Why so dissatisfied? H/G

[Cindy]

No: HPFGUIDX 135886

> 
> Joj writes:
> I see it as poor writing.  Obviously this isn't a romance novel, 
and 
> even if she gave us a lot of detail, much would be left to the 
> imagination.  But the whole thing?  
> 
> We are to imagine Ginny and Hermione's interactions about Harry, 
and 
> Ginny never getting over Harry, even while with other people?  
That's 
> to be expected.  That's not from Harry's point of veiw. We are to 
> imagine Ginny and Harry getting closer over the summer, and her 
> working her way into his subconscious?  I think we could have been 
> shown a little bit of that.  One small conversation between the 
two 
> of them.  We are to imagine Harry and Ginny's entire relationship 
> after the first kiss?  Huh?  We got a more meaningful scene 
between 
> Harry and Luna at the end of OotP than we got between Harry and 
Ginny 
> in this book.  
> 
> I'm sorry if I just can't imagine this perfect romance between 
Harry 
> and Ginny.  I think it's a little much for Jo to ask us to.  It's 
her 
> job, not ours.  I just think she left too much in her head, and 
> didn't put enough on the page (of Harry and Ginny's romance and of 
> Ginny's growth into the perfect woman and Harry's equal).
> I think Jo seriously underestimates her fans if she thinks she'll 
> answer all our questions in the last book, about H/G or anything 
else.
> 
> Joj


One of the classic rules writers must learn is the concept, "show, 
don't tell." From the website of Robert J. Sawyer: 

"First, what's the difference between the two? Well, "telling" is 
the reliance on simple exposition: Mary was an old woman. "Showing," 
on the other hand, is the use of evocative description: Mary moved 
slowly across the room, her hunched form supported by a polished 
wooden cane gripped in a gnarled, swollen-jointed hand that was 
covered by translucent, liver-spotted skin." 
http://www.sfwriter.com/ow04.htm

Since JKR certainly knows how to write "show", I would agree with a 
few other posters that the Harry/Ginny scenes were probably heavily 
edited--to the point of well, disappointment. 

pg. 534 AE HBP

"The creature in his chest roaring in triumph, he grinned down at 
Ginny and gestured wordlessly out of the portrait hole.  A long walk 
in the grounds seemed indicated, during which--if they had time--
they might discuss the match." 

So what did they talk about on their long walk? It does seem in some 
ways, the reader is "cheated" out of this information.  I mean, this 
is the FIRST conversation that Harry and Ginny have to discuss their 
feelings to one another, or maybe we are just supposed to assume it 
was a big make out session (jk). So, I can certainly understand the 
feelings some folks have about being disappointed, however, if there 
was some severe editing, it only reinforces the fact that Harry's 
relationships will not be key in his success or failure to defeat 
Voldemort.