This is not news to us. However, what is interesting is that the more she talks about him, the less she seems to depreciate him.  Note that this time she said: "he is not always" instead of something like" he’s great because he’s complicated and quite nasty" or "it's such fun doing horrible things to them.(including Snape) or worst yet,  "It's fun to write about Snape because he's a deeply horrible person".  Not anymore in this interview where she finally admits to the greyish sides of Snape instead of branding him as black and horrible. It's like Rowling is growing out of her Gryffindor colours and shifts to a different point of view towards Snape to the point of agreeing (almost) that in order to be good and work for the light, you don't have to be the nice.

Question from the public: Also, will we see more of Snape?

Rowling: You always see a lot of Snape, because he is a gift of a character. I hesitate to say that I love him. [Audience member: I do] You do? This is a very worrying thing. Are you thinking about Alan Rickman or about Snape? [Laughter]

Isn't this life, though? I make this hero - Harry, obviously - and there he is on the screen, the perfect Harry, because Dan is very much as I imagine Harry, but who does every girl under the age of 15 fall in love with? Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy. Girls, stop going for the bad guy. Go for a nice man in the first place. It took me 35 years to learn that, but I am giving you that nugget free, right now, at the beginning of your love lives.

Wow!! Never thought we'd hear that judging from her previous interviews, especially the one from Book5.  I am confident this will reassure a lot of you ladies out there that we are bound to see a lot of him again, if not in the movies.  
Interesting point: the paradox between Rowling and Snape fans. She says she hesitates to say she loves him, and then, a second later, she's all surprised one in the audience says she does. Isn't that paradoxal or is this only due to her thinking she is the only one who knows the truth and doesn't expect others to be able to appreciate Snape before the end of book7?  Good question!
Another important point: Rickman-Snape.  Indeed, I believe she must have crossed a lot of those "drooling-type" Snape fans!  But does she too appreciate this Snape?  Hum...
Even more disturbing to me is how Rowling associates Snape fans to Malfoy fans.  Very disturbind indeed!  As you will see from the next question in this interview (see below), Rowling makes a distinct category out of Snape and the Malfoys that she calls "bad guys".  But as I was discussing with a friend, I believe that if Rowling mentioned that it took her 35years to realise that, it entices that she refers to her divorcing a bad guy, right?  That's my guess and so, is she trying to warn girls from that kind of men and also puts a lot of her own experience and hate for these men in her novels?  I believe she is and that is why she brands Snape just like Malfoys, bad guys who are not nice to people. Hence, if Rowling put her own experiences with her ex-husband in her bad guy characters, of course she is freaked out by Snape and Malfoy lovers. However, I do believe it is a mistake to put Snape in the same category. Malfoys are cruel and incapable of redemption, except for a meager chance for Draco.  But Snape, has he not reformed enough even though he's not nice?

Question from the public: Apart from Harry, Snape is my favourite character because he is so complex and I just love him. Can he see the Thestrals, and if so, why? Also, is he a pure blood wizard?

Rowling: Snape's ancestry is hinted at. He was a Death Eater, so clearly he is no Muggle born, because Muggle borns are not allowed to be Death Eaters, except in rare circumstances. You have some information about his ancestry there.

He can see Thestrals, but in my imagination most of the older people at Hogwarts would be able to see them because, obviously, as you go through life you do lose people and understand what death is. But you must not forget that Snape was a Death Eater. He will have seen things that...

Why do you love him? Why do people love Snape? I do not understand this. Again, it's bad boy syndrome, isn't it? It's very depressing. [Laughter] One of my best friends watched the film and she said, "You know who's really attractive? I said, "Who?" She said, "Lucius Malfoy!"

Great!! We've been wanting to know for a while!!

He's a pureblood or a half-blood.  A shame she just hinted at the answer. That's how I had understood it myself, because he is a Slytherin and was accepted in the Death Eaters. But isn't that interesting how she says: "he was a Death Eater"? She was sure not to make a tongue-slip there if she still wants us to believe he's not truly reformed!!

