Okay, so why does the guy have a battered case that has his name on it, calling himself a professor, exactly?
I think something JKR is genuinely brilliant at is setting up atmosphere. Adding a battered case with Lupin's title and name on it added a lovely amount of detail to the character before he even woke into the scene. I think this is part of the reason the series generated such a wealth of fanfic and fanart. What lovely little bits and throwaways to play with!
But where she flubs it is when she has to fill in the details. Either the details are directly contradictory (wait, when exactly did Lupin earn his teaching title?) or they completely let the air out of the atmosphere she's allowed to build (Azkaban). I think that's why her interviews are so boggling. Everything she has to play with and this is what she comes up with?
It actually makes me wonder if short stories aren't more her strength? Give us a set scene with all sort of hints about what came before and what will happen afterwords, and then leave it alone. (I completely discount her short story with James and Sirius and the muggle police, btw. For one, it blows my theory to smithereens. But also! *g* That was a case of taking a hinted at history and filling in flattening and contradictory details.)
Ginny was shaking like mad because she, too, has met Voldemort. SOULMATES!
Oh, how I weep for the Ginny who wasn't! I liked that girl, darn it. Pleasant and brave (I saw her lack of complaining as a sign of bravery, anyway) and kind to her family. I really did think she'd be a good help to Harry as the climax approached (*groan* pun really, really not intended -- i cannot think of another word!) and I thought she'd make a good first serious girlfriend. It actually makes me happier to think that this Ginny was killed and is moldering in the woods outside Hogwarts. (!! And Voldemort did it! And grabbed some of her hair! And has been drinking polyjuice ever since!! HARRY TOTALLY MARRIED VOLDEMORT!!! now that's a story I can get behind... *g*)
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2010-02-27 06:28 am (UTC)I think something JKR is genuinely brilliant at is setting up atmosphere. Adding a battered case with Lupin's title and name on it added a lovely amount of detail to the character before he even woke into the scene. I think this is part of the reason the series generated such a wealth of fanfic and fanart. What lovely little bits and throwaways to play with!
But where she flubs it is when she has to fill in the details. Either the details are directly contradictory (wait, when exactly did Lupin earn his teaching title?) or they completely let the air out of the atmosphere she's allowed to build (Azkaban). I think that's why her interviews are so boggling. Everything she has to play with and this is what she comes up with?
It actually makes me wonder if short stories aren't more her strength? Give us a set scene with all sort of hints about what came before and what will happen afterwords, and then leave it alone. (I completely discount her short story with James and Sirius and the muggle police, btw. For one, it blows my theory to smithereens. But also! *g* That was a case of taking a hinted at history and filling in flattening and contradictory details.)
Ginny was shaking like mad because she, too, has met Voldemort. SOULMATES!
Oh, how I weep for the Ginny who wasn't! I liked that girl, darn it. Pleasant and brave (I saw her lack of complaining as a sign of bravery, anyway) and kind to her family. I really did think she'd be a good help to Harry as the climax approached (*groan* pun really, really not intended -- i cannot think of another word!) and I thought she'd make a good first serious girlfriend. It actually makes me happier to think that this Ginny was killed and is moldering in the woods outside Hogwarts. (!! And Voldemort did it! And grabbed some of her hair! And has been drinking polyjuice ever since!! HARRY TOTALLY MARRIED VOLDEMORT!!! now that's a story I can get behind... *g*)