She is known worldwide as one of the greatest children’s fiction writers that ever lived. JK Rowling has managed time and time again to capture the essence of a magical world we all would love to believe exists. And why not? Anything is possible.
Famous for her bestselling Harry Potter books, JK Rowling has captured and enchanted a truly worldwide audience. The books are sold in over 200 countries and 60 languages.
We recently interviewed Mrs. Rowling on her life, her books and, of course, Harry Potter:
Urbanette Magazine: We’ve heard that with your first book, The Philosopher’s Stone, you had to use a typewriter to write the manuscript, is that true?
J. K. Rowling: That’s true. The first manuscript I had to do on a typewriter and then had to re-type the entire chapter if I changed a paragraph. Then I had to re-type the whole book all over again because it wasn’t double spaced.
Urbanette: I couldn’t imagine doing that. It must’ve taken a lot of time and effort to get the book just right. When did you come up with the idea for Harry Potter?
J. K. Rowling: In 1990, my then boyfriend and I decided to get a flat and move to Manchester together. We would flat hunt every once in awhile. One weekend after flat hunting, I took the train back to London on my own and the idea for Harry Potter fell into my head.
I had been writing since I was six, but I had never been as excited about an idea as I was for this book. Coincidentally, I didn’t have a pen and was too shy to ask anyone for one on the train, which frustrated me at the time, but when I look back at it was the best thing for me. It gave me the full four hours on the train to think up all the ideas for the book.
A scrawny, little black haired, bespectacled boy became more and more of a wizard to me. He became more real. I think if I might have slowed down on the ideas and began to write them down. I would’ve stifled some of those ideas. I began to write ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ that very evening. Although, the first couple of pages look nothing like the finished product.
Urbanette: How long did it take you to complete the novel?
J. K. Rowling: After I began to write “Philosopher’s Stone,” something horrible had happened. My mother died. She was only forty-five. Nine months afterwards, I desperately wanted to get away from everything and took a job in Portugal as an English teacher at a language institute. I took my manuscript with me in hopes of working on it while I was there. My feelings about Harry Potter’s parents’ death became more real to me, and more emotional.
In my first week in Portugal, I wrote my favorite chapter in Philosopher’s Stone – The Mirror of Erised. I had hoped that I would’ve been done with the book by the time I was back from Portugal, but I came back with something better, my daughter, Jessica. The marriage didn’t work out, but the best thing I had ever had came into my life.
Urbanette: Debe haber sido difícil terminar el libro ahora con un niño pequeño en tu vida.
J. K. Rowling: Fue difícil, pero lo hice funcionar. Cada vez que Jessica se quedaba dormida en su cochecito, yo corría al café más cercano y escribía todo lo que podía. Escribía casi todas las noches. Luego, tuve que escribir todo yo mismo. A veces, odiaba el libro, y todo el tiempo todavía lo amaba.
Urbanette: Cuando lo enviaste a los agentes, ¿se llevaron el manuscrito de inmediato o tienes que enviárselo a varias personas?
J. K. Rowling: El primer agente al que le envié mis primeros tres capítulos me devolvió el manuscrito tan rápido que parecía que lo devolvieron el mismo día que llegó. Sin embargo, el segundo agente respondió y pidió ver el resto del manuscrito. Era una de las mejores cartas que había visto y solo tenía dos oraciones.
Urbanette: ¿Cuánto tiempo le tomó a su agente encontrar a alguien que publicara su libro?
J. K. Rowling: Mi agente, Christopher, tardó un año en encontrar un editor. Muchos de ellos lo rechazaron. Finalmente, en agosto de 1996, Christopher me llamó para decirme que tenía una oferta de Bloomsbury. No podía creer lo que escuchaba. Después de colgar, grité y salté en el aire. Jessica, que estaba sentada en su silla alta, disfrutando de su té, parecía completamente asustada. Y el resto, como puede suponer, es historia.
JK Rowling ha logrado una y otra vez capturar la esencia de un mundo mágico que a todos nos encantaría creer que existe.
Urbanette: En tu opinión, ¿cuál fue el mejor lugar para escribir?
J. K. Rowling: No es ningún secreto que el mejor lugar para escribir, en mi opinión, es en un Café. no tienes que hacer el tuyo café, no tienes que sentirte como si estuvieras en confinamiento solitario y si tienes un bloqueo de escritor, puedes levantarte y caminar al próximo café mientras le das tiempo a tus baterías para recargar y tu cerebro tiempo para pensar. El mejor café para escribir está lo suficientemente lleno como para pasar desapercibido, pero no tanto como para tener que compartir una mesa con alguien más.
Urbanette: Mucha gente se pregunta qué son los Squibs. ¿Podrías explicar?
J. K. Rowling: Me han hecho esta pregunta muchas veces desde que se introdujo en Cámara de los Secretos. Los squibs son lo opuesto a los magos nacidos de muggles. Son personas no mágicas nacidas de un padre mágico. Los squibs son raros, la magia es un gen dominante y resistente.
Urbanette: ¿Tienes algún consejo para las personas que también quieren publicar su trabajo?
J. K. Rowling: Primero, debe escribir algo que un editor quiera leer. Solo se necesita uno, pero puede llevar un tiempo encontrarlos. A continuación, debe acercarse al editor, ya sea directamente, o le recomiendo que busque un agente que pueda ayudarlo a actuar en su nombre. La mejor manera de encontrar agentes y editores es consultar el “Anuario de escritores y artistas”, que se actualiza todos los años. Entonces espera y ora. Así es como conseguí publicar Harry Potter.
¿Cuál es tu libro favorito de Harry Potter? Háganos saber, a continuación!
Great interview! Very helpful for inspirational for aspiring writers!
J.K. Rowling is such an imaginative author. I must admit that she awakens childhood fantasies and imagination through her Harry Potter series 🙂
Her story is so wonderful–she overcame so much to reach success. And she has used her fame to become a positive role model and spokesperson for girls everywhere. Truly an inspiration!
I love that J.K. Rowling manages to write even when she doesn't have tons of time. It's all about making time for what's important to you : )
I own about 2 of her books, it’s a really good read. I also seen all the movies and I’m a complete fan. I also like to write and it’s pretty cool how ideas pop into your mind and then when you add pen +paper it comes to life.. It’s amazing how this idea during a long train ride became a top-selling series with movie adaptions. It just proves hat big things can have small beginnings.
J.K. Rowling is my inspiration. I love the fact that she never gave up.
I love and admire JK Rowling so much! I’m really a big fan!
I’m a true J.K. fan!!!! I find her really amazing!
“Is ‘fat’ really the worst thing a human being can be? Is ‘fat’ worse than ‘vindictive’, ‘jealous’, ‘shallow’, ‘vain’, ‘boring’ or ‘cruel’? Not to me. ”
– J.K. Rowling
She’s no doubt, an inspiration. To children and adults alike.
J K Rowling got me into reading the Harry potter books. never had I ever picked a book up to read until then. I then wrote my first book, now I am on my second one, Jacob Jones and the seven souls. You can not beat holding a book in your hands. I do hope this much dose not change. I suffer from depression writing has helped me so much
Thank you J.K. Rowling
Mac Mackenzie x
I first picked up a HP book when my mom bought all first 4 books when she got home to us from Canada way back in 2000. I was just curious then – who would have thought a book could change my life? That was the beginning of my fondness of books, and perhaps helped me become a writer.
JK Rowling made my life magical from my childhood to my early adult years 🙂
I will definitely REQUIRE my children to read Harry Potter. LOL.