The End (Or the Not-So End) of the Harry Potter Era

Harry Potter. Immediately when I say the name, you think of the lightning-scared wizard pursued by the evil Lord Voldemort or "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named." Maybe you think about Albus Dumbledore, the kind-hearted headmaster who watches over the boy wizard or his best buddies Ron and Hermione. The list goes on and on through characters who brought the series to life.

Perhaps, you aren't so fond of the series. Perhaps, there's more of a religious component concerning witchcraft which deters you from it. That particular hot button issue has been debated in the religious community and I understand if some Christians, Muslims, or anyone for that matter has a problem with the books. No one should go against any heartfelt beliefs or convictions. However, I want to break down some of the history and success that brought the author J.K. Rowling, a woman who lived in poverty and depression, become the first billionaire author and an inspiration to millions and ultimately the world.

As some die-heart Harry Potter fans know, J.K. Rowling was born on July 31, 1965, the same day that Harry Potter was born! She and her younger sister Dianne (otherwise known as Di) lived in Yate and then Winterbourne, England. I can look toward Ms. Rowling and see some of herself in me because she was a storyteller from the start. Her very first story was called "Rabbit" and the story was about, well...a rabbit of course. :) As Ms. Rowling grew into a young adult, the dream that she carried was becoming a novelist. Wary of her grandiose dream, her parents told her that becoming a novelist probably wouldn't work out and that living as a writer would not secure a large salary. What a bummer. So with that in mind, she went to the University of Eleter and studied French and then switched to Classics. Yep, I can make an excuse to my parents if I want to switch my major because I can point to one of my favorite authors J.K. Rowling. Sorry mom and dad! :)

If you read "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" and onward, you will read about creatures called the dementors, dark hooded creatures that suck the souls out of their victims. These creatures are the antithesis of hope, freedom, and peace and exude a magical presence where one feels hopelessness and depression. If you know about Ms. Rowling's past, the woman divorced her first husband because he was absuive to her & she and her baby daughter became some of the poorest people in Britain without actually being homeless. Living on benefits, Ms. Rowling moved to a small flat in Edinburgh. It all seems like a sad story with no hope at all...but no-no-no, there is light! Ms. Rowling has a dream on a train in 1990 about a little boy with a lightning shaped scar who took a train to wizarding school. Her idea snowballed into the manuscript that became "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" or "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (publishers thought the word 'sorcerer' would appeal to the American audience).

Let's look at her success. Ms. Rowling wrote 7 Harry Potter Books published along with supplemental books such as "Tales of Beedle the Bard" and "Quidditch Through the Ages." She has sold over 400 MILLION COPIES of her books and her estimated worth is $545 MILLION DOLLARS and counting. No wonder her life is called a "fairy tale" or that she's "richer than the Queen of England."

But what I'm trying to get at more is her path to getting published. This is information that even I did not know! Did you know that TWELVE publishers turned down "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" before a publisher knows as Bloomsbury accepted the manuscript? Nigel Newton, the chairman of Bloomsbury publishing, received the manuscript but didn't feel like reading it (for unknown reasons). He gave it to his daughter Alice instead, who feel in love with it immediately. She pestered him for months to publish the book and then soon the company gave her a small royalty check. Bloomsbury was willing to publish her book!

What do Ms. Rowling's struggles mean? I could say the proverbial "try, try again" or "slow and steady wins the race," but I think it's deeper than that. I think listening to family, friends, God, your religion, or other people's advice should come first and translate that to your goals and convictions. Ms. Rowling's parents told her that she probably wouldn't make that much money being a writer and let's face it...that's true. Major league publishers accept .5% of submissions and even those books that are accepted have a small chance to be a "bestseller." Ms. Rowling went on with her life and wrote now and then in college, but she still received an education and followed a career as a secretary. She did something with her life that got her to where she is now.

On the other hand, I think we need to remind ourselves that life is not a fairy tale. I know, dark words, dark words from an eighteen, almost nineteen year old. But it's true. Ms. Rowling went through hard times: a tumultuous divorce and economic downturn. She had it rough, but you know what? She didn't stay down. She provided for her baby and kept her dream alive by writing and look where she is now. Of course, her success story won't be the same for most people. However, I think the moral stays true where we need to keep our dreams alive. I know as a writer, I can't say that enough. Keep the dream alive and never lose sight of your dreams.

Just a quick fact before I go. Did you know that "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" made $834,582,000 million dollars worldwide? AMAZING. It testifies to the power of Ms. Rowling's imagination.

Tell me what you think about Ms. Rowling's journey and the latest Harry Potter film! Alrighty? Have a wonderful day and keep the imagination alive.
Peace. :)