or, answers part 2
You should blog about the random things that remind you of musicals, from Helena
Everything reminds me of musicals. I'm looking at a pile of stuffed animals right now at my friend Christy's house, where I'm staying tonight, and I'm thinking of Avenue Q. Every time I make a scary decision or am faced with the choice between acting out of fear and not (more on this in a sec), I think of Rent. When I rifle through my iPod it's to lament how little of my showtunes have made it on there, thanks to an iTunes disaster, and how much replenishing I need to do. The only thing that doesn't remind me of musicals is Harry Potter, which means, with the amount of Harry Potter in my life, that I can achieve some sort of balance. Though, it's always tempting to break into "Annie": "It's a Hard Knock Life," featuring the Weasley family, or "Maybe," featuring Harry in his cupboard. I think I started to filk this whole musical once, into "Harry" from "Annie." There are surprising parallels.
Here's question. What kind of music have you guys been listening to the most in the car so far on your PotterCast tour? Wizard rock? Something else?, from "A 30-ish Potter fan"
Tour's over, but, we did listen to a lot of Wizard Rock, half of the time to John's delight but some of the time to his consternation ("ENOUGH WIZARD ROCK!" etc). He had no shot with me and Bre and Sue in the car. The leadup to book seven made us more likely to want to listen to wizard rock than ever before; it was definitely a much larger portion of my musical diet then than it is now. It was all Harry and the Potters, the Remus Lupins, Draco and the Malfoys, Ministry of Magic, and some Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls, the lattermost two of which I hadn't heard before I got my hands on Bre's iPod. I just don't know who Oliver Boyd IS, or what he has to do with Harry Potter, and forgot to ask Christian (who "is" Oliver Boyd) that at Prophecy. Woops. Anyone know? Bueller? Bueller?
Outside of wizard rock, we listened to a lot of musicals (Rent was popular as we were driving into Santa Fe, for obvious reasons), because they made good singalongs. One very late night, to keep ourselves entertained and awake, we staged an entire Disney singalong.
When it wasn't wizrock or musicals, and I had the controls, I most often put on The Blow, The Fratellis, Norah Jones, Rilo Kiley, Jason Anderson, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Michael Jackson, Cheap Trick, Bon Jovi, 'NSYNC (yes, seriously, I love them in that high school way) and Elvis Presley. Totally dysfunctional playlist, but that's what my iPod is like. No rhyme, no reason.
And as much as humanly possible, I indoctrinated others to the ways of Eddie Izzard.
Now that you are travelling, have you started work on your book? You're meeting fans and seeing this phenomenon stark. Its so immense that it makes one feel so small and minute..It would be a tough job condensing it all in a book..Any fears??...Hats off to you for such an attempt....Also, when you publish the book, where will it be available? I'm in India...will it reach us Leaky fans here?, from Silos
OK, one thing at a time:
Firstly, thank you for the good wishes. The book will currently only be available in the US, but on Amazon to whomever wants to order it from anywhere. Hopefully it will be published in the UK and other countries so that you don't have to pay ludicrous shipping charges to get it. India...I can only hope! It all depends on how good I make it. Eck.
What you said is very true: I got to see it stark, and it is an immense thing that makes you feel immensely small.
"It would be a touch job condensing it all in a book. Any fears??" - Well, let me see.
There's the fear that despite the evidence I put forward in my proposal, I am not the person to do this job. There's the fear that I'm too young, and too inexperienced. There's the fear that the phenomenon is much too big for me and I've taken on too much. There's simple fear that hits me every morning when I stare at a blank page. There's the fear that I'll not get all the facts I need and the book will therefore not offer anyone anything new. There's the fear that the personal elements of the book will simply be uninteresting to anyone who isn't me. There's the fear that I won't make deadline. There's the towering fear that I'm not a good enough writer. There's the fear that those personal elements won't be uninteresting at all, but will tell much too much about myself - will be way too honest, way too central, make me way too vulnerable. There's the fear that those I write about will hate how they've been portrayed and therefore hate me. There's the fear that my friends and family won't like it, and will spend their lives trying to hide that fact from me. There's the fear of it flopping and spelling the end of my writing career. There's the fear that Jo would perceive me as writing a companion book, as trying to "cash in" on the phenomenon instead of adding something valuable to it. There's the fear that I won't add anything valuable to it. There's the fear that I'm never working hard enough or long enough. There's the fear that what I've written today, just now, is rubbish and should be sent out to writing classes as examples of bad prose. There's the fear that I'll miss something crucial, or accidentally make a big factual error. There's the fear of disappointing my editor, my agent, my mother. And above all, there's the fear of disappointing myself.
