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AUGUST 2, 2006 at 4:00 AM
Posted by GERI
Source: HPANA
The first of two charity readings by authors JK Rowling, Stephen King and John Irving concluded Tuesday evening at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
HPANA was in attendance and has full coverage of the event:
The best-selling authors read from some of their popular works, including Different Seasons, A Prayer for Owen Meany and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, as well as answered probing questions from audience members.
Actress Whoopi Goldberg took to the stage first and warmed up the crowd, standing at a podium shaped like a bookcase with each author's name on faux spines. She called the group of authors a "force of nature" and the evening "historic" (even while pronouncing Rowling's name "Roulings").
"Reading is alive and well," said Goldberg. The event served as a testament to what happens when you "put great books in the hands of great readers."
Kathy Bates, who starred as one of Stephen King's most memorable and frightening characters in Misery, introduced him while gushing about the influence her affiliation with him has had on her life. (King later said: "I never met a gross story I didn't like.")
John Irving discussed the desire of audiences to want to know what happens to characters, whether one likes them or dislikes them (which may be most striking to Potter fans eager to determine the loyalties of Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy).
Host of Comedy Central's The Daily Show, Jon Stewart, finally introduced JK Rowling to a standing ovation, after jokingly commenting on how his five-month-old baby had already been in line for three months in anticipation of book 7. Rowling then read from chapter 13 of Half-Blood Prince, "The Secret Riddle," in which Harry explores Dumbledore's memory of first meeting Tom Riddle in an orphanage.
Rowling then answered questions from the audience. Here are a few highlights (paraphrased):
NBC News correspondent Soledad O'Brien then mediated the rest of the question/answer exchange, noting that over 1,000 questions had been submitted for the authors.
Rowling was asked how online communication and fan interaction influenced her writing. She responded, in part, that the "shipping wars" were like "cyber gang wars", referencing Harry/Hermione shippers, Hermione/Ron and ones she did not even want to talk about (as several audience members shouted out various suggestions).
Speaking about rejection, Rowling said her works were declined representation early on, like most budding authors. While she landed an agent rather quickly, it was years before she got a book deal. "I was determined," said Rowling. "I would not have stopped writing," she said, even if she had never been published. What would she be doing with her life? "I'd be teaching," she concluded.
We'll have more after tomorrow night's reading. Stay tuned!
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Harry's Lost Brother
Points: 10058
American Harry Potter says:
I'm glad that they had some good questions. I like the cyber gang wars. The ship wars are pretty brutal I must say!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 12:37 PM EST
Healer in Training
Points: 2661
nubian_weasley01 says:
I didn't know that JKR had written other books. I guess I will have to look those up. I didn't think she would answer any questions about the books or anything pertaining to them. I'm glad I was wrong. All of us Hr/R shippers know who Hermione wants to be wrapped up with.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 12:55 PM EST
Witch
Points: 633
snakeeyes says:
Ha, I bet the main ship which I support is one of the ones she doesn't want to talk about! Oh, guilty pleasures of a deluded mind! I think her answers to those questions were rather telling, most especially the one concerned with Draco and redemption. He's not gonna end the series following in his father's exact footprints, I don't think.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 1:05 PM EST
Witch
Points: 896
QueenOfAmouraq says:
Wow, that's interesting! I wish I could've been there to watch!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 1:12 PM EST
Student
Points: 200
Axel_of_Light says:
I'm soo excited about this. ITs really cool who she answear those questions.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 1:22 PM EST
Comedy Princess
Points: 3398
Ginevra M. Weasley says:
Its cool those wonderful writers are doing charity...I always new about Jo's charities, but not anyother's...Its cool Jo has answered some questions, but I hope she to write about Ron/Hermione (come on, they love each other) and Harry/Ginny...it was a wonderful couple.
Ginevra.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 1:23 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1229
sapphire260 says:
I hope they ask her more questions!!!
I didn't know that a muggle coulden't do potions, well I really never thought about it!! In question 1 she obviously meant Hermione being close to Ron, at least that's what I believe!!!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 1:28 PM EST
Witch
Points: 527
daniel_radcliffe_lover736 says:
Wow more hints to book 7, maybe she will give out more later at the next reading and people ask more questions.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 1:31 PM EST
Witch
Points: 639
Harry(the 4th champion) says:
That's Fantastic!!!!!!!!! I wish I was there!!!!!!!!!
I can't believe Whoopi Goldberg pronounced Jo's last name wrong!!!!!!!!!!
Well... I'm glad everything went well. Can't wait for info on what happenes tonight!
