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EmmaRiddle · #1 (**permalink**) 08-15-2004, 10:07 PM

Transcript of the book festival with Jo Rowling - Q & A session on HBP

Summary:
The transcript to today's Edinburgh Book Festival question, answer session with J.K.Rowling has appeared on her official site.

Article:

Transcript of the book festival with Jo Rowling

The transcript to the question and answer session, which Jo Rowling held today at the Edinburgh Book Festival has appeared at her official site.

It is very long and can be found here (text only version of the site, in English). Below are quotes containing the newest information.

Quote:

All the paintings we have seen at Hogwarts are of dead people.They seem to be living through their portraits. How is this so? If there was a painting of Harry’s parents, would he be able to obtain advice from them?

They are all of dead people; they are not as fully realised as ghosts, as you have probably noticed. The place where you see them really talk is in Dumbledore’s office, primarily; the idea is that the previous headmasters and headmistresses leave behind a faint imprint of themselves.

They repeat catchphrases, almost. The portrait of Sirius’ mother is not a very 3D personality; she is not very fully realised. She repeats catchphrases that she had when she was alive. If Harry had a portrait of his parents it would not help him a great deal. If he could meet them as ghosts, that would be a much more meaningful interaction, but as Nick explained at the end of Phoenix—I am straying into dangerous territory, but I think you probably know what he explained—there are some people who would not come back as ghosts because they are unafraid, or less afraid, of death.

Quote:

Who is your favourite character in the books?

I really like Harry, Ron, Hermione, Hagrid and Dumbledore. I love writing Snape—even though he is not always the nicest person, he is really fun to write. I love writing Dudley. If I could meet anyone, I might choose Lupin. I really like him. My favourite new character is Luna—I am very fond of her.

Quote:

Is Aunt Petunia a Squib?

No, she is not, but—[Laughter]. No, she is not a Squib. You might have got the impression that there is a little bit more to Aunt Petunia than meets the eye, and you will find out what it is. She is not a squib, although that is a very good guess. Oh, I am giving a lot away here. I am being shockingly indiscreet.

Quote:

I found the name McClaggan the other day, which I think is a great name. There is a McClaggan in book six because I thought that it is a surname that is too good to waste.

Quote:

Are any of your characters based on real people?

The only character who is deliberately based on a real person is Gilderoy Lockhart. [Laughter]. Maybe he is not the one that you would think of, but I have to say that the living model was worse. [Laughter]. He was a shocker! The lies that he told about adventures that he’d had, things he’d done and impressive acts that he had committed… He was a shocking man. I can say this quite freely because he will never in a million years dream that he is Gilderoy Lockhart. I am always frightened that he is going to turn up one day. He is just one of those people from your past whom you feel you have never quite shaken off. I will look up one day at a signing and he will say, “Hello, Jo”. [Laughter].

Quote:

Of the many, many characters in your books, whose personality is most like yours?

There is a theory that every character is an extension of the author’s character, which makes me one of the most disturbed people, I think. [Laughter]. I do not know how many characters I’ve got, but it is nudging up towards 200, so I am really in trouble. Hermione is a bit like me when I was younger. I did not set out to make Hermione like me but she is a bit like me. She is an exaggeration of how I was when I was younger. Harry is a bit like me.

Quote:

What will the seventh book be called?

I was asked about Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix live on American television by a boy who was just as good looking as you and just as cute. I just said it. I had said no to all the journalists, then a little boy just like you put up his hand and said, “What is the name of the next book?” I said, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”! But I am not going to tell you, I’m sorry. You have no idea of the trouble that I would be in if I did.

Quote:

Are you happy with the films that have been made?

Of the three, Azkaban is my favourite. I thought that Alfonso Cuaron, the director, did a fantastic job and Dan, Emma and Rupert, who play Harry, Hermione and Ron, were really wonderful in the film—I told them that.

Quote:

How do you make up the weird names for the potions?

I was writing the latest chapter of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and I needed to come up with another name for another potion. I sat for ten minutes at the keyboard then I just typed “X”. I thought, “I’ll go back and fill that in later.”* Sometimes it comes to you while you are washing up or on the loo or something. My husband is quite used to me saying, “Wait!” then running up stairs and writing something down.

Quote:

What do you do in your spare time?

