Entry: Pottering about Saturday, September 03, 2005

I finished "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" a few days ago. Enjoyed it a lot. I went a few years without reading the latest HP books, because I didn't enjoy the third very much -- I felt it hadn't been fully edited, and that work on it had been rushed, to get it out on time. I might be completely wrong, but that's the feeling that I had. Because books 4 and 5 were much bigger, I just assumed that they wouldn't be as tightly edited as they should be, and so I didn't rush to read them.

When I read book 4 last year, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Yes, it was quite a long book, and could have been a bit shorter in my opinion, but it read smoothly, like a book that had been worked on long and hard by its author. I wasn't too keen on the big chunk of exposition at the end, when Lord Voldemort was talking and talking and talking for pages on end, but otherwise I raced through the book and had a whale of a time.

The fifth could definitely have done with a bit of pruning, I think, but again it didn't read to me like a book that had been rushed. J K Rowling often gets accused by her critics of not paying attention to the editing process, but from my reading of the books, I think this is rot -- the books are long, but not flabby. Everything in them serves a purpose, and though she is a leisurely story-teller by nature, she doesn't pad things out just to make the books thick. The fifth wasn't as much fun as the earlier books, because of the darker elements, but I liked that, the same way I liked the darkness in the third "Star Wars" movie. The only really disappointing bit for me was XXXXXXXXXX's death -- I felt this was a book where a major character (i.e. one of the kids) should have died. XXXXX was too easy a target. I know she's gone a step further in the sixth book, but I feel, overall, she's been a bit too soft on her main characters -- given the dangers they've faced, I think the death count should be a lot higher!! Then again, maybe I'm just a bloodthirsty savage who loves to see heads roll!!!!!   :-)

As I was writing this, I was reminded of something that happened to me in Edinburgh this year. I was in Ottakar's on George St, signing some stock, and the lady there told me that a friend of hers had been told in strictest confidence by her hairdresser a year or two ago that Darren Shan was, in fact, J K Rowling writing under a different name!!!!! I'd heard this rumour before, on the internet, but this was the first time I'd actually heard about somebody in real life truly believing it!!!!!!!! For the record, no, I'm NOT J K Rowling -- but if any of you want to believe that I am, heck, go ahead and feel free to!!!!!

   67 comments

No.1 demonta fan
June 21, 2008   07:15 PM PDT
 
I luv ur demonta books(im 12) and ur saga their so good seriously...well what im here to ask is there really gonna be a movie comming out?
Airisse!!!(p00k!e)
June 12, 2008   08:36 PM PDT
 
i love it!!!!...my favorite b00ks..
cant live if i cant read Darren Shans book!!!
Noname
January 3, 2007   02:13 PM PST
 
your books are great! i read them all thetime. I cant wait until your nex book. It would be totaly cool to meet you in person. O well, i just that is only a dream. ihae to get back to reality now. Bye
Name
March 28, 2006   04:44 PM PST
 
hi
John Halenkamp
December 31, 2005   06:04 AM PST
 
I love your du freak books im your bigest fan.
sleecohen
November 15, 2005   02:14 AM PST
 
I luv J.K. Rowlings books and i can't decide if yours or hers r betta!!!!!!!!
ijust can't believe that Jk=u whateva!
sleecohen
November 15, 2005   02:09 AM PST
 
I luv J.K. Rowlings books and i can't decide if yours or hers r betta!!!!!!!!
Shoeboxzoo rules
November 12, 2005   08:00 PM PST
 
Who every belives that must be stupid. Darren, you've got a differnt style of writing to J.K Rowling. I know who dies in the next book it's... like I was really going to say who dies.

