Unedited JK Rowling Interview on the Birth of Harry Potter (1998)

[@richardvoncline]

I love how polarizing this woman is. Early in her career, far right conservative Christians absolutely crucified and boycotted her. Later in her career, far left progressive radicals absolutely crucified and boycotted her. Neither time did it matter, Harry Potter lives on and is arguably a stronger brand than ever. He is after all... the boy who lived.

[@risengdesign]

Why do you care. She is a person and she can have her opinions without judgement. This world is getting completely locked down by rules and legislation. Will you be happy when you're finally not allowed to say or do anything? Its exactly how society wants you; a silent peasant with no rights.

[@alvaroprieto2092]

She's pretty horrid. Just as Christians should have stayed out of her business she should stay out of other people's business.

[@lady4191]

I was heavily involved in the Christian church when this book came out and I wouldn't say that people with real Faith were actually vilifying her. It was more the idea of magic and darkness that they were not understanding.

[@ChadMichaelSimon]

@@risengdesign Amen. I just want to clarify that you mean the Collective You, not the person your were commenting on. @richardvoncline 's point is that the polarization is beneath mattering. What matters is the work, its impact, and its legacy, which is thriving.

[@retroplays8565]

​@revolveperformance that's the point he is talking how harry potter no matter her views stayed alive, has nothing to do with her views

[@shamha1626]

I read Harry Potter when I was 13 and now I’m 37. My daughter who is 8 is now reading Harry Potter ! Thank you !

[@johnnyanony8021]

I don't think those numbers add up lol

[@johnnyanony8021]

Ohhh it does

[@JoshuaTraffanstedt]

Wow. You literally did the same thing i did and I'm also 37. I read the first book as a 13 year old as well. Thats awesome 😂

[@MihilRanathunga1990]

wow i felt old while reading this. 14 and 35

[@bonChic20]

We’re almost the same age. I read HP at 12 and now I’m 36 turning 37. The smartest boy in class was given a copy of the Philosopher’s stone but he doesn’t like reading so he gave it me. And that’s how I got started.

[@keithcuarteros9844]

Little did they know 20+ years later HP has multiple theme parks, 8 movies and people are still rereading the books countless times ✨

[@purefoldnz3070]

and people are burning her effigies and making videos where she is portrayed as a demon. And this time its from the far left not the weird christians.

[@Jimmy2time]

All from a free idea that popped into her head In 1990 , that’s fascinating

[@purefoldnz3070]

@@Jimmy2time hmm after she watched a certain movie for "inspiration"

[@barbaraguimaraes5994]

Always. I'll 90 and still Harry Potter... if I get to that age.

[@manapaws5507]

@@purefoldnz3070 who cares? this is about harry potter - not a tweet

[@greeeneyes91]

she has enriched so many people‘s lives and childhoods. i still reread all the books almost every year bc they are just brilliant.

[@juliak699]

Me too

[@hayleyirvine]

I also love to reread annually (usually during January of a new year). Almost done with the Deathly Hallows now and I’m not ready for it to end already 😭😭

[@jesipohl6717]

His name is kenneth galbaraith

[@Stettafire]

Shame she ruined it all by being such an awful awful human

[@Jaglicic1]

Same

[@5MadMovieMakers]

Writing a book you would want to read yourself, that's great advice. I imagine it's hard to do though

[@missionpupa]

shouldnt it be the easiest thing in the world, if your are the audience, then you should know what they audience would want.

[@5MadMovieMakers]

@@missionpupa an author might be very particular though

[@rodmcdaniel8644]

No, one's personal moral and philosophical character take over and demand complete personal authenticity. I remembered once reading, "If you're not writing your masterpiece, why are you writing it?" Which means doing the very best you can do right now at this point in your life. This isn't easy, but has maximum developmental value. One must be courageous enough to manifest oneself in any condition; still a seed, sprout, flower, or withering stalk. Enjoy! @@missionpupa

[@mightyenigma1]

To obtain something of great worth, something of great worth must be given in return.

[@ratfink2413]

imagine how much more insight she has when she re reads it

[@sketchtheparadigmyork1217]

What’s really cool about her is how she knew the full story already, and had the end of 7 written early on. It makes you realize how talented she is.

[@markcarey67]

Most novelists extensively outline their novels. It's more surprising when a professional novelist (like Cormac McCarthy) doesn't and still manages to stick the landing.

[@HeatherDeweyPettet]

Some writers of series do that. Edited to add: Why did I say _that???_ I must have been pretty tired. MOST novelists outline, even if just a little. If you want anything related to a complicated plot, you HAVE to outline. Some write first, and some outline first. Either way, you have to find any plot "holes" to have your story make sense.

[@Aurora146]

She probably was already a Terf at this period of time

[@Aurora146]

@@josuerestrepo1476 I think Voldemort is her alter ego

[@MicrophonesInTheTrees]

@@Aurora146 Nah. There weren't so many trendsgenders around in those days. Women were still allowed to be called women.

[@terabyter9000]

"My highest ambition would be that long after everyone's forgotten that I was a single mother and that I was poor and that I wrote in cafes people are still reading about Harry Potter, that's my highest ambition." Just read the first book last week for the first time.

[@tanishalavri3278]

What did you think of it?

[@terabyter9000]

Awesome series, just finished Order of the Phoenix. Should be finished with all 7 by the end of September (large TBR so mixing it up).@@tanishalavri3278

[@UlricGrim]

Keep reading, they’re so good and only get more interesting.

[@jesipohl6717]

Harry Potter is a poorer Version of Earthsea

[@RabiyaRavenclaw]

​Earthsea?? What that? Never heard of it 😂😂​@@jesipohl6717

[@Odinoji]

What a legend of a woman. I'm 30 now and respect her more than ever. For people like me who came from an abusive family hogwarts was a privilege to escape into. Who knew I'd end up being a better version of myself than if I didn't read her books. Thank you ma'am

[@catsupempire3920]

terf

[@HabitualJoker]

@@catsupempire3920crybaby

[@domagoj3474]

​@@catsupempire3920cry about it 😂

[@catsupempire3920]

@@domagoj3474 alroight alroight?

