BPC: Dear J.K. Rowling

22:49 Cilla 8 Comments

Welcome to another installment of the Blogger Positivity Campaign! This campaign is hosted by Jillian @ Jillian's Books. Check out her intro for the other blogs participating to spread some love through the blogosphere! 

Based on today's prompt, I have chosen to write a letter to an author who has helped me as a reader.  I realised it is predictable and actually tried to think of other authors/people/books that I could dedicate this topic too. However, this is the letter I've been thinking of writing for years but never got around to, so bear with me!

 Dear J.K. Rowling,

I picked up a translated copy of Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone on the recommendation of a book review in a magazine. I didn't really know what I was going into, except that there would be magic and the story would be great. The first chapter puzzled me, and I still had no idea what was going on, but I held on. I was ten years old.

Fast forward a decade, to a midnight in July 2011. I sat in a packed theatre as the credits to Deathly Hallows part 2 rolled, with dozens of people wiping their eyes. It was moving - to be in a group of people who probably shared few else in common, who I'd never see again, but right then we were all caught in the same moment. My love and morning were reflected on the face of the girl dressed up as Hedwig as much as it was on the young boy who hadn't stopped crying since the halfway point of the movie - all strangers I'd never see again, but who would understand me perfectly in that moment. I imagined that, perhaps unless I turned political or very religious, I wouldn't feel this way again.

In those ten years, Potter opened new doors for me. My English improved leaps and bounds through your books. I remember reading the novels in English for the first time and keeping a list of all the unfamiliar words. I discovered fanfiction and started writing some (I promise they're not the sleazy kind), and I can confidently say I'm a better writer as much as I am a better English speaker because of it.

I have gained friends through your books. I had friends who were avid readers, but I could count them on one hand. I hadn't known anyone who loved writing as much as I could. There were times when I felt lonely. Through the Potter community online, I have met some of my dearest friends these days. Your stories have given me this, and I'm forever grateful.

You must hear things like this all the time, but I hope you haven't grown tired of it or believed it to be less true somehow. I owe you many joys, many opportunities to let my imagination take flight, and I continue to be inspired by you as a person and your books. I wanted you to know that you have contributed to making my life better, so thank you, thank you.

Sincerely,
Cilla