I've been thinking a lot lately about stories...how authors shape stories, how stories in turn shape authors (and help authors move into unexpected places they might never have intended originally to go). That whole creative dance is especially interesting to contemplate as you consider J K Rowling's writing of the marvelous HP epic. So much of this story was obviously cathartic for her in the writing as well as for those of us blessed to read these fine stories where we could live vicariously through Harry and all he experienced.
Anyway, all this lead-in may sound lofty and high fa-lutin' -- but what I really wanted to share in this post was a funny moment I had the other day when I was reading a transcript of one of the interviews/fan q&a sessions Rowling recently gave. You can file this under "you know characters feel real to you when..." or "who says characters don't have a life of their own?"
Writing can take on layers of meaning, can "mean more" sometimes than an author might have realized. I believe that. BUT I am a firm respecter of authorial intent and design. When Rowling gives us answers about her characters and either their back stories or ongoing lives, I trust that those are things she has thought through carefully. So that makes the following reaction I had to one of her interview comments all the funnier. I had to laugh at myself really. I must confess sometimes it feels like well-drawn characters take on such a full-bodied life that they exist in my own imagination almost as palpably as they do on the page.
So when someone asked Rowling if Minerva McGonagall was ever in love with Albus Dumbledore, and Jo basically said no, that not everyone could fall in love with everyone else (or something to that effect) I was surprised to find myself arguing mentally with her answer. You see, I think Minerva's been in love with Albus for years. Even after Rowling's answer, I'm still convinced he has a special place in her heart. Which is why I found myself chuckling and thinking "Jo, even you can't possibly know everything that goes on behind Minerva McGonagall's firm and cool demeanor!"
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2 comments:
Hehehe! So I finally read that Q&A - which is an absolute treasure trove - and I had a similar reaction, and I found myself thinking, "Hmmmm... I wonder what Beth thought of that answer?" Alas, all our romantic designs for Minerva scuppered in one swift response! Or not. I think I'll take the other route and agree with you that she just doesn't know Minerva quite as well as she thinks she does! ;)
Hee! Or as well as WE know Minerva. Don't we have chutzpah here!!
Maybe once I have some space to breathe you and I can set each other some "fan fiction" challenges, just for fun, and start with Minerva's love for Albus! ;-)
Beth
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