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Harry Potter: Ela precisa dizer mais?

Tradução: Leli Weasley
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Baker, Jeff. “Harry Potter: Need she say more? J.K. Rowling talks about her wildly popular books,” The Oregonian, October 22, 2000

J.K. Rowling has no need to do interviews. With more than 32 million copies of the Harry Potter series in print in the United States alone, Rowling doesn’t need publicity to sell her books.

Yet there she was in the New York City offices of her publisher, Scholastic, cheerfully answering questions from five newspaper reporters on a telephone conference call. Why?

“I see this as an opportunity to answer kids’ questions,” Rowling said. “My post bag is now getting pretty much overwhelming at the moment. Although we answer every letter, the logistics of the thing are that I can’t go to every school that asks me to visit and I can’t do every reading that people would like me to do. It’s a way of responding to questions about things that are coming and a way of reaching people without going to each of these communities, which would be very difficult now.”

In a 45-minute interview from 3,000 miles away, Rowling came across as bright, energetic and not at all intimidated by her success. She talked animatedly about that success, dropped a few hints about what’s coming next in the series, took a strong stand against censorship and made it clear that writing remains her top priority.

Rowling’s reason for doing an interview makes sense. Her comments have been organized by topic and edited only for continuity. Note that she refers to books in her series by number, not title. Thus, “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” is Book Four, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” is Book One, and the new, untitled book is Book Five.

On the new book: “Book Five is under way, but I haven’t gotten that far through it yet. It’s very unlikely to be out by next July, purely because I just finished this very long, complex book (Book Four), and I want to make it as good as I can make it.

“I don’t want to be writing against an artificial deadline. It’ll be done when it’s done, and I have no intention of taking any kind of a break from the series because I’m still loving the writing.”

On her writing schedule: “On an ideal day, I’ll probably work between six and 10 hours. That would be a really good writing day for me. I’m kind of fighting to get time to write at the moment, which feels bizarrely familiar to me because that’s how I wrote the first two books because then I had a paying job.

“I do still write longhand, and I do write away from the house whenever possible because it’s very easy to get distracted when you’re home. I use cafes as offices, really, with the added bonus that there’s normally good music and someone to bring me coffee all the time, which is great.”

On her characters: “Harry and Ron and Hermione I love, and I think there’s something of me in all three of them.

“Hagrid I absolutely adore, although I wouldn’t say there’s a great deal of my personality in Hagrid. He’s almost created in response to me. I think most kids would love to have a friend like Hagrid. (Actor) Stephen Fry, who reads the books for audiotape in Britain, said to me young boys need someone like Hagrid because they need someone to sit there whittling and saying yes, yes, while they’re pouring out their anguished souls. Someone to sit there and listen and be very stolid and reassuring. I would hope there’s none of me in the Dursleys.”

On the bookstore parties for book four: “It was wonderful. On July the 8th, I was in a hotel in London waiting to start the tour. In the U.K. I did a very short tour, starting in London and going north to my hometown, and we stopped and did some signings and met a lot of readers. But when I was in my hotel I was watching the TV and they flashed up this huge bookstore in central London where all these kids were waiting for books. My daughter was sleeping in the room and I had this mad desire to pull on my jeans and go down there and see them.”

Is the reaction overwhelming? “With the kids, never. And I really mean that. It’s really quite extraordinary because I’m an ex-teacher and I know kids aren’t angels. I’ve met thousands and thousands of kids now, of all different nationalities, at signings and readings, and I’ve never had a kid be obnoxious. Ever.”

On expectations: “It’s really not a burden. It’s a profound treat. There’s a tendency to underestimate children on all sorts of levels. I sincerely believe that children really want to hear the story as I’ve imagined it. They want to hear how it ends. They do not want to change one single paragraph. They want to find out what happens next. They want me to tell the story I want to tell.”

On being dropped from the new york times best-seller list: (The Times created a separate list for children’s books, in direct response to Rowling’s domination of the fiction list.) “Well, I didn’t throw a party (laughs). It’s a difficult one. I know why it was done, I know the reasoning behind it, we’ve all seen the reasoning behind it. I was a bit sad.”

On other writers: “Philip Pullman is a writer I very much admire. I think he can write most adult authors off the page. . . . I think he’s amazing. His book ‘Clockwork’ is a book that I think is an absolutely stunning piece of work. I often get asked at events. ‘What can I read? I’m done with the Harry Potter book.’ That’s the book I recommend. There’s a writer called David Almond, another British writer, he wrote a novel called ‘Skellig’ that I think is funny. . . . At the moment I’m reading Margaret Atwood’s “The Blind Assassin.’ ”

Are her books too scary? “That’s a matter of personal taste. I feel that the ending of Book Four is frightening. But there are reasons for that. It was not done for pure pleasure of thinking I was frightening people. I was dealing with an evil character and there’s a moral obligation, I feel, to show what that means. I don’t see (Books) Five, Six and Seven as, you know, that I have to up the stakes with every book at all. (Book Four) was a pivotal moment at the heart of the series. I wouldn’t necessarily say that Five is darker, but I can’t say that there’s isn’t more dark stuff coming because I know that there is.

“From the very first book, I would meet parents who would say, ‘Well, my 5- or 6-year-old loved it.’ I always felt reservations about saying that was a great thing because I knew what was coming in the series and even though they might be able to cope with the language perhaps some of the scenes are a little dark for a 5- or a 6-year-old. I would think probably 8 or 9 is the youngest I would recommend as a reading age for the books.”

On wrapping up: “The final chapter for Book Seven is written. I wrote that just for my own satisfaction, really as an act of faith. (To say) I will get here in the end. In that chapter you do, I hope, feel a sense of resolution. You do find out what happens to the survivors. I know that sounds very ominous (laughs).”

On merchandising the movie: (“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” has been cast. Rowling said she was especially delighted that Maggie Smith is playing Professor McGonagall, Robbie Coltrane is playing Hagrid and Alan Rickman is playing Snape.)