To be totally honest with you, at the moment sleeping is probably my very favourite thing in the world to do. I know that is a bit of a depressing answer. I would like to say I was partying with Mick Jagger—well, I wouldn’t want to be partying with Mick Jagger, that is a complete lie, but it would be a more interesting answer to give you here at the festival.

Quote:

Does Harry have a godmother? If so, will she make an appearance in future books?

I have thought this through. If Sirius had married… Sirius was too busy being a big rebel to get married. When Harry was born, it was at the very height of Voldemort fever last time so his christening was a very hurried, quiet affair with just Sirius, just the best friend. At that point it looked as if the Potters would have to go into hiding so obviously they could not do the big christening thing and invite lots of people. Sirius is the only one, unfortunately. I have got to be careful what I say there, haven’t I?

Quote:

Will Ron and Hermione ever get together?

Well—[Laughter.] What do you think? [Audience member: I think they will]. I’m not going to say. I can’t say, can I? I think that, by now, I’ve given quite a lot of clues on the subject. That is all I’m going to say. You will have to read between the lines on that one.

Quote:

Can you tell me more about Rita Skeeter?

You know when Harry walks into the Leaky Cauldron for the first time, in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone? Everyone says, “You’re back” and he realises for the first time that he is famous. In a very early draft, Rita, a journalist, was there and she ran up to him. For some reason she was called Bridget—I forget why. Anyway, she detained him too long in the Leaky Cauldron and I really needed to get him moving, so I thought that I would not put her there.

She is very determined to do the job and there is something quite engaging about that. There is more to come on Rita. It is really enjoyable to write her and Hermione because they are such very different people. The scene in which I had Hermione, Rita and Luna together in the pub was really fun to write because they are three very different women with very different points of view. You have this very cynical journalist, you have Hermione, who is very logical, upright and good, and you have Luna, who is completely out to lunch but fantastic. I really like Luna.

Quote:

The first question that I have never been asked—it has probably been asked in a chatroom but no one has ever asked me—is, “Why didn’t Voldemort die?” Not, “Why did Harry live?” but, “Why didn’t Voldemort die?” The killing curse rebounded, so he should have died. Why didn’t he? At the end of Goblet of Fire he says that one or more of the steps that he took enabled him to survive. You should be wondering what he did to make sure that he did not die—I will put it that way. I don’t think that it is guessable. It may be—someone could guess it—but you should be asking yourself that question, particularly now that you know about the prophesy. I’d better stop there or I will really incriminate myself.

Quote:

Although Dumbledore gives a kind of reason to Voldemort, it is not the real reason. When I mentioned that question to my husband—I told Neil that I was going to mention it to you—he said that it was because Voldemort knows that there are two more books to come. As you can see, we are on the same literary wavelength. [Laughter]. That is not the answer; Dumbledore knows something slightly more profound than that.

Quote:

How did Dumbledore get his scar in the London Underground?

You may find out one day. I am very fond of that scar.

Quote:

It has recently been confirmed that Blaise Zabini is in fact a male character. Will we see more of him in the next few books?

That’s correct. You do.

Quote:

Also, will we see more of Snape?

You always see a lot of Snape, because he is a gift of a character. I hesitate to say that I love him. [Audience member: I do]. You do? This is a very worrying thing. Are you thinking about Alan Rickman or about Snape? [Laughter]. Isn’t this life, though? I make this hero—Harry, obviously—and there he is on the screen, the perfect Harry, because Dan is very much as I imagine Harry, but who does every girl under the age of 15 fall in love with? Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy. Girls, stop going for the bad guy. Go for a nice man in the first place.

Quote:

Apart from Harry, Snape is my favourite character because he is so complex and I just love him. Can he see the Thestrals, and if so, why? Also, is he a pure blood wizard? Snape’s ancestry is hinted at. He was a Death Eater, so clearly he is no Muggle born, because Muggle borns are not allowed to be Death Eaters, except in rare circumstances. You have some information about his ancestry there. He can see Thestrals, but in my imagination most of the older people at Hogwarts would be able to see them because, obviously, as you go through life you do lose people and understand what death is. But you must not forget that Snape was a Death Eater. He will have seen things that… Why do you love him? Why do people love Snape? I do not understand this. Again, it’s bad boy syndrome, isn’t it? It’s very depressing. [Laughter]. One of my best friends watched the film and she said, “You know who’s really attractive?” I said, “Who?” She said, “Lucius Malfoy!”

