The Casual Vacancy The Casual Vacancy discussion


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Ask J.K. Rowling a Question About The Casual Vacancy

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message 601: by Kyle (new)

Kyle Ishida As writing "The Casual Vacancy," was it difficult for you to write because of the Harry Potter series?


message 602: by Vida (new) - rated it 1 star

Vida Lashgari You were able to bring out the power of good over evil in Harry Potter. Casual vacancy showcases the worst of people, gossip, jealousy, bullying, despair and more. Do you feel more strongly that the human condition is more one way or another?


message 603: by Ross (new)

Ross You create such incredibly genuine and believable characters in your books. I was hoping to know where these characters come from.

For example did they come from your personal experiences, the people you've met, or simply your vivid information? And how do you use these to add such a fantastic level of depth?


message 604: by Jenna (new)

Jenna Neal This isn't so much a question but I hope you continue to write books whether they be like Harry Potter or Casual Vacancy. You are an inspiration to us all. Where or how did you find your voice?


message 605: by G. (new)

G. Guff Were you tempted to publish a casual vacancy under a nom de plume?


message 606: by Stephanie (new) - added it

Stephanie What inspired you to make write this book?


message 607: by Tasha (new) - added it

Tasha Where did you get your inspiration for this book?


message 608: by David (new) - rated it 3 stars

David Alonso As a humongous fan of Harry Potter, I was surprised to hear of your writing of an adult book. What came to your mind as you were writing the book? I wonder I people would accept that you want to do more serious novels. I say you Are an accomplished author and I'm proud of the step you've taken


message 609: by Dani (new)

Dani It seemed to me that "The Casual Vacancy" was such an apt title -- each of the characters seemed to have their own "casual vacancy" in their lives, some more aware than others, and each with their own strategy for trying to fill or cope with the void. Intentional?

Love your writing and looking forward to your next book!


Thélem Galan joriot WHY ISN'T THIS ANOTHER HARRY POTTER BOOK ? *cry*


message 611: by Blueberry (last edited Jul 04, 2013 10:33AM) (new) - added it

Blueberry Many of your fans grew up with Harry Potter, and they may have been expecting The Casual Vacancy to be similar to the Harry Potter books. Where you nervous to see their reactions when they read The Casual Vacancy?


message 612: by [deleted user] (new)

What character is the one that reminds you of you???


message 613: by Wii (new)

Wii Cristo if you could give an advice to a novice writer, what would it be ?


message 614: by Susan (new)

Susan What were your feelings, emotions, and thoughts when you sat down to write "The Casual Vacancy" and you realized you were not writing about Harry Potter and probably never would again?


message 615: by Milit (new) - rated it 4 stars

Milit What inspired you in writing a pure fiction from fantasy fiction?


message 616: by Sabrina (new)

Sabrina I wanted so much to read 'The Casual Vacancy'. I counted down to the day it would be released, but once it was, my mom wouldn't Le me read it because it was for adults. So, as much as I wish I could ask a question, I can't.
But, Ms. Rowling, you are my role model, and I just wanted to say thank you so much for having such a positive influence on almost every aspect of my childhood, not to mention my life!


message 617: by Kristy (new) - rated it 5 stars

Kristy Gillespie Do you think being a writer is a blessing or a curse? Or perhaps both?


message 618: by Lina (new) - added it

Lina Hassanin If you had to choose, would you choose the Casual Vacancy or Harry Potter??


message 619: by Amani (new)

Amani Hi, I was wondering do you plan on writing a book based on Harry's kids and what inspired you to write The Casual Vacancy? Were you worried that fans of the Harry Potter series wouldn't like it as much?
-Amani Salahudeen


Jennifer Why did you chose to write a book with such a politic background?


message 621: by Lawrie (new) - rated it 5 stars

Lawrie Bslr My question is not really about the book itself. I heard about a series based on the Casual Vacancy. Would you be involved in the choice of the cast?


message 622: by Meaghan (new)

Meaghan While writing Harry Potter, your inspiration for some of the characters and places came from the area around you, like, graves,a street and a school. What was your inspiration for "The Casual Vacancy"? Or in other words, how did you get the idea to write it?


message 623: by Pedro (new) - rated it 5 stars

Pedro Gabriel Jo, if you could bring a Casual Vacancy's character to real life, who would it be? And why?


message 624: by Shana (new) - rated it 5 stars

Shana You're ability to write from a teenage perspective is so amazing! Which of the teenage characters in The Casual Vacancy was your favourite to write and which did you feel you identified the most with?


Sharilyn Grayson I see the themes in A Casual Vacancy as a natural continuation of the themes in Harry Potter: the value of human life, the power of love, and the difference one person can make just by not giving up. Do you see the book as connected to the Potter series, and if so, in what ways?


cha0spixi Did you always have this story in mind to tell or did you set out specifically to write something that would be a complete departure from Harry Potter?


message 627: by Alex (new)

Alex Huang How do you come up with your books and ideas? I absolutely love them!


message 628: by Puneet (new) - added it

Puneet Shivanand I know much has been said about Harry potter the series....hoping that you would continue it...*fingers crossed*......