So... yes.
A large part of my daily energy is spent on something like Occlumency. When I sit down and try to proceed, this little green dude with horns pops up in my head and starts listing all these fears, loudly. I need to name him. Let's call him something completely ugly...Grogsnot. Got a nice hard sound to it, don't you think? Grogsnot, my little green dude, dances around and tells me how inadequate I am, how every word that gets put in front of the other is worse than the one before it, and that I was crazy to even attempt to try and do this, so why don't I just give up and go play Guitar Hero for the rest of the day? Sometimes it's easy to tune him out and get to work; sometimes it's not. I'm getting progressively better at it. His biggest enemy is my progress. As I make phone calls, send emails, write, read transcriptions, organize, make timelines - as these things occur, he gets paler and paler, and further and further away, until he's gone and I've had a productive day. Then he is banished for the rest of the night, but sleeps and restores his energy, and is back to try to get to me the next morning. The only thing that poisons him is good work, and as I settle down from the craziness of this summer, and head into lengthening periods of quiet work, he is becoming less powerful. Maybe one day I won't meet him at all. That'll be a good day.
The book is due (to be edited) Jan. 9, and Jan. 11, which will be a year since J.K. Rowling finished Deathly Hallows, is a Friday. This means that during this year's holidays I will be tearing my hair out; I will probably emerge only five days or so: Thanksgiving, Nancy's wedding, Christmas, Christy's wedding, New Year's Eve (maybe). I will not celebrate my birthday until 2008 (though this year I forgot to celebrate it with friends, so maybe it'll be a double). On January 9 and 10, I will sleep. I will hopefully also be celebrating my friend Rob's release from prison (Jan. 9 at last schedule, but who knows when it'll really be). On January 11, if all goes to plan, I'll have a big party with friends and family to celebrate life and good work and the stamping out of the little green Grogsnot.
I hope Christian doesn't mind me quoting right from his MySpace:
"The main character, Oliver, gets a call during the night from a mysterious person claiming to be a "wizard", who talks of a dark lord. Confused, Oliver is told he must inform the other Muggles [...] of the existence of the wizarding world. If that wasn't weird enough, he's also told he must calmly spread the word that some bad guy wizard might end up doing some evil stuff that might possibly effect said Muggles. [...] And what medium does he use to convey the information? Well, Wizard Rock of course."
Oh, and his music pwns all of the little wrock corners of my soul.
on your fears:
Just a little note of encouragement - try to remember that there is a reason that so many of us listen to podcast after podcast and its not to hear the straight Harry Potter facts - its your personality. Its John and Sue and very largely your eloquence and the way that you speak to all of us with your insights and ideas and reactions to the fandom, the books, the films. You will express everything that needs to be in the book just fine, because it will be yours and thats why we will buy it. Because many of us aren't looking for the ultimate encyclopedia of HP fandom with the most in depth and perfect facts etc. We are looking forward to reading your interpretation/explanations of the fans' world and journeys through all this and you have been there for every step of that and what you have to say is as valid (if not more valid) than anyone else who knows anything about this enormous fandom universe.
People always say "write what you know" and you know a lot about this, because you very genuinely have been part of it and allowed so many listeners and fans of the podcast to be in on it with you in a very unpretentious way. Thats why you are the right person to write this book. Or at least THE book that many of us want to read.
Hell, I wish someone had *really* captured the RENT mania in book form, from the perspective of the line, from the beginning. I'd buy that book too. I want to be able to have this years from now and remember the excitement.
We are so so lucky that you are the one writing this for and about the Harry Potter fans.
-bonnie
I think Grogsnot can be a good thing- imagine if he wasn't there, you would be in danger of getting complacent and not driving yourself to discover and explore every avenue you could. That fear that you might not represent the phenomenon and its participants in the right way is what will ensure that you do!
Turn Grogsnot on his head- use him for the power of good, don't let him be the force of evil (aka Procrastination or debilitating fear)
Just remember, if #Voldemort can't stop...the rock# then Grogsnot can't stop the writing! :-D
I think Grogsnot can be a good thing- imagine if he wasn't there, you would be in danger of getting complacent and not driving yourself to discover and explore every avenue you could. That fear that you might not represent the phenomenon and its participants in the right way is what will ensure that you do!
