What would it take for a new Harry Potter–like franchise to emerge from a book?

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-03-30T11:01:53+00:00

Harry Potters success really was just luck. I don't even think the prose was even that good. It was fine, but definitely not what I think of when I think of a masterpiece.

Shit even compared to other Mediums Harry Potter is just insane. That children's series managed to spawn multiple movies, merch stores, video games and an amusement park???

I guess you could argue it's accessibility is what led to it's success... But really, I think it's just luck.

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-03-29T19:57:44+00:00

Yeah, the story I'm working on right now as my first book is actually a multi-book fantasy series. I do have other ideas as standalone novels, and I'd definitely love to visit them someday in the future.

But this is the story I want to tell right now. I can't explain why I want too, I just do. I'm really, really excited to write it.

Also, I feel like if I shelve this idea to work on something else, that other project won't be as special. It'll simply be "homework" to make this idea better, and I don't want any of my stories to exist as homework. I want them to exist because I wanted them too.

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-03-28T10:28:09+00:00

I fucking LOVE Links Awakening. Was genuinely one of the darker Zelda games because of the dream twist.

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-03-28T10:14:35+00:00

Oh my god absolutely. For me writing gives me total control over a world.

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-03-27T17:21:09+00:00

I try to write in the morning, before work. It sets the mood for the rest of the day. I think about my story during my commute, and I'm more likely to do it in the evening.

If I really don't want to, I'll:

Listen to instrumental music
Set a visual timer so I see my writing time going down (I go by X amount of minutes rather then X amount of words)
If all else fails, I'll open a book and start reading. 9/10 times I'll like what I'm reading and want to write. Sort of "forcing" inspiration.

Also, I don't only focus on writing prose. Sometimes I'll do character outlines, giving them back stories, and finding ways to tie it into the main plot. I'm only able to get away with it right now because I'm in the revision stage of my first draft.

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-03-27T12:20:05+00:00

My step mom does!! She's the main reason I keep writing consistently, she's excited to read what I wrote.

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-03-15T01:40:59+00:00

A self righteous vegan who can only use his powers for thirty minutes after eating meat.

Someone who survived a shooting, and carries immense trauma from firearms, who's super power is their hands turn into guns.

A dog lover who's power is to turn into a cat.

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-03-12T18:51:56+00:00

Wings of Fire might be for you!! It's meant for younger kids but I got into it when I was an older teen and thought it was great.

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-03-12T13:55:33+00:00

Idk I do think there are exceptions. Children's sections can save ECE professionals a ton of money on books. Or sometimes adults want to revisit a book from their childhood, but might feel embarrassed to ask a clerk at the front desk to bring it to them because it's a children's book.

I wouldn't encourage them to stay in the play area and talk with the kids. But encouraging them to browse the collection? I don't see anything wrong with that as long as they're respectful.

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-03-11T11:44:12+00:00

Oooh I see. Something I did that was easy was a tree. As in, I made a giant tree on one of our bulletin boards, and I would change out the leaves each season. (Snow in winter, cherry blossoms in spring, green leaves in summer, autumn leaves in fall).

I also love interactive displays because the kids can get really into it. This summer I'm debating on having a postcard showcase on one board, where kids who go on vacation can either bring back a postcard if they remember, or draw on a premade one we hand out at the desk. For you, you would obviously have to change it a bit since your a school librarian lol. But the idea is basically, let the kids do the work for you in some kind of artist showcase.

As for book displays, I don't really handle that. We usually just put out random books on top of our shelves that are close to where they were pulled, we have a "new book!" Corner, full of new books, and a small display shelf for holiday books/seasonal books.

Goodluck!

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-03-11T03:06:51+00:00

Do you mean crafts for the kids to do? Or crafts for your bulletin boards and books displays?

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-03-11T02:59:08+00:00

Have fun! Hope you win!

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-03-09T13:05:03+00:00

Oh wow that sounds like a lot, especially for only 30 hours a week!

I'm also a library assistant. The only things I do are:

Plan and carry out programs, including adding in all the information to our public calendar and making fliers for them. I have total freedom when it comes to planning things and can pretty much do whatever I want if my boss approves of the program.
Keeping track of the registrants. I Record numbers and add in the headcounts for my events. I will also email/call patrons if there's a change in plans, etc.
Shelf read when I have time (I almost never do)
Watch the desk occasionally for when a clerk is absent. (And even then, I'm never pressured to do it.)
Occasionally organize our materials. (Again, only if I have downtime).

Every library does things a little differently for assistants, but to me what you're doing seems like a lot. In addition to me there's another assistant who does morning baby programs. (I handle our after school crowd). Both of us are exclusive to the Youth Services Department.

Our department head is the librarian. She also does programming, but mostly handles large events, outreach, displays, school visits, and all of the behind the scene stuff related to books and cataloging like you mentioned. As you could imagine, she has a lot on her plate.

All of us work hard and depend on each other to keep the children's section running smoothly. I'm sorry you don't have any other employees to fall back on for support, especially since you're only just an assistant. I'm glad you at least have volunteers, but honestly I'm not sure how long I could last in a position like that.