~Micheal Scot didn't die he went on hoilday~
Donk1020
November 5, 2005   06:27 PM PST
 
Hey Darren if you do decide to have a movie done on your books I think that you might want to have Cameron Bright play young Darren Shan what do you think?
erva von0
November 4, 2005   05:00 PM PST
 
i think jk rowling is good but no dat good.R u coming out with a movie???Who plays darren?Who plays evra von?who plays harkat???who plays MR.crepsley???Who plays who?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
erva von0
November 4, 2005   05:00 PM PST
 
i think jk rowling is good but no dat good.R u coming out with a movie???Who plays darren?Who plays evra von?who plays harkat???who plays MR.crepsley???Who plays who?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
oover
October 31, 2005   11:07 PM PST
 
i oov ur books
sally
October 30, 2005   04:35 PM PST
 
You are the king!J.K. sucks!She is an idiote!Harry Poter... nightmare...
Cirque no contest
October 28, 2005   03:10 AM PDT
 
I oove ur books (thats new) if u make a movie plz make sure it isnt one of those down rated movies which censor the blood and violence. I love lord loss but no offense Cirque is better.
average penis size
October 27, 2005   01:42 AM PDT
 
I agree with you the way you view the issue. I remember Jack London once said everything positive has a negative side; everything negative has positive side. It is also interesting to see different viewpoints & learn useful things in the discussion.
Applesauce
October 26, 2005   03:33 AM PDT
 
I Love Your Books!!!
There Is No Way Your J.K. Rowling
You Kill Of Too Many Characters To Be Her.
stoker
October 25, 2005   08:03 PM PDT
 
amazing i live in england me come here and do a talk somwhere near norfolk if posible thanks p.s love ur books
rebecca ashton
October 25, 2005   04:42 PM PDT
 
i love ur books. if im not reading them im thinking about them. ive just finished the 10th book so ive only got 2 more to go :( plz write more because what will i read after them???
Bee K
October 25, 2005   03:25 AM PDT
 
R U going 2 make a movie about the Cirque?? If So, make it match the first book exactly. Please
Nidhi Rao
October 22, 2005   04:27 PM PDT
 
ur books 're great.i love them.
Nidhi
October 22, 2005   11:48 AM PDT
 
ur great
love cirque
October 22, 2005   06:39 AM PDT
 
I heard ur touring America and almost fainted on the spot include orange county california on ur tour
P.S. hears rumors of a movie is it true.
P.P.S Get books 11 and 12 to U.S.
come to Cali
October 22, 2005   06:31 AM PDT
 
Ive read all ur books at least 4 times each (like u havent heard this from anyone else) get as fast as u can all the demonata and cirque books to the U.S. ur the 1 that got me into reading my teacher told as about ur books and as soon as i read them bam!! I was inlove with reading. If your ever in California swing by Orange County.
maria
October 21, 2005   03:49 PM PDT
 
i love ur books, i haven't gotten my dirty hands on them yet but i plan too. i don't think ur j.k. rowling. u have similarities. but vamps r way cooler.
Priyadarshini rao
October 21, 2005   09:05 AM PDT
 
Darren Shan is JK Rowling ?????
i don't believe it. I like JK Rowling but Darren Shan is ...um...different .
Aaaaand I like Darren Shan better than JK Rowling (thats an obvious answer).Your books are great .Just superb.I've all JK Rowlings books too but you're the ultimate writer .
Actually I stay in India. please will u plan to come here ??I'm dying to see you .And one final thing ...in the nineth book when Mr Crepsley dies ,I cried a lot .
(p.s. i've read each and every book atleast 20 times ...... but still want to reas it again . Aaand sorry for such a long message . I just got too carried away. :)
I need Cirque
October 21, 2005   05:56 AM PDT
 
Get all ur books to California as soon as possible i thought i was up to date with the tenth book and now im hearing that books 11 and 12 are everywhere else.
P.S. CANT WAIT FOR CIRQUE MOVIE WHOS PLAYIN DARREN
CIRQUE ROCKS
October 21, 2005   05:52 AM PDT
 
keep writing books never stop cause il have no reason to go to barns and noble ever again ur books rock i just read book 10 im gona die if u stop at twelve (u don want a scuicidal on ur consiounce) so keep writing please. DEmonata is awsome by the way but im srry Cirque Du freak was better.
Crepsleys dead
October 21, 2005   05:45 AM PDT
 
Jk Rowling will never be able to match that terrifying bloodlust that i love about ur books. I like harry potter and all but if it werent for Cirque wouldnt have even read harry potter
Morgan
October 21, 2005   02:13 AM PDT
 
