Behind The Scenes Outlander North Carolina

Behind The Scenes With Outlander North Carolina ~ An Interview with Susan Jackson

May 17, 2018

We’re going behind the scenes of Outlander North Carolina!  Who are we?  What’s our connection to North Carolina and Outlander? Who and what makes things tick around here? What keeps us going through the Droughtlander? What are the Outlander stories of other obsessed fans? Over the next several weeks, I’ll be answering those questions by occasionally posting interviews with our administrators and some of our Facebook members and blog subscribers! I’m looking forward to this series and hope you will be comforted to read how others deal with their obsession to our favorite books and TV series. Consider these interviews our way of providing group therapy for the seriously addicted Outlander fan!

Our first interview is with Susan Jackson.  Susan was the very first administrator to join me at Outlander North Carolina. Her wisdom, advice and encouragement have been invaluable to me! She has also written two articles for ONC.  So, without further ado, let’s meet Susan!

Hey Susan! Let’s start by telling us a little about yourself.

I am a mother of four who lives in coastal North Carolina, and I’m an avid Outlander fan.  Besides reading, I love cooking and baking, and music.  I am a thyroid cancer survivor and have worked in education most of my life.  I hope to one day blog about my thyroid cancer journey.

When did you discover Outlander?

I started reading the first book in 2014 before the TV series started when a friend recommended it to pass the time while in thyroid cancer treatment isolation. I was hooked once Claire went through the stones. I gobbled up every book after that, and it helped pass the time during the healing process.

What captivates you the most about Outlander?

First and foremost, Claire and Jamie’s relationship, but I love historical fiction, and a well-researched story takes you back in time anyway, so the extra time travel aspect is fascinating to think about.

Have you read the books and if so, how many?

I’ve read all eight, as well as some of the novellas and the graphic novel. I loved The Scottish Prisoner, and the short story Virgins.

Which book is your favorite?

It’s hard to choose! DOA is probably my very favorite, though.  I can understand completely Jamie’s falling in love with the North Carolina mountains.

Other than The Wedding, which is everyone’s favorite, what’s your favorite episode of the three seasons?

Another tough decision—but I have to say that I’m going to sound like a bit of a prude, but The Wedding was so awkward for me to watch (and read in the books)! I felt like I was a peeping Tom on some friends. LOL! But I loved Rent from Season 1–the scenery was amazing, and A. Malcolm from Season 3. The Paris episodes from season 2 were a feast for the eyes with all the amazing costumes.

How do you feel about some of the changes that the writers have made to adapt the show from the books?

I know changes have to be made, and I’m fine (mostly) with things that have been done so far.  I didn’t like that they didn’t have Jamie and Claire mark each other with the scars before she went back through, and I wanted Claire to remain ignorant of William. And, as much as I love the show’s version of Murtagh, I feel like that’s a change that is going to be weird for me. I hope that’s not a spoiler, since we saw him get sent to the Colonies with the other prisoners.

Who is your favorite character and why?

I love book and TV Mrs. Fitz—she’s a caregiver like me, running around making sure everything and everyone is taken care of, with full bellies and clean clothes. But I can’t say that I have an absolute favorite character.  I’m going to get tarred and feathered for saying this, but Claire gets on my nerves a lot! I can’t call specific situations, but there are times I just roll my eyes and move on.

Who is your least favorite character and why?

I really disliked Dougal McKenzie—he was a jerk, and used whoever he could to get his way.

In Season 4, Jamie & Claire come to North Carolina. Yay!!! What are you most looking forward to in Season 4?

Seeing how well Scotland substitutes for our beautiful mountains. I am always dreaming of being in the mountains, so for this season not to be filmed here but look like North Carolina, well, we’ll just see about that.

Without revealing any spoilers, what passage from Drums of Autumn are you most hoping will be included in the show?

A father and daughter meeting behind a pub.

Diana’s books are full of history. Have you learned anything about North Carolina that you didn’t know before reading the books?

I’ve been reading NC history for many years, so I was aware of a lot of battles and people and how the state began.  I was surprised to learn about the standing stones at Ocracoke Island, and since that isn’t far from me, I’ll have to pay them a visit.