Yes, he can see Thestrals because of his being an adult, but also for his having been a Death Eater and having seen things... of course Rowling was not about to describe those to children, but we have a pretty good idea of that don't we?  Murder, torture, even rapes I'd reckon.

Really, what Rowling is trying to do is all right and I agree with her that too many girls go only for the bad guys and end up being hurt and abused. I should know since my website is there to answer that question she asked: "Why Snape?"  Indeed!! I'd say the looks and the bad guy attitude is surely what won Snape so much fans.  A small look at my "Why do you love Snape?" section answers that. However, it does not account for all fans, thankfully!  Some of you like him for reasons that do not meet the eyes, fortunately!  I bet Mrs Rowling would be overjoiced to come across some such fans, but I believe she has no chance to do so for I don't think they could compete with groupies in an assembly.  It's a shame.

I knew about that certain teacher of Rowling which inspired Snape. Anyhow, we clearly see that even if we were to find that teacher today, he would not be a real copy of Snape since she exaggerated her characters.  I wonder how Rowling would react were she to come across this website? : )

Same fact again

We knew that one already! She also mentioned in the interview Harry Potter and the Magic of the Internet for Book5 that she wanted something that rhymes with snake

If she knows all about Snape and she did not make him the "bad guy", logically, it means that he is not bad.  Unless, she would have said something different like: "Oh, but he is bad, too" unless it steals the punch.  Also notice how realistic she is when she mentions the fact that Snape would never be seen wearing a turban!  Funny! Another explanation, offered by my friend Afictionado, is that Snape not being about to put on a turban may also mean that he wasn't about to switch sides.  Interesting view indeed!

Again, why can't they ask more meaningful questions?!

 I do believe it is as nice an explanation as any other.  However, it does not imply anything too serious about Snape's role within Hogwarts.  It reveals nothing about the other reasons why Dumbledore would keep Snape around.  On the other hand, we know for sure Rowling is strongly against abusive teachers, hence, refusing to allow some at Hogwarts would prove a disadvantage.  Whom could she blame?  The same kind of matter occurred with Umbridge with whom she also took a strong stand against such teachers.  For more, please read this article from Stephen Fraser.

That we did, however, as mentioned in her interview from book5, she still holds the same argument: keep an eye on him. It does sound worrysome...

I included more in a special section.  

She was referring to his present age in Book4. However, it is unsure if she was telling us that from the beginning of the book or at the end of the book.

Lizo: What was going through your head as you watched the film, and how did you feel?

J.K.: I'd say a week from seeing the film I was very excited. And the closer the viewing came, the more frightened I became. To the point that when I actually sat down to see the film, I was terrified. Because it was way too late if bits were wrong - if Snape hadn't got long blond hair or whatever. But at the end of the film, I was happy.

Lizo: It's been reported that you talked about the "backstory" of some of the characters with some of the actors. Is that true?

J.K.: I'm very secretive about these things, but yes, I did. I gave certain people certain information. I gave Robbie Coltrane some background on Hagrid, which I think he used superbly, because I think he's an absolutely fantastic Hagrid. I also gave Alan Rickman a little bit on Snape.

Lizo: What do you think fans of the books are going to think of the film?

J.K.: I hope they like it, I really do. I think the fans of the book will be happy. There is an awful lot of my book up there. All the important bits, I'd say. It's my plot, and I think it's a very faithful adaptation. And there are spectacular performances: a really wonderful Hagrid, McGonagall and Snape, and a fabulous mountain troll - that's one of my favorite bits! I really hope the fans are happy.

JP: Are we going to discover anything more about Snape?
JKR: Yes.
JP: And Harry's mother? Did he have a crush on Harry's mother or unrequited love or anything like that?
JKR: Hence his animosity to Harry?
JP: Yes.
JKR: You speculate?
JP: I speculate, yes, I'm just asking whether you can tell us.
JKR: No I can't tell you. But you do find out a lot more about Snape and quite a lot more about him actually.

