JKR's Writing Secrets Revealed

dangerousbill · Sep 28, 2011

How JKR plans her stuff:
http://notaboutwriting.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/jkrowlingpage.gif

Her secret is still safe. I can't make out a thing.

(Found on Reddit writing)

Brutal Mustang · Sep 28, 2011

It looks like her story timeline, for Order of the Phoenix.

Snitchcat · Sep 28, 2011

Interesting time table. Looks like the tangible version of something I use.

Not saying JKR didn't write it, but I'd like another non-Net source to verify she did.

Side note: The writer of this time table seems to be quite a focused person who doesn't do things at the last minute and is a fast thinker.

eward · Sep 28, 2011

I think I've seen this before. It's neat to see how she deals with juggling various storylines (DA, Order of the Phoenix, the Hall of Prophecy, etc.). She's so cool.

Shadow_Ferret · Sep 28, 2011

Who is JKR?

Oh. It's in the tab. Nevermind.

Logan! · Sep 28, 2011

So that's the key! It all makes sense now!

DamaNegra · Sep 28, 2011

Wow! I LOVE this! I've never been able to figure out how to outline for different subplots, but this system is just brilliant! Thanks so much for sharing!!

Shadow_Ferret · Sep 28, 2011

You understood that mess?

DamaNegra · Sep 28, 2011

Shadow_Ferret said:
You understood that mess?

Well, I've read the book in question about a gazillion times and I have a lot of experience reading crappy handwriting, so yes. The first column is the chapter number. Second column is time of the year when it happens. Third column is a general chapter outline. The rest of the columns deal specifically with all the subplots that are part of the book (one subplot per column) and how they fit into each chapter, whether it actually appears on the chapter or not.

Susan Coffin · Sep 28, 2011

How fun! I love to see how other writers put their stories together. Not for me, but it obviously works well for her.

PrincessofPersia · Sep 28, 2011

Seems pretty straightforward to me. I'd never finish the book if I outlined it that much though. I don't even like to know the entire plot before I start.

robertbevan · Sep 28, 2011

Shadow_Ferret said:
You understood that mess?

+1.

PrincessofPersia · Sep 28, 2011

Maybe it's because I've read the books, but I didn't find that outline to be confusing at all.

Nuwanda · Sep 28, 2011

I don't work with plotting out much, but I've never had to. Working with something like multi-plot series would help keep things straight. At least she pays attention to her story!

Shadow_Ferret · Sep 28, 2011

PrincessofPersia said:
Maybe it's because I've read the books, but I didn't find that outline to be confusing at all.

Could be a combination of things for me. I've only read one Harry Potter book. I can't read that handwriting (for one, the print is way too small). And not only have I never outlined, I don't even know what the process entails. So until Dama explained it, it made no sense to me.

Nuwanda · Sep 28, 2011

Shadow_Ferret said:
Could be a combination of things for me. I've only read one Harry Potter book. I can't read that handwriting (for one, the print is way too small). And not only have I never outlined, I don't even know what the process entails. So until Dama explained it, it made no sense to me.

Dude! Get on it! I listen to the books on tape when I needle point. Her word play is so fun and that's just for starters.

Susan Coffin · Sep 28, 2011

I've never read a Harry Potter book before, but I can certainly see that she is organized in her outline and has a certain process. I can see she wants certain elements and progression in her story. it's a very unorganized organized chart, if you will. We may not be able to tell exactly what it means, therefore making it a mess within our perceptions. But, I doubt if she sees things the same way.

PrincessofPersia · Sep 28, 2011

Shadow_Ferret said:
Could be a combination of things for me. I've only read one Harry Potter book. I can't read that handwriting (for one, the print is way too small). And not only have I never outlined, I don't even know what the process entails. So until Dama explained it, it made no sense to me.

It's probably the handwriting and the lack of familiarity with the books. I've never outlined either. Takes the fun away.

Mara · Sep 28, 2011

Wow, I never thought of outlining like that. That could be useful. (Thanks for the explanation, DamaNegra.)

Satsya · Sep 29, 2011

I'd prefer to think it's real. It's good to see another writer (though a famously successful one) that outlines and plans like I do.

And for me, the planning stage and making documents like this is great fun.

pangalactic · Sep 29, 2011

I think it's real; the handwriting is similar to the writing on her story in the Waterstone's postcards book that came out a few years ago.

Interesting to see how her process works. My outlining process is very, very different; I don't think I could make this work for me.

mulcahy67 · Sep 29, 2011

a very interesting look into the mind of a gifted writer. i often use something like this, a table of sorts, to plan out events for my different characters in a story. i have a whole bunch of "paper posters" plastered to my walls with writing all over them. looks like just as big of an organized clutter as hers!

areteus · Sep 29, 2011

It's not a case of learning her writing secrets (because everyone has different ways of working and one writer's method may not work for you - though it is always worth trying new things for size to see if they fit) but rather a case of learning her publishing secrets... how to a) get a book noticed by a publisher and b) turn said book into a multimillion success

James D. Macdonald · Sep 29, 2011

areteus said:
... rather a case of learning her publishing secrets... how to a) get a book noticed by a publisher and b) turn said book into a multimillion success

a) Submit it in accordance with their guidelines.

b) The readers do this, not the writer. There's little if anything the author can control in this area.

areteus · Sep 29, 2011

Which was my point... I maybe should have emphasised the sarcasm in there more

JKR's Writing Secrets Revealed

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