad-keen fans when she goes to the loo. And book signings need a whole army of helpers
“I’ve been recognised in a number of odd places, mainly public restrooms,” said Diana. “People come up all the time and want to take selfies there.”
The fourth series of Outlander, shown on Amazon Prime, finished screening in January and series five starts filming next month.
The drama stars Caitriona Balfe as a time-travelling Second World nurse Claire. Claire meets dashing 18th-Century Highlander Jamie, played by Sam Heughan – a global star thanks to the show. And Diana says she’s seen some understandable changes in the Dumfries and Galloway-born Heughan, having known nothing about him when cast.
“I got in touch on Twitter and I think he had about six followers at the time,” said Diana. “I didn’t know if he knew who I was but he did and we started tweeting each other.
“At base he’s the same person, he’s very genuine. But he’s now got much more reserved publicly. He keeps his private life very private, which is certainly something you’d recommend.”
Withy Downton Abbey now being made into a film, Diana says she wouldn’t rule out a movie version of Outlander.
“I would like to see Scotland on the big screen. I saw the first episode of Outlander at LA Film Week on fabulous large screens and there was a lot of Scotland which looked wonderful.”
The author was in Scotland last week to receive an award for boosting Scottish tourism.
VisitScotland published a report showing the impact of “set-jetting”, visiting locations used in films and TV series.
Outlander is a major driver, helping visitor numbers soar from 887,000 to 1.5 million in five years.
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