“That’s not my bag. They do ask my opinion, and I give them my opinion. My input is largely creative, it’s really with the screenwriter and the director. I’ve seen sets, and they’re amazing. It’s a very spooky experience to walk into the Great Hall, really very spooky. And Hagrid’s house . . . it’s just . . . I know every writer of the original work when they see it made physical feels the same way.

“The thing I’m excited about is seeing Quidditch, without a doubt. I’ve been seeing that inside my head for 10 years. With that, I’ll really become like a kid. I just want to sit in the back of the movie theater and watch it.”

On censorship: (The Harry Potter books have frequently been challenged in public schools and libraries. Some parents feel the books promote witchcraft and are anti-Christian.) “I really hate censorship. I find it objectionable. I personally think that they’re very mistaken. I think these are very moral books and I think it’s a very short-sighted thing. Short-sighted in the sense that if you try hard to portray goodness without showing that the reverse is evil and without showing how great it is to resist that . . . well, that’s always been my feeling about literature.

“You find magic, witchcraft and wizardry in all sorts of classic children’s books. Where do you start? Are you going to start with ‘The Wizard of Oz?’ These people are trying to protect children from their own imagination.”

Hints about the future: “There’s stuff coming with the Dursleys that people might not expect, but I’m not going to give too much away there if that’s OK. . . . Finally, I gave you something. Ginny (Weasley) does have a bigger role in Book Five.”

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Barnes and Noble & Yahoo! chat with J.K. Rowling, barnesandnoble.com, 20 October, 2000

On Friday, October 20th, Barnes & Noble.com and Yahoo! welcomed J. K. Rowling, the bestselling author behind the Harry Potter phenomenon, to chat about Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. [Editor’s note: this chat was also published on the Yahooligans! website]

jkrowling_bn: I’m here!!!

barnesandnoble_host: Welcome, J.K. Rowling!
jkrowling_bn: great to be here

Yahooligan_Heather asks: What are you plans after you have finished the Harry Potter series? Are you considering writing a sequel series with Harry’s own children, or other characters we have met?
jkrowling_bn: Harry’s own children? Are you sure he’s going to survive to have children?!

Yahooligan_Roxie asks: Which of the Harry Potter books is your favourite so far, and why?
jkrowling_bn: My favourite two books are Goblet of Fire
jkrowling_bn: and Chamber of Secrets
jkrowling_bn: they were the hardest to write, maybe that’s why they mean most to me

missee asks: What did your daughter, Jessica, think of the fourth book? Was it too much for her to take?
jkrowling_bn: my daughter loved the fourth book
jkrowling_bn: she wasn’t scared at all
jkrowling_bn: as long as Harry was OK she didn’t seem to care

nessynoonoo asks: Greetings from California! How did you feel the first time you saw your book on sale? How have things changed with your success?
jkrowling_bn: the first time I saw my book on sale was better than receiving any literary award!
jkrowling_bn: I wanted to sneak it off the shelf and sign it
jkrowling_bn: but I was worried I’d be told off for ruining the books, so I didn’t

Yahooligan_MegMcGonagall asks: What would you see in the Mirror of Erised?
jkrowling_bn: I would probably see my mother, who died in 1990
jkrowling_bn: so, the same as Harry!

jandlcomm asks: Does Hagrid get a wife? (Chad, age 13)
jkrowling_bn: does Hagrid get a wife? You think anyone would want to live with a man who breeds Blast-Ended Skrewts?

goodyggtg asks: Is it true that you had nine rejection letters for your first HP novel? What advice would you offer to new novelists working to get their first manuscripts published?
jkrowling_bn: I’m not sure there were nine rejection letters, but there were a few
jkrowling_bn: I would say: persevere
jkrowling_bn: if everyone’s turned you down, then it’s time to try writing something else…
jkrowling_bn: and if that doesn’t suceed it MIGHT be time to think about a different career…
jkrowling_bn: but some great writers had lots of books rejected before they got published, so don’t lose heart

cynickel2 asks: We really enjoy the humor in the books, especially with the Dursleys. Are the Dursleys based on anyone you personally know?
jkrowling_bn: Hee hee hee…
jkrowling_bn: I wouldn’t tell you if they were…
jkrowling_bn: I don’t want to be sued!

Yahooligan_Tanya asks: I meant to watch Today this morning, but I heard from a friend that you revealed a bit of information. Could you share it with us?
jkrowling_bn: I can share it with you…
jkrowling_bn: a very cute eight year old boy asked me for the title of book five
jkrowling_bn: and I couldn’t resist those big brown eyes
jkrowling_bn: the title is: ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’
jkrowling_bn: so now you know!

Yahooligan_Stargull asks: How much input did you have on the marketing of “Goblet of Fire?” The marketing campaign has drawn at least as much media attention as the book itself. Thanks, love the series.
jkrowling_bn: well, I didn’t really have any input
jkrowling_bn: I just asked my publishers not to give too much away
jkrowling_bn: because book four was the culmination of ten years’ work for me
jkrowling_bn: if the ending had been given away, it would have ruined a lot of people’s pleasure

Yahooligan_Amanda asks: You’ve hinted a little that you might KILL Harry! Please say something to put my mind at ease.
jkrowling_bn: hmmmm………
jkrowling_bn: well, I think I’ll leave you in suspense… sorry!

