Category: OA Announcements

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2024 SiWC – Diana Gabaldon “Endings”

Hallo the house!!! šŸ˜‰

Greetings Diana fans! šŸ¤—

Friday, October 26, was the first day of 2024 Surrey International Writers’ Conference (SiWC) in British Columbia. This is a wonderful gathering of seasoned writers and budding authors.

This is my fourth SiWC over the years. I attend to report on the events and see Diana. I do not plan on becoming a professional writer.

This post is about Diana’s SiWC workshop on Oct. 25, titled “Endings.”

Now, no need to panic. Diana’s presentation was not about the end of the Outlander book series – Ā not yet, anyway!!! šŸ˜± Ā 

It was about how to write endings to all aspects of story telling including those of sentences, paragraphs, conversations, chapters, books, etc.

I found it extremely informative and I wager most in the room felt the same. Diana remains a fountain of imagination and information. šŸ¤©

Diana entered the room with her favorite beverage in hand! šŸ˜„

Understand, these workshops are 1.5 hours long wherein she is the only speaker. Ā I suspect this wee “pick-me-up” helps her stand (mostly) still, essentially immobile and focussed while being pummeled with attendees’ queries! šŸ˜Ž

Unfortunately, I had some technical difficulties with this video recording so it is divided into three segments. šŸ™„

The first video is the introduction. She tells attendees that she is not going to teach the mechanics of how to write their stories but rather how to write about what happens in a way that keeps readers turning the page. šŸ“–

She began by telling us she recently reread James Clavell’s 1975 book, Shogun. She selected this book because Clavell is a highly regarded author.

Upon opening the book, she immediately read both the first and the last sentences! She didn’t do this to spoil the book but for a scholarly reason: she is now writing what she expects will be the final Outlander book and she is putting serious thought into that last sentence of her epic book series. She is researching good examples. Hankies out! šŸ˜„

In the next segment, she talks more about Shogun. She considers its last sentence to be an excellent ending to this classic novel so listen to her read it.

In this third and final video segment, she talks about Shakespeare’s tragedy, “Romeo and Juliette.” Starting to weep, she explains that this story was not about crime or political power but about “Juliette and her Romeo. It is about love.” šŸ„°

She points out and explains that there are four types of book and chapter endings:

    • Resolution of conflict
    • Food for thought
    • Cliff hangers
    • Echos (e.g. epilogues)

She encourages writers to include pauses in their sentences, to use short sharp sentences in conversations, and try not to shake people out of the story with anything that might distract from the tale.

If your work presents a question, answer it rather quickly to keep readers engaged. (Now, I could make an issue here because upon occasion, Outlander readers have to wait 10 years and two or more books to get answers, but I won’t!) šŸ˜‚

Question: Are your characters ever influenced by the show’s characters or do you keep them separate? Do you like the show’s characters better? No, she never confuses the two sets of characters and she likes hers best because she writes better dialogue. šŸ‘šŸ»šŸ‘šŸ»šŸ‘šŸ»

Question: How do you decide what your characters will say? Her answer is she never tells her characters anything – they tell her what they will say, think, and do.

Question: Are you conscious of alliteration when you write? She said she was when first writing but incorporates it automatically now. Sometimes she goes back and grooms the alliteration if needed (alliteration is the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words – e.g. the sweet birds sang softly).

This video segment stops when she begins reading an excerpt from book 10. It is an intimate exchange between Jamie and William! ā£ļø

She asked me specifically to remove this part before posting, so I have. I am very sorry that I cannot share it because it is tender, moving and poignant.šŸ˜¢

I feel sure she will share this as daily lines when she is ready. šŸ’™

I hope you enjoyed Diana’s one person workshop. These are always worthwhile and I considerate it a privilege to attend them.Ā 

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

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Video and Photo credits: Outlander Anatomy,

 

 

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2024 SiWC Lunch with Diana!

Good day, Diana fans!

On Sunday at Surrey International Writers’ ConferenceĀ (SiWC) I was privileged to enjoy a long private Ā lunch with Diana!

Details about our “date” are posted below but first a bit of history. The first time I lunched with Diana was 2015, almost 10 years ago!

We met in Beaverton, OR, after she spoke at a fund raiser. We have met for lunch or drinks many times since then.