OMG! I just finished the second book and I couldn't believe it. I NEED to read the third one. I can't believe that people actualy think that you're J.K rowling I couldn't even finish the first one it just rambles on and on about the same thing. It took me three days to finish that one book that is a record for me. To be honest i was so hooked into the book i didn't do my homework because i was reading. I did get my reading assignment done a month early because it only took me three days to read this book. The one thing that i really loved about your book is that your chapters don't start a whole new topic you go on right from the last sentence of the last chapter. I've been going around my school telling everyone that they NEED to read your books. I can't wait to get a hold of your newest series.
anonomoussss
October 17, 2005   11:42 PM PDT
 
hey are u really a vampire
Nobbie
October 17, 2005   07:56 PM PDT
 
weve read your books & we think there is no konection. anyvay we am doin a board gameat school based on your book LORDLOSS and we canot draw the deamons we think u should put pictures at the end of your books so we can see not just visualise
sum1 wid no life
October 16, 2005   09:40 PM PDT
 
j.krowling iz good but not dat good.
i can relate wid sad act it makes ya wanna chuck but 4 sum reason ya jus dont cry no matter how sad.
sad act
October 15, 2005   11:01 AM PDT
 
i have read and own all 12 vampire books and the 1st demonata one (cant wait for number 2 in dec) i have just started re-raeding them for the forth time at the start of the week and i am to book 7. i cant believe that sum1 wud actually think u r JK her books are gud but not the kind of books u can read over and over agen. i cant wait for the movie for 1st 3 books (3rd book was my fav). does anybody else feel sick wen they read bout gavner dyin and especially wen i think bout the short story that explains where he got his elephant underwear or am i just really sad.
Bee K
October 14, 2005   12:37 AM PDT
 
Darren I luv ur books!!! I just started rthem a little while a go. I'm on the 6th 1 and luv it. U could neva b JK. She writes her books way 2 long. I don't want to finish all ur books bcause i'll have nothing good 2 read.
????????????
October 13, 2005   07:28 PM PDT
 
do u wank a lot?
mcr, helena
October 13, 2005   07:26 PM PDT
 
wats the worst thing i could say? things are better if i stay,so long and goodnight,so long and goodnight.came a time were every starfall brought u to tears again,we are the very hurt u bring,and like a blade u sting-mcr's 'helena' f***ing rocks,like ur books
Big fan
October 13, 2005   06:39 PM PDT
 
How could anyone compare you with her? She has no writing techniches! THIS IS AN OUTRAGE! GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARG!
hotsexygirl
October 13, 2005   07:24 AM PDT
 
Darren,
pls.havesex with me!!!!!
I'm desperate!!!!!
the_alchemist
October 13, 2005   07:22 AM PDT
 
Darren,
your books are the best!!!!
You can't be compared with J.K.!!!!
She sucks!!!!
Name
October 13, 2005   07:22 AM PDT
 
Darren,
your books are the best!!!!
You can't be compared with J.K.!!!!
She sucks!!!!
Candy
October 12, 2005   11:42 PM PDT
 
Darren, I've read all your books. I love them and have even memorized the 12, A little. I also have read all of the harry potter books. But i think your books are better than Harry potter.
Kurt
October 10, 2005   06:10 AM PDT
 
Hmm...Darren your books are awesome, I love the first person setting. I read all the books up to 10, and I've read Harry Potter 1-3. I tried ready the 4th one but it was really boring, and I don't like magic. Except on the Demonata! You own!
in love with darren!
October 8, 2005   08:36 PM PDT
 
iv read all of your books including the demon books 4 times :-p, i havent even finished the harry potter books because of the cleaness of the writing :-S, i dont no y but its just the way u discribe darren and his friends (sometimes bloody peices :-) lol) ur books make me laugth and i can feel conected 2 them somtimes because darren is such an average boy!! i hav got the hole of my english class reading the books! if only u came 2 my school!!! i got hold of ur 1st book by accedent frm my teacher, i had it 4 a year b4 my mum made me read a book , i chose ur book and fell in love with it i nevr knew reading cud b so fun!!! IT WAS DESTINY :-S! plz email me bk iv always wanted to talk to u :-) (my email adress is cant_tch_this_@hotmail.com) thanx loads darren !!!
joy
October 4, 2005   03:47 PM PDT
 