Turn Grogsnot on his head- use him for the power of good, don't let him be the force of evil (aka Procrastination or debilitating fear)
Just remember, if #Voldemort can't stop...the rock# then Grogsnot can't stop the writing! :-D
Oh, everything reminds me of musicals, too. Being a Wicked fan, my friends know not to wear pink and green around me... *eye roll*
This Grogsnot guy sounds a lot like a "vampire" from [title of show]. I think you should really invest in [title of show]. I just bought the cast recording off of iTunes last weekend, but I really like it. There's some "language", like, I won't play it in front of my little sister... then again, she roped her way into coming to see RENT with me tomorrow... so maybe [tos] is fine. Anyway, the song "Die Vampire, Die!" is about defeating all the "vampires" that are trying to crush your creative expression... Grogsnot definitely sounds like a vampire to me! Also, "Nine People's Favorite Thing" is a good song. ("I'd rather be/ Nine people's favorite thing/ than a hundred people's ninth favorite thing")
Anyway, keep up the great work.
Sierra
P.S. Jo will be fine with your book- she has to be. Look at all the other books written about the series (the books by Galadriel Waters come to mind) that she seems to be okay with. Your book is different from the others out there, but I don't see why she'd have a problem. No copyright infringement is intended (I assume). You want to document this amazing time in the HP-fandom and I applaud you for it. I'm looking forward to the release of your book very much!
Thanks Melissa for taking my question/comment. =] I get reminded of musicals too. The worst was last year when we were talking about AIDS in health class and my teacher said how people get depressed, and I just kept thinking "ROGER" and then she kept saying all these things and I kept having to refrain myself for not just bursting into song.
If it helps any, I think you're a really great writer. I read my mum some of your stuff, since she used to be a writer in NYC, and she really liked it and thought it was really good. I'm sure that doesn't help any considering that I've never met you (sad you didn't come to VA!), but hopefully it'll make you feel better! =] And you go kick that Grogsnot's ass!
*lots of hugs and encouragement*
--Helena
Melissa:
The others above have already said it, but their words of encouragement are echoed by all of the people who have enjoyed a richer appreciation of the Potterverse through the hard work of you, Sue, John, everyone at TLC, and all of the other websites, podcasts, and Wrockers.
I love the books and the movies, but I also love what you and yours bring out about the books and movies. Trust in yourself, as you have all along. The power of Potter will carry you along, as it has done since you started at TLC.
Remember, at the end, you too can say "All is well."
That Grogsnot sounds like a real wanker... don't listen to him. Your fears are understandable, especially with that kind of undertaking. But have no worries, you will overcome them.
Oh, and on the days you *might* emerge from last minute revising, New Years Eve is just another night. The others are important, yes.
take care Melissa, and keep up the good work
Matt
Melissa, what you are doing is amazing for all Harry Potter fans and i am sure we all will love it! thank you so much!
Just your little speil about Grogsnot was good, vivid writing! I think we all have a little mean green guy in our heads sometimes. It helps if you invent a weakness for him, like the fact that he may be terrified of candy canes. :)
Well good luck with everything!
~Michelle
p.s. What is your favourite Remembrall's song? I love Bridge to the Other Side and End of an Era, but I can't decide which on I
Melissa you're awesome, don't listen to all your fears--and especially not Grogsnot. It's been said before but I'll say it again: There's a reason why we all listen to PotterCast. You, John and Sue are amazing, you are intelligent, outgoing and just fun! We all have our own little Grogsnots, yours just seems to be a little more boisterous. Keep up your awesome writing and Grogsnot will be defeated!
...I personally have a little demon who enjoys making me procrastinate...
Thing is, like the people above me have already said, you're brilliant. But - you'd be brilliant even if you hadn't worked with Leaky, even if PotterCast hadn't been such a huge success. You'll be brilliant even if the book flops.
I mean, I don't know you, but I've a feeling that you're one of those people (aren't we all, though?) who can only like yourself when you have done something extraordinary. Something successful. That you imagine that the only time people -really- like you, is when you accomplish things.
Not true. You'll be a much better writer if you get rid of Grogsnot, and the only way to do that is to find better reasons to write than fear. I know you have them, you just need to come to terms with the fact that you'd be brilliant even if you weren't writing. That's when you can write because you want to write, because you have something to tell people, because there are so many people around the world who wants to read it.
Um...why is your friend Rob in prison?
Melissa- you are an absolutely amazing person. I only met you once at the Leaky Mug in New York (august 2006) but you were just so nice and friendly to everyone. I love to hear what you have to say on the podcasts and in your blogs...you write and speak so eloquently. Just remember that you have a team of fans supporting you!