Yahooligan_Erin asks: Is it true that Mrs. Rowling has already finished the end chapter for all her future books?
jkrowling_bn: I’ve written the final chapter of book seven
jkrowling_bn: which was really an act of faith –
jkrowling_bn: I was saying to myself, ‘you will get here!’
jkrowling_bn: it will probably need re-writing when I reach it, though

Yahooligan_David asks: I’ve heard about the two charity books that will be released in March 2001. Are these the types of schoolbooks that are referenced in the normal series books?
jkrowling_bn: Yes, I’ve written two of the titles Harry reads in the first novel
jkrowling_bn: Quidditch Through the Ages
jkrowling_bn: and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
jkrowling_bn: all proceeds will go to Comic Relief UK
jkrowling_bn: which is a great charity that mainly supports projects in Africa (famine relief and so on)

Yahooligan_Stephanie asks: Is Hogwarts ever going to get a defence against the dark arts teacher who lasts for more than one book?
jkrowling_bn: erm…… maybe
jkrowling_bn: don’t want to give too much away there!
jkrowling_bn: Thank you very much!

dramaangel217 asks: Hey Jo! I love your books! Ever since I encouraged people to read Harry Potter, people have been calling me Hermione! Well, what inspired you to become a writer and what sort of advice would you give to someone that wants to follow in your footsteps?
jkrowling_bn: I’ve wanted to be a writer as far back as I can remember
jkrowling_bn: I couldn’t think of anything I’d like to do more, and still can’t
jkrowling_bn: I think aspiring writers should firstly read a lot
jkrowling_bn: and resign themselves to the fact that they will waste a lot of trees before they produce jkrowling_bn: anything they’re happy with!

hermione_rose_2000 asks: Hello Ms. Rowling, I am a big fan of the Harry Potter books. My name is Katherine Emily Rose and I am 11. Is it true that Harry and Draco will have to get together and fight evil?
jkrowling_bn: Don’t believe everything you read on the net!
jkrowling_bn: I saw that rumour too… but it is just a rumour

tnt1326 asks: Is Hogwarts a complete fictional creation or is it based upon a place you’ve experienced?
jkrowling_bn: It’s completely fictional…
jkrowling_bn: but I feel like I live there a lot of the time

Yahooligan_Liz asks: The fourth book was very different form the other three, in format and action What prompted the change?
jkrowling_bn: I’m not sure that it was so different
jkrowling_bn: there was no conscious change
jkrowling_bn: the plot is becoming more complex, certainly, but that was always the plan

matiaskanfunfa asks: There is a girl named Susan Bones who was sorted in the first book and there was a family called the Bones that Voldemort tried to destroy, is this a coincidence or will Harry meet her in future books?
jkrowling_bn: Susan Bones’ grandparents were killed by Voldemort!

Yahooligan_Allison asks: Who is your favorite character in Harry Potter and the sorcerer’s stone
jkrowling_bn: Harry himself, of course, but also Ron, Hermione and Hagrid…
jkrowling_bn: then there’s Dumbledore…
jkrowling_bn: I love all of them, to be honest, even Dudley

Yahooligan_Mrs. C. asks: My class is here with me and they want to know if you would answer letters if they write to you?
jkrowling_bn: if you write to my publishers you’ll get a response!

Yahooligan_Ana asks: Hello, I would like to know if you ever read any Harry Potter fanfiction on the web.
jkrowling_bn: I have read some and I’ve been very flattered to see how absorbed people are in the world

spccbflo asks: Everything that happens has a meaning, sometimes in a later book. Do you have everything planned out in your head, or do you tie things in as you go?
jkrowling_bn: Yes, it’s all planned out, but I still give myself room to have some fun if a good idea
jkrowling_bn: arrives while I’m writing

mere2898 asks: I am a 30 year old woman who fell in love with your books this summer. I believe they contain some real life lessons for adults as well as children. What do you say to the criticts who think that the books deal with the “dark side”?
jkrowling_bn: Thank you very much for the kind words!
jkrowling_bn: to the critics I say…. get out more!
jkrowling_bn: Either they haven’t read the books properly or they can’t read at all

NEToys asks: Being close to 30 years old, I have found that the Harry Potter series has progressed from an originally labeled “Childrens Series”. Was this purposeful, or the way it just happened?
jkrowling_bn: It was always planned that way…
jkrowling_bn: I think most readers understood that things would get darker…
jkrowling_bn: they knew Voldemort was always out there and wasn’t going to go quietly!

Yahooligan_Jung asks: How are you, Ms. Rowling? I’ve really been enjoying your books, even as a high school student! At what age did you begin dreaming of having a writing career, and what were the steps you took? I’m learning English as a second language;however, I am hoping that I would be a writer someday, and am also striving for the goal. Congratulations for your success!(How’s the 5th book going? )
jkrowling_bn: The fifth book’s going well, though I haven’t done very much yet
jkrowling_bn: book four was a mammoth job and left me a bit tired!
jkrowling_bn: good luck with your ambition…
jkrowling_bn: I have wanted to be a writer since age six
jkrowling_bn: when I wrote my first ‘book’
jkrowling_bn: a story about a rabbit called ‘Rabbit’

Yahooligan_joel asks: is there going to be a harry potter when he is in his 5,6,7 years at hogwarts?
jkrowling_bn: Yes, those years will be covered by the final three books

alberici2000 asks: Mrs roberts class from hopkinton new hampshire would like to say we love your books. keep writing and we’ll keep reading.
jkrowling_bn: Thank you very much, Mrs Roberts’ class!

blaise_42 asks: In Chamber of Secrets, Hagrid is supposed to have raised werewolf cubs under his bed. Are these the same kind of werewolves as Professor Lupin?
jkrowling_bn: no… Riddle was telling lies about Hagrid, just slandering him

sammyohyeah asks: Is it just me, or was something going on between Ron and Hermione during the last half of GOF? I love your books, btw, and two of them I’ve read stright through cover to cover in under 24 hours.
jkrowling_bn: well done on the reading speed!
jkrowling_bn: yes, something’s ‘going on’…
jkrowling_bn: but Ron doesn’t realise it yet…
jkrowling_bn: typical boy

Yahooligan_Ron asks: Do you have any news that you can tell us about the next books? Why did you postpone the publishing of the fifth book and is the sixth going to be published on time?
jkrowling_bn: nothing has been postponed
jkrowling_bn: the publication of book five was never planned for July
jkrowling_bn: there is no deadline for the book
jkrowling_bn: it will be ready when it’s ready!

