J.K. Rowling, the Role of Failure and the Power of Imagination

When I was in the seventh or eighth grade, I did a report on J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter had captured my attention back in early grade school and at the time I thought that if there was one person who could make this assignment enjoyable, it was her. I didn’t know going in that hers was a rags to riches story. I didn’t know she’d been living in poverty, not too far removed from Harry himself before he discovers his inheritance or the beloved Weasley family.

It never ceases to amaze me where authors come from, what they draw upon and the juxtaposition of experience vs imagination. I’ve had a very wise man say to me “How can you write about something if you haven’t experienced it?” Ignoring the multitude of fantasy and science fiction books out there, historical books alone provide an answer to that. Research and imagination.

When combined with passion, the combination is lethal to any obstacle. Rejection letters, criticism, finances…as Rowling goes on to say in this video, she had to hit rock bottom to build a solid foundation. I cannot help but be reminded of a certain mythological bird, which dies in a fiery explosion only to be reborn from the ashes.

Do not be discouraged by failure, but draw from it, add it to your writers toolbox and blend it with your imagination.