[@maguffintop2596]

@@catsupempire3920as are all true feminists.

[@knd99]

One of the greatest authors of the century. What a time to have lived in the wizarding world of J.K. Rowling.

[@Seraphina_Atley]

shes almost UNDERRATED. I will die on that hill

[@FarhanAmin1994]

She has made my childhood AND adulthood livable. Is any word of thanks enough?

[@r_e046]

She's the only billionaire writer. I think she's being appreciated enough. ​@@Seraphina_Atley

[@fideldisalvo]

You haven't read enough books then loool

[@BeastLordofMetal]

She seems so shy and outspoken at the same time.

[@RandomBloke007]

Introverts in a nutshell.

[@johnstanderfer3692]

*Hermione*

[@michael.r.landon]

It's called 'being British'

[@haruyu123]

@@michael.r.landon lmao

[@FF-oo8nz]

shes like a Luna Lovegood

[@crikxouba]

She was so quirky and a little nerdy then. I am not even a massive Harry Potter fan but she is such a brilliant writer.

[@lmAIone]

Right! I love it, it reminds me so much of my girlfriend aha

[@user-tt6be2zx3h]

most authors (relatively unknown/not-famous) ones are like that.. afterall they choose writing for a reason and not be natural in front of press or camera..

[@carolynclitheroe3588]

Hmm gosh I wonder if they will ever try it in film 🧐 😂

[@gonnahavemesomefun]

Same.

[@GarytongueBetz-vl1fu]

She is more interested than the Harry Potter Stories.

[@johnnyrsj]

I started at university in Ed in 1994, I remember going to Nicolsons in my first year and seeing a woman sitting with her baby and she had papers all over the table. It always stuck in my head cos it just wasn't a sight I'd ever seen before - cafe culture hadn't started, starbucks hadn't arrived, I came from a small town - it didn't even occur to me that she could be doing work... in a cafe... with a baby... And then years later The Elephant House christened themselves 'The Birthplace Of Harry Potter'

[@sneezydeezymcdeluxe7015]

Wait, are you saying you saw JK writing Harry Potter? If so, that's insane.

[@soilgrasswaterair]

@@sneezydeezymcdeluxe7015 Well it was a place up and running, so clearly many saw her there during the time she wrote the Potter book there. I find it wild to think of the fact that a few of the then children, standing in line for J.K. Rowling to sign one of the books, were inspired to become authors themselves and are now published in their adulthood! I’m one of the then children who was inspired by her writing, and I’m studying law at uni. and will head into family law and work with abused children and children in general from dysfunctional homes. She inspired lots of us to do something of importance❤

[@maguffintop2596]

You are a very observant person to remember that nearly 30 yrs on.

[@TaxingIsThieving]

I'll take poop that never happened for 500 Galleons

[@Marth8880]

@@TaxingIsThieving it's not that unbelievable lol, Edinburgh is a very small city

[@irrumnaaz]

This is so fascinating to watch and lovely to see her like this, as a beginner and quite nerdy almost. The fact that this woman created the Wizarding World and everyone in it 20 odd yrs ago, and it's still here is almost mind boggling. The way she talks abt everything that she created is amazing. You can say whatever you like abt her, but she is one hell of an author.

[@indedgames4359]

Even things writen pn pottermore or whats it valled now wher planed back then in one Form or another just for herself.

[@jonnylpenman]

30 odd years ago haha

[@maguffintop2596]

She's a pretty nerd though, with a lot of charm.

[@surfguy87]

Off and on the page, she's an absolute inspiration.

[@Giordanobm]

Have you ever tried Shakespeare?

[@DdotRay86]

Never read a single Harry Potter book, but absolutely fascinated by this woman's story. From destitution to a billionaire, carried by her imagination. Incredible.

[@YeOldeChristmas]

youve never read any of them??? the entire wizarding world awaits you! i wish i could read them for the first time all over again. get reading!

[@dab88]

you can't hang out in an Edinburgh cafe all day if you're destitute.

[@stellviahohenheim]

The only one that's worth reading is the prisoner of azkaban

[@UlricGrim]

You have to read them, they’re great! Take a chance and start reading the first one, I think you’d enjoy them. I wish I could read them again for the first time.

[@doyouevenlift1462]

​@@stellviahohenheimbro wtf... I started reading the first book philosopher one... Was reading on my phone yesterday and in a single day I've read 100 pages, never in my life I've read that much. It's so fun now I made up my mind I'm gonna buy the entire collection and continue reading

[@joeletaxi821]

She is very honest, articulate and fun. Her life had not gone well but reading and writing were her comfort and redemption. She wasn't sure why children took to Harry so much but I know. It is story. Great characters and premise but it is the story that carries you along. Also, there will be many children that can, sadly, relate to his early life. Hope, redemption, excitement, courage and friendship. It's easy to see why her stories connect with girls and boys. J. K. Rowling is a delightful person and I'm so pleased she has achieved incredible success. Bravo! Bravo!

[@GaryTongue-to3pw]

She wasn't sure, because she NEVER wrote them with Children in mind.

[@razzman105]

honest, articulate and fun - Everything the people who hound her aren't!

[@pickleBOB405]

Because harry potter is so magical, it's an escape from the mundane world. It's a story where a poor abused little boy turns into a rich powerful happy wizard. Don't we all wish we could have hagrid drop by our house and bring us into that world?

