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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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Head Boy
Points: 487
RickyRicardo says:
Well now we know why they talk sometimes and why they move. That's a good thing that someone asked that question because now we have something else answered.
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 4:40 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 514
jason porter says:
Is that where they got the idea that she is only half done? Because she didnt say that at all, she said when she is half way through a book she loves it.
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 4:49 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 305
qwatnee says:
She does like to tease us doesn't she? HAHAHA! OH, I'm glad to hear that she's half done, hopefully the rest of it will be done quickly and maybe we'll be seeing the 6th book by the end of next summer? That would be awesome! :D
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 5:00 PM EST
High Inquisitor
Points: 23488
KT Lady says:
o0o0o Awesome! Im re-reading the series now, so hopefully Ill be able to pick up some clues...AAHHH I cant wait for HBP!!
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 5:04 PM EST
Witch
Points: 817
HermioneSparkles says:
I love reading what JK has to say. I am going to go read the whole thing. She looked stunning at the festival..them lucky people who met her!
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 5:05 PM EST
Witch
Points: 685
DANADDICT89 says:
Never ceases to amaze me, Joanne. Giving a lot away! Which is NEVER a bad thing, *laughs* My friend borrowed OOTP...so I can't re-re-re-re-re-read it. DAMMIT!
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 5:07 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 330
alicia marie says:
I am so excited!! I am going to go read the transcript right now!!
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 5:09 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 576
Reducto says:
Thats a very impressive Q&A session. I mean WOW. Well she answered soe good questions in her usual way. Obviously, the FAQ poll remains unanswered.
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 5:33 PM EST
Hufflepuff Princess
Points: 24832
Waddi Wasi says:
YAY HPANA finally has the transcript of the festival!
I must admit though, that I read it before on wizard news.
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 5:40 PM EST
Parselmouth
Points: 29083
Thestral Eyes says:
Glad shes cleared that up, i woundered about that a lot of times, shame he cant get help from them *sigh* poor harry :(
They must have been to brave to be ghosts.
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 5:42 PM EST
Professor of Astronomy
Points: 3288
Prof Aurora Sinistra says:
That's awesome!!1 I'm reading through it right now... JK is so great!!! Oh I love the bit about aunt petunia... she did give a bit away didn't she... this is getting our minds going isn't it?
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 5:49 PM EST
Witch
Points: 794
*Celandine* says:
Thats cool, Im just going to read it now.....
Im glad she cleared up the portrait thing, I did wonder about that and now I know!
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 5:52 PM EST
Witch
Points: 794
*Celandine* says:
Sorry about the double post but I wanted to by the 50th. sorry again!!
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 5:53 PM EST
Student
Points: 243
Japonica says:
I've just read the whole thing and it was very interesting, I wish I had been there, sounds brilliant! Not just because I'd have a signed book (which is always great!) but I would have been able to say that I'd met her, and I'd love to have a conversation with her, she sounds funny! But HBP is already sounding wicked and we haven't even read it yet!
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 5:55 PM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 9051
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
It sounds like it was a lot of fun to attend. It also appears that JKR enjoyed giving the hints and answering the questions.
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 6:01 PM EST
Ravenclaw Ghost
Points: 9469
Pearlescent says:
Hmm.. that's intersting about the portraits. I'd like to check out all of the transcript and see what other questions there are..
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 6:05 PM EST
Mediwitch
Points: 2608
nickyole1 says:
I am so going to go to her website and read the transcript! I am so excited for both Half Blood Prince and Goblet of Fire to come out!
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 6:06 PM EST
The Quibbler Poet
Points: 7054
.:Wicked T:. says:
I have always wondered always wondered about the portraits and now I know this is great news though and the transcript was great.
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 6:23 PM EST
Unspeakable
Points: 3920
stocco says:
Oh cool! I'll have to look at that later because I'm in a wicked awesome AIM chat with all my friends from LIVEJOURNAL.
TEHELITE FOR EVER! HHAAHAHA.
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 6:35 PM EST
Student
Points: 216
siriusly? says:
Wow, kool!
I cant believe i never got that clue about dumbledore's brother in the hogs head, how annoying! hehe x
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 6:47 PM EST
Witch
Points: 935
fizzingwhizbees says:
I would have done anything to be there..seriuosly i hope one day i meet even if it is 30 years down the line she is one of the smartes people.
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 6:52 PM EST
Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
OOO i have some questions i would like her to have answered.
but hey what can ya do.
i do wish i would have been there. i would have sooooo much to say to her and ask her.
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 6:58 PM EST
Witch
Points: 774
snickerdoodle_131515 says:
Sirius Black is my all-time favorite character,and some of you Snape or Malfoy lovers who read this don't bite my head off, but don't go for the bad boys unless it's Sirius- he's a rebel but he's not evil- I mean Slytherin. I love Sirius! If I were there, I would ask everything I want to know about him in one sentance. I love it when J.K. said that Sirius was too busy being a rebel to get married.... sorry, I'm obsessed with Padfoot. ^_^
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 6:58 PM EST
The Labyrinthine Brain
Points: 3337
DevilsSnare says:
Very nice transcript. She is really a brilliant woman and starting to be a very generous one at that. While humungously big clues weren't given out...there was some nice information. I am glad she posted it on her site.
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 7:00 PM EST
Lycanthropist for W.S.S.
Points: 3603
Alchemist 530 says:
AGH!!! Okay, so she always CREATES more questions than she answers! Well, I guess she CAN'T answer what we want to know, but still... oh well, we now have something to theorize over!
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 7:10 PM EST
Transfiguration Professor
Points: 2990
Choralee says:
What an interesting session. I feel more of the focus was spent on JKR saying to not think of things than it was on her saying to think of things. I do like the two questions she posed - both of which I have always assumed would be answered later - and cannot wait to hit the forums to join the discussions!
I am glad JKR is happy with HBP now - although she never came right out and said she was only halfway finished. Not much clarity was given on that answer!
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 7:21 PM EST
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