 Is that not our best clue yet?  I believe so.  I long thought there was something along those lines, something to do with Harry's mother.  If she cannot say, it means it will spoil the plot.  Of course, she could be leading us astray, but if you look through the interviews, you will notice one question about : "Will Snape fall in love?" And she readily answered: Who on earth would want Snape in love with them? That’s a very horrible idea. "  So what are we to believe?!  She does not deny it, yet, she says a "Snape in love" sounds horrible.  Hum?  Guess we will only know in Book6 and 7!!

But for now, I will say that maybe there is something with Harry's mother, but love may not be it.  Actually, she may have refered to what happened when Snape was "rescued" by her in Book5 and nothing else.

Another thing, Rowling says we will learn about that and also a lot more. Nice to know!

 Here is the passage from Book4:  "And here we have six missing Death Eaters . . . three dead in my service. One, too cowardly to return ... he will pay. One, who I believe has left me forever ... he will be killed, of course . . . and one, who remains my most faithful servant, and who has already reentered my service."  Alright! Where is Snape in this description?  Actually, Rowling is good enough to make it appear as though one of the three is Snape while he may actually NOT be one of those three at all.  It's very frustrating! Was Snape there when the Death Eaters were reunited or not?  The timeline is too twisted to tell! Argh! But since Rowling said fansites had gotten it pretty well, we may deduce that it is indeed Snape whom is suspected of having left him forever. Not the coward one of course, unless Rowling once again fooled us into believing Karkaroff fleed but at the last moment decided to still appear in front of the Dark Lord. If so, then Snape may be refered to as the coward on who will pay. I hope it is!  Better be called a coward than someone who has to be killed!!  

Indeed, when Harry asked: What made you think he'd really stopped supporting Voldemort, Professor?" Dumbledore held Harrys gaze for a few seconds, and then said, "That, Harry, is a matter between Professor Snape and myself." And that's it. We don't know more than that. Apart from the fact that his story was credible.  Of course, there is always a chance that Snape used Occlumency as he is supposed to with Voldemort to hide his game, but someone, when face to face with Albus, the old man is so effective it sounds far-fetched.

Loath or not, I still believe this is one event that sent Severus off the edge!!  Also, I have read the speculations about one specific event occuring before the Willow incident. Was it Snape trying to hurt Lily, or something like that?  We don't know...
 

Very good question Ernie!! But indeed, it would give it away!  Is it Voldemort, dying, being ridiculed, lose Albus' trust?  I understand the part about the Boggart, but why deny us the Patronus?  Hum... Does it mean it would take an evil form?  Maybe!  

Well there we go!  We all thought so of course, that Voldemort prefers to let his henchmen do the dirty work. Hence, by association, Snape had or still has to do dirty work.  There is a man in book5 who died because he didn't want to perform said work.  And since Snape is still alive, bet he did a lot!

Reference: Bloomsbury Publishing - Stories from the Web

Are any of the characters in the books based on real people?

Tricky question!  The answer is yes, and no.  I have to confess that Hermione Granger is a little bit like I was at her age, though I was neither as clever or as annoying (I hope!).  Ron is a little bit like my oldest friend and Professor Snape is a lot like one of my old teachers, but I'm not saying which one.

Of course, she won't say because she doesn't feel like being sued!  Clever woman!! : )  

Reference: The Daily Prophet

Interview with Kenneth Branagh (Gilderoy Lockhart)

Q: What about his relationship with the other professors and their view of him?

Branagh: Initially they are prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt. But almost immediately they see that he is very full of himself and they begin to suspect he is a charlatan. Some of them find him touching and amusing e.g. Dumbledore and McGonagall, but to Snape and Filtch he is very irritating. Lockhart has no time for anyone else but himself so he disregards Snape's disdain which leads to some comic opportunities. He is a whirlwind of narcissism that blows itself through the school amusing and irritating in equal measures.

Just thought I'd put this up here since these actors certainly knew what they were up to.  Hence, we know what the intentions of the authors were towards Snape's attitude when it came to Lockhart.

