J.K. Rowling, Did You Really Plan These Plot And Character Reveals, Or Are You Just Being Trendy?
Why do I have to follow every statement you make to find out what happens to my favorite characters even though I read all seven "Harry Potter" books?
I was never interested in reading the "Harry Potter" books.
But my mom was obsessed. So when I was 11-years-old, I found my Hogwarts letter with a copy of "The Sorcerer's Stone" waiting for me by the front door, presumably delivered by owl. Of course, I had no idea what was going on, so I didn't fully appreciate this until later.
I decided to give the book a try and soon found myself unable to put it down. My life became "Harry Potter." My favorite is always Ginny. Snape deserves no sympathy. My friends and I were that group with matching T-shirts for the seventh and eighth movies' opening days.
After finishing the series a few years after discovering my Hogwarts letter, my mom enthusiastically informed me that the story didn't really end with the last page of the book. She explained how I could research everything the author added after the fact.
At first I was excited that you, good ol' J.K., decided to give your fans extended information. I ate it up. Every bit of it like it was a feast in the Great Hall.
But now, I'm so tired.
What are you doing?
If you wanted more representation in your story, you had every opportunity to write it in. Instead, you backpedaled and defined Dumbledore's sexuality outside of the book. You backpedaled and said main characters could have been people of color. You backpedaled when you could have just written a more diverse book.
Sure, you had wizards, witches, and monsters. But that doesn't account for total representation. This representation seems like it's important to you, since you Tweet constantly about moral and societal issues. You seem to care about everyone. But you seem so desperate to prove it that you reshape the story you've already written to fit in the current social climate.
Why didn't you just write what you wanted to in the first place?
Is this diverse story the kind of book you wanted to write in the fist place? Or were you playing it safe?
Did you plan all these reveals as you were writing? Or are you scrambling to make it look like you wrote something with more substance?
When you backpedal and add or change aspects of your story, it makes me question your credibility as a writer.
When you apologize for killing off characters, it makes me question your decision-making in your craft. It makes me question your ability to craft a successful plot. You are one of the most successful authors of this age, and here I am questioning you.
You need to own your story. You wrote it. It's yours, and it is good.
Sure, every writer changes their mind now and then, but in your case, it's time to stop. If you want to add more to your story, write more books. Don't change what you already have. Don't make your fans go on Twitter scavenger hunts to fully understand your art.
Let us enjoy your story.
Congratulations, You Used Facebook Comments To Prove You're Better Than Me
From the bottom of my heart.
Look at you!
Wow. You're pretty much just the best person ever. Maybe even the best person in the world.
I can certainly tell you think you're the best person on the Internet. And by "the Internet," I mean Facebook, 'cause what else do you even use the Internet for?
Facebook tells us the weather. It tells us about current news stories and politics. It tells us which recipes are the best, what kind of clothes are the best, and what kind of lifestyle is best.
But most importantly, it tells us that you are the best.
And if you're the best, that means you're right—about everything.
I can't believe there are people in this universe that would ever disagree with you! Obviously, your opinion is the only thing that matters, so why shouldn't everyone just live the way you live? The sheer audacity of some people to even entertain the idea that they know what's best for themselves honestly astounds me.
Like seriously, why are some people even allowed to think for themselves? You're well educated on a wide array of subjects after thinking really hard about what your opinion on any given matter is and reading so many article headlines. Of course, it's your job to share your valuable information with everyone sitting at the computer or staring at their phone just waiting with bated breath to read what you think.
I, for one, am in constant anticipation every day to read your status updates. I'm so so so excited every time you share a Now This video or a BuzzFeed article about society's most pressing issues.
And I can't wait to find and read all your comments on my friends' posts too. Somebody has to correct everybody on every small grammar mistake, missed detail, or wrong opinion. You're obviously the best person for this important task.
Sometimes I wonder if my life is really benefitting from being a part of the Facebook community. Sometimes I wonder if I'd be okay without the constant stream of information and pictures of pets. But then I realize I'd also be missing out on your wonderful insights into any given person's life!
I don't know what I'd do without your comments on other Facebook posts that explain how you experienced something similar, but better. What else in life could impress me like your comments? How else will I know that there is somebody out there who's better than me? What will I have to compare myself to and maybe live up to one day—if ever?
Maybe one day, my life will be just as great and fulfilling as yours. One day, I'll realize that you were always right. One day, I'll realize that life would be so much easier if I just let other people think for me.
But for now, I don't mind thinking for myself.
So from the bottom of my heart, congratulations. You're better than me. And your Facebook comments prove it.