Studying a genius

I'm reading the 7th Harry Potter book again, mainly because I read it so fast the first time that I can't remember one thing about it and that was years ago. I want to know how closely they followed the book when I see the movie. I also wanted to read it with a critical eye, to get a taste for her genius, hoping it would seep in through my pores.

I don't know that it has so far.

I have come to the conclusion that she is, yes, a fantastic writer. The only thing she does that is a no no here in the US is put 'said' first. That's a very European thing to do so I can't really criticize her for that. I'm so totally into her story that I hate to put it down. I'm riveted. I find myself asking, "How did she even think to put that word there?"

I love the poectic way she describes things, like, "Dawn seemed to  follow midnight with indecent haste." Would I ever think to write something this way? Doubt it. I do justify my own lack with the fact that she went to college to study writing and I didn't, but that will only hold up for so long.

Now, It's not healthy to compare yourselves to others. You'll always find where they are better. But it doesn't hurt to glean knowledge from them. It doesn't even hurt to imitate their form until you can find your own. Isn't that how we all start?

When I wrote my first book and gave it to a friend to critique he told me it was too much like Harry Potter, too much like Star Wars, too much like the Joseph Smith story. And then in big letters at the end, he said, "WRITE YOUR OWN STORY!"

I didn't know what my own story was at the time. I do now. I've written quite a few novels. It's something that comes with time and practice. I'm sure JK had lots of practice. It doesn't hurt to add desperation to the recipe either. She was pretty desperate at the time.

So, may  all your writing dreams come true like hers have! Keep your imaginations alive and remember the most important thing of all. Take breaks!!!