BEST AUTHOR BEST : SAM HEUGHAN

Deviating from the ending of Diana Gabaldon's ''Outlander'' books is ''exciting and nerve-racking,'' says the actor, who has starred in the TV version for more than a decade.

.-  Describe your ideal reading experience.

Lying on my bed on a Sunday morning, in Glasgow, windows open, early morning, hot coffee and no schedule.

.-  What kind of reader were you as a child?

I was pretty voracious until I went to drama school. Fantasy was always my favorite. Myths and Legends of Scotland and the United Kingdom being the real draw.

Of course, '' The Lord of the Rings '' [ my brother is named after an elf ]; at a younger age the Chronicles of Narnia series and Alan Garner's fiction kept me occupied.

.-  Which genres do you especially enjoy reading? And which do you avoid?

I find it hard to get into fiction these days. I prefer something based on real life, similarly with film and TV. I used to be into horror, but cannot read anything scary in my old house in Scotland.

It just feels too real!

.-  What book might people be surprised to find on your shelves?

A few positive mind-set books, including '' Notes From the Universe,'' which is bursting full of joy and positivity.

I'm trying to reset my brain into being more positive ; as we get older and are bombarded by negative news and social media, it's important to maintain an open heart.

.-  What's the last great book you read?

While in Stratford-Upon-Avon playing the title role of '' Macbeth '' at the Royal Shakespeare Company, I was lucky to participate in a special event with Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Judi Dench. 

I had read Judi's Shakespeare : The Man Who Pays the Rent '' and thought it exquisite. Her personal insights are touching and witty.

She has such a deep love, history [ and friendship ?]. with Shakespeare that her soul is connected to the very stones of the building.

.-  You've published five books during the run of '' Outlander.'' How do you find the time?

I'm lucky that I have been writing about my passions and experiences. It's easier to recall and write about a situation or landscape than create one imaginatively.

I really enjoyed the '' Clanlands '' series [ documenting my travels in a camper van around Scotland and New Zealand ].

It was fun to create characterizations around myself and Graham McTavish, my grumpy travel companion, and slightly embellish the adventures/mishaps that we had.

I think I'm naturally quite a romantic writer, leaning into alliterations and lyrical language, but whenever I read any of it back I want to rewrite it all.

 The Publishing continues to Part [ 2 ]. The World Students Society thanks The New York Times.