[@hannahahle]

As a writer, she’s fascinating to listen to. A real inspiration. It’s clear she believed in herself for so long before anyone else did. She’s totally unapologetically herself. She’s loved around the world for being herself. I cried when she said she wrote long hand then typed up. I felt most seen hearing that. I do that in 2023. Very glad I stumbled upon this video

[@Knappa22]

I agree completely. I couldn’t express what it is that makes her so special, but I read your comment and thought Yes! That’s it. She is unapologetically herself.

[@AmeliaKC173]

I think it's easier to write longhand for some reason. Staring at the computer for hours is impossible and distracting.

[@michaelgrey7854]

As a writer you may need to work on your grammer first.

[@anusmcgee4150]

@@michaelgrey7854 Ironically, you need to work on your spelling before commenting on someone's "grammar".

[@gustavrus]

@@anusmcgee4150 people have been whining about everything on the internet, just ignore them

[@Jake_5693]

Every time a book was released I’d be waiting outside the shop before it opened to pick it up. I did this for every single book, I’d sit at home and read for days getting lost in her world. Loved it, love Harry Potter and love her! Fond fond memories!

[@Raiya_ru17]

I remember the hunt for those books lol because they sold out like crazy. I ended up buying those expensive hard bound books just to be among the first ones to read it.

[@guyesmith]

I like how authentic and personal she is in this interview. Fame and success is still very new to her here. Oddly enough 1998 feels like a simpler time...

[@phoneyphone]

Oddly? It certainly was

[@pauianderson]

Pre 9/11, no russian invasions, no world wide pandemics. The world is going through another period of self harming. Much like the violent histories we were once taught about in school, history is repeating itself.

[@guyesmith]

And I was 13@@pauianderson

[@GaryTongue-to3pw]

@guyesmith How is it VERY new when this is weeks after releasing the SECOND book, Yu dumbass?

[@sadidrahimi]

@@pauiandersonyou named everything except American invasions. Get a grip

[@ngodcreatedwoman]

Shes so young, yet you can tell she’s been through a lot. Apologizes when she laugh, maintains deep eye contact, very confident yet terrified… I just wanna hug her and tell her it’s going to be more then ok. I relate to her a lot, thanks for everything JK 🤍

[@phoneyphone]

Bit of a weird comment mate

[@darkfiremat]

i think you're very much projecting.

[@diollinebranderson6553]

​​@@AmIBovverredGi want to read and explore you on a deeper level😈

[@Musebygaia]

You’re right! She lived through a very abusive relationship through her younger years.. she’s a big advocate and voice for women now ❤

[@jesipohl6717]

His name is kenneth galbaraith

[@florriebellerose]

In 1999 I was 6 years old and read Philosopher’s Stone for the first time - I felt so grown up reading a ‘big kid’s’ book. Now I’m almost the same age as Jo was here (I’m 31) and still longing to be a writer myself. I credit my love of reading and writing to Jo. I admire her so much. I grew up with Harry Potter and so will my children and my children’s children. I still reread the books every few years. I feel very privileged that I got to grow up with these books and the films too. Thank you, Jo.

[@joe_lubinda]

That's when I was born

[@sewwoollyltd4509]

Please teach your children that they do not want to be anything like this evil person. JK Rowlilng is not someone that they want to become.The world really does not need nor want anymore people like her.

[@Mark-lj1dj]

Good luck with the writing 👍 you never know you might strike success.

[@Historian212]

To write a first novel with that kind of careful planning and stick to it is amazing. And to do that writing as a single mother with a very young child is even more so. Her ability to focus is extraordinary. BTW once she got famous, her violent ex-husband tracked her down, broke into her home and tried to force her to give him money. She’s one tough woman.

[@StudioSerious1]

Did she give it to him?

[@justingreen2432]

Voldemort. 😡🤬

[@Leon-ty6bw]

@@justingreen2432. Tom Riddle hated his DNA (his father’s bloodline), he wanted to be something he could never be (pure blood), he invaded normal people’s house to force them to accept his new identity as lord Voldemort and participate in his insane ideology.

[@vomitingpoems]

If I recall correctly, Harry Potter wasn't her first book. She had published some other books using a male name as an alias.

[@fernoliveira2170]

@@vomitingpoemsno Dear!this was AFTER Harry Potter 2012/2013

[@george_s8441]

You were as clever as Hermione and you are definitely a genius. Thank you for my childhood J.K.

[@AlanOnBass65]

Yes, she is the cleverest author of our age! ;)

[@tylerroberson2611]

@@AlanOnBass65 You should read George RR Martin…

[@berylghermez4459]

​​​@@tylerroberson2611George can't even finish the books. And much as I love ASOIAF, they're not as well written as HP once analysed deeply, though they can be very complex in their own right but much of it is superficial. I still love them though, especially Cersei and Jaime and their relationship. Rowling is smarter regardless, as an author AND as a person.

[@berylghermez4459]

She's way smarter than Hermione Granger

[@tylerroberson2611]

@@berylghermez4459 Trust me I respect her work and have no right to judge her faculties, especially seeing as I tend to struggle writing short-hand textual conversations. Nevertheless, it's a far cry to call a story that begins and ends the same way each book a prose masterpiece. It is because Martin’s stories are so vast and complex that he struggles to finish them. There is an endless supply of secret plots and hidden meanings that you could write an 800-page novel on them alone. Harry Potter just can't compete with that, though I will admit Harry Potter is the better seller. The themes of Friendship and Love are expressed better in no other novel than they are in Harry Potter, but sadly in respect to content and depth there is no competition.

[@kobalt77]

I am 65 and finished my first Harry Potter book yesterday. I loved it and already bought the next 3 as they were on special offer. I love how economic she is with everything. No parts drag on unnecessarily, yet a full picture is always painted. I guess the fact she was writing for children influenced this. What an amazing woman, and especially more so recently after all "invented" controversy. Gog bless you JK.

