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| cover by Lora Sipal |
This is a living, growing book. In analyzing JK Rowling's work, I'm constantly finding new examples or techniques I missed. If you have any to share, I'd love to hear them. And if you liked the book, I'd love it if you could post a review and spread the word!
Writer's Guide to Harry Potter is on Kindle!
From Kiki Hamilton, author of The Faerie Ring from Tor, available in Sept:
"I'm reading your book Hogwarts, A History...no that's not it... A Writer's Guide to HP and I LOVE it. So well-though out (who'da thunk JKR would flag red herrings with the word 'spot'????) and your examples are awesome because I know the world and characters so well - thanks!"
From Allie Wilde, a writer from Scotland:
"I'm also reading your book, it's crammed with useful insights. Loving it, and taking notes! Yours has me actually noticing what is happening, & how structure is assembled. I am so immersed in it, & learning so much."Read a fuller review from Allie Wilde on her blog.
Here's the Content of the Writer's Guide:
A Writer's Guide to Harry Potter
Table of Lessons:
Introduction: No Polyjuiced Pretenders Here
(On Learning Techniques, not Cloning a Duplicate)
Lesson One: Characters with More Emotional Range than a Teaspoon
(Characterization)
Lesson Two: Quidditch, A Prisoner of Azkaban, and Thestrals to MoM
(Voice and Reader Fulfillment)
Lesson Three: Return to the Dursleys
(Establishing and Breaking Story Patterns)
Lesson Four: Shrieking Shacks, Whomping Willows, and Moaning Myrtles -- or the Dark Lord's in the Detail
(World Building)
Lesson Five: Revealing Wormtail
(Dropping Clues, Hiding Secrets)
Lesson Six: Put a Fidelius Charm on Your Godric's Hollow
(Backstory)
Lesson Seven: Myth Connections
(Mythic Structures, Archetypes, and Themes)
Lesson Eight: His Royal Snivellus -- the Ambiguity of Snape
(Themes and Borders)
Lesson Nine: Of Grindelwald and Hitler
(Real World Relevance)
Lesson Ten: Keep it FUN
(Engaging the Reader)!
Lesson Eleven: Draco Loves Hermione! At least in fan fiction.
(Fan Involvement)
Lesson Twelve: Make a Magical Impression in the Muggle World
(A Few Tips on Building a Public Presence)
Bonus Lesson: Flying High Above the Quidditch Pitch
(High Concept and Pitching Your Manuscript)
Please Note:
While a couple of sections of this book have been presented as posts on this blog, the majority has not. The blog grew out of the workshop, not the other way around. Most of the workshop book just does not lend itself to (relatively) short blog posts.
