When the first book in the Harry Potter series was made, it changed children everywhere. Kids began to be interested in magic, wizards, witches, and many other fantasy creatures. Rowling's books have touched the hearts of children around the world. The books took the reader into a world were a normal child could go from the real world into a magical world. It is about children learning about their magical powers, and all the wonderful things that they use the magic for.

Joanne Rowling was born in England. After she finished school, she found work as a secretary. Later she spent time teaching English in Portugal. After that she moved to Scotland, with her daughter. She now lives in Scotland with her husband and two children.

Rowling chose to become a writer when she was just six years old. It was then that she wrote her first book. It was a story about a rabbit called "Rabbit". She had always wanted to become a writer. At home when she was a child, her house was full of books because her parents loved to read. One important thing to her as a writer was that she did not believe in giving up. It was important to her to keep trying until she succeeds.

Many times J.K. Rowling told people how she came up with the idea of Harry Potter. She told newspapers that while she was taking a long train journey to in England she came up with the idea. She made the idea while her little girl slept beside her on the train. At that moment she decided she should write about a boy who didn't know he was a wizard, and the wizard school he ended up going to. It took Rowling close to five long years to finish the first Harry Potter book. At the same time, she also made plans about how to write the next six books after it. She believed that the Harry Potter series should have seven books total. This is because she wanted each of the books to talk about one year of Harry's life in Hogwarts. All the Harry Potter books always are based on the fight between good and evil.

Some of Mrs. Rowling names in the books came from some unusual places. The name "Hedwig" was a saints name. The name "Dumbledor" is an old English word that means bumble bee. The name "Snape" is the name of a place in England. Also Rowlings says that many of the names she just made herself. The word "Quidditch" and "Muggle" are two words that she made herself.

J. K. Rowling went on the internet on World Book day, and chatted with some of her fans. She also said it is possible but not likely that there might be an eighth book. One that will talk about Harry when he is all grown up. It would talk about Harry after he leaves Hogwarts, the academy for wizards.