Reference: Family Education

Q: Who's your favorite character besides Harry Potter?

A: It's very hard to choose. It's fun to write about Snape because he's a deeply horrible person. Hagrid is someone I'd love to meet.

There we go again. Snape is a deeply horrible person now.  Deeply!  It's strange where we place our values though. Rowling likes fairness and equality for kids, I reckon. Hence, Snape is the antitome of equality between adults and kids.  However, from my point of view, this is not so bad because he is as a teacher, but not all the time as an adult.  He knows his duties and does the right thing even though he favors his students in class.  Still, Rowling said he's a horrible person, not just as a teacher.  Makes you wonder where she's going with him...

Reference: The Sugar Quill and Quick Quotes

Rowling said many characters come from her own past. Harry's know- it-all friend, Hermione, is "an exaggerated version of me when I was 11, which I'm not very proud of. But I wasn't that clever. Hermione is borderline genius. If I were that annoying, I would deserve a strangling."

Professor Snape, she said, was based on a teacher she despised: "The great thing about becoming a writer is you can get revenge on everyone."

Very interesting point indeed!  Rowling wanting to strangle not only Snape, but also the annoying Know-it-all. That's why I say Rowling is honest in her judgments of others. She doesn't fool herself or her readers about her feelings. What is even more interesting however is that this annoyance she feels for Hermione is expressed through Snape in Book 3 while in DADA class and in the movie as well. Hence, in a way, Rowling isn't condemning Snape's ways at 100%.  I think she believes a bit of hard learned lessons such as Snape's direct opinions can be beneficial.

Reference: Hogwart's Library

Where did you meet the Draco Malfoy of your life?
Oh, I’ve known about 3. I knew one at school and I‘ve known them since. They don’t seem to disappear as you get older, unfortunately, but that‘s a facet of life that you‘ve got to deal with and I think children actually enjoy watching Harry and his friends deal with it.
What about Snape?
Snape is a very sadistic teacher, loosely based on a teacher I myself had, I have to say. I think children are very aware and we are kidding ourselves if we don’t think that they are, that teachers do sometimes abuse their power and this particular teacher does abuse his power.

....

...He’s not a particularly pleasant person at all. However, everyone should keep their eye on Snape, I’ll just say that because there is more to him than meets the eye and you will find out part of what I am talking about if you read Book 4. No, I’m not trying to drum up more sales, go to the library and get it out. I’d rather people read it.

There, the truth of why she finds him deeply horrible is out!  Snape abuses his power. Yet, isn't Harry Potter abusing his privileges as a student? This is why I reckon Rowling is the kind of adult who wishes more equality between children and adults. Maybe it's far-fetched, but it still gives me that impression. We also understand more why she keeps Snape around, as an example of power abuse. Also notice how she says "that teachers do sometimes abuse their power" as if all teachers do, even though it's not all the time.  That's another point why I believe Rowling is one of those new kind of parents who believe children have as much right to talk their minds out as adults.

 The only problem with this wonderful view is that children may indeed deserve that right, but being young, they cannot understand all the underlying factors like adults can. Hence, as in my country nowadays, we are faced with kids who speak out their minds without thinking of all the possibilities or consequences. As a teacher, I've had lots of talks with parents (for personal knowledge) and indeed, parents these days want their children to be free in everything and especially from teachers because they were themselves beaten up or belittled by teachers.  However the situation is now completely reversed: teachers are afraid of students. Still, those parents keep telling us that their little darlings are angels even though I call them to inform them they are way misbehaving in my classes. Parents nowadays do not trust teachers, and I believe Rowling is one of them since she said that "teachers" (hence, in general) abuse their power. Some do, indeed, but not all I can assure you.

