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J.K. Rowling gives advice on writing; more info on her teen years

During the 1978-79 school year, J.K. Rowling took a creative writing course from a student teacher by the name of Dale Neuschwander. Though he was American, he instructed Rowling and her peers on the art of creative writing at Wyedean School in the county of Gloucestershire, England.

Years later, he originally didn't remember her.

Quote:

"I was contacted by the teachers in England who I had stayed with, and they told me that the Harry Potter author had gone to Wyedean at the same time I was there and perhaps I knew her," Neuschwander said. "It had been a long time, but I went to the grade book that I kept from that time and when I saw the class that she was in and her grades, I remembered her."

After discovering this, he promptly wrote her, saying congratulations. Then, though not many expected it, she wrote back. The handwritten letter itself actually hangs on the bulletin board in his office at St. Cloud State.

Quote:

Dear Dale,

One of the most wonderful and unexpected side effects of publication is hearing from people long since vanished from my life. I do indeed remember you and was very touched by your letter. Words of inspiration for your students:

Keep writing.

Accept the fact that you will tear up an awful lot of work in frustration before managing to write anything you like.

Start by writing what you know (your own feelings, people with whom you are familiar, etc.).

Most of all: READ! Nothing else will teach you what makes good writing or bad.

Now that he had looked into it, the teacher noticed some similarities between the school and Hogwarts.

Quote:

"There was this Snape prototype who was the head of biology. Alan Rickman, who plays Snape in the movies, looks like this guy, and he even has the same monotone voice. He was a memorable character, nice to me and the other adults, but not to the students. But now he's retired, and he dresses up as Snape and gives Harry Potter tours."

More on J.K. can be viewed here, including how she wrote when she took the class at the age of thirteen, being a Head Girl, and her overall apperance.

That is so awesome! What an honor to have taught Jo. Not knowing that she would become what she is now, but still that is quite fascinating. He was quite an inspiration for all his students I'm sure. Teachers are awesome and deserve all the recognition they receive.

HeHe that's so silly about the head of Biology.:lol: I'm glad he is an HP fan.

-pokes his Snapey Side- :lol:

Wow, so the basic idea is to never give up and that one day your dream will be fufilled, got it. *writes this down*

That's so awesome that the teacher wrote her and that she remembered him! It's good to know that there're people out there who cared enough about her and knew the potential she had even before the first book came out. It's inspiring. And that Head of Biology guy sounds hilarious, reminds me of my math teacher from high school *except he was like 60 years old*

Hee-hee!!! Thats funny about the biology teacher!I beat thats where J.K got the idea for Snapey! :shifty:
It's so cool the way J.K Rowling remembered the teacher!!And he wrote to her,thats sweet!! And she wrote back!!!!

Lol, thats pretty awesome, it's good to know he doesn't sound like he's digging for fame, and the biology teacher sounds good lol!

Wow, how random. :lol: That's nice that they remember each other, since he was her teacher so long ago.

At least he knows one of his students turned out well.

Heh, I would love a Snape-like teacher.

It's really nice that they remember each other from years and years ago.

He must feel so honoured to teach Jo. I love how she always tells people to "READ!" ^_^ I always read! :pfd:

*Ottery can't help it, he's built that way*

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacey.tinkerbell (Post 4996641)

He must feel so honoured to teach Jo. I love how she always tells people to "READ!" ^_^ I always read! :pfd:

Reading is essential Tink. But I think they should go one step further and tell people what they would suggest ... I mean ... there's loads of books out there and most of them are forgettable ... that's why we have the classics. Besides, I read all the time too ... and lemme tell you ... you don't want to read Spam.

*SPAM*

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ash16/ahaa.gif

Koolieo!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is soooooooo awesome...Really kool!

~~Claribell :pea:

That is so great that they got in touch with each other!!!

That's very interesting! :yes:

This is really cool!

That is totally cool!!! dresse up as Snape and gives tours!!!:rotfl: good one! does he really do it though?

Thats very interesting

That is truly wonderful! :)

ahahahah
that snape thing was so funny