[@visionist7]

You'll enjoy the next books more and more; they were designed to "grow with the audience" who would be progressively teens and eventually young adults as the books released over the years. And (no real spoilers here) although Order of The Phoenix can feel like a long book compared to the earlier ones, this is by design too; it chronicles a phase in Harry's life where he feels frustrated by inaction, and this builds up nicely to an extremely action packed finale to that book.

[@kobalt77]

@@visionist7 Thank you so much for this lovely reply. I just finished the 2nd one, and was even better than the first, so I get what you are saying about the audience growing with the books. What a very clever lady .

[@TheLoullas]

Oh you will have such a nice time reading all of them:))

[@walkwithmeASMR]

Never really sat and watched her speak. She's so normal and down to earth. Love her. I'm a bigger fan now than I was 20 minutes ago.

[@emilinebelle7811]

Me too. She’s wonderful!

[@addyfilm]

She is an old lady now….this is an old video

[@SpeccyMan]

@@addyfilm She may be elderly. She is certainly NOT old.

[@TSquare7741]

@@addyfilmIt happens to the best of us!🤔

[@makmedia_tv]

For me , JK Rowling is the most underrated and best writer in history for fantasy storys besides Tolkien. The amount of details she put into the lore of her magical world is beyond crazy. Absolutly beautiful. Everyone who read the books knows what im talking about. I dont care how JK thinks about certain topics , her books will always stay with me untill the very day i leave this planet.

[@TheBonivur]

Is there anyone else who holds the conviction that she is not the authentic author of Harry Potter? It is patently apparent that she serves merely as a nominal figure. In truth, Terry Pratchett is the legitimate creator of Harry Potter.

[@arvindhmani06]

@@TheBonivur What is this rubbish lol

[@TheBonivur]

@@arvindhmani06 At times, truth may seem indistinguishable from fantasy or sheer nonsense. In the realm of postmodernism, such occurrences are all too common.

[@davidevans3227]

i enjoyed John Christopher

[@efrainlanza4941]

​@@TheBonivurWHO????

[@brenthelton]

One of the best writers of all time. She is very smart and opened up a very creative world. Harry Potter is my all time favorite.

[@bigred8432]

That’s wonderful that the books mean so much to you :) And she is certainly one of the most successful writers of all time But the best is a stretch. Those books aren’t particularly well written, full of imagination yes but there are many, many better writers in history

[@WalkingwithWendy]

I agree. She may not be the most grammatically gifted of writers but she has the gifts of plot and character development that are second to none.

[@HAbarneyWK]

I consider myself a Potterhead, but she is far from a great writer. An extremely imaginative one though.

[@zip10031]

To be fair, readers of harry potter generally don't know much about other writers, especially writers from long before they were born.

[@bplayerr1]

It's 2023 and I find this interview absolutely LOVELY!!

[@Kamitube]

She's incredible, I grew up waiting for each new Harry Potter book. When I started reading them it was in my own language, by the time the last 2 were released I bought them in English even though I wasn't fluent yet. But I was too impatient to wait for the books to be translated. So in a way she also helped me learn English faster. I read the last book in only 3 days. Too afraid to leave the house and hear spoilers. Mean kids were trying to spoil everything and made videos telling people which characters will die. It was a crazy time.

[@pitulanek]

It was similar for me, too! I didn't buy book six in English because I didn't think I was ready to read it but very soon after it was published, I was staying with an Irish family who had the book and they lent it to me, so obviously I read it! But I later re-read it in my native language. The seventh I only have in English. By that time I was reading in English anything and everything I could get my hands on, so I no longer saw the point in re-reading it as a translation :)

[@paolitamacia]

I've been a fan of JK since I was 12. She single handedly made me love reading so I'm forever grateful to her. But for some odd reason it had never occurred to me to google her or watch interviews with her. The internet wasn't so ubiquitous back then and I guess I grew up and moved on. This is the first time I hear her speak and see her in video and I'm blown away. What a unique woman and what a brilliant mind. ❤

[@yury5205]

I've read her books in English, Spanish, Czech and Russian. Every time I take her books from the shelf I escape from our routine world to the wizarding world indeed. Thank you J.K. rowling for everything

[@denisezachar9877]

Impressive! I’ve read them in Czech, English and once attempted German.

[@denisezachar9877]

@vikisekhavel95 interesting. I haven’t thought about that. I think I’ll try to read it in Czech again to see the difference.

[@LiVinKa1]

@vikisekhavel95 That's interesting.. I always found czech translation obnoxious with the translation of the names. To me none of them fitted what they described and it took away from the story for me sooo much. I liked the original as it was intended to be read that way. Even in this interview Rowling speaks about the origins of some and that's just so interested to learn about! I always felt that czech translator just did too much - I would be curious if any other country in the world did it similarly, because it occours to me that most just kept the original.

[@porquee]

Which language is your first and what made you want to learn the others?

[@michaelxz1305]

@@yury5205 I just watched the movies

[@blaargyaarg4647]

I dont know what is best, her choice of words, how she speaks, her mind in general. She is truly magical..

[@edwardbaran9326]

Whar a wonderful unedited interview. Really interesting. She's fascinating. More please!

[@Sundae_Times]

*What

[@maximillienrobespierre7262]

„They thought it was a book that would appeal to boys.” And look how that ended! It’s a book that appealed to the whole world.

[@ivanrevkov843]

It is much harder to get boys to read, girls are more likely to read anything, boy are the picky ones

[@youreale]

I think it was Bob Dylan who said that nobody really creates music; the songs floats "on the air"' and you just need to be in the right place and moment to catch them. As brilliant as J.K. Rowling is, she certainly had her "catching" moment that brought the Harry Potter universe to us.

[@GaryTongue-to3pw]

He also openly admits that he sold his soul to the devil to be successful with music, so I am not sure what your dumbass point is?

[@surfguy87]

Indeed. I wonder if she thought about that moment as she wrote about Harry catching The Snitch.

