Questions for JKR

[dfrankiswork at netscape.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 23516

Steve Vander Ark wrote:

>I am working on a letter to JKR. I need to ask her the status of the 
>new trading cards (how much input did she give and should those 
>spells and facts be considered canon). Anyone want to suggest any 
>other good questions to ask? No, I won't ask about the gleam or who 
>falls in love with who or any of those kinds of things. But factual 
>details that don't give anything away, sure. So what shall I ask her?
>
>BTW, according to the trading cards, Flitwick's first name is Filius. 
>So do I put that in the Lexicon? I'm unsure...
>
The more I think about this, the more convinced I become that the best course is not to ask anything other than about the trading cards.  First, I expect Jo gets loads of letters, and in replying will prioritise children - I assume you do not intend to stoop to short trouser subterfuge here.  The less work involved in replying, the more likely she is to reply.

Second, I want to suggest that the most interesting questions are those which will be answered in the forthcoming books.  The most effective, and by far the most enjoyable, way to find out the answers we want is to read OOP and its successors.  I would hate to think that my curiosity about Grindelwald's middle name might distract JKR from doing what she likes best and gives us the most fun.

I can struggle on with life, just, without knowing whether Hermione is slightly older or slightly younger than Harry.  If JKR chooses to drop into a future book that she is now celebrating her 16th, or whatever, great.  If not, it's because other stuff of more importance and enjoyment is taking up precious authorial time and page space - even better.

The FAQs raise the intriguing possibility that JKR has responded to some of the questions out in cyberspace in GOF already.  Perhaps one of our number is an agent of Christopher Little (her agent), monitoring all we say.  Trust no one. CONSTANT VIGILANCE!

On the trading cards, I predict that you will get a reply from Chris Little along the lines of: 
Ms Rowling reviews all Harry Potter material produced by WB and does her best to ensure that it is consistent with the Harry Potter series of books.  However, no guarantees can be given that anything in the Trading Cards or any other merchandise can be regarded as being written by her.

If you are lucky you might get confirmation that names not mentioned in the books are JKR's own.

If I were Chris Little (or, rather, one of his staff), I would draft something of the sort and run it past Jo.  If you are very lucky, she will convert it to first person, express her loud and long amusement that anything she writes could be called 'canon', and sign it herself.

But whatever answer you get, and whether or not you get the following sentence, you should probably assume it is true:

Ms Rowling reserves the right in future books to override or contradict any inferences that may be made from WB merchandise.

As far as the lexicon is concerned, can't you just attribute WB material appropriately?  And omit it from any more elaborate deductive systems - I find it hard to believe that Trading Card material will shed light on, say, the missing 24 hours?

David, guessing that Steve has figured all this out already


__________________________________________________________________
Your favorite stores, helpful shopping tools and great gift ideas. Experience the convenience of buying online with Shop at Netscape! http://shopnow.netscape.com/

Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com/