W.O.M.B.A.T.S

[quigonginger]

> Rebecca:
> 
> 
> 
> Maybe she's trying to find out what "we", her readers, know about the
> universe she's created - having a interactive dialog (of sorts)  
like this
> saves on some writing time - what she covers on the WOMBATS with 
readers
> before the final book means she only needs to loosely refer to 
relative
> knowledge from this test in Book 7,  if she has a need to.

Ginger:

If I understand you correctly, I think you are saying that JKR is 
trying to see how much we know about her world so that she will know 
how much detail she needs to get into when writing book 7.

IOW, if we already know the stuff, she can build on that, but if we 
don't, she'll have to do a bit of background info as she writes.

Is that what you meant?

I find only one flaw with that line of thinking- the only ones who are 
taking the test are complete Potter Nuts.  The average reader probably 
is aware that she has a website, and may know that there is a door, 
but how many have this splendid group of people who can magically come 
up with the sort of info needed to get in to sit the test in the first 
place?  

My cousin got me into HP.  I'm sure if I asked her if she had sat her 
WOMBATS, she'd think I had lost it.  So would her kids, who are Potter 
fans, but are very busy with school and activities.  (Heck, my cousin 
didn't even notice the wand order problem in GoF.)

Try it out for yourself:  Walk up to the first 100 people you see 
today and ask "Have you sat your WOMBATS?"  We have enough lawyers on 
the list that you could probably find one to represent you that 
wouldn't think you were nuts.  

No, I don't think JKR is doing this to find out how much the average 
Muggle on the street knows about the WW, I think she is just letting 
us have some fun, and is probably enjoying it herself that so many 
people have gotten into her world on such a deep level. 

On the other hand, maybe the highest score will get to be her guest at 
the release party for book 7.  Or get an autographed copy of it.  Or 
get a mention on her site.  Or get to meet her.  Or...well, I can 
dream.

Any side bets as to which of us would be the highest in this group?  
My money's on Lexicon Steve.

Ginger, who doesn't think she did that well on hers.