Frances has always been pretty potty about Potter, but one day she was inspired to use the net to express her love for the series... a decision that led to rather exciting events!
Frances' Story
I have noticed that the majority of stories that people post in have an element of sadness or problems to them, but I'd like to tell you my happy story!
Basically, ever since the age of about 9 (I'm now 17) I have been a HUGE Harry Potter fan. I started off just adoring the stories and the characters, but then it started REALLY taking over my life.
Inspired
I was on YouTube one afternoon in 2007 and I saw that a girl had made a video expressing her views on some Harry Potter related things: I decided to do the same. I started making vlogs (which are like blogs except you speak to a camera) and uploading them to YouTube: Harry Potter was my basis.
In July 2007 I queued up at midnight outside a book shop dressed up in my HP gear to get the last book as soon as it came out. I stayed up all night reading it. The next day we were going to a concert and I refused to get out the car at the station until I had finished the last chapter, so my parents, brother and neighbours had to stand outside the car waiting for me!
I was 'featured'
The next day, I made a vlog on what I thought of the last book. It was just me gushing to the camera really, but the next day I got the shock of my life! I started getting all these comments on it saying "congrats on getting featured!" At first I didn't know what it meant but then I found out that it meant I had been put on the front page of the website! Suddenly I had over 200 subscribers and loads of people emailing me!
It all took off from there. I became a regular vlogger and I now go to YouTube gatherings. I really feel like I know the rest of the HP vlogging community, too; we have so much in common. I felt on top of the world, but little did I know that things were going to get even better...
Images posed by models. Some names have been changed.
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At the HP premiere
Being a mad HP fan, of course I went to the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince premiere in London. I thought it would be great to vlog about! It also meant a lot to me to see all the cast, because obviously Harry Potter has had an AMAZING impact on my life.
“It meant a lot to me to see all the cast”
It was all sooo exciting, but the best bit came just before the end... when I met JK Rowling!! I was so flabbergasted to meet her because I've wanted to since I was 9 and she created the series that made me who I am today. When she came up to me to sign my book and all I could say was "Thank you so much." And I meant thank you for changing my life. Because that's what she did. She said "you're so welcome" and I just burst into tears, because she really is my hero and has been for a long time.
Best. Day. Ever.
I know it sounds trivial but it meant SO much to me to meet her for just those 10 seconds. I know people say that it is a bad idea to meet your heroes, but I would have to disagree with that. Meeting JK Rowling has changed my life for the better. I feel like I have a better connection with where the whole idea of Harry Potter stemmed from. And she is such a lovely person! All in all, it was probably the best day of life and it might never have happened if I hadn't made that decision to share my love for Harry Potter with the world.
Slink says: Remember, it's really important to be safe online by not giving out any personal details. For more info, check out Slink's guide to social networking
Images posed by models. Some names have been changed.
Pictures posed by models.
Your comments
annie, 17
I love harry potter and I've loved it since I was 9. My dream is to become even a quarter as good a writer JK Rowling. She's created another amazing world, so amazing that the books and films won't ever be forgotten and continue to be read and watched. You're so lucky to have met her xx
Becca, 16
Personally, I don't see how people get addicted to books like these! Fair enough, I like the harry potter books and enjoy reading the twilight series but when I see these overly-obsessed fans I don't understand how they get so involved in the characters and are like, really over the top about it.I think Anna 18, you need to calm down. seriously, Emma never said they were the same story, she just said she went through the same experience as Frances whilst reading them.This is what I don't understand, why do you all feel as if the books you read have to be the best? Everyone has different opinions - deal with it. at the end of the day, it's fiction. Harry Potter isn't a real person and Edward Cullen does not exists. But what ever makes you happy makes you happy. but don't come crying to me when you can never marry your book characters.
Emma, 12
BTW, twilight does not complety take over my life, i just love it so darn much!
lucy, 16
Sorry but can i just say to anna, 16 and anna,18 that yeah harry potter has more effects and stuff in th books and films but twilght is so different from harry potter and what emma, 12 was trying to get across that she feels the same way about the twilight saga, she feels connected to it just like frances is with harry potter.
