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AUGUST 15, 2004 at 3:08 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: JKRowling.com
Earlier today JK Rowling appeared at the Edinburgh International Book Festival and now her official web site has been updated with the transcript
, in which she answers fans' questions.
Here is an excerpt:
Question: All the paintings we have seen at Hogwarts are of dead people. They seem to be living through their portraits. How is this so? If there was a painting of Harry’s parents, would he be able to obtain advice from them?
Rowling: That is a very good question. They are all of dead people; they are not as fully realised as ghosts, as you have probably noticed. The place where you see them really talk is in Dumbledore’s office, primarily; the idea is that the previous headmasters and headmistresses leave behind a faint imprint of themselves. They leave their aura, almost, in the office and they can give some counsel to the present occupant, but it is not like being a ghost. They repeat catchphrases, almost. The portrait of Sirius' mother is not a very 3D personality; she is not very fully realised. She repeats catchphrases that she had when she was alive. If Harry had a portrait of his parents it would not help him a great deal. If he could meet them as ghosts, that would be a much more meaningful interaction, but as Nick explained at the end of Phoenix - I am straying into dangerous territory, but I think you probably know what he explained—there are some people who would not come back as ghosts because they are unafraid, or less afraid, of death.
Read the rest of the transcript HERE.
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Order of Merlin, 4th Class
(Moderator)
Points: 1217
shadowlife says:
That was great. Some really good questions, and some really goo food for thought. I so wish I could have gone.
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 2:07 PM EST
Half-Blood Prince
(Moderator)
Points: 942
Professor Scoots says:
That was a great interview and I am very jealous of those people that were able to meet her or see her in the flesh. It is funny to see what she ways that she is giving away something that is kind of obvious. And other things which she feels are important.
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 2:32 PM EST
Witch
Points: 631
Lamalfoyslady says:
Really good question I have always wandered about that and now it has been answered this is actually really good stuff.
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 2:33 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2856
Oliver Wood is Fit says:
Cool, I wonder if she'll ever be totallly stumped with a question she hasn't thought of and then realise that seriiously causes problems and her books don't make sense?! I hope not, but her world is so complex.
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 6:46 PM EST
Witch
Points: 629
Leila Krum says:
The transcript is great! But now i have more questions, oh God why this and why that. And I really want HBP, i want it now! he he
*usagi*
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 7:42 PM EST
True Gryffie
Points: 2577
Harry_Potter_Lover says:
This is so cool! I cant wait now! I am going to read all four books again! hehe! If i had the time..............
~*~SAVANNA~*~
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 8:58 PM EST
Daily Prophet Journalist
Points: 2597
dance_gear says:
I have been meaning to read this transcript, and now i finallly did! This was sooo awesome! i love Jo!!! She is the best and she is sooo funny and just really down to earth! It is sooo funny what she said about Dan and Tom, but i do really like tom (the bad boy) more than dan (the good guy), but not because of that, just because, and i have my own reasons...well, reading this transcript really makes me want to read Order of th epoheonox again just to study it more closely and try to find some clues and that thing with Dumbledore's brother is quite interesting... i really cant wait to read Half Blood prince, oh man, the transcript gave me the chills, dont ask me why. Also, about the other thing with the questions that Jo should have been asked but she hasnt yet, was very intersting about why didnt voldemort die and why didnt dumbledore kill hima dn stuff...hmmm...it really makes me wonder and i wanna read OOTP again to check it out and stuff... well, the transcript rocked and it must have been awesome to be there, i'm jealous, thatlucky lot! hehe...
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 9:24 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 348
robin777 says:
I was glad to have some questions answered but I think now I have a whole lot of new questions. I printed it out so I could study it.
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 9:26 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 313
hockey_loser says:
Hmm... That is very interesting. I dont think I have ever thought of that quesiton beforE!
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 9:49 PM EST
Witch
Points: 728
Hermione Double says:
So many questions, so few answers that can be given at this time.
Maybe we will have most of the answers after the seventh book.
I have so many questions, but most have been asked by other people.
It makes me wonder how J.K. Rowling can find answers to ever little detail.
I bet my head would explode.
I like it when she can answer her fans questions.
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 10:46 PM EST
Witch
Points: 832
latinabloomlova says:
That transcript cleared up a lot.....and put up alot more questions than answers....oh well. can't wait for book 6!
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 11:05 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1542
Supreme Mugwump says:
She's still not really giving much away is she. But i know she never will. I wish i could talk to her and ask about it.
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 11:38 PM EST
Crookshanks Caretaker
Points: 3836
hermionefan1 says:
Thats awesome!!! I love the transcript of the interview and i'm glad she answered some questions.
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 11:48 PM EST
Squib
Points: 175
half_blood_royalty says:
Wow... How i wish i could go! Luckily there's a written transcript for those who didn't get to go to see.. Otherwise we'll be missing out a lot of things! How did Voldermort survived? Well, JK Rowling certainty get me to rack my brains after my common tests in school...
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 12:31 AM EST
Witch
Points: 585
harryzbestgurl says:
WOW!!! J.K. is really getting me thinking!! I'm sure she's getting everyone thinking!! I HATE BEING IN SUSPENSE!!!!!!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 12:36 AM EST
Dan Radcliffe's Lovah
Points: 8780
JaDa Radcliffe says:
Very, very good explanation from JKR.. Can't wait to see what's next..
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 3:55 AM EST
Points: 646
tetet says:
Awesome! this thread really is interesting... still it really has given us an idea about who would tell Harry on the 6th book... YEAH! men! Cant wait to read the 6th book... HOpe it would be so cool and it would be full of adventure!!!
I really need some more info about the 6th book!!!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 5:26 AM EST
Student
Points: 216
SingingLass says:
She is such a witty kick in the head :) It was neat that she gave us some tid-bits to ponder.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 6:14 AM EST
Harry's Mental Advisor
Points: 19432
Smileyradcliffe says:
The transcript was really amazing! I think i am going to reread the Order of the Pheonix.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 6:59 AM EST
Ravenclaw Ambassador
Points: 3243
Nevar says:
It's certainly a relief that to know that, I've wondered for a long time...
It's a shame though, I gotten my hopes up about Harry's parents when I was reading the question...
Oh well. *sighs...
N
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 12:23 PM EST
Squib
Points: 188
LoonyLarah says:
Interesting about the portraits- I always thought that in some way, they were as alive as you and me. Too bad about not being able to really talk to his parents though- and not being able to talk to Sirius through the wall hanging of the Black Family Tree. Oh well...
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 12:45 PM EST
Witch
Points: 599
wanabee weasley says:
That was a cool transcript!!!!!!!!! It cleared quite a few things up. I wish I could have went. It would have been great. The only thing is, I've went bloody blind!!!!!!! Why did it have to be written in bright yellow on a black background!!!!!!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 1:06 PM EST
Student
Points: 273
Lily's heir says:
oh, I'm going to read it now!!
I'm so excited!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 1:21 PM EST
Witch
Points: 762
bewitched_gal says:
I wish i was there , it could be so fun.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 2:10 PM EST
Hogwarts Matron
Points: 6285
potterpotty says:
Ohhhh, I want Harrys Parents to come back as ghosts....but they wont!!!!! I never really thought about the apintings and how they could talk before....
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 3:13 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1031
HPfanatic10 says:
Cool! Cant wait for the book to release!!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 4:18 PM EST
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