Have you visited any of the locations that Jamie & Claire go to in North Carolina and, if so, which ones?

Edenton is a town I visit frequently, because it’s close.  I adore the Boone area. I’ve been to Tryon Palace, and I’ve been to Fayetteville (formerly known as Cross Creek & Campbellton) many times. Somerset Plantation isn’t necessarily in the books, but  I imagine it when I think of Jocasta’s home.

If a friend was coming to North Carolina and they could only visit one place, where would you tell them to go and why?

Edenton—so much original colonial architecture, and it’s full of history as well as historical places.

What are you watching and/or reading to survive during the Droughtlander?

I re-read the Outlander books, and love biographies. I watch Downton Abbey reruns, the Outlander shows, and Call the Midwife.

Tell us about something about yourself that only a fellow Outlander fan could relate to.

Whenever I am reading/listening to the books, I find myself thinking about what Claire would do in situations I’m in. When I was first reading the books, I would actually wake up in the mornings and wonder what Claire and Jamie would be doing–as if they weren’t fictional, and we were in some sort of parallel universe.  I thought I was nuts. Then I found other fans online and a couple of groups on Facebook and realized I wasn’t nuts. Not completely, anyway.

Susan is a contributing author for Outlander North Carolina and has previously written about the infamous Stede Bonnet in “Will The Real Stephen Bonnet Please Stand Up?” and “Favorite Scene Friday – Episode 304, Of Lost Things”.  Susan is also working on a series of articles about the colonial town of Edenton. The Edenton series will be part of our summer and fall series on the real people and places of Outlander in North Carolina. 
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Giveaways Pre-Revolutionary War Period The Fiery Cross

Winners – #SaveAlamance Giveaway

May 13, 2018

We have two winners for the #SaveAlamance Giveaway.  They are Stephanie Bryant and Sherry Allen.  Stephanie & Sherry will each receive a copy of the book “Farming Dissenters” by Dr. Carole Watterson Troxler.  Congratulations to them both!

Thanks to all of you who participated in the contest.  Please remember that you can continue to donate to this worthwhile cause to save the epicenter of the battle as well as the triage area where the wounded were tended from outside development.  If every Outlander fan donated $1.00, the Battleground could reach their goal with ease. Please consider donating through their Go Fund Me page by clicking here.  And since sharing is such a nice thing to do, please share this post or the Go Fund Me page with others. Do it for Roger! More importantly, do it for history! And as always, thank you for reading Outlander North Carolina!

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Pre-Revolutionary War Period The Fiery Cross

Save Alamance & A Giveaway!

May 4, 2018

 

New Bern, 20 October

Colonel James Fraser

Whereas the Peace and good Order of this Government has been lately violated and much Injury done to the Persons and Properties of many Inhabitants of this Province by a Body of People who Stile themselves Regulators, I do by the Advice of his Majesty’s Council Order and direct you forthwith to call a General Muster of so many Men as you Judge suitable to serve in a Regiment of Militia, and make Report to me as soon as possible of the Number of Volunteers that are willing to turn out in the Service of their King and Country, when called upon, and also what Number of effective Men belong to your Regiment who can be ordered out in case of an Emergency, and in case any further Violence should be attempted to be committed by the Insurgents. Your Diligent and punctual Obedience to these Orders will be well received by

Your Obed’t. Servant,

William Tryon
(Diana Gabaldon/The Fiery Cross)

That call to action from Governor Tryon to Jamie would come to a stunning conclusion in The Fiery Cross with the The Battle of Alamance, changing the lives of our beloved Outlander characters forever. But did you know that this battle is not fiction?

In 1771, an armed rebellion of over 2,000 backcountry farmers called Regulators battled with royal governor William Tryon’s 1,000-man militia. The spark for this conflict was growing resentment in the Carolina colony against the taxes, dishonest sheriffs, and illegal fees imposed by the British Crown. In response, the Regulators were formed and began to fight back. Though the rebellion was crushed, a few years later their tactics became a model for the colonists fighting the British in the American Revolutionary War.

