Are You The Next JK Rowling
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Writing Speaking -> subcategory Writing.
Are You the Next JK Rowling?
Summary:
Harry Potter is a global phenomenon, with over 350 million copies sold. Only the Bible has more translations, and the movies consistently rank among the top-grossing films ever.
Joanne Kathleen Rowling, an unknown author in 1997, published her first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, without prior publishing experience or industry connections. How did she become the world’s first billionaire author in just ten years?
The secret lies in what she did during the seven years before her first book was published. If you're an aspiring author, this pre-publication period is your most powerful opportunity to shape your book's fate.
By following a four-step writing process, like Rowling did, you could write your own bestsellers. Do you have what it takes?
The Four-Step Writing Process
1. Planning
This crucial step is often underestimated but is the most vital. In 1990, while on a train from Manchester to London, Rowling envisioned Harry Potter, his world, friends, and foes. Without anything to write on, she played it all out in her imagination. By the time she arrived in London, her characters were already vivid and alive.
Instead of diving straight into writing, she spent five years meticulously developing the wizarding world, crafting government and education systems, and creating a unique magic system. She also plotted all seven books in detail.
Just as you wouldn't build a house without a blueprint or set sail without a compass, writing a book requires a comprehensive planning stage. Skipping this step could leave you tangled in your own narrative.
2. Writing
Once you've planned, it's time to write. This phase is purely about getting your story down. Rowling spent five years planning before actually writing the first book. With everything outlined, she could focus solely on the writing process.
Writing a novel is an extensive task, often exceeding 100,000 words. If you've done your homework and organized your notes, writing becomes an enjoyable endeavor where you can confidently produce your best work.
Rowling emphasized doing justice to the story she believed in, ensuring she had prepared thoroughly. Once that's done, writing becomes almost effortless.
3. Rewriting
Rowling rewrote the opening chapter of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 15 times. Her mother's death six months after her first draft led to substantial rewrites, infusing her work with personal emotion and reflection.
Writing and rewriting are distinct processes. Rewriting involves reevaluating and refining the story. For Rowling, this meant recognizing she had revealed too much plot initially and revising accordingly.
Many authors believe that writing is just the first step to rewriting. D.H. Lawrence even discarded his entire first draft to start anew.
4. Editing
Editing refines and polishes your manuscript. It's beneficial to have an external editor review your work, as gaining distance from your writing is challenging. While it's your name on the novel, a skilled editor can elevate your work beyond your solo efforts.
Rowling’s early books were tightly edited, with the first two barely over 200 pages. By the fifth book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the length had significantly increased. Thus, especially as a new author, consider your editor's advice. A focused, concise book generally captivates more than a sprawling one.
Writing a book is a journey, with each step unique but essential. Avoid mixing or skipping them at your own risk.
JK Rowling has demonstrated what’s possible by adhering to these fundamental processes. As you embark on your next novel, pay attention to planning, writing, rewriting, and editing. You just might become the next JK Rowling.
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