J.K. Rowling Tweets about “Lethal White” and Writing
Today was one of the celebrated occasions when J.K. Rowling takes to Twitter to answer some burning questions from her fans. It all started when a fan asked about progress on the next installment in the Cormoran Strike series, which Rowling writes as Robert Galbraith.
It progresses. Turns out the fourth in every one of my series has to be the longest. ? https://t.co/cnXl2Qju6Y
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 30, 2018
When it was pointed out that Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the longest book in the Harry Potter series, Rowling clarified her statement.
I know. I mean, the longest *so far*. The fifth Galbraith definitely won’t be as long as Lethal White. (Remind me I said that in a couple of years time, please.) https://t.co/KyPLMZ0sgF
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 30, 2018
After the Cormoran Strike update, Rowling answered some questions about her writing process. When asked how much of the plot she plans out before she begins writing, Rowling briefly described her planning process.
I plan a lot. This particular novel’s plan comprises a vast, complicated, colour-coded table showing all the suspects, with blue ink for clues and red ink for red herrings. https://t.co/Ab1uMqh20P
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 30, 2018
She added that sometimes she works with ideas for a while before they reach their final form.
Yes, I plan a lot and usually in table form. In the case of the present novel, I had the idea for the plot in 2013, but its undergone huge revisions since then. https://t.co/jrtDIw8aQR
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 30, 2018
Rowling also revealed the surprisingly low-tech tools she uses to write her novels.
Pen, paper and then Microsoft Word ? https://t.co/zD2ImtRjFG
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 30, 2018
Rowling described her thoughts about feeling discouraged with writing prose in almost poetic terms.
The wonderful thing about writing is that there is always a blank page waiting.
The terrifying thing about writing is that there is always a blank page waiting. https://t.co/jQsbNLusek— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 30, 2018
Finally, she was asked if she is ever tempted by new ideas before she has finished her current project. She replied and wrapped up the impromptu Q&A session with a quotation from novelist William Faulkner:
Of course! “All (writers) have failed to match our dream of perfection… That’s why he keeps on working, trying again; he believes each time that this time he will do it, bring it off. Of course he won’t, which is why this condition is healthy.” – William Faulkner https://t.co/ncNVXp8B3X
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 30, 2018
It looks like readers will have a nice, long book to read when the next installment of Cormoran Strike is released. Until then, perhaps those writers among us can take Rowling’s advice and make some color-coded tables with which to confront that wonderful, terrifying blank page.