Quote:

Is there more to Dudley than meets the eye?

No. [Laughter]. What you see is what you get. I am happy to say that he is definitely a character without much back story. He is just Dudley. The next book, Half Blood Prince, is the least that you see of the Dursleys. You see them quite briefly. You see them a bit more in the final book, but you don’t get a lot of Dudley in book six—very few lines.

Quote:

Will there be a book about Harry’s Mum and Dad, about how they became friends and how they died?

So it would be “Harry Potter: Episode One”. [Laughter]. No, but a lot of people have asked that. It is all George Lucas’s fault. You won’t need a prequel; by the time I am finished, you will know enough. I think it would be shamelessly exploitative to do that. I am sure that Mr Lucas is doing it only for artistic reasons, but in my case I think that by the time you have had the seven books you will know everything you need to know for the story.

Quote:

Has Voldemort or Tom Riddle ever cared for or loved anyone?

Now, that’s a cracking question to end with—very good. No, never. [Laughter.] If he had, he couldn’t possibly be what he is. You will find out a lot more about that. It is a good question, because it leads us rather neatly to Half Blood Prince, although I repeat for the millionth time that Voldemort is not the half blood prince, which is what a lot of people thought. He is definitely, definitely not.

Thanks to The Leaky Cauldron for reporting this and thanks to J.K.Rowling's website for putting up the transcript so fast!

madmiss88 · 08-15-2004, 10:52 PM

Wow! I would have loved to be there for that. She's so cool.

Aha! I knew Snape was a half blood!

Quote:

Apart from Harry, Snape is my favourite character because he is so complex and I just love him. Can he see the Thestrals, and if so, why? Also, is he a pure blood wizard? Snape’s ancestry is hinted at. He was a Death Eater, so clearly he is no Muggle born, because Muggle borns are not allowed to be Death Eaters, except in rare circumstances. You have some information about his ancestry there

Does that not hint that he wasn't a muggle born but yet wasn't pure blooded... Okay maybe I'm just thinking too much. :ermsmile:

Very good interview though

*Snivellus* · 08-15-2004, 11:02 PM

I think she is being very tricky about the Snape-blood .....hmm wonder what she is hiding..

Great transcript I soo wish I had been there...

mione_grint · 08-15-2004, 11:02 PM

WOW This is great! I loved her comment about the bad boy syndrome!

I wonder what's the thing with Aunt Petunia, she obviously knows more than she shows but I really hope we'll find out in book six and to find out who is Hermione going to end up with!!! cause she's always telling us that we have to read between lines but.... it just hints to both sides! to r/hr and sometimes to h/h so we are never going to find out by ourselves if we keep on like this

08-15-2004, 11:03 PM

That's so interesting! I had to read it several times.. can't wait for the next book! XD! Everytime I read something Harry Potter related I get so excited for the next book.

angels-in-my-heart · 08-15-2004, 11:04 PM

Cool, I like how she tries to answer then goes 'I'm being shockingly indiscreet!'

Gotta love JK, she does wonderful answers at interviews and stuff,

And there's some great info there, more about Snape!

I love how she doesn't understand people's fixations with Snape and Draco...

I mean it has nothing to do with Alan Rickman and Tom Felton

Keep writing JK, I can't wait for HBP!! :sorcerer:

*Snivellus* · 08-15-2004, 11:04 PM

Quote:

I wonder what's the thing with Aunt Petunia, she obviously knows more than she shows but I really hope we'll find out in book six

Yes seems like Petunia got a few secrets left afterall...gonna be very interesting...

08-15-2004, 11:58 PM

Wow interesting!

I read the long transcript one on the jkrowling site, I found that question about the godmother thing interesting. "Sirius was too busy being a rebel to get married." or something like that. I find that interesting because I write a fanfiction based on Sirius's daughter ahah.

KrysNewt · 08-16-2004, 12:12 AM

Wow, that was a pretty interesting transcript. I want to laugh at JK every time she gets a really great question and has to choose her words wisely. lol She's totally right about fans dying for her to just tell us how it all ends and then erase it from our memories. LoL, that is EXACTLY how I feel.

