Becoming Harry Potter: Joining your world #MyMagicalWorld
Three up…two across…” he [Hagrid] muttered. “Right, stand back, Harry.”
He tapped the wall three times with the point of his umbrella.
…a second later they were facing an archway large enough even for Hagrid, an archway onto a cobbled street that twisted and turned out of sight.
“Welcome,” said Hagrid, “to Diagon Alley.”
SS/PS
Once we discover our magic and believe in our magic it is time to find our magical world. For Harry, that world lay beyond a brick wall on a street called Diagon Alley. It wasn’t his whole magical world, but it was his start. His first glimpse. The place where he found his inheritance. Where he was chosen by his wand. Received his first real birthday present—Hedwig. Met his adversary—Draco. And learned who he truly was—the Boy Who Lived.
My first glimpse into my magical world of writing lay at a writers conference. It was where I met published authors. Learned what it was going to take to get published. First had my stories read and critiqued. Met writing friends. Discovered who I was as a writer. This one conference wasn’t my whole writing world, but it was my start. My first taste. My “launching pad” into the deeper world of writing.
If your magic is writing, this does not mean that writers conferences are the only ways to enter this world. There are also writing clubs, critique groups, writing classes/degree programs, etc. The point is that we find a way into our world and take that first step.
Maybe your magic isn’t writing; it might be like @JennLavalley’s:
#mymugglemagic I am a nurse[‘]s aid[e] going to school to be a nurse. Caring for others is my magic.
Her launching pad might have been as a hospital volunteer, on a medical mission, or at nursing school orientation. In any case, to be a nurse she had to step into her world somewhere.
Perhaps your magic is like @AbiKadabbie42’s:
#MyMuggleMagic Playing my cello!
And your launching pad was the high school band, a summer at music camp, or guitar lessons. No matter where you entered the musical world, to truly be musical, you had to enter.
An essential part of learning, growing, and practicing our “magic” is connecting, engaging, and learning from others in our “magical” world. Imagine if Harry never went to Diagon Alley. He wouldn’t have been prepared for Hogwarts. He wouldn’t have a wand! For Harry to use his magic he had to step into the world of magic.
Challenge: Once you discover your magic and believe in your magic, connect with your world. Go to the writer’s conference, join the nursing club, attend the music festival.
Tell us what your Diagon Alley—your launching pad into your magical world—is by using #MyMagicalWorld.
Next Week: “Becoming Harry Potter: Finding Your Place”
