Posted on by Outlander Anatomist

A Day with Herself at 2018 NYCC!

Dear Outlander fans, this post chronicles the fantastic events of Sunday, October 7th, at 2018 NYCC!

By 8:30am, my companions from the big island of Oahu were headed for Shop Studios near the Jacob Javits Center in NYC awaiting a panel discussion entitled “Pages to Pictures.”  Jo, Jeri and I were so excited, as we were first in line (rarely happens).

The panel included Diana Gabaldon (whose works need no introduction), Justin Cronin author of The Passage and Mike Mignola, creator of Hellboy! Diana was the first panelist to enter the room, looking beautifully casual in hot pink sweater, bellbottom jeans and her luxurious black hair!

The next hour zipped by as each panelist was given moments to tell us about getting started in writing, how their work was selected for films and advice to those who want to write.

Diana explained how she chose science following her father’s admonition to pursue a profession whereby she could make a living. She earned a BS in zoology, MS in marine biology and PhD in behavioral ecology, eventually becoming a research professor. Early on, she wrote software reviews and technical articles for computer publications, as well as popular-science articles and comic books for the Walt Disney Company.

Diana decided to write a novel for practice  with no intention to show it to anyone (<G>). She settled on a historical novel because as a research professor, it would be easiest to research and write. It was a serendipitous moment when she happened to see a rerun episode of the Doctor Who science fiction TV series wherein his companion was a Scot named Jamie McCrimmon from  1745. This episode provided the inspiration for her main male character, James Fraser, and the setting for mid-18th century Scotland. 

She categorized her characters into three different types: onions with many layers that peel away with time (J & C); nuts which belong in the story but are more challenging develop (e.g. Bree); and mushrooms, that just popup (LJG)! Culinary delights, for sure.

All three panelists advised that if one wants to write, don’t wait for a convenient time because that doesn’t exist. They all advised nascent novelists to just start and then try to write something everyday.  Splendid hour, well spent!

We immediately hoofed it to the Javit’s Center for author signing. Diana was already ain her chair with a very long line down the wall and around the corner!

We were delighted to spy “Claire” in line for an autograph.  😉 This fan had made her own version of the Dior-inspired bar suit designed by Terry Dresbach.  Started with a muslin version followed by the final.  Pleats were a challenge. She did a splendid job!

When my turn came, Diana greeted me warmly.

And, I snagged her autograph on the title page of Seven Stones to Stand or Fall!

We set aside the afternoon to spend together after her two hour autograph session.  Her first choice was to visit the Starz Outlander booth. Off we go!

The right half of the booth was devoted to Fraser’s Ridge, the left to American Gods!

She received a mini-tour including a short spiel from the Caswell-Massey rep about their history and fragrances designed for fans at the Outlander booth.

The following clip shows what she heard although from a different rep on a different day.

We saw two hundred year-old chests used to store fragrances in the early days.

Interior of the chest!

Hanging on the wall was a map of River Run plantation.

And, a facsimile of Fraser’s Ridge land grant from governor William Tryon.  This was too cool.

As swag, Diana snagged an Outlander “Brave the New World” tote.

She also received a personalized leather luggage tag (this one is mine), initials in gold leaf  and samples of all three fragrances.

This  little video shows the interior of Fraser’s Ridge booth.

At the booth, Diana graciously met fans, signed autographs and posed for selfies even though she had just met and signed autographs for hundreds of fans.  Clearly, her generosity is just one reason she is so beloved by her fandom.

I always enjoy seeing which color she chose for her splendid nails. This time, a beautiful electric violet that nicely complimented her outfit!

Finished at the booth, we decided to grab food at Chelsea Market.  The traffic was ghastly, but her driver quickly and safely delivered us to our destination.

The next three hours literally flew by as we discussed anatomy, pathology, book characters, show characters, character development, wound-healing, scars, wonders of Manuka honey, and her son’s (Sam Sykes) writing career. I saw an updated photo of her toddler grandson.  He is a sturdy, charismatic little guy who clearly loves life, much like his grandmum!

At 5:45, we parted company, her to her hotel and me to my Lyft! I had a long trip back to my home base at Columbia University.  A day well spent, for which I am deeply grateful!

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

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Photo creds: Outlander Anatomy, Diane Blake, Jody K. Chang, Jeri Sato, www.UrbanMatter.com

14 Replies to “A Day with Herself at 2018 NYCC!”

  1. Thanks for your NYCC experience with Diana! I would have loved to have spent a few hours with Herself! I believe I spied you in line for something and regret not saying anything. I really enjoyed the CC and seeing the first episode. What I especially love is Diana’s inclusion of past and modern health and medicine. I’m a dermatologist so I really enjoy past treatments and am glad I practice in the present lol!

    1. Hi Anita

      Didn’t we PM each other for a fan panel we were planning at NYCC? I recognize your dermatology profession and first name. TY so much for reading my post. I very much enjoyed my meeting with Diana b/c she writes about medicine, health, anatomy, physiology, pathology, wound healing, etc. These are all courses I have taught at several medical schools. I really had a lovely time with her. Take care and introduce yourself, please, should our paths cross again!

      1. Yes we did! Would love to get together with you via internet, phone and in person! PM me on FB, I am in the process of learning fictional writing as I am working on a historical novel for young people based on a true story.

        1. Hi Anita. I thought so. There cannot be too many Dermatologists named Anita who are Ouylander fans. I recalled your first but not last name. I will PM you after this convention is over. Next two days are crazy insane and then I drive back to Oregon, so plan to crash afterward. Congtatulations on your writing plans. You might think of coming to SiWC. Wonderful place for writers in any stage of development!

  2. It was such a pleasure to meet you! How fortunate to end up in line next to you lovely ladies. I loved my time at NYCC, but the conversations with fellow Outlander fans made it enjoyable to stand in line for long periods of time. You are a great human and I look forward to going back to read your blog.

    1. Hi Sandy! It was wonderful to meet you, too. I so agree about the convos with other fans making the line time enjoyable and the time to pass by much faster (or it seems that way). TY so much for your kind remarks. I am glad you are going to read my blog! 🙂

  3. It was so wonderful to finally get to meet you and chat while in line for Diana’s panel and then book signing! And to find out you live in (near) Oregon City (I was the one who worked at Clackamas Community College). This is a beautiful piece and am so glad you shared your afternoon with herself with all of us fans. Will continue to spread the word about your wonderful posts!!!

    1. Hello again, Christine! It is amazing that the Outlander world is so small. It was fun to meet you and chat with you, Christine, and find that you had worked at CCC! A good way to pass the time while waiting in line. Thank you for reading my blog and I am so happy that you enjoyed my “afternoon with Herself!”

  4. This was a wonderful article! I was in line ahead of you at the writer’s panel, but in my ignorance, I did not know who you were, as I only got on Twitter this weekend. ( I know, I know)You were interesting to talk to then, and I am looking forward to reading more of your posts!
    As a physical therapist, I always welcome Diane’s detail to the world’s ‘healthcare’ in mid 18 century. I would imagine you didn’ t run out of things to converse about.
    Cheers!

    1. Hi Jacqui!

      A fellow traveler! I wish we could have said hello to each other and introduced ourselves. I am glad you are now on Twitter as lots happens there and very quickly! I do hope you read some of my anatomy lessons and fun facts. Congratulations on your PT career. I taught PT students for a number of years at U of Utah. We don’t run out of things to converse about – just run out of time. 🙂 Thanks for writing.

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