JK Rowling: A Rise to Fame “It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live with such caution that you might not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default” -JK Rowling. It was in 1990 that Miss JK Rowling first came up with the idea for Harry Potter, and in 1998 she made her first million dollars. The real secret to his success was his inexplicable ability to use his imagination to distract himself from his difficult life; it was the ultimate motivation for her to stay positive. JK Rowling wrote the Harry Potter series to escape both into her imagination and into the real world. She was able to use the trials she endured to inspire her award-winning series that changed the lives of so many. If JK Rowling had never overcome poverty in her life, she would not have succeeded. At one time, she could barely pay the rent and take care of her daughter. Today, she is one of the richest women in England and has raised and donated millions to various charities. She also inspired countless children and adults, including me, to love reading and writing. The fear of poverty was at the heart of a struggle Rowling had with her parents on the eve of college, which shaped her into the hard-working person she portrayed herself to be throughout her experiences. Even though she could keep this wealth for herself and her family, she continues to help those in need because she understands what life is like for those who don't know where their next meal will come from. In Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the character Dumbledore states a theme from the life of Harry Potter that is directly linked to the life of JK Rowling: "It takes a lot of courage to stand up for your...... middle of paper... His inspiring life teaches young people that you can overcome anything if you persevere. If these programs can be implemented, we will surely see a decrease in teen gang activity and safer streets and neighborhoods for all of us. Works CitedGreenway, Beth. “The Transformation of Mollie Hunter.” The Alan Review. Flight. 23, 3 (spring 1996): 3-4. Virginia Tech Digital Library. Internet. March 18, 2014. Hastings, Chris. “Rare interview with Harry Potter author JK Rowling.” MailOnline. Associated Newspapers, October 26, 2013. Web. March 25, 2014. JK Rowling's Harvard commencement speech: failure and imagination. " Jim Hamiltion. October 11, 2011. Web. April 8, 2014. Yolen, Jane and Daniel Smith. A Guide to Harry Potter. New York: Scholastic, 1997. Print. Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone New York: Scholastic , 1997. Print..