The battle began on May 16 after the Regulators rejected Tryon’s suggestion that they disperse peacefully. Lacking leadership, organization, and adequate arms and ammunition, the Regulators were no match for Tryon’s militia. Many Regulators fled, leaving their bolder comrades to fight on.

The rebellion of the Regulators was crushed. Nine members of the king’s militia were killed and 61 wounded. The Regulator losses were much greater, though exact numbers are unknown. Tryon took 15 prisoners; seven were hung later. If you’ve read The Fiery Cross, you know that these hangings become quite personal for one major character.

After the battle, many Regulators moved on to other frontier areas beyond North Carolina. Those who stayed were offered pardons by the governor in exchange for pledging an oath of allegiance to the royal government.

The War of the Regulation illustrates how dissatisfied much of the population was during the days before the American Revolution. The boldness displayed by reformers opposed to royal authority provided a lesson in the use of armed resistance, which patriots employed a few short years later in the American War for Independence.

YOUR CALL TO ACTION

Alamance Battleground located in Alamance County, North Carolina, preserves the legacy of the May 16, 1771 Battle of Alamance. The state of North Carolina has already preserved 60-acres of battleground lands as a State Historic Site, open to the public for education; however, two tracts of land adjacent to the site are now up for sale. These lands include the actual epicenter of the battle in addition to lands utilized by Regulators during the leadup to the battle, and their retreat and triage afterward.

Please help in safeguarding a culturally and historically valuable battlefield from encroaching development! The Battleground is seeking funds to preserve this land in order to promote educational opportunities for generations to come, and to honor the legacy of those who made early sacrifices that ultimately paved the path towards American Independence.

If every Outlander fan donated just one dollar towards this worthwhile cause, the Battleground would have no trouble purchasing these two vitally important tracts of land and preserving the history of the Battle for generations to come! Please consider donating today at their Go Fund Me Page:  Save Alamance.  Also, would you consider sharing this post with others?  The more people we can make aware of this fundraiser, the better the chances are that we can #SaveAlamance!  Do it for Roger but more importantly, do it for history!

#SAVEALAMANCE GIVEAWAY

In honor of the Battle of Alamance and the Alamance Battleground, I am pleased to give away TWO (2)  copies of “Farming Dissenters: The Regulator Movement in Piedmont North Carolina” by Dr. Carole Watterson Troxler.

#SAVEALAMANCE GIVEAWAY RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY AND A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Please enter below for a chance to win a copy of “Dissenting Farmers: The Regulator Movement in Piedmont North Carolina” by Dr. Carole Watterson Troxler. One entry per option completed.  This giveaway begins on Friday, May 4, 2018, at 1:00 PM Eastern Time and ends at 12:59 PM Eastern Time on Friday, May 11, 2018. The winners will be announced on the blog and in the Outlander North Carolina Facebook group. You must be 18 years of age or older to enter and must be a resident of the United States. (Apologies to our international readers. Giveaway laws vary widely in different countries and giveaways are totally prohibited in some.) Selection of the winners will be made by random drawing from qualifying entries within 48 hours of the end of the giveaway. Prizes will be mailed directly to the winners by Outlander North Carolina. Questions regarding the giveaway can be directed to outlandernorthcarolina@gmail.com.

Good luck and, as always, thank you for reading Outlander North Carolina!  P.S.  Don’t forget to donate to #SaveAlamance by clicking here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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The Droughtlander Diaries

The Droughtlander Diaries ~ April 17, 2018

April 17, 2018

Dear Diary,

It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve written.  I have delayed because I wanted to bring you better news. I know what Dr. YeKen thought and why he advised starting this diary but I’m not sure it’s working. I have been deluged with thoughts of Outlander.  It’s now completely out of control.  I go to sleep thinking of Outlander, wake up in the middle of the night thinking about Outlander and then again in the morning!  There is no relief from Outlander, Outlander, Outlander!!!   I do believe my Droughtlander Delusional Disorder (DDD) is getting much worse. Sometimes, I feel l need to run like Forest Gump and just keep on running.

