Phew! Haven't updated in a while, so I thought I'd lift this from my livejournal account. It may be friends only, but I'm always looking for friends.

Little background story before we begin:

There was an amazing used book shop downtown in the city where I went to school. Literally three floors of any and all used books. One day, whilst browsing with a friend, we came across Diana Gabaldon's "Outlandish Companion," which is a very big book on all the nonfiction aspects of the "Outlander" series, as well as some of Diana's methods and/or theories to writing fiction.

I had never seen this in the stores and it was only available limitedly for a hefty price. As much as I love her books, I could not swing that on a college student's salary.

And here it was! A beautiful, hard-back copy in near perfect condition. I bought it without a second thought and have been pleased with myself on it since.

This is not the kind of book you sit down and read in a few sittings, nor one you intently study day in and day out, so I would normally come to it every once in a while for writing inspiration, advice, or just to see why she chose to do something to a certain character.

Today was a day where I wanted to study her take on character development because frankly, Erik is giving me grief. I opened the first few pages to check the index and for the first time, I notice writing on one of the first few pages.

Written in very quick, blue handwriting is "To Janice - Diana Gabaldon."

I actually have had a signed copy without realizing it! Granted, I'm not Janice, still it was a wonderful surprise!

And the whole thing only cost me eight bucks, less than a third of the true price considering shipping cost, and now signature included!

*dances*

YAY!!