I think your Grogsnot is a wonderful creation..you could lend it out to others when they are slacking.. All copyright to you, ofcourse.
We all have Grogsnot in each of us and they emerge when we're feeling unsure and have loads of work to complete in less than necessary time. And in reply to your fears...
I think you are absolutely the person to do this job. Your being young and raw (to your inexperienced)to this field will mirror a true fan you are and how you've evolved and grown up with the book.
To face a blank page is equal to facing a fresh opportunity to express this fandom in various, multifold ways.
Any experience that one offers to the Potter phenomena is yet another way that Harry has affected our lives.
Uninteresting, both you and Harry are yet to be.
Your vision of the the HP experience and its affected vitims can only help to cheer us.
You write that you're a perfectionist and I can imagine you making meticulous notes and burning the midnight oil. I'm sure no one will be disappointed in your writing and knowing how you are, they'll make sure you know it.
Of all people, Jo would see this book as a tribute to her enormous pleasuable world, by a fan, for other fans, who crave to know how Melissa percieves this fantastic world.
As for the writing classes...I'm sure there's bound to be a critic/fan/annoying English teacher who will make sure there's a flaw here and there...I'm studying English and I know that we are always looking for loopholes and mistakes, despite the manuscript's brilliance.
Hoping that your Grogsnot will be exterminated by sheer Hufflepuff hardwork, a bit of Slytherin connivance, Ravenclaw wit and careful spent Gryffindor courage.
Silos.
So, not to ruin the one thing that doesn't remind you of musicals, but I was thinking the other day about what HP would look like as a musical. I, for one, would be very excited to hear Snape's "I hate Harry" song. :)
Good luck with the book. Writing's that way, isn't it? Let me echo Bonnie's comments about your eloquence on Pottercast. I'm looking forward to your insights about this Potter phenomenon.
Melissa, you are the right person to be writing about the Harry Potter phenomenon because you have been able to experience so many Harry Potter events: midnight parties and releases, creating a HP website and podcast, listening to wizard rock and going to WR concerts, anticipating the release of the next book, and let's not forget meeting J.K. Rowling herself. How many fans can say they have done this much? You will write a wonderful book that HP fans will treasure because we will be able to read your book and remember our own experiences. Thank you for recording our journey.
Mindy
I'm adopting Grogsnot! That was just too cute. But don't give in to him!
hello melissa ~ :)
'ear, 'ear ~ to everything that has been said here regarding your fears. i've been thinking a lot lately about vibration and intention, your intention has always come from a place of goodness when in comes to harry and i'm sure in your daily life. because your intention is only the best, the result can only be true. this is why we admire you. we see the light that is you. your perspective, kindness and knowledge is truly a gift and we as harry fans are truly grateful for all the time and energy that you give ~ this can only have a positive outcome. :)
on a side note ~ we have briefly met in vegas (at lumos and at the live pottercast) ~ it was really wonderful that you, john and sue gave all of us these delicious memories. i cannot wait for the book!
all my love and snugs,
shauna
I guess that would be the time for Ron to say "One person can't feel all that at once, they'd explode."
But THANK GOD he learned something from that SPOILER thing.
All I can really say is: "May the Force be with you." xD
That's actually the one thing we all have to look for, isn't it? Strength to go on. And luck, luck always help, but that's a job for Felix Felicis.
I guess that would be the time for Ron to say "One person can't feel all that at once, they'd explode."
But THANK GOD he learned something from that SPOILER thing.
All I can really say is: "May the Force be with you." xD
That's actually the one thing we all have to look for, isn't it? Strength to go on. And luck, luck always help, but that's a job for Felix Felicis.
Stupid Grogsnot! I think I know his cousin, he keeps telling me that my manga collection is way more interesting than my anatomy books, and that med school is too hard. Do you think these trolls are in league with death eaters?
But, seriously, everyone posting here is right. Harry Potter has a great fanbase, but so do YOU. It's your wit, your great insights, and the infectious sense of fun you exhibit when discussing all things Harry Potter that will come through in this book. Just keep being yourself, and it's sure to be a hit. :) So go ahead and poke Grogsnot in the eye and tell him to shut up, 'cuz you have WAY more friends than he does. 'Cuz you're awesome.
Hey. I think you can banish ALL of your fears. the very fact that Grogsnot (who is a WONDERFUL creation; I think u shud patent him, seriously)disappears at the end of the day is proof enough.
I DO hope your book will be available in India. But theres always Amazon :)
Good Luck!