"Interesting Facts about J K Rowling"
Post on: November 11, 2019
It is indeed rare to know of someone who has not heard of the Harry Potter series and J K Rowling. Her fame seems to have reached out to the uttermost part of the earth and all and sundry. With such adulation, one may assume stardom being thrust upon her from the very beginning. But it is far from the truth. Hers is a “rags to riches” story which we love to hear as it gives the common man hope in the face of adversity…
Some facts about the author of the best-selling book series:
1. J.K. Rowling conceptualised the story of “Harry Potter” during a delayed train from Manchester to London. Her initial ideas were mapped out in a napkin. This was thereafter typewritten and her first book was entitled “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.”
2. Perseverance – She was relentless in her efforts to publish her book. Not one or two but twelve publishing houses rejected her manuscript! Her thirteenth attempt bore fruits. It was finally accepted by Bloomsbury – a reward for her unwavering resolve and self-belief.
3. In a span of five years, her life went through so much transformation – from being unemployed, receiving handouts from the state to a highly prosperous and acclaimed author! It sounds like a script from a Hollywood blockbuster.
4. She is the richest author in the world with a net worth hovering around $1 billion. Who would have imagined that the advance payment she got from the Harry Potter book was a modest 1500 British pound in comparison?
5. Rowling is a notable philanthropist, contributing much to various charitable organisation. She received the British Red Cross Humanity award in recognition of her altruistic work. And the Order of the British Empire was bestowed upon her in the year 2000.
6. Her entrance examination to get into Oxford University did not come about. Undeterred, she enrolled at the University of Exeter where she achieved a BA in French and Classics. She fondly recalls that she did minimum work while doing what she loves – reading Dickens and Tolkien.
7. Her mother whom she was so close, died from multiple sclerosis. After her success, she donated a substantial amount to the University of Edinburgh which created a centre for Regenerative Medicine. It was named the “Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic” in memory of her late mom.
8. Rags to Riches – Harry Potter became a household name which made her the first billionaire author in the world. Warner Brothers purchased the film rights to her books and there was no turning back from a writer who once wrote on napkins….
Rowling’s life is like a fairy tale story. She succeeded against all odds and has been an inspiration to many. Her relentless charitable work and work ethics despite amassing riches teach one to be benevolent and to be mindful of hard work. Her values and ethos of life are worth emulating.
Rowling’s words of wisdom on being undeterred by life’s setbacks are personified by her own life story: “It is impossible to live without failing at something unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default.”
#JollyGoodTimes #InterestingFactsAboutJKRowling #ShajiThomasVarughese
https://www.facebook.com/jollygoodtimes.org/
www.jollygoodtimes.org
Photo by Dzenina Lukac from Pexels
Disclaimer:
Jolly Good Times is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information on this site is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information…”
