jk's writers block

[Augusta Longbottom]

OMG High Sorcerer...now that's a wait! Thank goodness I'm not a Stephen King fan (even though I live in his state). Shortly after Book 5 came out I remember seeing JKR in an interview or something -- perhaps on the Today Show -- and she'd said that she would probably finish book 6 rather quickly as she anticipated it being much shorter and felt that she'd probably take forever in writing book 7 because it would be so painful to let go. Mind you, this is all out of context and from my pitiful memory so don't hold me to this info.

Also you are so right, Dragon Master...

it is hard finishing a series that you've spent so much time on. because while it's there, and unfinished, you can always count on yourself to write a little bit when your in a certain mood. i'm going through that right now with my 'The Dragon Master' series. i've spent 1.5 years on it, and i don't want to let it go. so it's not 'writer's block,' you're actually subconsciously blocking yourself from writing it because you can't let go...

This is a common thing for artists in general. Also, I know I have creative spurts. Sometimes I just work like a machine, producing for my customers with very little creative energy. While other times I get to have the luxury of what I call "play days" where I just create to my hearts content. The lull happens for lots of reasons, but with a now well-known writer like JKR, she went from being a writer one day...to what she is now...a writer who is now a household name. She's on everyone's A-list, from interviews to books signings, to all sorts of PR. This can do bizarre things to your creative streak.

I know for myself, I enjoy my solitary work...alone in my quiet studio creating. But when I have to spend a lot of time on the road selling, or if my work has been in a magazine or something, it is like an unheaval to my life. I have to go into social mode when I really prefer to be in solitary mode. Then at some point I have to step back and regain my creative juices. My issues are such small potatoes compared to JKR...in fact, I am an ant in comparison to her world, but it's the same premise.

And then back to what Dragon Master said...sometimes it's all about letting go. I have some pieces that are priced so ridiculously high just because I can't bring myself to part with them...but I can't keep them from my loyal customers either...so these types of pieces come out to shows with me, but with prices so high, they come home with me. or if they end up selling, I know they are going to a good home since I had the item priced high enough that only someone passionate about the piece would pay what I was asking. For a writer, I think you just end up leaving your work a few chapters short of being finished thus allowing yourself to hang on a little longer. It is in fact, a part of you...it's difficult to part with something that is so much the essence of whoyou are.

[lodiclavery]

I think since the movies started to be produced jk really has been writing slowly. Too much stuff...

Lodi_

[highsorcerer]

Actually, writers become more focused and aware of what they are doing as their works become more popular and widespread. If Rowling decides to quit writing after HP7, the world will lose from it (though she's given the world a lot already).

Let's take two other authors for example.

Terry Brooks has written novels in three different worlds; the world of Shannara, the world of Landover, and the world of Word and Void. He published the first Shannara series (Sword of Shannara, Elfstones of Shannara, and Wishsong of Shannara), then fled to the Magic Kingdom of Landover (Magic Kingdom for Sale: Sold, The Black Unicorn, and Wizard at Large). He went back to Shannara for a four-part adventure (The Scions of Shannara, The Druid of Shannara, The Elf Queen of Shannara, and The Talisaman's of Shannara). He went back to Landover with The Tangle Box and Witches Brew, then back to Shannara with The First King of Shannara (which told the backstory to the first series). From there he went to three novels about the battle between Word and Void (Running with the Demon, A Knight of the Word, and Angel Fire East), and back to Shannara with a three part series (The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara; Isle Witch, Antrax, Mograw), and will continue with another series of Shannara novels.

Stephen King's Dark Tower series (7 books) is, of itself an epic, but the worlds he created in most of his other full length novels take a part. For one thing, there is continutity between most of them. The major exceptions are Carrie, Christine, and From a Buick 8 (the latter is easily the worst novel King ever wrote). The other novels link one way or another back to his meta-universe.

Rowlings has a choice, and always has. She can write, say, Untold Tales of Hogwarts (featuring short stories about different characters from Harry to Cho to Draco). She can write up the backstory of Tom Riddle, Jr., and his descent into Lord Voldemort. She can write about the backstory of the original Order of the Phoenix, including the death of many of it's members, and the capture and trial of Death Eaters.

Of those ideas, I'd really like to see some untold tales. Perhaps one called 93 Diagon Alley, which documents the Weasley Twin's setting up shop and subsequent success. Another one called "Sleeper or Keeper?", talking about Ron's trials in practicing to become a keeper (and his own private thoughts and fears about what the others, particularly Fred, George, and Harry would think, not realizing they would like the idea, and would have helped him practice if he had asked). Perhaps "Orphan's Choice", with a young Hagrid, after expulsion, considering his options, and electing to stay as a gamekeeper's apprentice.

[senorita pickle]

ooh, that sounds good... "untold tales of hogwarts". i would loooove to read that... !

golly, i can understand how it would take such a long time to write a harry potter book. i like to write sometimes, mostly short stories. but i can only write when i'm feeling like it... i can't just set to it like you could washing dishes. in the respect, i can totally sympathize with jk.

but still, i'm anxious to read the next book

[Just Mom]

Excellent post, (as usual) Highsorcerer.

It would be diificult (but not impossible) for me to visualize JKR writing any other work than something surrounding HP and Hogwarts, etc. She is under the curse of creating such a beloved character that it would be difficult (like Conan Doyle) to find a way completely out of that world.

On the other hand, she may love Harry and Hogwarts and all the rest so much that building more stories out of the existing story could be just the ticket. I sense her attachment and can easily see more books coming after 7 is finished. As you detailed, the possibilities are really endless.

[Lindsay M]

In an interview I read once, she said she would probably try to write something, but under a pen name. Only she was worried that people would still find out, because under the copyright it has your real name.

To be honest, I don't think I'd treasure the series as much if she extended it and wrote something different. Of course it'd give more to talk about, though.

[Auchie]

You can hide your name in the copyright actually. At least I'm pretty sure you can. Daniel Handler did it when he wrote the Series of Unfortunate Events. It took a few interviews to find out who he was.

She could possibly hide her name, but I'll be so sad when the series ends.

[highsorcerer]

Some of the world's most famous authors wrote under pen names. Erle Stanley Gardner (Perry Mason) wrote under the name A.A. Fair (plus at least two others); Nora Roberts writes under the name J.D. Robb, and Stephen King has written under the name Richard Bauchman.

[slava]

to bad thet JKR dosent write the books like we read them.