As the UK debates how much support the government should provide for single mothers, one prominent writer wrote a passionate essay in the Times.

In “The Single Mother’s Manifesto,” J.K. Rowling (pictured, via) described her life before writing the Harry Potter series. Her essay bashed politicians who think single mother lead “an easy life” with government support.

Here’s an excerpt: “Between 1993 and 1997 I did the job of two parents, qualified and then worked as a secondary school teacher, wrote one and a half novels and did the planning for a further five. For a while, I was clinically depressed. To be told, over and over again, that I was feckless, lazy– even immoral–did not help.” (Via Colleen Lindsay)