[@the_bottomfragger]

I'm very late on this reply and I agree.. sort of. I think getting the right idea at the right time comes down to luck but at the same time, "11 year old boy discovers he's a wizard" is a fun idea but there are a million books that could be written from this idea and most versions would suck or be decent but forgotten about very quickly. The stories she chose to tell with it, the quality and sheer amount of world building is what made the books so perfect.

[@Truth_Seeker96]

Michael Jackson said something similar, how the music is “created in space somewhere” and credited God for the work, not himself.

[@ahazell733]

I've had writer's block since university days. Had many experiences since. Been writing technically for the past twenty or so years. JK's wonderful interview is inspiring me to pick up my pen once more. Her tip about planning before writing is well made. Fate is conspiring.

[@csgraffiti]

Try watching a movie like Finding Forrester with Sean Connery. That always gives me the jitters to write. Might be that last push, you need? :-)

[@menamgamg]

Read The Creative Act by Rick Rubin. It drastically changed how i think about creativity. Im a musician who spent most of my life feeling creatively walled off and this book has been a great help for me.

[@rammingspeed5217]

Writers block?.. Just take a "potion" called L. S. D

[@cali7xx]

What a woman! I just love her, her authenticity is unparalleled. Her highest ambition definitely came true, Harry remained timeless. I so understand her on the subject of fame, she's just brilliant

[@Remy1226]

Im 37 so I grew up with the books (I’ve read them all) and seen the films. I’m currently playing the Hogwarts Legacy game, just exploring the world she created in video game form is incredible. Thank you JK for everything, from childhood memories to video games. Your a legend!!

[@spaghettimeatballswow]

But last year last year I had thirty seven!

[@lk4543]

​@@spaghettimeatballswowin Hogwarts A HISTORY!

[@ChelseaChfy-ex1po]

@Remy1226, Hogwarts legacy isn’t book accurate

[@nimishapatel-koller1226]

Its so incredibly satisfying to know that she was poor and worked hard to get to where she is, an absolute genius

[@72chargerse72]

I find it interesting that she can create soooo many characters and most have a great deal of depth. She is truely talented and thank you.

[@all-caps3927]

I couldn’t imagine being in her position. Imagine having a world with the depth and intricacies of the Wizarding world at your feet, having birthed it yourself. It’s truly fascinating how the inspiration came about for her and how she’s translated that into such a beautiful world for others to marvel in.

[@martineastland2455]

Check the facts, dear. 1975…a woman called Jill Murphy wrote a classic childrens book series called THE WORST WITCH. I’m sure, if youre capable of basic analysis, ypu’ll see the Potter universe was stolen from the TWW.

[@menamgamg]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@martineastland2455The greatest artists "steal" ideas shamelessly. Just the same as the great artists before them did. It's the nature of how the human mind works and there's no such thing as purely original work.

[@antispindr8613]

Well, not if the Harry Potter world?

[@shelbybutler9012]

Just started reading the series for the first time in my life (22 years) I was raised a JW and my mom would never let me come close to these books or movies. I just started Order of The Phoenix, I started the series less than a week ago. It is a completely enchanting world.

[@SpeccyMan]

Religion is the most stultifying of things. Ironic when it is more fantasy than even Harry Potter.

[@Paultimate7]

JW is a cult. Any organization that prevents non-pornographic media to kids to let them learn and decide and develop critical thinking is evil.

[@ghost_fueled_scarecrow]

I don't care what the internet says, no matter how loudly they excrete their horrible agendas. This woman is like the parent i never had. I started reading these books at sixteen having just realized that my entire childhood was wasted in an appartment of a loveless city, i was extremely suicidal and these books were what kept me alive. Oh course, i never had a flying car full of friends come rescue me, and life now isn't much better, but the hope got me through, as it does now.

[@lapelcelery42]

And we're closer to flying cars than ever

[@kaylachristenson9664]

These books for me through deep childhood depression as well and I’m actually unsure where I would be without them.

[@Necrophadez]

​@@LongLongMan849Opinions based on trauma are not informed or reliable.

[@kitteekittee4010]

God bless you, keep on holding on. Things will get better

[@Allaiya.]

That’s awesome, I mean that the story helped you. I hope you’re doing better. Never give up on yourself. Hopefully you’ve played the Hogwarts legacy game. It’s a lot of fun too

[@JoeyKim-h8x]

Because of J.K Rowling, I became to have a dream of being a writer. I really thank you so much❤

[@ThaRuralJuror]

I devoured those books when I was a kid. I read through all of them, and waited eagerly for each new installment. To me, the JK initials generated a mystery about the author which intrigued me all the more. After the fact, it is apparent she is a highly admirable artist.

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Hi.. Greetings dear Glad to hear from you. I appreciate your love, care and support Where are you watching from?❤😊❤

[@Shamaised9]

I love how she compares Hermione to herself & in the series, Hermione takes Harry to the Forest of Dean for safety because she had “happy memories there” during her childhood. Finding out Joanne grew up around there. It makes the reading and knowing the story more wholesome. Growing up in the same area and with our children it’s just extra magical. Harry will never die Joanne 😢❤❤❤

[@samratsur8074]

Prisoner of Azkaban is my favourite of the lot. Absolutely brilliant plot.

[@PuddilyOops]

Same! The writing is so tight!

[@jackraider1039]

I like order the most. And I prefer the movies over the books because sometimes I feel like books can be a bit boring.

[@Name-tn3md]

It has the most plot holes. You have terrible taste mate

[@arvindhmani06]

@@Name-tn3md Could you be specific?

[@thewanderlustlibrarian]

Knowing that she has bit of each books already written after publishing the 1st book is sooo impressive !

[@GaryTongue-to3pw]

This was weeks after the second book was released.

[@deliraaline]

“All are written except for 5”.And it’s the biggest book and made all us cry. Love you JK.

