The book tour with JK Rowling went about as expected. It was a room full of reporters, each of whom got to ask one question.
Of all the questions I had for her, I chose the one about Dobby.
Before the news conference began, Sharon and I were talking about what to ask her. Sharon wanted to know about the debate over house unity and why she didn't burn the sorting hat at some point during "The Deathly Hallows."
I mulled over my thoughts about her portrayal of journalists in her books and how did the Potters gain such wealth.
But I decided on the Dobby question.
I asked her why did Dobby have to die before Harry gained his focus and began attending to the task Dumbledore assigned him.
She said that Dobby was a vulnerable character and was just another example of how innocent characters were being affected by the evil plans of Lord Voldemort.
She compared Dobby to Cedric Diggory, both being innocent victims of violence. Apparently Dobby was the last innocent victim Harry wanted to see die.
I can buy that to a point. I still think there were other characters whose deaths could have illustrated that point much better. But I didn't get a chance to follow up with another question about any other characters she thought would have filled that purpose.
Rowling was asked to discuss other points of her books. She talked about Snape and Dumbledore. She talked about how "The Chamber of Secrets" was the most difficult of the books to write. She talked about how she is far from retired and will always write.
And she talked about how she is progressing on her next projects, which is not very well.
More later after I transcibe the tape of the news conference...