J.K. Rowling tells us all what her secret to writing is
By Callum Gunn
(Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)
If you dream of being the next J.K. Rowling then take note as she reveals what her secrets are to creating the magical world that we know and love
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Knowing full well that I run the risk of sounding like a cliché, J.K. Rowling’s life story is the stuff of magic. Before the first Harry Potter was even published Rowling was unknown to the world. Living in Scotland with her young daughter she got by one day at a time.
2018 will mark the 21st anniversary of the first Harry Potter novel, and what a journey that has been for us all and especially Rowling. I am sure that 21 years ago she never imagined that her ideas that she was putting from pen to paper would flourish to what they are now.
To go from living on the breadline and barely anyone knowing your name to creating a world that quite literally the world has connected with in one way or another, to become one of the most influential and well-known people in the world is just extraordinary.
So, what is her secret? Did she cast some magical spell? Is it some special writing gift that she was born with? Did she learn some trick that very few of us mere Muggles could comprehend, or is it much simpler than that?
J.K. Rowling reveals all
Rowling took to Twitter recently to answer a few questions about her other works. This is where she gave a small insight into how she goes about writing novels and creating worlds that we have come to enjoy.
I plan a lot. This particular novel's plan comprises a vast, complicated, colour-coded table showing all the suspects, with blue ink for clues and red ink for red herrings. https://t.co/Ab1uMqh20P
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/958383561299644417
The wonderful thing about writing is that there is always a blank page waiting.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 30, 2018
The terrifying thing about writing is that there is always a blank page waiting. https://t.co/jQsbNLusek
Yes, I plan a lot and usually in table form. In the case of the present novel, I had the idea for the plot in 2013, but its undergone huge revisions since then. https://t.co/jrtDIw8aQR
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 30, 2018
Of course! “All (writers) have failed to match our dream of perfection... That’s why he keeps on working, trying again; he believes each time that this time he will do it, bring it off. Of course he won’t, which is why this condition is healthy." - William Faulkner https://t.co/ncNVXp8B3X
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 30, 2018
So there you have it. No tricks, no spells, just some hard work and grit is what Rowling’s secret appears to be when it comes to creating, not just the Harry Potter novels, but all of her novels.
Next: Was Voldemort the most powerful wizard in the Harry Potter series?
What did you make of Rowling’s answers? Where you pleasantly surprised by them? Leave a comment below with your thoughts.