10 objects on which J.K. Rowling maybe wrote Harry Potter

J.K. Rowling wrote her original ideas for Harry Potter on a napkin, and legends abound on what other nontraditional surfaces she may have jotted content for the Potter-verse.

The Boy Who Lived came to life for the first time on a napkin. On a delayed train from Manchester to London in 1990, J.K. Rowling wrote her initial ideas for what would become a worldwide phenomenon on a piece of paper meant to wipe ketchup from your mouth. The thought of it is wild. What would have happened if Rowling hadn’t had a napkin? She doesn’t seem like the type to commit vandalism and carve her ideas into a train table, I <3 Harry style.

One wonders, however, about the various objects that may have driven J.K. Rowling into a fit of writing inspiration that just couldn’t be ignored. Forget napkins. Think about all the body parts, backpacks, clothing, sidewalks, and gum wrappers you wrote on growing up. Consider all the times you’ve been in a public restroom, looked up, and thought, huh, they’re write, Greg DOES stink.

Personally, I’ve written my fair share of Harry Potter love notes on post-its, Converse sneakers, plastic folders, and more. I’ve doodled on phone cases, laptop sleeves, even blue jeans. And if J.K. Rowling is anything like us — which, if you follow her on Twitter, she certainly seems to be — then she’s surely doodled on her fair share of non-paper items, as well.

Let’s explore some theories of where and when Rowling may have written Potter thoughts, from napkins and beyond.