July 31st is the birthday of beloved fictional character, Harry Potter. It’s also the birthday of his creator, author J.K. Rowling, who is known not just for literary accomplishments but also for her wit and wisdom, particularly on social media. Here are some of her gems:
1. On how living well is the best revenge:
Saddisfaction: what you feel when you realise that someone you muted 3 years ago is still sending you abuse.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 9, 2017
2. On priorities:
Stop worrying about the rent. Concentrate on your public speaking phobia. https://t.co/Rz9rBc246n
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 1, 2017
3. On the “friend zone”:
We mostly pretended to be dying of consumption when the likes of you came calling. https://t.co/iuzzqWlbCa
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) July 17, 2017
4. On alarmism:
I was thinking more along the lines of a nice bath, maybe some pasta, but whatever works for you. https://t.co/dn6IPOLP1l
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 26, 2017
5. On creativity:
The discipline involved in finishing a piece of creative work is something on which you can truly pride yourself.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 3, 2017
6. On sartorial choices:
Every man who feels this way should wear his penis hat with pride. pic.twitter.com/t4OKgf1kCM
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) March 31, 2017
7. On taking compliments:
Thanks. pic.twitter.com/pXQWnKnWA8
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) March 3, 2017
8. On taking sides:
.@piersmorgan If only you’d read Harry Potter, you’d know the downside of sucking up to the biggest bully in school is getting burned alive.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) February 11, 2017
9. On asking for help:
You must tell somebody close to you how you’re feeling and see a doctor. It will get better, but you can’t do it alone x
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) February 2, 2017
10. On self-care:
Pro tip: an hour spent typing while sitting on the bathroom floor will not help your bad back. Rather the reverse.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 19, 2017
11. On inspiration:
Sometimes, after yet another 3.30am waking, you start to wish your muse could show up politely at 9am rather than waking you up to party.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 20, 2016
12. On adversity:
We stand together. We stick up for the vulnerable. We challenge bigots. We don’t let hate speech become normalised. We hold the line. https://t.co/ro9AkRSc9Q
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 9, 2016
13. On looking after your things:
I don’t think I’ve ever turned in a manuscript that wasn’t tea stained. That was a high five, not a slap. https://t.co/xem2NDSfC0
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 2, 2016
14. On personal safety:
When you spend all day creeping past a big dead spider on the floor in case it’s only pretending, then realise it’s the stalk off a tomato.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 24, 2016
15. On things that go bump in the night:
Woken at 3am by new sleep app, convinced that an intruder was breathing heavily in the dark. Have decided not to review to get new sounds.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 27, 2016
16. On appearances:
@OrkneyLibrary The mug doesn’t matter. The strength of the tea very much does. Five stars, would drink again.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) March 5, 2016
17. On how to save money:
@Seanchuckle I only use banknotes with rude pictures drawn on them, Sean.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) February 18, 2016
18. On how to deal with haters:
Curse them. https://t.co/1N6Ek4vUwS
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) February 4, 2016
19. On mood signaling:
Perhaps the old mourning rituals weren’t all bad. We wore black to explain why we weren’t up to faking cheeriness.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 16, 2016
20. On whether magic exists:
Obviously. Duh. https://t.co/8hzLYtaylT
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 30, 2017
Emily Parker is a musician, writer, and avid reader who started Bucket List Book Reviews, the ‘1,001 Books to Read Before You Die’ project. For Sweatpants & Coffee, Emily hopes to inspire the reading of the classics by a whole new audience by only reviewing the really good stuff.
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