Very important: notice where Rowling places her "however".  She concedes that he is not pleasant, BUT even so, we should keep on eye on him because there is more to him than what meets the eye. And what exactly meets the eye in Snape?  His "bastard" attitude or his Death Eater mark. It can be one or the other or both.  Difficult to say. Is she talking literally or connotatively? If literally, she means the dark mark hidden under Snape's robes. If connotatively, she means that his bad attitude is not what Snape is all about.  Hence, it would precurse his being not such a bad guy after all. The only clue is that we should find a PART of what she's talking about from Book4.  What part of Snape did we find about in Book4 that we didn't see before?  His Death Eater status is what comes to mind.  Especially since we only saw a part of the story, at the end of the book, and we were left wondering exactly what Dumbledore ordered Snape to do when he asked if he was ready.  I do tend to believe it's positive in this case.

One of our internet correspondents wondered if Snape is going to fall in love.
(JKR laughs) Who on earth would want Snape in love with them? That’s a very horrible idea.
There’s an important kind of redemptive pattern to Snape
He, um, there’s so much I wish I could say to you, and I can’t because it would ruin. I promise you, whoever asked that question, can I just say to you that I’m slightly stunned that you’ve said that and you’ll find out why I’m so stunned if you read Book 7. That’s all I’m going to say.

Reference: The Sugar Quill and Quick Quotes

How on earth did you come up with all those names for people, food, spells, games, and animals?

"Some of the names are invented, but I also collect unusual names and words and use them where they fit. For example, Malfoy and Voldmort are invented names. Dumbledore, on the other hand, is an Old English word meaning bumblebee. Hagrid, who by the way is one of my favorite characters, also comes from an Old English word -- hagridden -- meaning having a nightmarish night. I take names from places too. Dursley is a place in Britain as is Snape. Hedwig was a saint. The word for non-magic humans, muggles, is a twist on the English word mug, which means easily fooled. I made it into muggles because it sounds gentler. Proper, good wizards are quite fond of muggles and treat them in a kindly way."

Again!

Reference: The Sugar Quill and Quick Quotes

20 October 1999 - Press Club

SB: Why in the first book does Harry’s lightening scar flash, or when he gets his lightening scar flash, when Snap* looks at him?

JKR: Snape.

SB: Snape.

JKR: Okay, this is a… [laughter]

SB: I have a problem as well!

JKR: He’s sleep deprived, he’s got five-month old twins. Um… *exasperated noise* If anyone hasn’t finished reading book one, would they please put their fingers really tightly in their ears now, if they don’t want the ending ruined? Really tightly now, cause this is a question about the ending. Um…Quirrell had the back of his head to Harry at the point when Harry looked at Snape, so someone else was looking at Harry through a certain turban. See what I mean? If you’ve read it, you understand, and if you haven’t read it, you’re going what? But that’s okay.

Why! I had uncovered that from the beginning!  No need to ask the question to Rowling!

UNDER ALL RESERVE - The only place where I was able to get this is from Designer Potions / SS . I checked the Newsweek Web Exclusive Archive from 2000 to 2004, but to no avail.

Newsweek Web Exclusice 2003

J.K. Rowling Interview

Do you have favorite characters?
I really like Snape. I mean, I wouldn’t want to have a dinner with him, but as a character he’s great because he’s complicated and quite nasty. I love Dumbledore. I love Hagrid. I really like Sirius because he’s a troubled adult and there may be a slight dearth in some children’s literature of adult characters who are allowed to be complex or have problems. It’s hard actually to name the characters I don’t like. Because if I didn’t like a character as a character I just wouldn’t use them.

I think someone made this up and sent it to the owner of the site because I am very doubtful of these affirmations. Rowling said she did not like Snape. She liked writing about him being the butt of the joke, but not like it says here. Of course, the "he's complicated and nasty" sounds charming to Snape fans, but coming from Rowling, I know from her other interviews that she finds nothing "charming" about being nasty. She's against nastiness in school, so why would she go and say that!?  

Why do people write these things?!  If this is indeed a fake, I hope its author suffers from severe diahrea right now!!  One should never publish rubish or worst, send someone rubish to be posted so as to preserve the anonymacy of the faker!