[@mathildeeide8550]

I picture divine intervention when she caught that sudden inspiration on the train, not even kidding. Staring out the window like that relaxes you, almost like in a trance, opening your heart to messages from beyond. Your divine self. 😊 She was given a gift, but more importantly, she embraced it like crazy. Super impressive what she’s been able to create. Thank you JK❤️

[@SapienEnergy]

It's super interesting, looking at the window behind her. You can see where she got so many of her ideas from. Just people watching, the night bus, the old buildings and secret doors.

[@musical_lolu4811]

Scenic.

[@adamdumsday]

This interview is extraordinary. So interesting to see her behaviour at the start of her career. You can see this story being escapism for her insecurities. Little did she know the rest of the world would agree.

[@CoffeeFiend1]

She was my hero when I was a kid. I was massively behind in literacy at primary school, like literally 5 years behind. Don't even remember how I got into Harry Potter but I was 3 years ahead within 2 years and knew the names of every character and the name of every spell and what it did. Think it was 1999 we had to do a weekend project on our 'favorite role model' and do a piece on them. Lots of kids did stuff like Batman.... Spiderman... Action Man... The Hulk. A couple of girls did favorite authors. I was the only guy that did an author and I got laughed at so hard by literally everyone for choosing "a girl" as my role model. I don't think it would be out of place in modern settings but back in the 90's admitting that out of everyone you could freely choose you looked up to a role model that wasn't your own sex was seemingly a huge deal. She's gotten a lot of flack the last couple of years for certain opinions but without a doubt she has spent most of her life endeavoring to always be on the right side of things which is admirable.

[@SpeccyMan]

Yet you still have that awful American habit of misusing the word literally. There is no C in flak. The word is gender, not sex. You've also not quite managed to master punctuation. Learn to use the comma!

[@vanessainnes-wagstaff7511]

Lovely to see her here recalling those crazy early years as a younger writer. Nevermind the life changing journey of it all. A very unusual lady and outcome. Fascinating.

[@fletchersykes1660]

Remarkable woman. I will always be a fan of hers and that of her HP stories and the way she fought to keep the core and ancillary characters British for the movies.

[@theodorearaujo971]

What a wonderful interview. She is a national treasure. Thank you for writing about an orphan, later a Father who never had one.

[@SpeccyMan]

Oliver Twist?

[@InkcredibleScribbles]

She's extraordinarily lovely. Guarded, devilishly honest, funny. I've always loved her as a writer and a person, both then and now.

[@Kewickviper]

It's a shame she gets so much hate from the radical far left for standing up for women's rights.

[@InkcredibleScribbles]

Agreed.

[@antimale]

​@@KewickviperYeah. Joanne supports women's rights by: 1. Sending flowers to a domestic rapist Marlyn Manson. 2. Sending heartfelt thoughts to teenage obsessed Matt Walsh. 3. Supporting Caroline Farrow who is an anti abortionist who also concealed sexual abuses in the Church. Is there more you need to learn how Robert Galbraith famously known as Joanne Rowling is a women's campaigner?

[@martaspizewska347]

It amazes me that there are people like this. Imagine creating a whole new world, whole new theory of living. Like horcrux, all these monsters, places, plots and actual characters. You have to be gifted, have something incredible in your mind to be able to make this up! How did she come up with that? What kind of mind does she have to have to build something like this? My brain doesnt actually understand how a person can wrote all of this, create it. Thats mesmerizing.

[@TooFurious4]

Amazing, this was filmed just 3 weeks after the release of the second book.

[@ketil4237]

Historically legendary literary writers like C.S Lewis, J.R.R Tolkien etc. She is a shining star in among them forever. So it was fitting that she became J.K. Rowling. But it's kinda heartbreaking to see her here. So brilliant and still so unsure of herself and her worth. She has probably experienced her (un)fair share of bullying from envious and petty "muggles" (She really is Hermione in the first books). You just want to hug her and tell her that you are a beautiful, brilliant lady and a genius. And we adore you for it.

[@SpeccyMan]

I get the impression that Joanne is more than capable of looking after herself. Writers, by their very nature, tend to be strongly spoken on the topics that matter most to them. Sadly, it follows that they end up facing criticism for so doing. We, all of us, need to move more towards the idea of the right to an opinion and the right to disagree with another opinion and move away from attacking someone because their opinion differs from yours. Nobody is right and nobody is wrong. Bringing us back to the idea of constructive (rather than destructive) conversation. I don't believe in God. Convince me I'm wrong. 😉 I enjoyed her books enormously. Perfect escapism. She is deserving of all the success. I'm a little disappointed you left out P. G. Wodehouse. One of my favourite writers.

[@Anpeo]

Imagine those 3 publishers that turned down Harry Potter. Damn.

[@SpeccyMan]

No sympathy for them whatsoever. There are none so blind as those who will not see.

[@arvindhmani06]

I believe a lot more than 3 turned down Harry Potter

[@danielrobinson3076]

@@arvindhmani06 12 in total, I believe

[@gkseeton]

I love this interview. The unpolished author, a lovely, normal, quiet sort of person is someone with whom I can relate even though she has accomplished the extraordinary; she is quite likable.

[@saintjimmy456]

You can see the exact window she's sat in on Google maps. It is a Chinese restaurant now not a coffee shop. 6a Nicolson Street Edinburgh if anybody wants to drop themselves in the map and have a look.

[@all-caps3927]

She’s a visionary and a virtuoso of her craft. It’s inspiring to see the belief in herself and overcoming doubt, she’s so unapologetically herself and that’s incredibly admirable. I could never imagine having a world as dense and intricate as the Wizarding at my feet. Us consumers see it as one of the world’s great fantasy stories but for her it’s truly so much more than that - it’s as if Harry Potter and it’s lessons to be learnt from are the magic and beauty of life themselves. Those books and movies mean more to me than she’ll ever know, but that’s what she intended : complete and utter obsession with the thought of magic and Harry, and for me that’s enough knowing my position as a fan of the series fulfilled her wishes. I would love to meet her one day when I hopefully fulfil my ‘absolute ambition’ , as she puts it, and tell her how the magic behind her character and her books helped me and millions of not billions of others so much. Harry Potter allowed us to escape from life and then come back and appreciate it for the beauty is bestows. Thank you Ms Rowling, you will go down in history as one of the all time greats.

