Four years!

This week marks the 4th anniversary of my discovery of the OUTLANDER books. People talk about how these books have changed their lives. Well, in my case, it really is true! If you're interested, here is the story of how I found OUTLANDER. Unlike many of you, I didn't know anyone else who had read the books. I had never heard of Diana Gabaldon. And I really did find OUTLANDER completely by accident, browsing in a Barnes & Noble bookstore in 2006.

I ripped through the series much too fast the first few times, reading all six books (ECHO hadn't yet been published) in only five weeks, then immediately starting over with OUTLANDER. I was already thoroughly addicted by the spring of 2007, when I discovered the Compuserve Books and Writers Community. I still remember very well what it felt like the first time I got up the nerve to ask Diana a question on Compuserve. "Nervewracking" does not begin to describe it! <g> And how thrilled I was to get an answer back from her! That was in March, 2007. Sometimes that seems like a lifetime ago, but I haven't forgotten the feeling.

Then, in September, 2008, I was stunned and delighted to be named Section Leader of Diana's section of the Compuserve forum. I'd never been in a leadership role online before, and really had no idea what to expect. It's been more work than I bargained for in the beginning, but the results have been very, very gratifying -- to put it mildly!

You can imagine how delighted I was when Diana signed my copy of the ECHO paperback, "To Karen, Czarina of Traffic and a great friend!" Great friend?! Wow. I'll treasure that for a long time to come.

And this blog, too, has succeeded far beyond my initial expectations. Thanks to all of you for your continued support!

"A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows" was a wonderful early birthday present for me this year. <g> I'm looking forward to much more OUTLANDER-related discussion and speculation -- not to mention, many more of those entertaining Monday-night OUTLANDER chats with the Outlander Purgatory gang! -- in the year to come.

Wishing all of you in the U.S. a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!