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MARCH 22, 2004 at 11:22 AM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: BBC Radio 4 via The Scotsman
Author JK Rowling revealed in a BBC radio interview
Saturday that a friend loaned her £4,000 to pay for her daughter's childcare while she studied to become a teacher:
The episode occurred when Rowling, now 37, was living on benefits in a rundown flat in Edinburgh after leaving her first husband. She had won a place to become a student teacher but could not afford childcare for her daughter, Jessica.
With just £70-a-week income, Rowling believed she could never afford to pay back the money, but the gift was to change her life, allowing her to graduate and teach part-time as she wrote the first Harry Potter novel.
Rowling has since become the first billionaire writer and repaid her benefactor with a £200,000 flat in Edinburgh.
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Witch
Points: 552
Gir Vasquez says:
Oh wow. This seems to be such an insperational story. Poor JK had to go through such a struggle to make something of herself. That was so sweet of her friend. Kindness is always repaid.
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 4:02 PM EST
Gryffindor Chaser
Points: 3637
Angelina Johnson says:
Whoa! What a friend! JK is so awesome ;)
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 4:31 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 472
hermionee says:
She must be so rich!!!! She is more rich than the Queen!
Yowza!
HARRY POTTER FOR LIFE
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 4:32 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2767
Professor Grubbly-Plank says:
I am so impressed that she paid her friend back in such a big way. It shows that she has a great heart.
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 4:35 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 373
NarfNa says:
Ten bucks its that Sean P.F. Harris guy that she dedicated the second book to. That would be really cool, but it's just a guess.
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 4:36 PM EST
Witch
Points: 681
SiriusLove says:
Just more proof of what an awesome lady JK is. What an incredible person her benefactor is as well. Does my heart good.
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 4:43 PM EST
Points: 7828
Rococoed says:
CalimaCala, if J.K. Rowling was browsing HPANA right now, I must admit that all of us would be too hyper to properly thank her for writing the series after such turmoil; for example, such can be best described in a girlish scream. Anyway, we have to thank her friend for being so generous to J.K. that (s)he loaned her 4000 pounds. The benefactor must be thinking that without their loan, the Harry Potter series would never fully exist to the extent it is today. It's better to give money to a friend than a celebrity.
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 4:48 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 814
Keeper Of The Dragons says:
This just goes to show what are friends for eh? hahaha and man she gets like a house out of it in the end gezz thats be pro haha well thats cool to hear how her friend saved tha day
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 5:12 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 90
angelseyes816 says:
She is such anamazing person. most people would have just ither brushed the berson off or giver back the exact amount the borrowed but geesh the is one heck of an upgrade. hehehe
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 5:18 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1788
Hermy-Own says:
That's really great. it's one of those stories that just brings out the"awwww" in all of us. lucky for all of us she got that loan!!! it's cool how one action can impact the world in such a way.
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 5:26 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1772
MelancholyMarie says:
Wow, what a good friend! She's lucky to have someone who believes in her that much. And very generous of JK to pay back with so much interest.
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 5:37 PM EST
Witch
Points: 617
*_Johnny 4 EveR_* says:
I wonder if that the woman was like her best friend or something because she was really nice to give her 4000. If it wasn't for her, Harry Potter would've never come out.
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 5:56 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1503
liLchogurL says:
That's good her friend lent her money...Man, the comercial I'm listening to is soooo stupid...Miller Light....
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 6:38 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 345
Mormon_Chic says:
WOW!!! I didn't know that but i guess it was all in good fun.... but at least she payed her friend back that shows some heart that J.K. Rowling
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 6:50 PM EST
Heir of Slytherin
Points: 5499
Spazzingduck says:
Yay to her! She helped JKR finish school, and be what she is today, and helped Harry Potter into existence! What a cruel, cold world it would be without hp...
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 6:51 PM EST
Squib
Points: 127
RedSx says:
I'm going to do the same thing if my friend watchs my child while I get famous. First I'd need a child. Then find something that I can get famous at.
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 7:52 PM EST
Curse Breaker
(Moderator)
Points: 3786
Galilea says:
I am glad that Ms. Rowling remembered her friend who gave assistance when needed and helped give the world a great writer and book series. Sometimes it just takes kindness and a helping hand to create a miracle.
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 7:57 PM EST
Death Eater
Points: 6201
Voldemort's Heir says:
I think that, that is great. It's good to see the JK Rowling is remembering those who helped her along the way.
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 8:08 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 301
Professor Snuggle Bunny says:
Glad to read that happy article. I do believe that we should try to help others because you never know what could happen. They could be writing the next best novel. :-)
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 8:45 PM EST
Professional Beater
Points: 20891
feltonluver says:
Whoa well thats really nice of her friend to loan moeny and hey it really paid off i might say. Really smart friend of hers!
Yes i think it's incredible as well as how much faith her friend had in her....rowling really had a good true friend! Good thing she does!
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 8:53 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 463
Erika Potter says:
I'm amaized how strong is JKR she is really a great woman who keep moving after those awful things that happen to her. I think she is the best writer of this times!!!!!
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 9:31 PM EST
Daily Prophet Journalist
Points: 2597
dance_gear says:
That's a really awsome thing to do...thats a true friend!!! See...if you give from the kindness in your heart without really expecting anything in return...you will receive...alot!!! But it was great of her friend to do that...Yeah, life would be pretty bad and gloomy without Harry Potter!!!
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 9:33 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1303
wahnaroo22 says:
Proves that what go's around comes around! That's really cool of her.
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 9:44 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 945
kingsley11 says:
Its great hearing JKR's story and about the people who helped her.
it's amazing to see how someone made it from scratch, with almost nothing.
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 9:52 PM EST
Ravenclaw's Heiress
Points: 3926
PhoenixFire says:
That is so great and very sweet of her friend. Its amazing how she started out with nothing and ended up becoming a billionaire. She really deserves it all.
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 10:51 PM EST
Witch
Points: 911
bethysmalls says:
That kind of story just makes me fell warm inside. What a great lady and what a great turn of events. Big ups to all involved in this wonderful tale that's as good a story as the one JKR is famous for.
Posted Mar 22, 2004 at 11:01 PM EST
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