Yahooligan_Barnesandnoble_quest asks: As part of an ongoing project we’re conducting at Barnes & Noble.com, I’d like to ask: what are your favorite books, and why?
jkrowling_bn: Anything written by Jane Austen or Roddy Doyle…
jkrowling_bn: I love Nabakov and Colette too…
jkrowling_bn: children’s books, E. Nesbit, Paul Gallico

birdbugg asks: I picture Padfoot as a cross between a Scottish Deerhound and a Newfoundland, did you have a particular breed of dog pictured when you created him?
jkrowling_bn: not really…. I see him more as a large, bear-like mongrel

fionnualadoran asks: Hello, Ms Rowling, just a little question: what’s to become of poor old percy? will he side with fudge or with his family?
jkrowling_bn: Good question! You’ll find out in book five!

persik42 asks: Are you considering starting a series about any of the other characters at Hogwarts?
jkrowling_bn: No, I think when I’ve finished the seven Harry Potter books I will be finished with the world
jkrowling_bn: it will make me very sad to say goodbye, but it must be done!

Yahooligan_Kaya asks: Do you ever have other ideas about books but cannot put them into practice because you are writing about Harry Potter?
jkrowling_bn: Yes, but as you rightly deduce, Harry is taking all my time and energy at the moment@
jkrowling_bn: !

Hadder9 asks: Does Harry know that he is protected as long as he lives with his family?
jkrowling_bn: He sort of knows now… but he won’t know the whole truth about that for a little while

bak0y asks: Are ther going to be any more new characters?
jkrowling_bn: Yes, there are going to be new characters in book five

Yahooligan_Xi asks: I’m a BIG fan of yours and I hope you can answer this question: Why would you use most of the names in the book written in Latin?
jkrowling_bn: I like to think that the wizards use this dead language as a living language
jkrowling_bn: and it also gives readers a chance to work out clues along the way!

lhhicks99 asks: Why does Professor Dumbledore allow Professor Snape to be so nasty to the students (especially to Harry, Hermione, and Neville)?
jkrowling_bn: Dumbledore believes there are all sorts of lessons in life…
jkrowling_bn: horrible teachers like Snape are one of them!

Yahooligan_Natalie asks: Why does Harry Potter meet Voldemort in all of the books except for the third one?
jkrowling_bn: Just the way it worked out in the plot!

whoopsididitagain asks: Ms. Rowling, did you have to do any research with real witches or is all of your material from your imagination?
jkrowling_bn: No, the material is almost all from my imagination
jkrowling_bn: occasionally I will use a nice, picturesque piece of folklore, which interests me
jkrowling_bn: but real witches… I don’t know any!

mommat216 asks: I noticed each book gets a little more graphic than the last. Where do you draw the line on how graphic or scary to make each book?
jkrowling_bn: When the plot demands scary, I make it scary!
jkrowling_bn: I am led by the story, not by artificial considerations about how graphic each book should or shouldn’t be

Yahooligan_Elisabeth’s Mum asks: We came in late and don’t know if this question has been asked yet. Is your daughter now old enough for you to read the books to her? If yes, is she enjoying them?
jkrowling_bn: Yes, she has now read all four books
jkrowling_bn: she loves them, which makes my job loads easier
jkrowling_bn: she is nagging me for book five already, you will be pleased to hear
jkrowling_bn: ‘get in your office and write!’

Yahooligan_Beth asks: Does Harry play a musical instrument and it he does which one?
jkrowling_bn: No, poor Harry never got access to a musical instrument at the Dursleys’
jkrowling_bn: and he’s been too busy at Hogwarts to learn the piano!

p_mccorkle asks: I think the New York Times made a mistake in splitting their Bestseller List into Children’s and Adults. Congrats for not buying into the “short attention span” myth.
jkrowling_bn: I’m glad to see people weren’t daunted by the length of Goblet, too!
jkrowling_bn: well, the New York Times had their reasons, I suppose, but I can’t say I was delighted!

Yahooligan_seachellie4 asks: What house was Hagrid in?
jkrowling_bn: Hagrid was in Gryffindor, naturally!

Yahooligan_Tanya asks: Where do you come up with the words that you use, the names of the classes and spells and games, etc. For example, the Patronus Expectumous, was it?
jkrowling_bn: expecto patronum – you were close!
jkrowling_bn: that’s Latin… go and look it up… a little investigation is good for a person!
jkrowling_bn: mostly I invent spells, but some of them have particular meanings
jkrowling_bn: like ‘avada kedavra’
jkrowling_bn: I bet someone out there knows what that means

Yahooligan_Zeb asks: Does Arabella Figg have an important role in the later books?
jkrowling_bn: You’ll be seeing Mrs. Figg in book five and you’ll find out all about her

Yahooligan_Claire asks: It’s not fair! I know of a school that has Harry Potter as a literature book! We get stuck with Anne of Green Gables!!!
jkrowling_bn: I’m laughing… what’s wrong with Anne of Green Gables?!
jkrowling_bn: I suppose she is a bit perky…
jkrowling_bn: well, at least you don’t HAVE to read the Harry books, they can just be for fun
jkrowling_bn: probably the best way to enjoy a book

faheem90 asks: Who is the head of Ravenclaw? Professor Sinistra perhaps?
jkrowling_bn: No, the head of Ravenclaw is good old Professor Flitwick!

Yahooligan_siddharth asks: is there really a new character named”icicle”in your next book
jkrowling_bn: Where are you people getting this stuff???
jkrowling_bn: No….. nobody called icicle, I promise

Yahooligan_Sheila asks: At the Back of Harry Potter and the Chamber of secrets you have letters from people Howdo you decide who’s letters to put in?
jkrowling_bn: My UK publisher selected those letters
jkrowling_bn: friends of mine asked whether I wrote them all left-handed, but I promise I didn’t

toncaw asks: Is Sirius Balck ever going to be cleared?
jkrowling_bn: can’t tell you, that’s too important a bit of information!

Yahooligan_Jeff & Jon asks: Does your hand hurt after writing all those pages?
jkrowling_bn: my hand never hurts after writing the novels
jkrowling_bn: but signing thousands of books at a time can make your hand ache
jkrowling_bn: because you keep thumping it down on the page!