Quote:

I mean it has nothing to do with Alan Rickman and Tom Felton

I have to seriously beg to differ on that one. lol I think it has everything to do with Alan and Tom.

Swizzlestick · 08-16-2004, 12:32 AM

Brilliant Transcript and it's gotta happen with Ron and Hermione, I think that is one thing she is being really obvious about at the moment.

Bad-Boy syndrome had be giggling, because it's so true! Why do us girls like the bad boy? *ponders*

I really wish I was there too. :/

Jesica6541 · 08-16-2004, 01:04 AM

Wow what a long transcript, but it worth reading!

tikilights · 08-16-2004, 01:20 AM

We need monthly questionarres for Rowling to satisfy our appetites until the 6th book comes out

Siriusly_in_Love · 08-16-2004, 01:49 AM

Quote:

We need monthly questionarres for Rowling to satisfy our appetites until the 6th book comes out

Agreed. And we need to have interviews where the people in attendance have finished the book ::glares at those responsible for JKR cutting off the question about Sirius::. And she should also limit the questions to those that haven't already been asked. For the millionth time, we know who her favorite characters are!!

Quote:

If Sirius had married… Sirius was too busy being a big rebel to get married.

::rejoycies at the fact that he is single:: Yeah! He's mine!

Quote:

I have got to be careful what I say there, haven’t I?

That's a bit cryptic and tantalizing, isn't it?

Quote:

Why do you love him? Why do people love Snape? I do not understand this. Again, it’s bad boy syndrome, isn’t it? It’s very depressing

Thank you, Mrs. Rowling. I don't get the fascination.

Quote:

You won’t need a prequel; by the time I am finished, you will know enough.

She does realize that I can never know enough about the Marauders... right? I hope she changes her mind later on, because I would absolutely love to read a "Harry Potter: Episode One." Please Jo, I beg of thee... I'll do anything!! ::Holds up a sign that reads Will Work for Marauder's Back Story::

Alright, now I'm going to mourn the loss of the possiblity of ever hearing about Sirius as a little boy. Goodbye.

potterxfan04 · 08-16-2004, 01:56 AM

fantastic interview! wish i couldve gone though.. =(

emily_ · 08-16-2004, 02:22 AM

Wow! That's awesome!!! I found out some things I never knew before!!!

PnutPotter · 08-16-2004, 07:43 AM

WEll, that is extrememly, extremely, extremely coolio!!!!! wwooopah!!!! lol

:sorcerer:

funky monkey · 08-16-2004, 09:19 AM

omg.. thats cool . . . hmm...... i wonder if there are any hiden little clues in there.....hmmmmmm

08-16-2004, 11:08 AM

I want to know if Harry takes it up the ring piece of that wizzard bloke?

Lupin Jr · 08-16-2004, 11:57 AM

Quote:

::rejoycies at the fact that he is single:: Yeah! He's mine!

:ermsmile: Well, that would be quiet a feat based on the fact that his body is still yet to surface...

hermioneg288 · 08-16-2004, 06:35 PM

wow that very informing and incredibly interesting!! this is sooo exciting! i really cannot wait until HBP comes out! I think its going to be even better than ootp (and that's my favorite book!) i hope the next bit of info we get from her is the release date! please!!
i'd also love a prequel! that would be sooo cool! but i think i'd love even more an eigth novel...about Harry's life after Hogwarts...ooohhh that would be sooo great!! i know he will survive! he has to! i really hope JK changes her mind about that.

twinkle25 · 08-18-2004, 03:22 AM

j.k is so awesome. but i hate when sumone says a really good question and you get all excited about her reply, and then she says, 'you'll find out more', or sumtin like that.

but i guess if she said anything it'll ruin thebook.

08-18-2004, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Also, will we see more of Snape? You always see a lot of Snape, because he is a gift of a character. I hesitate to say that I love him. [Audience member: I do]. You do? This is a very worrying thing. Are you thinking about Alan Rickman or about Snape? [Laughter]. Isn’t this life, though? I make this hero—Harry, obviously—and there he is on the screen, the perfect Harry, because Dan is very much as I imagine Harry, but who does every girl under the age of 15 fall in love with? Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy. Girls, stop going for the bad guy. Go for a nice man in the first place.

*laughs*

"well, girls under 15 can't help falling for the bad guy, can they?