The last time we lunched was at 2022 New York Comic Con. Ā We began our outing by riding in a golf cart through the bowels of the Javits Center!

We enjoyed a delish lunch at Hudson Yards. Her nails this day were a beautiful dusty blue. BTW, these are her natural nails, not gels!

After lunch, we parted near The Vessel. It was a beautiful but windy day.

I had not seen Diana during 2023 because I spent that year rehabilitating a shattered ankle and didn’t go anywhere. šŸ„²

All of that changed at 2024 SiWC!

We had a wonderful two hour lunch on Sunday.

As we waited in line to be seated, author Michael Slade walked up and asked in a booming voice why women’s conversations were more interesting than men’s. I said I thought it is because women talk about everything while men have a fairly narrow range of acceptable topics. I was thinking sports, hunting, fishing, etc., for the guys. What do you think?

Diana and I ordered lunch. We were joined for a while by her youngest daughter, Jen. Hi Jen! šŸ¤—

Jen lives in Scotland with her hubby and Diana’s two grandsons. She flew over just to attend SiWC. Ā Sadly, she had to leave after a few minutes to catch her flight home. A delightful and very personable young woman. Mum was rightfully proud of her lovely daughter.

For the next 2 hours, we engaged in our usual discussion of far flung topics. Diana is very excited about Blood of My Blood (BOMB) and has written a couple of scripts for the show. Ā She also gave the writers the ideas for it (of course)! šŸ¤—

I asked her why it has taken 1.5 years between 7a and 7b. She answered that they were timing the releases of BOMB and 7b so there would not be issues with overlap.

We talked about our parents, our children and our lives growing up, our homes, property and pets. She shared photos of her darling grandsons (she is hoping for more).

She then commented on the beauty of the red and black bracelet I was wearing.

I make my own jewelry and she has received a number of pieces from me in the past, such as this one from 2019! šŸŽ

Sorry the photo is grainy. This is the piece on a form before I gifted it to her!

Back to my story. I removed the bracelet and said “Shall we try it on you?” I put it on her and asked if it was too big. She said it fit perfectly so I said “It is yours.” She was pleased! ā˜ŗļø

This felt uncanny because that very morning as I put the bracelet on, I thought, “I bet Diana is going to like this bracelet.” Ā Then, I asked myself, Ā “Do you want her to have it?” šŸ¤”

Of course, the answer was “yes” as I can make myself another one. šŸ˜

It made her happy! šŸ¤—

She let me photograph (a tradition of mine) her new nail color, a beautiful lush red. She usually wears lavender, blue or green. I think the color looks great on her. She wears jewel tones very well! šŸ˜ Psst….Isn’t her top lovely?

After two hours, she was tiring and I understood why. In just three days, she had done multiple events: Michael Slade’s Shock Theater, a library panel event, two solo workshops and an author’s panel. She also had done blue pencil events where she helps new authors with their work.

Her last 1.5 hour workshop occurred just before lunch and she had yet another event to attend that evening. The woman is a power house but she does need to rest sometimes! šŸ˜‰

So we hugged and said farewell, until next time! šŸ‘‹šŸ»

But wait! I have more. I will end my post with the next video.

Some of Ā you are aware that during SiWC Diana does philanthropic work in the British Columbia prison system. She teaches a master class on writing to the inmates. This year she was unable to work with them because the contact she needs to help her access the system sadly passed away. So, in the future, she must find a new sponsor.

Although I made this video in 2018, it gives you an idea of the important work that Diana does for people whose lives are impacted by incarceration. She teaches her class and then listens to their questions and comments. Based on these, she buys and donates books to the prison library to help them with their goals.

Her works are a good lesson in kindness to all of us. šŸ„°

Isn’t she the best? šŸ¤©

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

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Video and Photo credits: Outlander Anatomy,

 

 

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2019 SDCC Interview with Bear McCreary

Saturday at San Diego Comic-Con, I enjoyed the privilege of spending three hours in the presence of Bear McCreary, the wildly creativeĀ Outlander music-maker!

It all started in the press room. Promptly at 3pm, Bear strode through the door exuding star-power personality and boundless energy! For the next hour, he patiently walked the press line answering every question with enthusiasm and excitement. Handsome and lithe, his commanding presence leaves little doubt this is the man who has produced such a prolific body of musical work!

