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

8 comments:

  1. This made me feel so emotional... J.K. Rowling is such a huge part of so many people's lives and I'm so thankful that I got the opportunity to read and live the Harry Potter series for so long!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *squishes* It's really amazing that she has touched so many people through the series.

      Delete
  2. This is such a beautiful and heartfelt post Cilla. Harry Potter is such a whimsical and wonderful series, and I am so glad to hear you like it as much as I do. The friendship between Harry, Ron + Hermione is so wonderfully written, and all the characters are absolutely fantastic. Thanks for sharing this and, as always, fabulous post! ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Zoe! <3 The characters of Harry Potter are the best part of the series, I feel, and the main friendship between Harry, Ron and Hermione is one of the reasons I love the books so much. :D

      Delete
  3. Beautiful letter, Cilla! :) I am eternally grateful to J.K. Rowling for writing the Harry Potter series! Even if it's been years since I've read the book and that I first read it when I was 9, I still have so much appreciation for the books. Yes I might have grown out of it just a bit (It's true), but I will forever love the series! :) In a way, it taught me so much in life that no other book had ever done to me. HP is so special <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jillian! <3 It's the same for me - HP taught me so many things about life. I've even found myself in situations where I quote lines from the book to get a solution!

      Delete
  4. This was beautiful. You made me all emotional!

    I can relate to this so much but could never say it quite as well. I love how much Harry Potter still effects all us Potterheads, it's the greatest thing ever. Even though HP wasn't the book that got me into reading or kickstarted my imagination it's the one that matters the most still and has helped shape me so much. J.K. Rowling is such an inspiring person. Anyway, lovely letter! <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *squishes* It really is amazing how much impact the series have! Thank you for this lovely comment, Shay <3

      Delete

Thanks for reading! It makes my day to hear your thoughts and I will respond asap. :)