I basically have never read a book in my life, though have always been intrigued by vampires,I saw urs and was like a modern turn to the way every ones see's vampires from the dark age's. I have read all ur series so far, and i read the entire 1,2,3 in less then a week, i can not put ur books down at all, Im hooked. I love Harket and Mr Creepsly my fav. I love ur wave links and the way u describe characters,the backgrounds of their life and where they are and every thing. I can not wait for the Lord Loss books to be in Australia. Im 22 female and i am getting every one i know hooked and buying ur books, including my mother, so can i get a AutoGraphed book from you Pretty Please , hehe im Joking, i just have never met any one who is so damn talented in writing and seeing things so different to any other writer, Joy_aries@hotmail.com.au. You truely are the best and most creative, and if u really were half vampire u can bite me any time. xxx
Des Tiny
October 4, 2005   01:46 PM PDT
 
i read the twelve book yesterday and ,its great because he is uh a little person, uh yeah thats it! i was dissapointed because i wanted to see darren become the lord of shadows
oliver (darkstakey
October 4, 2005   11:27 AM PDT
 
Hey, someone believed that Voldemort was meant to symbolise Jesus. And some people actually thought that book seven would be called "Harry Potter and the Mystic Kettle of Nackledurk" or something like that (JK said it on her site as a joke).
kurda smahlt is hot
October 4, 2005   03:34 AM PDT
 
who are ur favaorite writers ? and are u really a half vampire ? :) oh yes and when u have time maybe could u e-mail me please :) oh and i'm on book 5 i love them soooooo much thank u

p.s. e-mail address wjd390@yahoo .com
Axe
October 2, 2005   03:50 AM PDT
 
Darren, you are so original! So is JK. But the writing techniques are different.

By the way, have you ever felt like it would be the coolest thing to be a half-vampire if the ways of the vampires matched how you describe them in your book? Just wondering. :)
Cirque Du Joe
October 1, 2005   11:41 PM PDT
 
Hey Darren. I love your books more than any other I've even heard of! JK is great, too, and there's nothing wrong with her writing. So no one should be saying that.

The only thing, and it's not just her, but usually for most writers: beginnings of books don't always pull you right in. Well, Darren, you're pretty good with that, but I've read other books including JK's 1-3, but I couldn't get into four. I dunno if I should just watch the movies and finish your series.

My friend's mom went to England over the summer so he has all your books. My supply. ;-) Lol. I'm on "Allies of the Night" right now. I'm so happy Darren met up with Debbie. When I read "Tunnels of Blood", I noticed you're pretty good at writing childish/mature romance. And I was hoping Debbie would be seen again.

And I don't mean to change the subject, but I was just wondering about something...
I've heard rumors of a movie? But I haven't heard anything yet, so I wanna know if they're making it yet if there's gonna be one. I mean I hope there is, but I was just curious about it.

Thanks and keep up the great work.
Cique Du Joe
October 1, 2005   11:32 PM PDT
 
Darren... JK... Darren... JK...

Nope, no connection.
Werea
September 17, 2005   08:09 PM PDT
 
Thank you very much!
Jade
September 6, 2005   03:38 PM PDT
 
Haha! Who makes up rumours like that? Anyway, it was good to hear a review from an author because usually critics don't have much idea about how a book is put together and the processes etc. so it was interesting to hear an opinion from someone with experience! Thanx
J. Brundage
September 5, 2005   11:58 PM PDT
 
LOL (agrees with other posts)- if you were J.K. Rowling, the entire Saga of Darren Shan would've been one book. :P
My Shorter Name
September 4, 2005   03:33 PM PDT
 
You?! The same as JK!? How could anyone believe that? JK could't write a book under 300 pages if her life depended on it!
Hacked.Alias
September 4, 2005   04:19 AM PDT
 
u have a point there. Order was a good book, but in my opinion the 6th is the best by far.
Shellezey
September 4, 2005   03:47 AM PDT
 
i thought JK Rowling is a girl?!?!?!?! well anyways i love ur books well i like a lot of books i need to get the 9th book and 10th ahh i need to reread everything!!! haha well keep up the killer writing!!!
<3 michelle
Jackie
September 4, 2005   03:37 AM PDT
 
