Monday, April 16, 2012

What I Learned From JK Rowling


I’m sure everyone has heard the news that JK Rowling is coming out with a new book. This time, she’s writing in a different genre—this book is geared toward adults. And I have to say that I’m impressed by her bravery.

Publishing this novel must be a terrifying thing. She’s writing in a new genre, with a new voice, and for a different audience. She knows that whatever she writes will inevitably be compared to the Harry Potter books, which is like comparing apples and oranges. The HP phenomena was the result her skills as writer combining with the perfect books and a ripening audience that was hungry for something new and different. Don’t get me wrong, I know it took a lot of hard work by her, her publishers, marketing people, etc. But market timing was critical. No one can fairly compare the success of this book with the HP books. But they will. And that’s why I think she’s brave. It’s like if Pat Benetar decided to sing opera. I picked Pat Benetar as an example because she’s one of the few pop/rock singers who was reputed to have the voice range and strength to sing opera. But making the transition from top forty singer to opera…wow. That’s what I think Rowling is doing.

Obviously, Rowling can’t be doing this for the money. She doesn’t need it. And she must know that there are some reviewer/critics waiting to diss her book. In spite of all that, she’s got a new book coming out. I suspect that she’s doing this because like the rest of writers, she loves to tell people a story. And that encourages me to be brave too.

12 comments:

  1. It IS brave. I think it's better, too, to be writing something in a completely different genre. The tendency to compare this new book to HP would be so much more prevalent if she were writing another YA Fantasy. This way, even though some people will inevitably be disappointed at the differences, and some people will sneer, she has a better shot at this book being received on its own merits.

    I wonder how difficult it was for her to write in such a different genre, or if it was a welcome change after spending so long in HP's world?

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  2. Yes, and I think she wants to challenge herself too. I think it's great she's doing something different!

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  3. I can't wait to read Rowling's book. I'll do my best not to compare it to HP.

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  4. Maybe she wants to collect private jets.

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  5. She'll do well. And yes, you're right--she's obviously not doing it for the money, but for her love of writing and telling stories. The haters can just drool from the sidelines, right?

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  6. I wonder why she doesn't write under a pen name.

    Then it wouldn't matter if it flopped.

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  7. I'm not worried about it flopping, personally. It may be difficult to repeat a success like HP, but I have no doubt that Rowling can write a compelling story. And while she may have switched genres, many of her fans have grown up (or even started as adults), so it's not like she's starting from nothing the way it would be if she tried to go from an older audience to a younger one. I'm excited to read it!

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  8. Yes, I agree it's very brave for her to switch genres. Only similar case I can think of right offhand is Judy Blume. I LOVED the books she wrote for children, but the adult book she wrote (or at least the only one I read; could have been others) left me cold. (I dunno. Maybe it was a little too "adult" for me?) Nonetheless, I'll probably read Rowling's new book, and I hope it's a real winner.

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  9. I have to agree. I think there are plenty of critics that are waiting to jump all over her if her latest work shows any sign of weakness. She's set the bar awfully high for herself.

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  10. I think JK Rowling is an all or nothing kind of person, so whatever she writes will be amazing. And yet, I can't imagine Pat Benetar as an opera singer, so you have a good point.

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  11. There are haters and lovers in this world. The lovers will drown out the haters and as for the critics, they do not always know everything. I am sure J.K. will provide us with another wonderful piece of literature.

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  12. JK Rowling created such interesting and engaging characters in Harry Potter. I think that is part of the reason Harry Potter is so popular. If she can manage that level of character development again, her books will do well no matter what the genre.

    But I agree with you that she is brave. Everything she does will be compared to Harry Potter even if it isn't even remotely similar.

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