I have, in fact, tried banging my head against the wall to dislodge the wicked ramblings in my brain which jump from one Outlander thing to another Outlander thing; however, that only resulted in a hole – not in my head but the wall. I had to quickly repair that before my husband saw it.

I have another confession to make, Dear Diary. When I took my shower this morning, I was thinking about Season 4 and what we might get to see if this excruitiating Droughtlander ever ends.  Just yesterday, I read the passage with Jamie & Claire on that glorious rock (Chapter 2, Drums of Autumn). Well, I became so distracted by these thoughts that I washed my face…with shampoo!  So driven to distraction was I that I would never have realized my error except that my eyes immediately began to sting like bloody you-know-what.

I couldn’t open them to even see what I had done. It took 10 minutes of rinsing my eyes until I was finally able to open them. Fearing that I had used the liquid Soft Scrub that I keep in my shower, I was much relieved to discover it was only the shampoo. However, I was reminded of my lapse back into DDD all day long by red, stinging and watering eyes.

I did not share this incident with my husband. I told him that I was suffering from pollen. Thank God, I had a believable excuse. If I had told him the truth, he would be calling Dr. YeKen immediately.

Although this experiment of writing down my struggles with DDD may not be working, it is a relief to be able to confess my failures. I was so embarrassed after the shampoo incident. Hopefully, the remembrance of my suffering will keep me out of harm’s way for a while. I can at least be hopeful.

P.S.  Oh, I wanted to report back to you on Dr. YeKen as I had promised last time. During my appointment last week with the good doctor, he answered a phone call and introduced himself as Dr. Fraser.  Unfortunately, I believe he is slipping rapidly into the abyss as well.Until next time…

I Remain An Obsessed Fan,

Beth

 

 

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Outlander North Carolina The Droughtlander Diaries

The Droughtlander Diaries ~ April 4, 2018

April 4, 2018

Dear Diary,

This is the first entry in my Droughtlander Diary. According to Dr. I. Fash YeKen, who first diagnosed me last year, I am suffering from a severe recurrence of what he has named Droughtlander Delusional Disorder. He suggested that it would be a good idea to start this diary so that I could write down my thoughts. I believe he thinks this would help me to see on paper how far my delusion has progressed and would be a sort of self intervention. I have no reason to think this will work but decided to give it a try anyway.

Today, I was listening to Pandora where I have a station set up for Outlander’s Skye Boat Song (the Jacobite version, of course.) Being that Pandora is what Pandora is, the station does not play entirely ALL Outlander music so I was feeling quite good about that. In fact, I can listen to a couple of tunes that are not from Outlander before the teeth gnashing, head banging and stomping begins. Anyway, as I was listening, the opening music from Sassenach (you know it…Outlander Season 1, Episode 1) began to play. As hard as I tried to refrain, I must admit to you, Dear Diary, that I could not help myself. At just the right moment, perfectly in time with the swell in the music, I started to recite Claire’s words.

“People disappear all the time.

Young girls run away from home.

Children stray from their parents and are never seen again.

Housewives take the grocery money, and a taxi to the train station.

Most are found eventually.

Disappearances, after all, have explanations.

Usually.”

Not only did I recite it along with the music, I used a British accent (if that is at all possible for a North Carolina girl) and used the exact same emphasis and expression as Claire. After I had completed the recitation, I felt so ashamed. I had given in once again to this wicked obsession, addiction, delusion – whatever you want to call this vile thing! It does appear to be growing worse as the days go by. But I willna fash. Confessions, Dr. YeKen has told me, are good for the soul. So, Dear Diary, this is my confession to you for today.

P.S. I do wonder about Dr. YeKen though and how well his advice can actually help me. He seems to be suffering from some type of Droughtlander condition himself. When I left him yesterday, he gave me a note to give to my husband detailing his recommendation for me to start this diary. The note was written on his prescription pad and the heading was “James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser, PhD.”

I will visit him again next week for another session after which I will report back to you concerning his condition. I am hopeful he will be much improved.

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Fall Through Time With Me In North Carolina!