Would you have taken the role of being behind the scenes in the filming of the movie series.... like the director or Screenplay of that sort...


message 629: by Lucien (new) - rated it 5 stars

Lucien Considering how popular the Potter books are among young people in Britain, some of which may have similar domestic or family situations to Fats, Andrew or Krystal, do you think any of them may read The Casual Vacancy after seeing your name attached and begin to think or act differently about their situations? I thought the book was extremely inspiring and life-affirming, and i'm sure if reading it were encouraged in British secondary schools, it would have a similar effect.


message 630: by Jaina (new)

Jaina Rose I absolutely adore Harry Potter, and Casual Vacancy is so adult my parents won't let me read it. Was it hard to transition between such different types of writing, leaving the familiarity of Harry Potter after so many years?


message 631: by Jo (last edited Jul 04, 2013 10:52AM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Jo Thanks for this brilliant book. I particularly enjoyed that it featured a Sikh family, which is rare in literature, and shared Sikh history, beliefs, and practices, including the touching story of Bhai Khanaiya Ji. Why did you make the conscious choice not to have Parminder's husband, Vikram, wear a full turban and beard consistent with the commonly-accepted religious practice of most Sikhs? Did you think that your readership wasn't ready for that? Just curious.


message 632: by [deleted user] (new)

I never read the Harry Potter books but I did want to read the casual vacancy, did you write a completely new book in order to grab a new audience as well as keep your current fan base? Or did you want to "move on"?


Snudson Was "The Casual Vacancy" the book you wanted to write?


message 634: by [deleted user] (new)

I never read the Harry Potter books but I did want to read the casual vacancy, did you write a completely new book in order to grab a new audience as well as keep your current fan base? Or did you want to "move on"?


message 635: by Tim (new) - rated it 5 stars

Tim The Casual Vacancy is really complex and deals with a lot of issues in nowadays society. I couldnt really find a ultimate lesson, because you gave all your storylines so much development, but what was the message you wanted to tell with the end? How mistakes can not only only ruin your life but also others or was it something else?


message 636: by Stephanie (new)

Stephanie I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Casual Vacancy and the main reason was the characters. Although they were not all likeable I thought that they were an excellent portrayal of real life. How do you continue to create characters that are so relatable? Do you draw inspiration from yourself, from others in your life, or do they come from somewhere else entirely?


message 637: by Hamza (new) - rated it 4 stars

Hamza What was it like writing about the Jawandar family from their perspective? Was it difficult or uncomfortable to imagine the world from the eyes of a minority or to write about them? I think your portrayal of them is fantastic and just wondered what that process was like and how you managed to do it so well!


message 638: by Amy (new)

Amy Hill Why did you decide to write this book and if you could what would you change about the book ?


message 639: by Aidan (new)

Aidan Moran I know this book is completely different than Harry Potter but I really love your writings and am interested in this book. I am only 14 years old but I would really like to read it. I would just like to ask, if I am too young to read this book.


message 640: by Amy (new)

Amy Hill How did it feel to write something so different from Harry Potter and what inspired you to write it ? - Amy Hill 13 years old


message 641: by [deleted user] (new)

The Casual Vacancy is so raw full of intense emotions and gives such a beautiful insight into a rather common world that I think is often misunderstood. To be able to write with such clarity on the topic of mental illness, I would assume you drew your inspiration from a person or situation that hits very close to home. What inspired you to write this masterpiece of literature?


Charlee-Ann Ellis Did you feel that after the major success of Harry Potter there was an almost pressure on the Casual Vacancy to be as popular before it was even published?


message 643: by Janine (new) - rated it 3 stars

Janine Perry Where did the idea of writing this book come from?


Gillian The jacket cover for the book was very boring especially when compared to Harry Potter did you choose this design? Book was great by the way they all have been ;)


Marianna Rainolter Why Krystal die? It would be much more terrible if she has the baby and lives a life like her mother's. So why this choice?


message 646: by Kellan (last edited Jul 04, 2013 11:08AM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Kellan I absolutely loved reading this, was very well done, but left me so many questions that for the life of me I can't remember now

but my question is at the end after Krystal's funeral to me it seemed kind of open ended will there be a additional book, or at least a novelette showing how Terri coped with the deaths of both her children and if she stays clean or goes back to her old habits of drug taking and unless I missed something, does the clinic end up staying open? :)


message 647: by Marina (new) - rated it 5 stars

Marina Casual Vacancy is a wonderful introduction into the world of muggles. Just perfect continuation of the Harry Potter books.


message 648: by Megan (new)

Megan The experiences described in the book are beautifully written and incredibly vivid. Has J.K Rowling ever gone through any of these experiences herself and if not, where did the inspiration come from?


message 649: by Blue (new)

Blue I'm intrigued that your ideas came from traveling in vehicles. Harry Potter came from riding in a train, while "Casual Vacancy" from a plane.

If the plane ride inspired a political parable, what might deep sea diving inspire?


message 650: by [deleted user] (new)

Why did you write such a sad story?


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