Yahooligan_hpcandy asks: What do you think would be you favourite candy from Honeydukes?? I think mine would be the sherbert balls that Ron likes…..
jkrowling_bn: If you buy ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ you will find out an ingredient of those sherbert balls
jkrowling_bn: and you might not want to eat them quite so much!
jkrowling_bn: I’d definitely want chocolate frogs
jkrowling_bn: I’d like to collect the cards

Yahooligan_Eric_28 asks: What does the K stand for?
jkrowling_bn: It stands for ‘Kathleen’

onegreatguy99 asks: Do you like to type your books or write freehand and have someone transcribe later?
jkrowling_bn: I write the books longhand and then I type them onto my laptop myself
jkrowling_bn: that’s how I do my first edit
jkrowling_bn: nobody else is allowed to type my books
jkrowling_bn: because I’m a very secretive writer!

JCBingel asks: Once the Harry Potters are finished, what will be your next project?
jkrowling_bn: I’m not too sure… I will definitely continue to write, because I always have written

Yahooligan_Amanda asks: Why is Book 5 gonna be called “Order of the Phoenix”? P.S. I love your books.
jkrowling_bn: You people don’t stop, do you?!
jkrowling_bn: I’M NOT TELLING!!!!

wyzeguy719 asks: The first four books have been getting longer, but number 4 was huge! Is number five likely to be shorter than number 4?
jkrowling_bn: Yes, five is going to be shorter than four
jkrowling_bn: I always knew four would be the longest so far
jkrowling_bn: but even I didn’t expect it to be that long

katiekarbuncle asks: Since Gryffindor seems to be the favorite house, does that mean you value bravery over wit and kindheartedness and cunning(the signatures of the other 3 houses)?
jkrowling_bn: I value wit and kindheartedness a lot, but yes, I think bravery would get my vote in a contest

Duck__69 asks: Are you going to get more mature themes as your books age or are you going to keep it geared toward younger kids
jkrowling_bn: I think an eight or nine year old will be able to read all seven books
jkrowling_bn: that’s my intention
jkrowling_bn: however, Harry is growing up, so obviously he will face certain issues an eight year old won’t
jkrowling_bn: I don’t think, however, that that will be uninteresting for an eight year old

moakes40 asks: I was wondering about Dumbledore’s facial expression in Goblet when he found out that Voldemort had touched Harry. The narrative says that Dumbledore reacted with a look of triumph. Aside from the problem of interpreting triumph on someone’s face, I was wondering if that is an attempt to throw question on Dumbledore’s character or is he triumphant, perhaps, that Harry can be touched by LV without being destroyed (or something like that)?
jkrowling_bn: I frequently look triumphant
jkrowling_bn: I’ll have you know
jkrowling_bn: well, I’m sure you won’t be surprised that i’m not going to explain why Dumbledore looked that way
jkrowling_bn: well-spotted though

mikewhiskey asks: Why do you think that people are so entranced by Harry?
jkrowling_bn: erm…. you would have to ask them!
jkrowling_bn: I never analyse the books in that way
jkrowling_bn: I think it would be dangerous to think about other people’s reactions too much
jkrowling_bn: I prefer to keep writing for myself

Yahooligan_Michelle asks: Will Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beast and Where to find them be available in the US?
jkrowling_bn: Yes, they will be available in the US for a limited time only
jkrowling_bn: you will be saving lives if you buy them, so order NOW!

blenon_2000 asks: Will you be in the movie, like as an extra or something?
jkrowling_bn: Nooooooooooooo….. I hate looking at myself on screen
jkrowling_bn: maybe I could be a Dementor and hide under a cloak
jkrowling_bn: but I’m not tall enough

gold44r asks: Ms. Rowling, I have a daughter who is resisting reading your books because they are so popular. She doesn’t want to appear to be going along with the crowd. How do you feel about the explosve popularity of your books personally, and why should she read them?
jkrowling_bn: I really identify with your daughter!
jkrowling_bn: A couple of years ago everyone was telling me to read Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
jkrowling_bn: and I didn’t want to
jkrowling_bn: then I cracked and read it and loved it –
jkrowling_bn: I wanted to talk about it to everyone
jkrowling_bn: and of course they’d moved on by then and thought I was very boring

sam096 asks: Were the Weasley twins inspired by anyone you know?
jkrowling_bn: Yes, they were
jkrowling_bn: but I don’t want to say who, because they’ll be persecuted

Yahooligan_Brian asks: Will Ron ever get a girlfriend?
jkrowling_bn: I’m laughing again… why wouldn’t he?!
jkrowling_bn: though he’s not doing too well at the moment, is he?
jkrowling_bn: but then, Fleur Delacour was really aiming a bit high

monicapilman asks: The character of Professor Snape fascinates me. Will you reveal his backstory further in the next Harry Potter book?
jkrowling_bn: you will find out more about Snape in future books
jkrowling_bn: keep an eye on him!

barnyardash asks: Is the real Moody ever going to be in the books? And is he as cool as the imposter Moody (from Ashley, a Harry obsessed 19 year old)
jkrowling_bn: the real Moody is even cooler!
jkrowling_bn: yes, Harry will see him again

Yahooligan_Dhanya asks: Do you plan to give Voldemort his victory or somehow break his immortality to kill him?
jkrowling_bn: Dhanya, do you really really think I’ll answer that?!
jkrowling_bn: I don’t blame you for asking though…

slickington2000 asks: Hello. I was just wondering how the artist who draws the book covers in the series gets the image of Harry Potter? Did you design him yourself?
jkrowling_bn: No, I didn’t have any input on that
jkrowling_bn: Mary Grandpre simply read the books and interpreted them herself

iamcanadian1414 asks: Hi J.K what other things do you do instead of write your books? do you play sports? or garden?
jkrowling_bn: Laughing again… if you could see my garden!
jkrowling_bn: And if you watched me playing sports you’d know I couldn’t practise much
jkrowling_bn: mostly I read, draw and sleep (though the third one doesn’t happen much)

Yahooligan_Jennifer asks: Did Harry ever use magic on Dudley in the real world?
jkrowling_bn: Not so far (hint)

deac20187 asks: I am a 57 year old clergyman and loved the series. How do you answer fundamentalist clergy objections?
jkrowling_bn: I am sending you a hug across cyber-space
jkrowling_bn: I think you understand that these books are fundamentally moral (that is how I see them, in any case)
jkrowling_bn: I’m afraid there are some people who object to seeing magic in a book, per se
jkrowling_bn: and therefore a debate isn’t really viable

blazerah asks: I read your introduction in the Artists’ & Writers’ yearbook, and I was wondering- who is your literary agent?
jkrowling_bn: his name is Christopher Little

Yahooligan_Bev asks: Who are your favourite writers, and how do you feel about Stephen King saying that your books helped him during the darkest times after his accident?
jkrowling_bn: I was very, very flattered

jen2boys asks: Where do all your ideas come from? I’m amazed by the way these books have enlightened my imagination even as an adult. I can actually picture Quidditch matches!
jkrowling_bn: Thank you very much!
jkrowling_bn: That is what I am most looking forward to in the film… watching scenes I’ve been seeing in my head for ten years!