[@Robodude_0528]

It’s incredible to hear her talk about the process of coming up with Harry. Sometimes you have ideas and sometimes ideas have you. Sometimes one inspirational moment can change your life drastically

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Hi.. Greetings dear Glad to hear from you. I appreciate your love, care and support Where are you watching from?😊❤😊

[@Bucketdad427]

We don’t have video interviews from Dickens or Twain or Shakespeare or Austen. This is just fascinating to watch a humble genius that created a world that will exist long after she is gone.

[@yumeyuki1944]

17:12 the face she made after almost spoiling the last book 9 years before a release is hilarious 😂

[@thePOWERofART-11]

love it

[@haruyu123]

oop

[@sr.giselamariagarlock]

I was teaching in a German school as a Religious Sister at the time and teaching English and Social Work. These were young adults studying to be Erzieher (social worker) especially for Kindergarten and children living in homes and boarding schools. My young adult students kept coming to me asking what words and phrases meant, and what kind of grammar something was. I answered the questions and asked what they were reading - the answer: Harry Potter. I went to the public library and checked out the first book. I had it read in a week. My reaction: "Brilliant." Right from the beginning I loved the story and understood why young adults were willing to struggle through the book in the English language. The books were not out yet in German but in the coming. The students just could not wait. At the time there was a lot of criticism concerning the books, which thought were unfounded. When students asked me about the criticism. I told them that the author comes from the land of Merlin, the Arthur Legend. There is no real witchcraft in her books. Her books were pure imagination and pulled from Irish myth- thinking of the patronus- the deer, the patron animal of St. Patrick. I remember laughing through many images. One example comes now when Harry first meets Professor Slughorn. Harry watched him coming into the room so that his head was following is stomach. J.K. Rowling is a brilliant writer. I really enjoyed the series with the films. I taught grammar from some of her images and from the way she discribed people and events using descriptive relative clauses, reduced to participle phrases. This was one of the first times, that students paid attention in grammar classes. After the second book of asking about vocab, I offered reading evenings. We read from book 3, 4, and 5 and some of 6, and then I let them loose. They still asked questions but not as many, and we still used her text for grammar. That was rewarding teaching. Thank-you Joanne K. Rowling.

[@PlayNiceFolks]

This is absolutely lovely to watch.

[@Raiya_ru17]

She answered what I was thinking. She visualized everything before she wrote it. Crazy brilliant imagination, and the entire Harry Potter world came from her imagination alone. We are so lucky to have her in our time, to be able to vividly express her imaginary world thru her books. Never knew she already thought of all 7 books from the very beginning, crazy brilliant imagination.

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Hi.. Greetings dear Glad to hear from you. I appreciate your love, care and support Where are you watching from?😊❤

[@h.m.7218]

Harry Potter is a work of genius. Must have been absolutely thrilling to be able to come up with the actual books. The whole story is on par with Tolkien's saga. And, personally, I'd rather reread HP than the Hobbits story. But that's only me.

[@randomuploadsism]

I said to my BF last night, JK is better at crafting the stories because their is foreshadowing and clues, things that happen at the start one one book are explained at the end - or later. Tolkien is more a series of events, where you could remove one and the others would still make sense.

[@gbecks3672]

I’m 36 years old and still obsessed with HP. I grew up with the movies in the theaters and I still remember my elementary teacher reading the 1st book to us. ❤ great memories, the midnight movie showings and midnight book releases at Barnes and noble were everything

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Hi.. Greetings dear Glad to hear from you. I appreciate your love, care and support Where are you watching from?❤😊❤😊

[@arvindhmani06]

You had an awesome elementary teacher if she read Harry Potter for you!

[@ieradossantos]

Things don't come from nowhere. Srinivasa Ramanujan (a genius from India) said that the incredibly advanced math, he had no education in, arrived to him. He said some Hindu god came to him in his sleep and told him the equations

[@stefaj]

Thats just as silly as saying things come from no where, X causes Y isn't a good explanation when changing X still explains Y.

[@ieradossantos]

@stefaj his equations stand to this day, so silly

[@rickysmom809]

..I remember when Harry Potter came out, my dad read it to us in the garden camping one summer in 1999, he then bought the audiobooks for me a few years later and back in 2016 I listened to all audiobooks again at the ripe age of 26!! This book series is definitely not just for kids😅 Harry Potter made me love English at school, I wasn't really bothered about books untill JK. So THANK YOU ❤

[@maripgs]

Wow what a fascinating early days interview! I watched this taking in every little detail. This woman is a genius, it's clear that she wrote for her pure pleasure and she created one of the most fantastic worlds in the history of writing, and gave us so many childhood memories that will be passed on generation to generation. Absolute gem!

[@lightingboltzero8575]

J.K Rowling is a amazing author in literature history. I was 10 years old when the first book came out in 1997.

[@maryfuzzell6262]

She seems so amazing and centered, like a true artist. The money and fame didn't change her.. but the happy faded out of her eyes. We all need to remember, the journey is the best part of life.

[@Adomir]

Terrible audio with the cars in the background and the voice of the interviewer not recorded properly, but still a very personal and down to earth interview with Joanne. Having lived in Edinburgh and through the early Harry Potter years, this is a wonderful view into the past. You can tell she has the mind of a creative asperger.

[@lubormrazek5545]

She wrote it in hand? Holy crap. That manuscript has got to be worth like 10 gazillion dollars now

[@greenbird6491]

I love her so much 💚she never fails to inspire me

[@RandomBloke007]

How incredible that future generations will have these videos to look back to, hundreds of years in the future. Like knowing Jane Austen in all her glory!