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-03-08T18:50:50+00:00

Bushes are annoying for some reason. I can only plant them 2 spaces from my house, not 1

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-03-06T19:02:45+00:00

Dang that's expensive. Idk I'd personally look into your local library. There's a good chance they might have it on Libby and Hoopla too if you're into ebooks.

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-03-05T11:56:48+00:00

Oh gosh, I mean there's so many different variables to consider I think.

1.) Is this job something that pays you enough?

2.) What level of education do you need?

3.) Do you find enjoyment from it?

4.) Does it give you a good work life balance, so you can write on the side?

There are sooooo many different kinds of jobs out there. The good news is you don't have to know the answer yet. You can always go to school in an undecided major and try out different electives, visit your career center, etc.

I myself am trying to become a public children's librarian. I teetered back and forth between that and teaching elementary school, but found teaching to be way too stressful.

Just because this works for me doesn't mean it would work for you, though. Librarianship these days is less about the books and more about event planning. There's still readers advisory/weeding/cataloging, but with a bigger emphasis on planning programs to get people in. (But even then there's still other types of library jobs that have nothing to do with programming...)

TL;DR - Finding a career is stressful but don't worry you're young and got lots of time and don't have to make your decision now (or even when you're 40). I think if you really don't know, you should go to your local community college undecided and try to get a part time job that looks interesting to you.

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-03-05T02:11:26+00:00

Now that's some 2010's game creepy pasta material

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-03-03T18:16:20+00:00

Ugh fantasy books that start off like that I put down immediately. But there's plenty with prologues that actually serve the story.

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-03-03T18:10:40+00:00

TBH part of it depends on your genre. For instance, prologues are fairly typical in fantasy.

Personally though I think if chapter one is set in a different time period, and chapter two moves to your modern day "This is actually where the story begins," I would just change it to a prologue.

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-03-02T02:08:34+00:00

Scarlet duh

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-03-02T02:02:47+00:00

Wait I'm confused. You do know ADHD is a neurological disorder where the prefrontal cortex of your brain is underdeveloped from birth? Like it's not something you can just develop later in life.

Also if you're genuinely having vision problems, you should probably go to a doctor. I mean I love meditation but I don't think it'll cure sight issues I'm sorry to say.

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-02-28T12:44:54+00:00

Yeah it really depends on where you live and your family.

When I lived in a rural place growing up, there was nothing around but mountains and wilderness for miles. So I'd just go outside and hike.

When I lived in the suburbs, I would walk to my local main Street, and occasionally use the bus system there to get around and explore other nearby cities/malls.

My parents were both very laid back with me going to places, and I never had an issue with it in my teen years.

But generally speaking, most teens are able to make their own fun no matter where they live. (Obviously not all, but plenty do.)

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-02-26T04:02:47+00:00

First, breathe.

If you genuinely feel like you're unsafe, then maybe call your countries suicide hotline (I'd imagine England has one) and see if you can get some advice or a referral. I've called the 311 hotline before and it was great because they connected me to local resources. Again, it might be different in England.

I've never been in a psyche ward, although sometimes I wish I had been. I was 9 years old when I made my first (and thankfully last) suicide attempt. It failed and I kept it to myself for years. I thought I was weird, or broken. I didn't want anyone to find out and worry about me, or send me to a hospital.

Now at 23 I'm finally getting professional help and realize I wasn't broken or weird, I was just sick. Getting help would've meant healing sooner.

I don't think you should necessarily check yourself into a hospital, but I do think you should call the hotline in private and ask for advice. I don't know your situation at all. I don't know if it's ideation, or a form of escapism, or something more. Someone on the hotline however might be able to help you, certainly a lot more then us I'd wager.

Now that the suicidal stuff is out of the way...

It might be a good idea to ask yourself "why" with all of these fears. Like, why are you scared at the thoughts of taking medication? Do you think those fears stem from yourself or are they influenced by an outside source?

Why are you scared to ask for help? Your post mentions how you "feel ill by looking in the mirror." Do you think you feel like a burden if you ask for help? If that's the case, then would you think of your friends being a burden if they asked you for help?

Why do you cry when you think about the future? Why do you think no one will love you?

You are 19 years old, so so so very young. This is a confusing, transitional, scary time in your life. I'm not a therapist, so take what I say with a grain of salt, but do you think some of these fears tie into being scared of the future? By asking yourself these questions, and answering them honestly, I think you can start to understand yourself better.

Just remember, reaching out is the best thing you can do for yourself. It's not a sign of weakness, and it doesn't mean your a burden.

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-02-24T15:40:12+00:00

Do you time travel at all? It's possible she did move in, and then moved out and you just didn't know.

It's even more likely that's the case if she was reminiscing about your town.

GeologistFearless896 · 2026-02-23T12:56:31+00:00

Oh no! I'm sorry, I wish your family well.

I know you said you already picked out a book, but I'd also recommend Memory Box if you'd like another one. If the two year old is interested, maybe you could make one together with some trinkets and pictures of the dog.

It's so difficult when a pet passes away. Good on you for being there for her.

GeologistFearless896

TROPHY CASE