JKR's plays on words

[Amy Z]

No: HPFGUIDX 13517

Amanda wrote:

> My favorite illustration of this is the lucky gambler, who just 
seems to
> win a lot, or (for you gamers out there), the nights you're playing 
and
> the dice seem to know what's going on--the high rolls make sense, 
the
> low rolls make sense, and it all comes together so well that you're
> *there.* That is what JKR has, that ability to write so that it all
> comes together. Perhaps her subconscious just percolates better than
> most.
> 

Basketball players call it "the zone," and when they're in the zone, 
their teammates know to get them the ball and get the hell out of the 
way because they just can't miss.  (Can you tell I went to a Celtics 
game the other night?  Swish!  Pierce for two!)

But it's born of hard work, and the same is true for good writing; I 
think JKR knows the cultural background because she pays attention to 
it, reads obsessively, etc.  And we know from interviews that she 
loves funny words and unusual names and collects them.  I *love* 
Paula's color-names observation, and I wouldn't be surprised if JKR 
was completely aware of these meanings.  It may seem obscure to some, 
but to people who find etymology interesting, it's second nature to 
look up and remember the meanings of names.

Amy Z

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Snape made them all nervous, breathing down
their necks while they tried to remember 
how to make a Forgetfulness potion.
             -HP and the Philosopher's Stone 
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