[@irrelevantideology9640]

Absolutey incredible brilliance.... it's actually incredible. As a 32 year old that took a year to read the first book in 3rd and 4th grade, i have read every book atkeast 5 times since then. Every few years, i reread/listen to the audiobooks.

[@ricorofficial]

This is the earliest interview I have ever watched with her. Interesting hearing her talk about it being made into a movie, fast forward 20 years and now we have the most successful film series out of it, and they are in the early stages of a TV show. Interesting stuff.

[@fergusjoel6886]

That interview was taken above where The Black Medicine cafe is now in Drummond St Edinburgh. Little known fact but Drummond Street is also the birthplace of Ziggy Stardust.

[@amit_c]

After listening to her it's like she already planned the course of story for 6 books in advance like from starting in first chapter of first book to last chapter last book, Harry Potter is the book which is worth a research on it's own and good source of reference and inspiration for aspiring author/writer like myself. The way she came up with names of character, the props in storyline, the setting of magical world and it's connection with real world is absolutely brilliant and mind blowing. I used to discuss the books with my best friend and we would spent hours on it when we were in school

[@Azertyuiopqsdfghjklm123]

She just knows. She has a god given gift. She trusted her intuition, she put it into work, planned it all and here it was. She feels confident about her gift and I wish everybody in the world who has a gift to be confident to express it and give it out to the world !

[@connor7162]

If you’re ever having a bad day, just remember 3 publishers had the chance to sign JK Rowling and didn’t 🤣🤣

[@p90497]

It was 12

[@bigm8785]

Cheers to the writer of one of the greatest stories of our generation. A wonderful person who was been talking nothing but common Sense since then

[@antimale]

Yeah. Joanne supports women's rights by: 1. Sending flowers to a domestic rapist Marlyn Manson. 2. Sending heartfelt thoughts to teenage obsessed Matt Walsh. 3. Supporting Caroline Farrow who is an anti abortionist who also concealed sexual abuses in the Church. Is there more you need to learn how Robert Galbraith famously known as Joanne Rowling is a women's campaigner?

[@NathanWesley-j5q]

She has a fast mind, words don't come fast enough out of her... She had success in her from the beginning, born to inspire!

[@westminsterwatcher5152]

She's an absolute legend!

[@hsk-jm6kh]

Theres a 'rock star' quality to this interview that im guessing is not normal when it comes to interviews with authors. The only difference is, that her answers are more elaborate and she's obviously more articulate than your average 'front man' or band spokesperson. I love the giggle about people being unaware of wizards living amongst them or whatever it was. She really comes across as someone with a modest ego and displays the innocence of someone of someone who has recently found fame and fortune but wasn't necessarily looking for it. A bit like a lottery winner if you will.

[@ellisfmorton4086]

Very true

[@dbsk06]

Wow so impressed. Not going to lie, I wasn’t obsessed with Harry Potter but now having lived in london and watching this interview, it is completely different

[@dion789]

I've been a bookworm since I could read my first words. But no author has ever meant so much to me as J.K. Rowling. Both through the books and through her courage.

[@michaellovegrove9467]

“I don’t think I will become sick of him (Harry Potter). Other people might, but there’s nothing I can do about that.” We’re not! I’m not! Not even close!!! I’ll be reading these magnificent books until the day I die ⚡️

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Hi.. Greetings dear Glad to hear from you. I appreciate your love, care and support Where are you watching from?❤😊❤

[@swymaj02]

Harry Potter was insane to me at the time. I remember reading Chamber of Secrets in 2011 (I was 9) and I also gotta say that I wrote a whole book in 2016 inspires by HP. This is the basis of a TV show I am currently writing.

[@chrisgeroch4927]

"sales went up a bit" ... classic British understatement

[@HongKongEclectic]

She’s a legend. Down to earth. Totally uncomfortable with fame.

[@alightthatnevergoesout]

My parents, in the early/mid 00s, were the only ones at the Catholic Church we attended who allowed their kids to read Harry Potter. The parents who disagreed with their decision now love JK and her fearlessness in defending womanhood. Her defence of womanhood becomes more profound when you consider she had to hide her gender when originally selling Harry Potter books, in fear men wouldn’t buy them. In my estimation, she’s an incredible woman with an incredible mind, whose books are perfect for young readers to challenge themselves with due to how engaging they are. At 10/11 years old we were reading 300-500 page books, quite incredible to think about given the state of the new ipad generation. Anyway, that’s my rambling done. God bless you, JK.

[@antimale]

Yeah. Joanne supports women's rights by: 1. Sending flowers to a domestic rapist Marlyn Manson. 2. Sending heartfelt thoughts to teenage obsessed Matt Walsh. 3. Supporting Caroline Farrow who is an anti abortionist who also concealed sexual abuses in the Church. Is there more you need to learn how Robert Galbraith famously known as Joanne Rowling is a women's campaigner?

[@blevinsdesigns]

Inspirational interview, so creative at the time.

[@abcun17]

Love this lady, her talent and her vision!❤😊 ✌️👍👍 Thank you J.K. for all your wonderful work!

[@mdx7460]

So fascinating to listen to. My 2 daughters have just recently discovered their obsession for Harry Potter, and have both just finished reading the first book at age 6 and 8. I have never read the books (although I’ve seen all the movies) but now that they have finished with their books I’m going to give it a go!

[@RabiyaRavenclaw]

Read the books, the movies are good but don't do the Wizarding world enough justice

[@Raiya_ru17]

Good for you to give it to your kids. Made my imagination ran wild when I started reading them at 11, after watching the movie in 2000s lol. I’m in my 30s now and had already handed down my HP books to my nieces. Still nostalgic to read the books than reading e-books.