NPR Interview

[Vivienne O'Regan]

No: HPFGUIDX 4882

On Mon, 30 Oct 2000 01:53:04 -0000 "Susan McGee" <Schlobin at aol.com>
wrote:

>> Why do you think that JKR must have known of Margot's background
>> when  being interviewed by Margot? Surely she doesn't check up on
>> all the journalists sent to interview her! You might be implying 
>>that JKR encountered Margot's book (first edition copyrght 1979, 
>>long enough ago while researching magic and occultism

I just thought it may have been mentioned. Margot is a very high profile 
member of the international magical community, it would seem odd not to
considering that the theme of the HP books are magic and witchcraft - 
even given the fantastical quality of the depiction. However, as Margot 
is quite understated and the issue might not even have been brought up.

I certainly wasn't implying that JKR had encountered Margot's work as I
do not think that JKR had particularly 'researched' magic and occultism
in any depth apart from some general reference works to give her
work some anchor in folklore and the like. There are plenty of writers 
who do or dip some toes in those particular waters and that is usually 
evident in the way in which they write about magic.

>I thought JKR might have known because they sounded like
>friends in the interview. Adler was asking more questions
>about how JKR was doing then she was probing for the details
>we here so cherish.

I think that could have just been Margot's very warm and caring
personality. She is highly experienced as an interviewer and 
is the sort of person who would be concerned about the pressure 
JKR would be under from all the media etc. 

>However, I agree that there isn't much evidence at all (if any)
>that JKR knows anything about "modern" witchcraft and paganism..
>the spell casting is very different, for example, although the
>visualization technique in the repelling the Boggart and Expecto
>Patronum are similar. Hmmm..perhaps I should think about this
>and expand!

I don't get the sense that she knows anything apart from a 
superficial awareness such as the term 'wiccan'. Admittedly, 
she does hit a few 'home runs' with respect to things such as 
visualization, the nature of wands and a few other points but such 
can be pretty much 'plucked from the air' if you are thinking along 
lines of creating a magical world and dipping into bits of lore.  
  


Vivienne