Blackout
I'm going to be radio silent for the next few days--no blogging, emailing, or even going online (I hope).
Why? Well three words pretty much sum it up: Harry. Freaking. Potter.
I love these books. I know not everyone does, but I'm a big, big fan. In fact, I think I'm a special subset of fan: the fellow writer fan. We contain elements of traditional reader-fans with other, highly-specialized, aspects of fandom.
It's like how when you're watching the Olympics and some figure skater does something that looks sort of hard, but not really, but Peggy Flemming or someone freaks out about it because it's SO MUCH HARDER than it looks and the fact that that person made it look easy is super impressive. But what do I know about that? I hang onto the wall with dear life anytime I even think about ice skating.
So there. It's like that. But with writing.
In fact, you know that old question about how if you could have dinner with anyone living or dead who would it be? Well, to tell you the truth, I think I might pick JK Rowling, because both the writer and the fan in me REALLY want to pick her brain.
Like, who came first Scabbers the rat or Peter Pettigrew the traitor? At what point did she figure out what happened the night Harry's parents died? And did she make a conscious decision to always have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher or was that a happy accident that happened after Quirrell? And was Hagrid's history with the Chamber of Secrets and his expulsion always a part of his character or did that grow out of the plot of the second book? And at what point did she know the general plots for all four books? And...well...you get the idea.
But as exciting as all of this is, I am also a little bit sad because this is the last time I'll read a Harry Potter book for the first time. In fact, this is the last time anyone will ever have to wait for a new book. Think about it, when my nieces are ready to read them they can just sit down and read them--straight through. I don't know why, but that seems like a lesser experience--like maybe new generations of readers might take it all for granted.
So there--I'm sad. And I want to make the most of this last time.
I haven't finished re-reading books 5 and 6, unfortunately, so I don't know if I should wait and read them or if it would be best to jump right in.
Opinions? Thoughts?
The official blackout will kick in at 5:00 today!
-Ally
ps....to all of you going to parties tonight, be careful and have fun!
Why? Well three words pretty much sum it up: Harry. Freaking. Potter.
I love these books. I know not everyone does, but I'm a big, big fan. In fact, I think I'm a special subset of fan: the fellow writer fan. We contain elements of traditional reader-fans with other, highly-specialized, aspects of fandom.
It's like how when you're watching the Olympics and some figure skater does something that looks sort of hard, but not really, but Peggy Flemming or someone freaks out about it because it's SO MUCH HARDER than it looks and the fact that that person made it look easy is super impressive. But what do I know about that? I hang onto the wall with dear life anytime I even think about ice skating.
So there. It's like that. But with writing.
In fact, you know that old question about how if you could have dinner with anyone living or dead who would it be? Well, to tell you the truth, I think I might pick JK Rowling, because both the writer and the fan in me REALLY want to pick her brain.
Like, who came first Scabbers the rat or Peter Pettigrew the traitor? At what point did she figure out what happened the night Harry's parents died? And did she make a conscious decision to always have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher or was that a happy accident that happened after Quirrell? And was Hagrid's history with the Chamber of Secrets and his expulsion always a part of his character or did that grow out of the plot of the second book? And at what point did she know the general plots for all four books? And...well...you get the idea.
But as exciting as all of this is, I am also a little bit sad because this is the last time I'll read a Harry Potter book for the first time. In fact, this is the last time anyone will ever have to wait for a new book. Think about it, when my nieces are ready to read them they can just sit down and read them--straight through. I don't know why, but that seems like a lesser experience--like maybe new generations of readers might take it all for granted.
So there--I'm sad. And I want to make the most of this last time.
I haven't finished re-reading books 5 and 6, unfortunately, so I don't know if I should wait and read them or if it would be best to jump right in.
Opinions? Thoughts?
The official blackout will kick in at 5:00 today!
-Ally
ps....to all of you going to parties tonight, be careful and have fun!
posted by Ally Carter at Friday, July 20, 2007
12 Comments:
Hope you didn't read Publishers Lunch yesterday, Ally. At least one mailing they sent contained a major spoiler.
I heard that about Publishers Lunch -- unbelievable! I deleted them all unread and I guess I'll keep deleting them until I've finished the book.
Ally, I think you need to jump into #7 -- the risk of public spoilage is too high to put it off. (Although I do think the general public has done an admirable job of keeping pretty mum on the #6 spoiler.)
I'm in the same situation... Just hoping my book somehow ends up on my doorstep tomorrow when apparently it was in a warehouse on the east coast yesterday. Gah!
I am about 220 pages into book six and I am going to wait to finish it before I start the seventh (fortunately I am a very fast reader.) Like you said, Ally, it's the last time I'll read a Harry Potter book for the first tims. I want to savor it a little. I should be able to start it by Saturday night. Although, Katie is right, there is a high risk of spoilers so if you are not very far into your re-read you may need to just forego it.
i think she said that peter pettigrew came before scabbers, actually.
OMG I cant wait to get the book! My entire life has been centered around Harry Potter for the past week. Ally, when is ur new book comming out? A good way to finnish re reading the books maybe b4 tonight is listen to them on tape of CD. Thats what I do after I've read them 2 or 3 times already. Please no one share secrets of the book until August 20th or something, that way we know that basicly everyone has finnished it once or twice.
I suggest you finish all the books then start on the seventh, it kinda makes the whole thing official if you ask me.
p.s. don't listen to the radio, read the newspaper, or any magazines until you finish it. =)
I did the same thing, no internet, no other books. It was like a internet/book strike. But, I finished the book in one day so the internet / book strike lasted about a week.
OMG!! the book was great! I'm sure you'll enjoy it!
I finnished the book last night, it was soooo good. It only took me 1 and 1/2 days to read it, and I thought it would take sooo much longer. That was the best of all of them, dont you think?
I am sad because I finished the book. I am depressed because I loved Harry Potter and after the seventh book, there are no more. But I really loved it, it was awesome! :( and :D
I know - I'm really sad that this was the last book. :'(
However, the series was wrapped up well and I was giggling so much while I was reading the epilogue.
<3's to everybody.
Harry Potter is truly the best. The seventh book had me in hysterics. But luckily the hysterics were over within 6 and a half hours cuz that's how long it took! (i'm a quick reader) my friends were looking at me weirdly when i would randomly burst out in giggles or laughter. Ever seen Charlie thw Unicorn on YouTube? Well, something said in one of the easrly chapters of DH had me in a fit of uncontrollable giggles becuase of that video! Anyhow, you're right, it was sad! I've already reread the last book a few times, the first just to see what happened, the second as a tribute to all the characters and JKR, and the last to just mourn. Mourn the characters that died (i won't say who, don't worry) and the end of the series. I'm betting it will be part of the school curriculum someday.
Can't wait for the Cross my Heart! I've been talking about it for like, 3 days, but nobody knows what I'm talking about! PS That's why i'm telling them!
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