I think Harry should die in the seventh book. I'm gonna be so disappointed and think it was all a waste of time if he doesn't. I don't like how clean and cautious she is with the whole blood and death thing. To me it kinda seems like shes just writing what she thinks people want to see. I don't like that. He should die...horribly...honorably of course but still horribly. I just wanna see it happen.
Jackie
DanieBarton03
September 4, 2005   02:28 AM PDT
 
//.0 There was a rumor that you were JK?!?! I don't see it. Yours are way more darker and move at a faster pace. At least imo. It'd still be pretty nice to get her royalties and have everybody know about you, but I think you're a way better author. Actually, when friends ask about the vampire saga I say, "It's like Harry Potter with vampires and much better." XD Lol. Now I'm babbling. Later dayz!
Samuel Williams
September 4, 2005   12:40 AM PDT
 
hAHAhAHAHAH!!!! Very funny. You J.K. Rowling? That must have been an interesting experience to hear . . .
Cirque
September 4, 2005   12:07 AM PDT
 
i dont really understand why people think of you as j.k rowling i think your books are much better and alot shorter =)
VANESA
September 3, 2005   08:31 PM PDT
 
i like the harry potter movies but i dont think i'll ever read the books they're to long but my older brother can finish one of the harry potter books in 3 days!!!!!
Carwyn Sussex (Philafofalof)
September 3, 2005   08:12 PM PDT
 
hey darren,
im not one to complain but for people that havent read the book didn't you kinda ruin the part about sirius's death?
Endraia
September 3, 2005   06:25 PM PDT
 
Dude I love the way that you are not JKR!!

I love Harry Potter, I grew up with it, but as I've said in previous comments (I think) I have so much more respect for you than her. To me it seems that since she hit big time things have gone way down hill with her writing style. I loved books 3 and 4, but it was after a 3 years wait for the 5th books that things started to go wrong. The movies were making millions for her along with all the merchandise and I feel that it's all gone to her head.

The books don't have the same feel anymore. Maybe that's because I'm a different person to who I used to be aswell I'm not sure, I just feel like she has let everybody down and that you wouldn't do that. Maybe i'm just too obsessive. I tell myself it doesn't matter it's only fiction but to me it's just more than that. It's the fictional world that has kept me going these past few years and it is often that world on which I rely on most.

God I'm rambleing about nothing, sorry, it's just a very fired subject for me!!
the lover of the cirque
September 3, 2005   04:28 PM PDT
 
You're way better than JK Rowling. In my opinion. You're right- she is too soft on her main characters. It bugs the crap out of me. I enjoy you're books way more than hers. Not to be mean to JK because she is indeed a great author. But I think you're better. I have read all your books, (including the 11 and 12 cirque du freak, and Lord loss)and I have to say that everything is deeper, and more facinating. I cant even put into words how happy I was to see that you were coming to my town! I started crying! My friend, sam, got me into the Cirque, and I got the rest of my friends. We talk about them all the time. Unfortunetly, I'm the only one that has read the 12th book, and it's KILLING ME! It's just so hard not to give something away, but I'm not. I hate it when people do that. Mr.Tiny is SICK!>:0 But it makes for a great story! <3
I'm definetly going to see you on your trip to America. I'm going to be dressed like kurda. I'll also be with Darren and Harkat. So look out for us! ;D

P.S. Sorry it's so long. I just got so excited and couldnt stop typing
P.P.S. I'm a bad speller, so sorry if I make some mistakes.
P.P.P.S. Sorry for jumping from one thing to another.
Charlie Peterson
September 3, 2005   03:59 PM PDT
 
I bet you wouldn't mind getting JK's royalties, so I'd just play along and say it was true.
madasaduck
September 3, 2005   03:14 PM PDT
 
i dont like harry potter books i read about 1book and a paragraph then got board and they've been gathering dust in wardrobe since.

when i first heard that rumour i was like "what kinda foolishness" (thats what 'jay' from my wife and kids says).
Sarah McGovern
September 3, 2005   02:29 PM PDT
 
Just wait until you read the 6th book, there blood and suffering in that.

Darren Shan = JK Rowling?
I don't think so. Your both great authors and both write to the same scopr of audience but your styles are different. I don't believe it and don't know how anyone could believe it

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