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Christopher Talbot

EN106

Professor Carpenter

04/29/2023

The Creative Writing Process Of J.K Rowling

Following the research of the writing process on professional writers, I was interested to

understand the writing process of other professional writers in their own element. I have always

been interested in the Harry Potter series. JK Rowling is a British author, philanthropist,

screenwriter, and producer who is best known for creating the Harry Potter series. Born on July

31, 1965, in Yate, Gloucestershire, England, Rowling became interested in writing at a young

age and went on to study French and Classics at the University of Exeter. After graduating, she

worked as a researcher and bilingual secretary in London and then moved to Portugal to teach

English. It was during this time that she came up with the idea for Harry Potter, a boy wizard

who attends a school for magic. Rowling's first book in the series, Harry Potter and the

Philosopher's Stone, was published in 1997 and went on to become a global phenomenon, selling

over 500 million copies worldwide. Rowling has since written six more Harry Potter books, as

well as other literary works, and has become one of the most successful authors of all time. She

is also a dedicated philanthropist and has donated millions of dollars to various charities and

causes, including those related to multiple sclerosis, poverty, and education. J.K. Rowling is an

author who is known for her incredible imagination and creativity. She is best known for writing

the Harry Potter series, which has become one of the most beloved and successful book series in

history. Rowling's writing process for Harry Potter was a long and challenging one, filled with

many ups and downs.

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This ties along with our current unit because J.K Rowlings and ourselves have to have the

convenience of free time whenever we are given. She spent years perfecting her art and I know

we are not writing an award winning book but we are trying to accomplish passing a becoming

more well rounded and proficient author. As for J.K Rowling, she had a lot of obstacles that are

common for all of us in this day and age. A couple of examples are work, kids and whatever life

brings us. Every writer has to jump through obstacles to find a piece and mind to have the best

outcomes for our writing process. She dives into detail about her own creative writing process as

seen in an article by Turnerstories.com. It states, “‘Yes, I plan a lot and usually in table form. In

the case of the present novel, I had the idea for the plot in 2013, but its undergone huge revisions

since then.” — J.K. Rowling.’ Rowling is known for being a thorough planner. When I read

“Harry Potter: A Journey Through a History of Magic”, a whole new world opened up to me. In

the book, one of her tables is shared for ‘The Order of the Phoenix’.” (turnerstories.com) This

process of planning out her work relates to what we have seen in the Unit 7 lecture. The lecture

talks about how planning is important in writing, as it states, “During this time, Murray wrote

two academic journal articles ans one newspaper editorial. Berkenkotter found that Murray spent

a great deal of time planning his writing and not much time revising. However, she also found

that Murray’s process was such that her revised as wrote, and often moved from writing back to

planning.” (Unit 7: Lecture) This shows how proper planning and revision is crucial to the

writing process for most creatives.

Rowling began writing the first book in the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's

Stone, in 1990. She was a struggling single mother at the time, and she wrote the book in her

spare time while working as a teacher. The book was rejected by several publishers before finally

being picked up by Bloomsbury in 1996. Once it was published, it became an instant success,
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launching Rowling to international fame. Rowling's writing process for the Harry Potter series

was a meticulous one. She spent years developing the characters, plot, and magical world that

would become the backdrop for the story. She drew inspiration from her own life experiences, as

well as from her love of mythology and folklore. One of the key elements of Rowling's writing

process was her attention to detail. She created a complex and intricate world filled with magical

creatures, spells, and mysterious locations. She also developed a rich and diverse cast of

characters, each with their own backstory and personality. Throughout the series, Rowling's

writing style evolved and matured. In her early days of writing, Rowling didn't have a lot of

resources or support. She had an idea for a story but struggled with how to bring it to life.

However, she was determined to make her dream a reality. Rowling started by writing down

everything she could think of about Harry Potter and his world. She created a notebook filled

with ideas, character descriptions, and plot points.

The later books in the series became darker and more complex, dealing with themes of

loss, grief, and sacrifice. Despite the challenges she faced along the way, Rowling's dedication to

her craft and her passion for storytelling are evident in every page of the Harry Potter series. J.K

Rowlings had instructed what seemed to be the best book for any age. She made it readable for

all ages. Kids would walk around school or in their free time reading the book. I remember my

mother reading all of the books and used to tell me to read them but I was more of a movie guy

myself. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll sit down and read those books. J.K Rowlings was a

smash hit earning so many awards with her books and movies it truly was amazing to see how

creative the mind can be.

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In conclusion, J.K. Rowling's writing process is a testament to the power of perseverance

and dedication. As one of the most successful authors of all time, she has proven that talent and

hard work go hand in hand. Rowling's writing process is characterized by her attention to detail,

her ability to create complex and relatable characters, and her commitment to telling compelling

stories. From her early days as a struggling writer to her current status as a literary icon, Rowling

has remained true to her craft and her vision. She has shown that writing is not just a job, but a

passion and a calling. Through her work, she has inspired countless people to follow their

dreams and pursue their own creative endeavors. Ultimately, J.K. Rowling's writing process is a

testament to the power of imagination and the importance of storytelling. Her ability to create

rich and immersive worlds, filled with compelling characters and intricate plotlines, has

captivated readers of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you are a fan of Harry Potter or not,

there is no denying the impact that Rowling's writing has had on the world of literature and

popular culture.
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Work Cited Page

Turner, N. A. “8 Lessons on Writing by J.K. Rowling — Turner Stories.” Turner Stories, Nov.

2019, www.turnerstories.com/book-reviews/2019/1/15/8-lessons-on-writing-by-jk-rowling.

Unit 7: Lecture - What Have Researchers Learned About How People Write by Dr. William

Carpenter