Why I think JK Rowling is amazing
As a writer, I read most books from a critical viewpoint. Sometimes it's annoying, but it will always be like that for me. There are some things I like, and some things I don't. I think JK is amazing, and here's why...
Reason # 1 - Foreshadowing - It's incredible. There are names and people mentioned briefly (ie in passing) in Philosopher's Stone that only become relevant in book 5 or 6. That's just incredible, to have such foresight to include them (in the correct manner).
Reason # 2 - Complexity of plot - I've never read a series of books, never mind one book, that is so interwoven and linked. This relates to reason # 1, but stands on its own as well. If you write one complicated book, of which there are many, you have time before publication to go back and fix everything that you may have contradicted. JK has written 7 (6.5 I suppose) and they hardly contradict each other. There are inconsistencies, yes, but few. It's the most incredibly well-thought out plot that I've ever seen.
Reason # 3 - Characters - They are real. Not just to me, but to almost everyone that reads them. Harry Potter is a real person. Somehow, incredibly, she makes characters that feel real to me and to every kid that reads the books. That is an incredible gift and something I strugle with as a writer.
Two kinds of writers: There are several ways to write a book, and I want to look at the two main ones.
#1 - Plot centered - Take for instance Da Vinci Code. At the end of the day, you have no clue who Robert Langdon is, what any of his dreams or aspirations are, what he stands for, what he would do in intense situations. In fact, a lot of people would simply forgot his name and just remember that "it was that book that talked about Jesus and Mary." The story centres around the plot and how crazy it can get.
#2 - Character centered - Example: The Power of One (Bryce Courtenay)...I barely remember what happened. There are parts of the story that stick out, but when it comes down it the part I remember is the main character. That's what I love about Bryce's writing, it's all about the characters. The plot is secondary. At the end of the book you cry when he cries, are happy when he's happy, etc. And the character's name is Peekay, and I doubt I will forget that...ever.
JK, has, amazingly, combined these two styles of writing. While many authors struggle with one or the other (or both), JK has done the seemingly impossible. And that's why I like her writing so much. Because the plot is ridiculous, and the characters are real. And as a writer I can say that to keep both of them real is darn hard. It's difficult to focus on both at the same time. I usually focus on one or the other, maybe even flip-flop styles. But not JK. No, she's brilliant.
Reason # 1 - Foreshadowing - It's incredible. There are names and people mentioned briefly (ie in passing) in Philosopher's Stone that only become relevant in book 5 or 6. That's just incredible, to have such foresight to include them (in the correct manner).
Reason # 2 - Complexity of plot - I've never read a series of books, never mind one book, that is so interwoven and linked. This relates to reason # 1, but stands on its own as well. If you write one complicated book, of which there are many, you have time before publication to go back and fix everything that you may have contradicted. JK has written 7 (6.5 I suppose) and they hardly contradict each other. There are inconsistencies, yes, but few. It's the most incredibly well-thought out plot that I've ever seen.
Reason # 3 - Characters - They are real. Not just to me, but to almost everyone that reads them. Harry Potter is a real person. Somehow, incredibly, she makes characters that feel real to me and to every kid that reads the books. That is an incredible gift and something I strugle with as a writer.
Two kinds of writers: There are several ways to write a book, and I want to look at the two main ones.
#1 - Plot centered - Take for instance Da Vinci Code. At the end of the day, you have no clue who Robert Langdon is, what any of his dreams or aspirations are, what he stands for, what he would do in intense situations. In fact, a lot of people would simply forgot his name and just remember that "it was that book that talked about Jesus and Mary." The story centres around the plot and how crazy it can get.
#2 - Character centered - Example: The Power of One (Bryce Courtenay)...I barely remember what happened. There are parts of the story that stick out, but when it comes down it the part I remember is the main character. That's what I love about Bryce's writing, it's all about the characters. The plot is secondary. At the end of the book you cry when he cries, are happy when he's happy, etc. And the character's name is Peekay, and I doubt I will forget that...ever.
JK, has, amazingly, combined these two styles of writing. While many authors struggle with one or the other (or both), JK has done the seemingly impossible. And that's why I like her writing so much. Because the plot is ridiculous, and the characters are real. And as a writer I can say that to keep both of them real is darn hard. It's difficult to focus on both at the same time. I usually focus on one or the other, maybe even flip-flop styles. But not JK. No, she's brilliant.