Yahooligan_Allison asks: Do you enjoy writing the books?
jkrowling_bn: I have more enjoyment in writing them than anyone could have reading them

roischur asks: Are you planing a visit in Israel?
jkrowling_bn: Not so far, but it could happen one day!
jkrowling_bn: I’m trying to concentrate on writing once I get home from this tour

Yahooligan_auror5 asks: In Prisoner of Azkaban, a character by the name of Colonel Fubster was mentioned. Is he a wizard?
jkrowling_bn: No, he’s a Muggle neighbour of Aunt Marge’s (poor man)

michaelbeeee asks: Ms. Rowling, Are you aware that more adults read the books than children? If so, might there not be a place for a series on an adult H.P following the 7th book?
jkrowling_bn: I’m not sure whether it’s true that more adults read the books than children
jkrowling_bn: but in any case, I think I should stop before we get to ‘Harry Potter and the Mid-Life Crisis’!

Yahooligan_Peggy asks: Has having your books banned in some places, changed your style of writing? By the way I loved them.
jkrowling_bn: No, it would take much more than that to stop me!
jkrowling_bn: As I said before, I really write these books for me before anyone else

brucavian asks: I’m taking a class at the U of I now, called the Literature of FAntasy, and we are going to read your first book. I have not read it, but I”m an avid fantasy fan. How do you feel about what has been stirred up by your novels? I personallf feel it’s prolly hogwash, but I wanna know how you feel.
jkrowling_bn: Define ‘stirred up’…. are we talking about the religious right again?
jkrowling_bn: If so, I’d say ‘hogwash’ was a pretty good description!

Yahooligan_KYLE asks: HWO LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO WRITE HARRY POTTER?
jkrowling_bn: Between having the idea for Harry and the first book being published was five years
jkrowling_bn: but during that time I was also doing day jobs and planning the whole series
jkrowling_bn: so I’m not as lazy as that might make me sound!

Sabine312 asks: Ms. Rowling, First, I am a huge fan of the series (I am 25 but I feel like an 11 year old waiting for my letter). There are many rumors about the Harry POtter series and I was wondering if you keep track of any of the rumors. If so, does it ever affect your writing? Thanks and keep writing. KFB and RMV
jkrowling_bn: No, as I said, nothing external really affects the writing
jkrowling_bn: I have heard and seen some of the rumours
jkrowling_bn: and very odd some of them are, too!

yellowsunstar asks: I’ve never read any Harry Potter books. I’m thinking now (after stumbling into this session) that I need to! I had no idea that they were so popular with the adults as well…thanks!
jkrowling_bn: go for it yellowsunstar… there’s always room for another Harry fan!

phredohasmail asks: have you written any books that were published before this series?
jkrowling_bn: no, nothing was published, but I did write a lot
jkrowling_bn: Harry was the first thing I tried to get published
jkrowling_bn: the others really weren’t very good – nobody’s missed anything!

rockfish99_2000 asks: we love you j.k
jkrowling_bn: I love you too, rockfish99 xxx
barnesandnoble_host: Thanks for joining us, J.K. Rowling!
jkrowling_bn: I’ve enjoyed it, thanks!

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O garoto de olhos castanhos conseguiu.

Tradução: Miss Granger
Revisão: Adriana Snape
*OK Categorias e Conteúdo

Couric, Katie. Interview of J.K. Rowling, NBC Today Show, 20 October 2000

Today Show’s Katie Couric: J.K. Rowling, author of the bestselling Harry Potter books – the most recent is “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” – joins us for the second time this week. She’s back to answer some of the more than 1,500 email questions you (the viewers) sent to our website. Hey Jo, welcome back. Nice to see you.

J.K. Rowling: Hi, nice to be back.

Katie Couric: Looking very stylish this morning I might add.

J.K. Rowling: Thank you.

Katie Couric: Listen, as I said, we got over 1,500 emails and a lot of people really wanted to know – and I know you’re sick of this question…

J.K. Rowling: When’s book five…

Katie Couric: Exactly.

J.K. Rowling: Yes, I knew it. Probably not next July because I’ve just finished a very long and complex book. But book five is underway. I’m not taking a break from the writing – I still love the writing. But it will be done when it’s done.

Katie Couric: Right. Can I ask you sort of an annoying question? How far along are you in book five?

J.K. Rowling: Not that far. I have started but I’m not that far at all.

Katie Couric: So people may have to wait…?

J.K. Rowling: A little bit.

Katie Couric: A little bit…so they’re going to have to be patient. They’re going to have to read like one through four for the 27th time.

J.K. Rowling: (Laughs) Right. Or read something else. The world is not only Harry Potter.

Katie Couric: Exactly, that’s a very good point. Alright, let me tell you some of the email questions that we selected. Emma, who’s age 11, says “Dear J.K. Rowling, when you were a little girl, what were your favorite books?”

J.K. Rowling: My favorite books…when I was about eight, my favorite book was a book called “The Little White Horse” by Elizabeth Goudge, which is a very magical book.

Katie Couric: Is that an English author?

J.K. Rowling: She’s an English author. I wouldn’t advise boys to read her.

Katie Couric: Why?

J.K. Rowling: Because there’s a lot in it about the heroine stresses, which I really enjoyed but I would imagine most boys won’t enjoy.

Katie Couric: Well I don’t know…maybe they’d be enlightened.

J.K. Rowling: Maybe, but I’m just trying to be true to my readers here. What else do I like? E. Nesbit is a really great writer. She’s a favorite of mine. And Paul Gallico – I’m sorry he’s not more fashionable now – he’s a great writer.

Katie Couric: And what did he write that you enjoy?

J.K. Rowling: My favorite one of his is a book called “Manx Mouse,” which is a very quirky little book. I loved it.

Katie Couric: Here’s Sarah, she’s nine. (Reading next email) “I’m nine years old. I live in Rhode Island. My question for Ms. Rowling is: Will you keep writing Harry Potter books that will take him through his adult life? He could be a teacher at Hogwarts!”

J.K. Rowling: I’m intrigued because everyone seems very confident I’m not going to kill him.

Katie Couric: Well good! I hope you’re not! (Both laugh.)

J.K. Rowling: I’m not saying either way.

Katie Couric: That would make big news here this morning.

J.K. Rowling: Everyone assumes that there will be an adult life and maybe they’re right. But no, I think I’m going to stop at seven. I’m not going to say “never another one.” If I had a burning desire to do another one, I’d do it. But at the moment, I’m planning to stop at seven.

Katie Couric: Kathy from Georgia says: “In all four books, Hermione constantly refers to the book ‘Hogwarts, a History’. Are you considering compiling and publishing such a book?”

J.K. Rowling: Not “Hogwarts, a History” but I have written two of the books that appear as titles only within the novels and that’s “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” and “Quidditch Through the Ages”. And they will be available in March.

Katie Couric: And the proceeds will go to Comic Relief?

J.K. Rowling: All proceeds are going to Comic Relief UK, which is a wonderful charity that’s existed since 1985 – it’s a spin-off from Live Aid. All proceeds go to famine relief and so on in Africa.

Katie Couric: And also a charity in the U.S. that’s yet to be named? Or just basically those two right now?

J.K. Rowling: Comic Relief asked me to do the books so I’d really like them to get the proceeds.

Katie Couric: Jennifer and her son, Paul, have a joint question: “Who is your favorite teacher or staff member at Hogwarts and why?”

J.K. Rowling: It’s a tie really between Dumbledore and Hagrid. But I also love Professor McGonagall. She’s a great teacher.

Katie Couric: From Casey, who’s nine from Annapolis: “Are any of the characters based on anyone you knew or know in real life?”

J.K. Rowling: Yes but obviously I have to be careful because some of my characters are pretty unpleasant. Hermione is a lot like me when I was younger – a kind of caricature of me when I was younger. Ron’s a lot like my oldest friend who was a boy I was at school with. And Gilderoy Lockhart was based on someone I knew but I’m saying no more about that. And I barely had to exagerate him.

Katie Couric: I’m not sure if we should bite this off but I’m going to. Tammy in Kansas was wondering: “What would encourage you to write books for children that are supporting the devil, witchcraft and anything that has to do with Satan?” You’ve heard that before.

J.K. Rowling: Well nothing would encourage me to do that because I haven’t done it so far so why would I start doing it now?

Katie Couric: You have heard criticism along those lines ever since the beginning, and I think it also grew since more and more books came out.

J.K. Rowling: A very famous writer once said: “A book is like a mirror. If a fool looks in, you can’t expect a genius to look out.” People tend to find in books what they want to find and I think my books are very moral. I know they have absolutely nothing to do with what this lady’s writing about. So, can’t give her much help there.

Katie Couric: We’ve got some more emails that we’re going to do in a moment and then we’ve got a reading with Jim Dale, which I know everyone’s excited about. So Jo, we’ll see you in a minute. But first, this is Today on NBC.

(Cut to break. After the break, we see the show has moved outside where there are crowds, kids – some dressed in wizard capes, dry ice in “Goblet of Fire” type goblets, a real snowy owl. Excellent Harry Potter atmosphere.)

Katie Couric: One again J.K. Rowling or Jo Rowling is back and she’s brought a few of her very good friends here and some dry ice as well. Also here is Jim Dale, who’s going to read from “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” Jim is the voice of Harry Potter and 124 other characters on the audio book version of all four Harry Potter books. And also 10 children who won the Scholastic/USA Today essay contest on “How Harry Potter Books Changed My Life.” (To the kids in the audience) Hi everybody, how are you? Good? I feel like a teacher…I’m so glad you’re here. Nice to see you. You like my cape? I’m kind of getting into the act.

Katie Couric: Alright Jo, we have another email question that we didn’t have time for. And one is about the pronunciation of all of the characters in the book. She says how in the world can you expect her to pronounce all these different characters and how are you sure that you’re getting it right yourself, and she adds that they sound very funny with a Texas accent.

J.K. Rowling: (Laughs) Erm, people will notice I put in how to pronounce Hermione in book four.

Katie Couric: Did you have a lot of people asking?

J.K. Rowling: Yeh, I introduced Hermione to a Bulgarian (in book four) who couldn’t say her name and so then she explains it, so that was my get-out-of-jail card on that one.

Katie Couric: But they are pretty fanciful names. How do you come up with them?

J.K. Rowling: Most of them are made up. Some of them are taken from maps mainly…I like old place names.

Katie Couric: Meanwhile, as I said, 10 kids are here who won a Scholastic/USA Today essay contest. Were you moved at some of the essays about how Harry Potter changed their lives?

J.K. Rowling: I was bowled over. They were really, really great essays…the greatest.

Katie Couric: Are you overwhelmed as you travel the world and hear from so many children you have influenced?

J.K. Rowling: It’s wonderful…nothing better than that….really wonderful.

Katie Couric: Meanwhile, let me ask Jim… hi Jim, how are you? How much fun are you having recording these books?

Jim Dale: Well I was given the book on Saturday night and I was in the studio on Monday recording it, so I didn’t really read the book the whole way through. I read 100 pages a night, invented the voices, recorded them the next day, and read another 100. So I didn’t quite know where the book was going or who the villain was going to be.

