‘Outlander’ Author Diana Gabaldon Reveals She Has Written A Book On How To Write Sex Scenes

It’s no secret that Outlander author Diana Gabaldon knows how to write a sex scene. After all, the heated romance between Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Claire (Caitriona Balfe) is one of the key elements of the hit show. Now, along with penning the next book in the bestselling series, Gabaldon is preparing to publish a short book on how to write sex scenes.

In a new post to Facebook, Gabaldon revealed that she has been working on a short book on how to craft the more intimate scenes in books. Although she doesn’t know when the work will be published, she did offer fans a brief look at some of the book’s content.

“Process, again…I wrote a small book about how to write sex-scenes. I haven’t decided exactly how (or when) to publish this, but thought I’d give you a brief extract from it, in demonstration of how one uses language to evoke sensuality,” Gabaldon wrote.

Gabaldon went on to share a brief extract from one of her books, titled The Fiery Cross. The passage features a heated encounter between Jamie and Claire and illustrates how Gabaldon goes about writing her sex scenes. Based on the excerpt, her new book on how to write a sex scene should be filled with gems for writers and readers alike to enjoy.

Meanwhile, Outlander is currently getting ready for the premiere of its highly anticipated second season. In preparation for the premiere, Scotland Now is reporting that Heughan and Balfe posed together in a steamy edition of Entertainment Weekly. Although the magazine cover caused a controversy due to its provocative nature, Gabaldon recently addressed the notion that the images were too racy.

“If you honestly think this cover is ‘smut’ or ‘soft porn,’ then all I can say is that y’all should maybe get out more,” Gabaldon stated. “If you’ve ever watched television in the UK, you’ve seen more explicit things than this three or four times in an evening. If you’ve been watching Outlander, (as theoretically you have) you’ve seen much more explicit sexual encounters on several occasions.”

The author went on to explain how grateful she is that fans have spoken out about the cover shoot. In fact, she told her fans that their outrage has helped to promote the show more than the image itself could ever have done.

“God bless those of you who did express outrage, concern, or dissatisfaction, whatever your motives for doing so. Because nothing – and I do mean nothing – makes more effective publicity than controversy,” she said. “By objecting and writing blog posts and heated comments, you’ve done more to stimulate interest in the show (and by extension, the books) than the EW piece could ever have achieved had it been received with universal approbation by fans. So thank you!”

Apart from the controversies involving the cover, Gabaldon also released an excerpt from her upcoming book in the Outlander series. The work still doesn’t have an official title, but the passage Gabaldon shared builds off Claire’s rape in the eighth book, titled Written in My Own Heart’s Blood.

“The ramifications and implications of the act have a complex effect on Claire, Jamie, their relationship, and the social structures of the Ridge community,” Gabaldon explained. “This [excerpt] is part of that.”

The passage goes on to describe the events shortly after the man who raped Claire dies. In particular, the excerpt contains an emotional conversation between Jamie and Claire as they talk through their feelings about everything that happened. Fans can read the entire excerpt on Entertainment Weekly.

The second season of Outlander is set to premiere on April 9 on Starz.

Tell us! Are you counting the days until #Droughtlander is over and Outlander returns? Let us know in the comments section below.

[Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty]