J.K. Rowling with Oprah Winfrey in Edinburgh, Scotland
The Elephant House is the coffee shop where J.K. Rowling wrote her first book
J. K. Rowling at the Belmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland
J. K. Rowling at the Belmoral Hotel interiview with Oprah
Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh. This is the hotel where the interview took place. It is also the place where the very last Harry Potter book was written.
J.K.Rowling was born on July 31, 1965 in a small town called Yate Gloucesturine, England. It is ten miles north east of Bristol. J stands for Joanne, but she prefers to be called Jo..Her very first book had the name Joanne Rowling, but then changed to J.K by the publisher's request. They thought that boys would not read a book that had a woman's name on it. Ms Rowling is the very first billionaire author. She has written 7 "Harry Potter" books.There is an amusement park, movie deals, and even Michael Jackson wanted to do a musical. The idea of writing "Harry Potter" came about during a trip from Manchester to London on the train. Jo lost her mother in 1990 to MS. She was 6 months into writing the book that would change her life, but her mother never saw it completed.
Jo gives credit to her mother for writing the books. There was a time when Jo was so depressed she was almost suicidal.The years between ages 25 and 28 were the worst years for her clinical depression. She said that she was one step above from being homeless. She told Oprah that it was a very bad time in her life. She made it clear to Oprah that her depression was not sadness, but rather a 'cold absence of feeling.'
'Depression is an absence of feeling of hope.' Jo talked about success and made it clear that she was not comfortable at first with all of the attention she got from the success of her books. She mentioned one time when she had to go to a book signing and there was a huge line, and she had asked her publicist if there was a sale going on? Oprah asked Jo about her success and what is different now? She said,'I can wear better clothes and dress better.' She appeared to be very down to earth and remembered her roots. She still takes the bus from time to time for she does not drive.
She said that she still worries and that it is not good to take any thing for granted. Jo made it clear that, 'everyone needs failure in their life. It helps build the foundation for success.' She has learned a lot through her journey of experiencing the death of her mother, going through depression and living very poor. She is happily married now to a doctor, and has a daughter. When she was looking for a guy, she said that he had to be intelligent, and have a career. She has a father who is living, but doesn't communicate with him any more. She told Oprah that she never had a good relationship with her dad. When asked if Jo had any regrets, and she responded, 'that my mother never saw any of my success.' Her books are done and now she can relax. When asked by Oprah if she would ever do more "Harry Potter?'
Jo replied, 'I would never say never.' This was a wonderful way for Oprah to end her show. J.K. is a very successful woman and so is Oprah. In many ways they were similar and you could tell that Oprah really got a kick out of meeting J.K. Rowling. The one thing that is wonderful about the Harry Potter books is how is had such a huge influence on kids. Kids who normally would not read a book now do. Special thanks to Oprah and J.K.Rowling for such an entertaining interview.