Katie Couric: So you had as much fun reading the story…?

Jim Dale: I had more fun than the children, I’ll tell you that.

Katie Couric: Well I know a lot of children these days recognize your voice even if they don’t recognize your face. You’re going to be reading what for us this morning?

Jim Dale: I’m going to be reading from the last book, book four, “Harry and the Goblet of Fire”.

Katie Couric: Alright, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls…Jim Dale.

Jim Dale: (To the kids in the audience) Are you ready? Are you sitting comfortably? Here we go….

(Jim Dale, sitting in a Gothic-looking carved wood and red-cushioned chair, reads a lengthy passage from “Goblet of Fire” complete with all the character voices.)

Katie Couric: Jim Dale reading from “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’ Thanks Jim. Thanks kids. We’ll be back in a moment. This is Today on NBC.

(Cut to break. After the break, the show remains outside.)

Katie Couric: (To kids in crowd) We’re back at 9:00 on this Friday morning, the 20th day of October, the year 2000. We’re having a great Friday morning here on Rockefeller Plaza cause we have a lot of terrific friends who have shown up to help us start our morning. Nice to see you again kids, how are you? Are you having fun?

Kids in audience: Yes!!!!!!!!!!!

Katie Couric: They’re having a great time because J.K., Jo Rowling is here, who of course is the author of the fabulously successful Harry Potter books, as well as Jim Dale, whose wonderful voice narrates the books. (Looks at Jim Dale) And you are a variety of characters on the audio tape version.

Jim Dale: (Looks at J.K. Rowling) She’s opened the floodgates on characters for this book. So far, there’s 127 I think.

J.K. Rowling: (Amid laughter) Sorry Jim.

Katie Couric: Do you think you’re going to have more characters?

J.K. Rowling: I know I am, so you should have advance warning, sorry.

Katie Couric: But you’re having a terrific time, as you said, recording these books, aren’t you?

Jim Dale: Oh, it’s the greatest fun I’ve had…the second best fun I’ve ever had, yes.

Katie Couric: And I mentioned earlier, Jim, I really didn’t get a chance to elaborate, but when you travel around the country and people hear your voice, they say “hey!”

Jim Dale: Oh I get muggled, I get muggled, yes absolutely.

Katie Couric: Which is terrific. Well some of these kids have questions for J.K. Rowling about Harry Potter. What’s your name and what’s your question?

Wide-eyed boy: My question is how did you get the Harry Potter started?

J.K. Rowling: How did I get Harry Potter started? On a train. I was on this train ride and I guess the idea just popped into my head…. it just came…great feeling.

Today Show’s Matt Lauer: K, what’s your name?

Red-headed, freckled kid: Alfred Dale.

Matt Lauer: What’s your question?

Red-headed, freckled kid: What is your favorite Harry Potter book?

J.K. Rowling: My favorite book…it’s normally the one you’ve just finished. So at the moment, my favorite book is number four. Even though it half killed me…it was the most difficult to write so far…but it’s my favorite.

Katie Couric: We should probably mention that Alfred is Jim Dale’s grandson.

Matt Lauer: He’s not from Brooklyn. We can hear that.

Katie Couric: (Laughs) Definitely not. Who else has a question…how about you?

Kid with ballcap: Hi my name’s Sam and I was wondering why did you want to write Harry Potter?

J.K. Rowling: Why did I want to write Harry Potter? I’ve always wanted to be a writer.

Kid with ballcap: Cause I like it. But I don’t like writing. I like to read stuff…I don’t like writing.

J.K. Rowling: You don’t like writing? Some days I don’t like writing either. Some days I just wish I worked in a cafe or something.

Blonde kid dressed as Harry Potter: How did you think of that name Hermione?

J.K. Rowling: Hermione…it’s a Shakespearean name. I got it out of Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale.” I just thought it was an unusual name. If I’d known how difficult people would find it to pronounce, I would have called her Jane.

Katie Couric: How about some girls in here… what’s your question?

Teen-aged girl: When is the fifth book going to be coming out?

Katie Couric: Oh, there it is again, sorry Jo.

J.K. Rowling: The most often-asked question. I don’t know. I am writing it and when it’s done, you’ll have it, I promise you.

Katie Couric: What’s your name?

Dark-haired girl: My name is Rio and in the first book, what did she mean by they frog-marched Percy around the room?

J.K. Rowling: That’s when two people stand on either side of the third person and they force them to walk along. It’s like you’re under arrest.

Blonde boy: How did you get the name of the school?

J.K. Rowling: I don’t know…I just tried several names and Hogwarts was my favorite….just sounds witchy.

Katie Couric: What about you…what’s your question?

Wee blonde girl: How did you make all those books?

J.K. Rowling: How did I make them…with a lot of effort and sometimes ten-hour days.

Matt Lauer: One more here…

Brown-eyed, dimple-cheeked boy: What is the fifth book’s name going to be?

J.K. Rowling: Ummm, should I?

Matt Lauer: Ah go ahead, it’d be a great scoop for the Today Show.

J.K. Rowling: (Laughs) I actually… I can’t really say because there are two titles I’m choosing between and last time I did this, it was all over the Internet and confused people.

Brown-eyed, dimple-cheeked boy: What are the two titles?

Matt Lauer: (Laughs) He’s a true journalist…he said give me the two (titles).

J.K. Rowling: It’s probably going to be called “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”.

Katie Couric: The Order of the Phoenix? Well there you go!

J.K. Rowling: You got a massive piece of information.

Matt Lauer: (To brown-eyed, dimple-cheeked boy) Nice going!

J.K. Rowling: (Gives brown-eyed, dimple-cheeked boy a thumbs-up) Right up!

Katie Couric: Jo Rowling, thanks so much for coming by. Jim Dale, thanks for reading to us this morning. Kids, thank you all. We’re out of time but maybe Jo will stick around and answer a few more of your questions. And by the way, the people in the capes, with the exception of me, the young men and women are the winners of the Scholastic/USA Today essay contest. We want to recognize you and say congratulations kids. Way to go.

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