Over a decade ago, J.K. Rowling launched “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” in meager hopes to support her family as a single mother. At the time, Rowling had no idea that her novel would hail the attention of a worldwide teen audience. It turned out that Rowling’s novel brought more support to her family than she could ever need in a lifetime.
To an average reader, Rowling’s first novel bears little meaning except to say that it is a good childhood fairytale. To Rowling, however, this book still remains a significant milestone that has marked her success in the world’s entertainment market. Rowling’s success can certainly be attributed to the effort and time she has poured into making the boy wizard, Harry Potter, and the driving force behind her aspiration to become a successful novelist.
Rowling found herself barely making it by on welfare after her divorce with journalist Jorge Arantes and the couple’s daughter, Jessica, in her hands. During the time of the separation, Anne, Rowling’s mother, had passed away due to multiple sclerosis, an illness affecting the brain and spinal cord.
Rowling soon fell into a deep depression while grieving her mother’s death and her recent divorce.
However, her life was turned around when she moved into a flat with her daughter and started to write the Harry Potter series. A single mother to one, Rowling frequented nearby cafes where she would put Jessica to sleep and continue writing her novels.
After multiple rejections from several publishing companies, she finally sold the book for approximately $4000.
In the year 2000, Rowling’s popularity skyrocketed and her first novel earned her $480 million in just 3 years. Her life had been completely turned around.
Yet, Rowling has not left her poverty-filled past behind her and has continued to fight for this cause. The author attended a speaking conference for the National Council for One Parent Families and spoke out about her experiences with poverty.
“This government has made some very substantial progress in tackling child poverty,” said Rowling. “But clearly, the need to maintain the government’s focus and to engage with the public on this most vital of issues, is absolutely essential.”
Her frank, yet somewhat unexpected response, given her current state of success, remains startling to many who have not realized the difficult story Rowling has to tell.
Rowling’s “rag to riches” life story is not just another cliché tale. It is, understandably, a story that proves the good one’s imagination and creativity can do in turning one’s life around, and possibly, in improving economic circumstances.
Hey Aileen! I really like the biography type article you wrote on J.K. Rowling. However, I think it would have been stronger if you included quotes from students–the article could have been more engaging. Other than that, nice job!
Hey Aileen,
You’re a good writer, but you included a lot of your opinion, which you can’t do in a news article.
Also, you need to cite where you got the Rowling quote.The most important thing, though, is that you need to tell the reader why this is newsworthy now.
If the conference happened recently, that could be the reason, but you need to include it so people know.
You also could have mentioned that her new book is available for pre-ordering at Barnes and Noble, and that it’s coming out 9/27 (I think) to make this more relevant! (:
Hey Aileen!
Interesting article you wrote because I wrote about somebody based on this same theme (your title). Looking at Rowling, we are able to realize once again the power of books–its stories, characters, plot, and meaning.
Thank you for all of your suggestions!
Lily: I actually remember reading your article! Housemaid to Harvard, right?haha
Aileen: Yes! Haha 🙂