It doesn’t show up on your google calendar but it sure is showing up in timelines on all of your social media accounts today. Repeatedly.
The idea/concept of #WorldOutlanderDay was brought to us by Conny at Highland Saga in 2014. The fandom caught hold of it and kinda like the innocent term ‘droughtlander’, it has taken off and now, belongs to the fandom.
June 1st has meaning, it is the day Outlander was first published 28 yrs ago. Seems wild for those reading since the beginning. It certainly has been a helluva ride. An evolution.
I have had both the delight and distress of going through the transformation from book fan to show fan. I STILL do love the books. I love the show for different reasons and in a different way. I digest the two mediums differently so I see them separately. For years I introduced the books to friends and family. Most took to them and devoured them – those who loved them, I had an inner satisfaction that we understood each other. Those who didn’t, I questioned a part of them. I know not everyone likes the same things and that’s cool…but still…
My sister, Phyl, was one of these people, she just couldn’t get into the books. Fast forward 20 plus years and Outlander the TV show came along. Since she couldn’t get into the book, why would she like the TV show? UGH! Then, Phyl came to visit and I said: “Watch one episode.” One episode turned into 3. She then devoured 4 seasons, 2ce in a couple of weeks. She is now reading the books. IT GOT HER!
If you search #WorldOutlanderDay on your social media platforms you are going to see stories of friendship formed over this thing people have in common. You will see ‘discussions’ taking place btwn segments of the fandom over who is better and who they love more and why their favourites deserve all the awards. You will see praise of Diana Gabaldon and thanks to her for creating this universe we choose to escape into. There will be people giving their input on what the show should be doing, what they have done to ruin the books. Of course, there will be those defending it.
What you will see today is what the Outlander fandom is all about. Passionate people who feel these books or this show…or both…deeply. When we feel things deeply that comes out in all the ways I have mentioned.
When we love something we defend it, we want to see it do better, we try and fix it, we give it praise, we feel confident criticizing it, we have favourites, we look for weaknesses so we can fill them with what we see as own strengths, we accept the flaws and love them anyway. You see, it isn’t always about Outlander itself, it’s about us. How we love. How we see things and we pass that on to this thing we love so much.
Everything Outlander is amplified on #WorldOutlanderDay. You get to sit where you want, with those you want and enjoy the things you love best.
Are you doing something special to celebrate? Me… I am taking today to be thankful for the people Outlander has brought into my bubble. Yes, I had a handful of people the books connected me to but the show – gave me the ABOotlanders. The ABOotlanders gave me the live tweeting during the episodes and these blogs. The live tweeting and blogs introduced me to people that I am forever changed for knowing. It allowed me to interview some of the cast members and some of those cast members have impacted me in a way that isn’t about ‘stardom’. This is a part of my life I couldn’t have scripted and I am forever grateful for.
Yup, it’s cheesy AF but it is true. Thank you for being a part of my #WorldOutlanderDay experience.
Sher – ABOotlander Founder
ABOotlanders w/Sher 
Couldn’t have said it better myself. You do have a wonderful way with words. Thanks so much for creating this group.!
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