Soon, my turn to ask questions… Bear responded with the same focus and attention afforded each press member in the room. Enjoy our brief exchange!Ā 

Daughter, Sonatine, costumed with sword in hand, posed with papa in the press line.

Bear then joined us for a round table discussion. Press members were allowed one question per round. The following recording contains all Q&A wherein Bear offers thoughtful, candid and pithy resposes. Hope you watch in its entirety!Ā 

During the round table discussion, I commented on Sonatineā€™s Quest, an original vocalization by Sonatine Yarborough McCreary and scored by her father. Ā Here, Sonatine sings her feelings about a favorite storybook. Hope you listen to this wonderful creation by his wee lass (clearly, this apple fell close to the tree!).

And, she is only four years old!

After the round table, we scrambled to a different building for Bearā€™s panel presentation, The Music of Monsters, open to all attendees.Ā  He informed the packed session that he became enthralled with sci-fi films and monsters at age 5, after seeing Godzilla footage in Tim Burton’s 1985 film, Ā PeeWee Herman’s Great Adventure!Ā 

Bear then posited this insightful premise: music is critical to film because it gives monsters a voice!

He then showed several outstanding examples of iconic music from sci-fi films to support this premise. At the end of each clip, he encouraged audience participation by inviting attendees to call out feelings the music evoked. Responses were numerous, robust and exciting as a vast range of emotions were called out from the floor!Ā 

For example, he showed an iconic image from the 1951 film classic, The Day the Earth Stood Still, reminding us of the ominous feelings this music awakens.

He is right! I saw this film at age 9, and to this day, I can recall the eerie music and the words: “Gort, Klaatu barada nikto!” Gort is the name of the menacing robot; Klaatu, the name of the humanoid alien (played by actor Michael Rennie). See the trailer here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klaatu_barada_nikto.

Bear also showed a clip featuring his musical score for 2016,Ā  ā€œ10 Cloverfield Lane.ā€ Bearā€™s intense and haunting music for this psychological thriller by producer J.J. Abrams establishes mood and scale, as seen in the closing moments of the film.

Bear shared footage from the 2019Ā  film, Childā€™s Play, scored entirely with toy instruments. He didnā€™t expect this approach to be welcomed by the director, but it was! He showed this bit of the creepy ā€œBuddi Song,ā€ written by Bear and sung in a child-like voice by actor, Mark Hamill.

Although Bear didnā€™t perform the music live for us, in the following splendid video, he sings the theme fromĀ Childā€™s Play in a kiddie’s voice while playing multiple toy instruments: watch for bells, ukuleles, harmonicas, pianos, accordion, and several toys I can’t even name! His music gradually builds from innocent childish notes to a thoroughly menacing finale. Hear the theme song in its entirety here: https://youtu.be/YNjCEimjX_4Ā 

Bear’s last clip was from 2019’s, Godzilla: King of the Monsters. He shared his first version of Godzillaā€™s theme and, no surprise, it was excellent! Then, he played the final spine-thrilling, spine-chilling theme, building on music from an earlier Godzilla film, which proved mighty, powerful and awesome! This underscored how critical it is to continue with music until it is right; the final thunderous score is magnificent!Ā 

Listen to Godzillaā€™s theme here:

And, this video is a must see! It shows the collaboration of Bear, hisĀ orchestra, Tibetan monks and Japanese Taiko drummers producing music forĀ Godzilla: KOTM:Ā 

The session concluded with a robust Q and A. Even after three hours of non-stop shop talk, Bear was as gracious and enthused as at the outset. We were more than lucky he attended 2019 SDCC!Ā 

In case you are not familiar with Bearā€™s prodigious resume, it includes his very first musical score created for Battlestar Galactica,Ā ten years of writing music for The Walking Dead, five seasons composing music forĀ Outlander, and themes for Rim of the World, and The Professor and the Madman,Ā to name a few. Ā Let’s congratulate him on Ā his nomination for the prestigious 2019 Saturn AwardĀ for best film music. If I had a vote, he would get it. Thank you, Bear!

What a splendid way to spend an afternoon at 2019 SDCC!

A deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

Photo credits: Bear McCreary, Defiant Public Relations, iMDB, OutlanderAnatomy,Ā You Tube