I enjoyed reading about all of the good memories associated with Harry's home when he lived with his parents. It was nice to get to hear about some of the positive things and loving relationships that he had as a really little child. I particularly enjoyed Harry finding the small kiddie-broom he learned to ride on (and how much Ron knew about it)!
Arnel Wednesday 14th October 2009 03:07
24: The Potter Memorial (Author Response)
A happily reminiscent Harry was a lot of fun to write and because I'm a mother, it was easy to draw on my recollections of how vigilant I had to be as a parent when he was small. However, those were also joyous times when he was discovering new things every day and I drew on that joy to make Harry's memories of playing in the sitting room happy ones. Harry's room could easily have been a place of immense sorrow, but since I'd spent so many paragraphs in another chapter talking about baby Harry and his broom that I decided to use that as comic relief and also to have Ron show how knowledgeable he was when it came to his favorite subject. Thanks for your review.
I enjoyed reading that chapter, but I had to skim through several previous chapters to remind myself where we are up to. It may be a Summer story but we are heading into Winter again. More please.
Arnel Wednesday 14th October 2009 03:13
24: The Potter Memorial (Author Response)
Oh, you'll definitely get more, don't worry. I've had Chapter 25 written for nearly a year, letting it simmer and develop and now I'm almost ready to send it to my betas.
It's funny how a story that was only supposed to be a few chapters has blossomed into a novel-length winter tale when I began discussing it with friends. By the time I decided to expand it beyond August or September, I had already published the first chapters. My solution is to have the Epilogue situated at the beginning of the coming summer so that things will come full circle.
I could just picture the expressions on Ron's face during this one. Nice chapter, Arnel. I'm tickled thinking of Molly's reaction when she sees how wiped out Harry is. Somehow, I'm sure that'll be Ron's fault too.
Arnel Tuesday 13th October 2009 09:28
24: The Potter Memorial (Author Response)
Unfortunately, Melinda, Molly won't get the chance to react in the next chapter because I skip ahead a few days in Chapter 25. However, I think most likely she would have not only made it Ron's fault that Harry's so wiped-out, I can see her holding Ginny and Hermione culpable, too, if only for the simple fact that Hermione's smart enough to know when to tell everyone they need to go home. She'll hold Ginny responsible because she's connected magically to Harry and can sense how he's feeling. On the other hand, I'm sure that once Ginny gives her a report on what happened at both of Harry's homes, she'll relent and smother the poor boy with her special brand of TLC. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Your detailed descriptions made it easy to experience what Harry was feeling and what all of them were seeing.
Arnel Tuesday 13th October 2009 05:53
24: The Potter Memorial (Author Response)
I'm really glad they did. This was a fun chapter to write because, to me, there were so many happy things associated with the house, not just the horribly mutilated room where Harry's mother sacrificed herself for him. Thanks for letting me know.