Hannah, 13
I COMPLETELY agree with Frances, Harry Potter has changed my life, and I too am COMPLETELY OBSESSED with it! Everything in it is brilliant, the plots, the characters, and yes, we can relate to all of them, from wizards to werewolves, as they are all unique and have problems, just like we do. I've grown up with HP too, and Hannah, 11,and Alex, 14, you don't understand how much it means to so many people like me and everyone else who commented about loving the books! Sorry, but I agree with everyone who commented POSITIVELY, HARRY POTTER FOREVER! XXX
Sinead, 16
well i agree with hannah 11, how can you be so obbsesed about a few books and films that its an life changing experience, and i dont see it as an experience the hp charcters started when we were young and our still about. tbh i think hp is a rubbish film thats really overrated and people need to realise that there all fictional charchters and a fictional story.its just all fanstasy not life changing
Anon,
at the end of the day there all just stories and books, whether about vampires or wizards it's all make-believe. if it had a good effect on you then great, but why should others try to put people down because of their own opinions.and age has nothing to do with anything, part of the reason these books mentioned are so good is because a wide range of ages can relate to them.
liz , 16
harry potter is amazing! i wouldnt say life changing but certainly brilliant in every way. i like the twilight saga but harry potter is on a completely different level its going to be strange when the films are all out and it really comes to an end. i have grown up with harry potter and 'hannah 11' clearly doesnt understand this and how harry potter has come to mean so much to british teenagers
Ruby, 13
I love the harry potter series and i just feel so sorry for the people that have never read the books or dont understand them. they do not no wot they are missing! i think it should be law for everyone to read the harry potter series before they die. :)
Nat, 16
I so totally agree with "Anna 18" -there is no comparison between twilight saga as all it is is a story while harry potter has been so much more. Of course not only has it caused such a global madness for it but it's been a massive part of millions of peoples' lives.. including mine. I feel sorry for hannah for just having been too young to have been affected by the Potter craze and for all those who don't understand it. Harry Potter has been one of the best parts of my life..by far.
Amy, 13
I adore Harry Potter. It's a stroke of pure genius! when I was 5 I had my parents buy the books that where currently out and the HP books taught me too read and because I have read them so much I am now in a top english group in my school! I love harry potter it encouraged m imgination to grow and flourish like the flick of a wand and I still adore Harry Potter - and anyone who says it stinks, then I am so sorry for you, that you can't see how it can really change someones life.
Nicole , 15
WOW , congradulations , I love Harry Poter too and meeting J.K would be fantastic -lucky you :D . Anna , I too love Harry Potter and grew up with it but I don't think it's fair to tell Emma that she can't possibly feel the same way about twilight , has it occured to you that it's not the romance she connects with but the issues Bella struggles with such as feeling insecure ( as Bella is about her looks and feeling unworthy of edward ) and being stuck in the middle when two people who you love don't get along ( in Bellas case Edward and Jacob but it could apply to parental divorce too ) ?
Olivia, 14
OMG OLIVIA, SMAE NAME HIGH 5!!! Anyway Emma- I see your point I LOVE THE TWILIGHT SAGA TOO, and i was probably one of the 1st people in my school to read Twilight, its quite cool actually because I got everyone into it :) Im completely in love with the books just like Frances, but with the Twilght SAGA :) xxx
daiishiie (:, 13
i loove harry potter too ive always been a fan (: ur soo lucky that you got to meeet j.k lucky thing (: soo proud xxx
Katherine, 15
O wow (: it sounds amazing, i wish my dreams came true like that. reading that story almost made me burst into tears!:L
Olivia, 14
Omg i love harry potter me and ,y friends are shuch harry potter fans we would be so excited if we met JK Rowling
alex, 14
umm u do realise harry potter is make believe dnt u. i mean da films nd books r cool but theyre not life changing lolz
Ray, 16
gah! you lucky thing! i looooove harry potter and would love to meet the author and the cast :) especially helena bonham carter who is my hero and role model. although i dont really want to meet her because im scared that she wont be what i expect her to be
Amy, 12
omigod this is sooooo shocking good on u for following your dream hope you had lots of fun seeing jk and hope the premire was fun
Abi, 16
Thats soo lucky, Im like you i cant wait for the 2 films of deathly hallows! And to hannah, Just becuase you really enjoy something doesnt mean you are obsessed and even if you are so what? Is it so wrong to enjoy something? X
Anna, 18
Harry Potter has a thousand times more substance than Twilight. Emma, being 12, how exactly can you relate to the themes of Twilight? And Hannah, people like us are not obsessed but rather connect with Harry Potter because we have figuratively 'grown up' with the characters. These characters began young when we were young, and as we experienced difficulties through our teenage years the characters dealt with similar situations. It's probably hard to understand until you have a chance to experience something similar yourself.
Zoe, 13
wow! i love harry potter too i went to the cinema to watch the half blood prince and it was really good :)
Emma, 12
i know exactly wat u went thru! i feel exactly the same but with Twilight saga!
Hannah, 11
how could you feel so strongly about harry potter they are just books and films i like the books but i am not obsessed with them which i think you arcomee begining to be
Lily, 15
I'm so jealous!! I love Harry Potter it's AMAZING! (:
