J.K. Rowling: On Writing - Part Two (May 7th, 2024)

Summary

In this candid reflection, the writer shares insights on their creative process, the challenges of writing, and the complexities of fame. From the joys of writing in a dedicated space to dealing with self-doubt and the pressure of producing work, they highlight the ups and downs of a writing career. The discussion also touches on the rewarding experience of writing for children and the unexpected intensity of fame. Through personal anecdotes, the writer explores the unique relationship between creativity, self-criticism, and the external world, offering an honest, heartfelt look into the life of a prolific author.

Takeaways

• 😀 The writer has created a personal and psychologically beneficial space for writing, with a small kitchen and a designated writing room to separate work from home life.
• 😀 Despite a well-established writing routine, the writer acknowledges the bad habit of working for long hours at the kitchen table, which causes physical discomfort.
• 😀 Anxiety is felt when the writing process isn’t going well; the writer’s mood is tied to the progress of their work, making them driven to complete projects.
• 😀 The writer finds satisfaction in refining work, often returning to it to smooth out rough patches and make it satisfactory before moving on.
• 😀 The writer enjoys listening to classical music or having silence while working to minimize distractions, but admits to being distracted by albums or lyrics.
• 😀 Writing in cafes was once enjoyable for the writer due to the background hum of conversation, but as fame increased, this became unsustainable due to lack of anonymity.
• 😀 The writer prefers to eat dry snacks like popcorn while writing to avoid mess, though they admit to being quite sloppy in general.
• 😀 The writer had only one instance of writer's block, during the second Harry Potter book, where overwhelming success caused a brief period of panic and uncertainty about the direction forward.
• 😀 Despite experiencing days of self-doubt, the writer feels more confident over time, trusting that the writing process will lead to a solution.
• 😀 The writer maintains a dual sense of self: their creative inner voice (referred to as 'the creature in the lake') and their conscious self, collaborating together during the writing process.
• 😀 The writer becomes so engrossed in their books that they sometimes forget the current date and lose track of the real world, which can strain personal relationships.
• 😀 Though the writer acknowledges the challenges of fame and its impact on their work, they express relief and freedom after finishing the Harry Potter series, feeling free to write what they want without the burden of expectations.
• 😀 The writer enjoys the unvarnished feedback from agents and editors, valuing honest critique rather than praise, which helped improve their craft, especially when writing outside the Harry Potter series.
• 😀 The writer has created so many characters that finding unique surnames has become a challenge, resorting to name books and random generators to avoid repetition or unintended associations with people from their past.
• 😀 Naming characters is an important part of the writing process for the author, with particular attention paid to rhythm and the balance of syllables in a name.
• 😀 The writer advises aspiring writers to read widely and practice as much as possible, emphasizing that the writing journey is personal and individual, with no clear-cut formula for success.

Q & A

How does the writer describe their ideal writing environment?

The writer emphasizes the importance of having a dedicated space to write. They mention how stepping away from the house and walking across the lawn to a separate writing space creates a psychological shift that helps them focus. They also note that while the kitchen table can sometimes be a convenient place to write, it leads to physical discomfort after prolonged sitting.

What role does music play in the writer’s creative process?

The writer uses music, particularly classical music, to enhance focus while writing. They avoid lyrics as they can be distracting, but find classical music or silence to be effective for maintaining concentration. The hum of background voices, reminiscent of the time spent writing in cafes, is also mentioned as a soothing environment.

What was the writer’s experience with writer's block, and how did they overcome it?

The writer admits to experiencing writer's block only once, during the writing of the second Harry Potter book. They explain that it was a result of feeling overwhelmed by the success of the first book. This block lasted about a week, but they eventually overcame it by giving themselves permission to work through the tough times, recognizing that some days just don’t produce perfect results.

How did writing *The Ickabog* during the COVID-19 pandemic impact the writer?

The writer found great joy in writing *The Ickabog* during the pandemic, particularly because it allowed them to connect with young readers who were struggling with homeschooling and lockdowns. Publishing the book online for free and receiving feedback from children, including their artwork, was a fulfilling experience that reignited the writer’s passion for writing children's literature.

What is the writer’s perspective on the relationship between writers and their readers, especially in the age of fandoms?

The writer acknowledges a growing tension between writers and their fandoms. They emphasize that while feedback from readers is important, the writer’s primary obligation is to create the best story possible. The writer does not feel obligated to meet the expectations of their readers but instead strives to remain true to their artistic vision.

How does fame affect the writer’s relationship with their work?

Fame has complicated the writer’s relationship with their work. While they appreciate hearing from readers who enjoy their books, they explain that fame made it difficult to receive honest feedback. It also introduced a sense of pressure and expectations that sometimes overshadowed the joy of writing. The writer reflects on the freedom they felt after finishing the *Harry Potter* series, allowing them to write without the weight of external expectations.

What does the writer say about the challenge of receiving honest feedback in a world where fame is so closely tied to the writer's identity?

The writer reveals that receiving unvarnished, honest feedback became difficult after achieving fame. They explain that with their name being so recognizable, many editors and critics were reluctant to offer criticism that might be perceived as negative. The writer values genuine feedback and feels that it helps them grow, rather than being trapped by the expectations of fame.

Why does the writer find character naming challenging, and how do they come up with new names?

The writer finds character naming increasingly difficult because they’ve created so many characters over the years. They joke about running out of new names and often resort to baby name books, surname books, or online name generators to find fresh options. The process of choosing names is also influenced by personal memories and associations with real people, which can sometimes cause dilemmas when a character’s name inadvertently mirrors that of someone the writer knows.

What writing advice does the writer give to aspiring authors?

The writer advises aspiring authors to read as widely as possible, which will help them enlarge their vocabulary and better understand what works and what doesn’t in writing. They also encourage writers to be patient with themselves, explaining that writing is a process that requires persistence and a willingness to fail. The key is to keep writing, even when the results feel imperfect, as this is the only way to grow and improve.

How does the writer view the creative process and the challenges it brings?

The writer views the creative process as something that requires both perseverance and patience. They explain that writing is often difficult, but it is never truly 'impossible.' The writer stresses that everyone, including themselves, experiences moments of doubt or frustration, but that these are part of the process of learning and improving. They believe in writing through the rough patches and trusting that the answers will come over time.