HURRY UP AND FINISH WRITING BOOK 7 PLEASE JO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well... no take your time but hurry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 1:38 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2401
tonks 27 says:
So some sort of muggle gets ahold of a wand in the next book? so muggles will find out about the wizarding world? oooh, i can't wait to read it!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 1:44 PM EST
Head
Points: 401
katsirimus says:
this is cool. I had planned on going, but had previous engagement on the 3rd that I couldn't get out of and had to fly out on Monday so wasn't happening.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 2:15 PM EST
Guardian of the Realms
Points: 5601
A&Agang says:
Whoa, those questions were great. Fantastic. But what was more incredible were her answers. They could work well towards my theories.
I WANT TO KNOW MORE!!!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 2:25 PM EST
Witch
Points: 539
Gizmo-01 says:
http://teletekst.nos.nl/?405-01
This was a message on the Dutch Ceefax... Generally it says that Irving and King asked JKR not to kill the lead character (Harry).
Rowling couldn't confirm anything, but did say this: "I'm working on the ending as I pictured it in my mind. But some people of whom I thought they would survive, ended up dead. While another was saved for this terrible end."
DOES THIS MEAN SHE'S LETTING SEVERUS SNAPE LIVE???
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 2:27 PM EST
Squib
Points: 132
The Lightning-Struck Boy says:
I cannot wait for book 7!!! woo hoo! i hope Harry lives!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 2:29 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 678
SirPhil says:
I wish I could have been there, even if my question didn't get answered it would have been amazing to be in the same room with the creator.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 2:29 PM EST
The Golden Snidget
Points: 3157
Mrs. Phineas Nigellus says:
That's so cool! I wish I could have been there...I really don't live to far away, but that's life I guess.
I hope this helps to convince the few H/Hr shippers that are still convinced their ship will happen that Ron being in Hermione's MoE image is correct. We'll see.
I think it's hilarious the reaction she's had to all this pandemonium in the shipping world. She's created a monster (or a couple million of them).
*The MRS*
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 2:31 PM EST
Witch
Points: 596
SlytherinsPerfectPrefect says:
I love hearing about different things in the books that someone wouldn't normally talk about and I think it is really neat that JKR answered some of the questions that her fans had. I still really wish I could have gone...
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 2:38 PM EST
Student
Points: 241
medea_smyke says:
I liked those questions quite a bit! What a great time.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 2:48 PM EST
Honeydukes Princess
Points: 6925
Wakko says:
Geri, I just wanted to say THANK YOU SO MUCH with all my heart! Thanks to Jeff (Cheeser) as well!! You guys have no idea how grateful I am for everything! I will never forget this as long as I live.. it was the ultimate Harry Potter experience.
Geri, I really enjoyed reading your review (written at 4am, wow!), you noticed all the little things I did. It was just such an amazing experience and I hope you and Jeff have a another great evening tonight! Stay cool, it's supposed to be hotter than yesterday, if possible.
I know there are much better pictures circulating the internet already but here's a picture I took using my camera phone of my view from 1st mezz..
J.K. Rowling
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 2:50 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1514
MollyMomma says:
Yay! Actual news, answer to questions, drama! I'm so glad you all got to go. Keep us posted with all tidbits!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 3:03 PM EST
Hermione's Twin
Points: 5063
*Miss Hermione Granger* says:
Very interesting questioms..and for you H/Hr people, What more van we do to prove its always been R/Hr? Great interview! I love the questions.Bring on book 7!!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 3:05 PM EST
Haldir's Horcrux
Points: 6269
Corvis says:
Oh, interesting questions already. It's making me want to read more and more of book seven, and everytime something like this happens, it seems to make the wait longer...
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 3:12 PM EST
Witch
Points: 844
~Silver Potion~ says:
I'm so jealous! That sounds so amazing... I wish I could be there in person to ask Jo some questions! Maybe she'll even update her website after the event, seeing as the newspaper news will then be old!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 3:20 PM EST
Marauder Groupie
Points: 3384
Marauding Mara says:
I'm curious how she's going to describe what happens if a Muggle picked up a wand. I wonder if she's going to let Dudley pick up Harry's wand or something. That should be fun :D
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 3:27 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2060
Sera Graham says:
A German magazine says that King and Irving vote for Harry's survival. One has to be careful with those two buddies, as they tend to have a wicked sense of humour ;-p
In any case, I simply adore John Irving's writing. Mr. Irving, if you ever read this, know that I will forever be grateful to you for "Owen Meany". Please don't ever let them make a film of that marvellous novel. I don't think there is an actor who could play Owen, except maybe David Bennent, but he's already too old.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 3:37 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1492
Catty Kate says:
Yeah maybe there is hope for Draco after all. YAY!!!!!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 3:43 PM EST
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