What did J.K. Rowling do before Harry Potter? This question often piques the curiosity of fans and newcomers alike. Before becoming a global phenomenon with her wizarding world, Rowling led a life that was far from the magical adventures she would later create. Let’s delve into the fascinating journey of this literary giant.
Before Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling was a single mother living on state benefits in Edinburgh, Scotland. She had already faced numerous challenges in her life, including the loss of her mother to multiple sclerosis when she was just 21 years old. Despite these hardships, Rowling found solace in writing.
Rowling’s initial attempt at writing was a novel for adults, which she titled “Thomas the Rhymer.” However, it was not until she moved to Portugal with her young daughter, Jessica, that she began to write “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” (known as “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” in the United States). She wrote the first draft of the book in longhand on a train, with only a small notebook and a pen to accompany her.
While in Portugal, Rowling struggled financially and even had to rely on food banks. However, she never lost sight of her dream to become a published author. She sent out the manuscript of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” to various publishers, but it was rejected by twelve before Bloomsbury accepted it.
With the publication of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” in 1997, Rowling’s life took an incredible turn. The book became an instant success, and she was able to move back to the UK and provide a better life for her daughter. The subsequent books in the series, “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” further solidified her place in the literary world.
Rowling’s success with the Harry Potter series allowed her to pursue other writing projects, such as “The Casual Vacancy,” a novel for adults, and “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” a non-fiction guide to the magical creatures in the Harry Potter universe. The “Fantastic Beasts” series, which consists of three books so far, has been adapted into a successful film franchise.
In conclusion, before Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling was a determined and resilient woman who overcame numerous obstacles to pursue her passion for writing. Her journey from a struggling single mother to a beloved author and global icon is a testament to the power of perseverance and the magic of storytelling.
