Pottermore-

[mary-j-59.livejournal.com]

Okay - I confess; I joined Pottermore, out of sheer curiosity. I want to know if, by any strange chance, I will sort to Slytherin, and also what sort of wand I get. Still, some things struck me at once (I've spent about 20 minutes exploring the first chapter):

When describing Number 4, Privet Drive, Rowling said that she chose the number four because she disliked that number, finding it hard and unforgiving. I believe those were the exact words! Do you suppose that feeling is limited to the number four, or might it extend to other numbers?

On a more serious note, she based the look and floorplan of the house on that of a house she lived in herself - and got wierded out because, without discussing it with her, the filmmakers got the floorplan exactly right.

And - this is fascinating! - she had to argue with the publishers, who wanted to convert all the British measurements into metric ones. She also said that Wizards can do complex calculations magically. Can they, really? Then why did we never see them doing this?

Oh, dear. Maths.

But I'm very glad that she talked the publishers into keeping the old fashioned measurements. Can you imagine a metric Wizarding World? I can't.

Comments

[mary-j-59.livejournal.com]

Oh, I wouldn't argue with most of this. Clearly, Rowling identifies with Harry. She'd like to think she is him. But - she's actually Petunia, IMHO!

[aasaylva.livejournal.com]

it's whom you favor. (which is, according to Jo herself, a very Slytherin attitude)
Which goes to show, once again, that Gryffindors, far from being the opposite of Slytherin, are simply Slytherins, that get away with it...

[charlottehywd.livejournal.com]

This is wonderfully said. It's such a breath of fresh air to be able to say these things without being attacked by fans, isn't it? The few times I have met anti-fans in real life, they have always said it tentatively, as if they were afraid of my reaction. Of course, in truth I would almost like to hug them, just for solidarity's sake. ;-)

[snapes-witch.livejournal.com]

No, not her maths teacher, it was that nasty chemistry teacher who was always calling on her!! "I'll get even with him; he's going to be the evillest teacher at Hogwarts and he's just so mean to Harry!! Yes, that's what I'll do!"

[charlottehywd.livejournal.com]

That makes a lot of sense. I didn't know that she shared a birthday with Harry, though. Kind of surprised that the fans haven't picked up on that yet. I mean, it seems to clearly point to Harry's status as an author's darling. (to use Limyaael's term for it) I don't usually say negative things about an author (as opposed to their works), but dear Lord is this woman immature! And what's worse is how so many people seem to embrace her worldview.

Also, I kind of wonder what her parents think about the books.

[hwyla.livejournal.com]

To be fair - while Harry's birthday IS the same as Rowling's - it is also a rather important date in the Celtic Calendar (the 'eve' before Lughansa) and one that makes a great deal of sense in a story universe that often uses these dates (especially Hallow's Eve).

I do however agree that she ALSO wanted it to match her own birthdate (even if it might be subconsciously) - otherwise Harry would have been born on Aug 1st. with the prophecy referring to 'born as the 8th month rises' or something of the sort.

[lynn-waterfall.livejournal.com]

Nice point about the other significance of the date. I'm not sure I entirely agree with you about Harry otherwise being born in August, though; the number seven is significant in our culture. JKR even drew on it for the horcruxes, in a completely separate move.

[oryx_leucoryx]

The number 7 appears so many times in the HP series - 7 years of education, 7 players of Quidditch, Lockhart's 7 required books, 7 as the age by which typically wizards display magical ability, Bellatrix asked Severus 7 questions (Spinner's End), the 7 'Potters', the 7 potions in Severus' riddle, 7 protections of the Philosophers' Stone - that's what I remember at the moment.

There were several 7s that became 8: Tom intended to split his soul in 7 parts, but ended up splitting it 8 ways. Neville displayed magic only at the age of 8. And Hermione (and maybe some others) ended up completing her magical education 8 years after her initial arrival at Hogwarts. Harry's birthday could have worked either way, I think - either as a straight 7th month or 'should have been 7th but turned out to be 8th'.

[oneandthetruth.livejournal.com]

dear Lord is this woman immature! And what's worse is how so many people seem to embrace her worldview.

Well, there are a lot of narcissists in the world. There are also a lot of people who can't think independently. I'd say, "Narcissists unite!" except that would never happen because narcissism is the essence of selfishness. :D