The Casual Vacancy
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Ask J.K. Rowling a Question About The Casual Vacancy
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Saundra
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Jun 28, 2013 11:50AM
So as not to give away the ending...one of your main characters in the "Casual Vacancy" doesn't make it...Why was it necessary to do them in? Couldn't they have redeemed themselves some other way? Given your ending, I felt so cheated. It was a great ending but dag I wish it could have been a different result.
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Your latest book reveals a dark side of life.In this electronic age do you think people not want a easy read?Surely your books need to be light heart in these austere times? Or is this a book of the soul?
Hello, Jo :) (I use the familiar because I believe you would prefer it.)
Not only am I an avid fan of your Harry Potter series, but as a writer, I have learned, and continue to learn from you—first, through the reading of the books (3 times for the entire series; more for SS), then through the VERY in-depth examination and theorizing with friends once Half-Blood Prince was released. I have repeatedly read the chapter in Cheryl Klein’s book (I had the privilege of helping her sell copies -- http://cherylklein.com/second-sight/) about what writers can learn from “Harry Potter,” most of which I knew instinctively, yet never tried to categorize and could never explain as eloquently as Cheryl. I’m grateful for her teaching, and grateful for your example.
Much has been written and said about the books and you as a writer (your talent confirmed with your successful departure to something as different as The Casual Vacancy). I safely assume you feel tremendously gratified that most of your readers not only enjoy your stories, but come away with invaluable lessons about critically important matters such as loyalty, courage, love, friendship and more. Though you were intimidated having to speak at Harvard (http://www.ted.com/talks/jk_rowling_t...), I believe you also felt grateful for the opportunity to impart more invaluable advice through your personal life lessons (and I’m SURE they will remember what you said!).
I do believe that, as a writer, if I realized a measure of success in which I had the opportunity to influence people in these ways, nothing would feel more gratifying to me, even beyond the satisfaction of a “job well done” with the writing of the books themselves. So, my question is: do you consider the “opportunity of influence” one of your greatest achievements through your success, and could you tell us what other aspects top that list?
Thank you for the countless hours of joy you have given me (and millions of others) through your work!
Donna
In the beginning of the Casual Vacancy, we learn that Barry and Mary Fairbrother disagree over what should "take up the most space in life." What do you think should take up the most space in life, and do you feel you expressed that in the novel?
While reading "The Casual Vacancy", one of the characters that interested me particularly was Parminder. Whilst she is not, by far one of the worst "villains" in the novel, in my eyes she was partially responsible for Sukhvinder's self-harm. She was too busy fighting for what Barry stood for to take proper notice of her daughter. This leads me to the question; in your eyes, to what extent should "the greater good" (for example, fighting for the Fields, and for Bellchapel clinic) take precedence over the minutiae of our daily lives? Do you think it varies from person to person, and if so, what kind of people should be the ones fighting for the said "greater good"?
Much love, Jo! Always a fan x
Much love, Jo! Always a fan x
I would like to hear that you are coming out with another Harry Potter book. Maybe a college version of Harry Potter.
Do you enjoy writing for youth or adults better? Why?
I am not YA but I do love your HP books you have such a talent to write and describe and make us fall in love with all this lovely characters all I can say is anything you write I am very happy to read. Do you plan on doing any booksignings on this side of the pond to be specific Southern California?
When writing do you ever just give up and quit? What brings you back? R.R.
How much of yourself do you put into your novels? Physical, characteristic, emotional, and personality wise?
What advice would you give to aspiring authors of fiction that grew up reading your books?
How many hrs in a day, you commit yourself in writing a book?
Dear J.K. Rowling, thank you so much for your enormous contributions to our collective imagination. Would you say you 'channel'?
What did you think when you wanted to do this book?How did you feel after you decided to kill Krystal and Krystal's brother?
*An incredible book. Amazing and sad end! :')
Dear Ms Rowling, thanks for a great read. Again. In this book, you open our eyes to the lives of those marginalised 'have not' communities who really don't have a voice. These people are too often judged on the basis of their lifestyle choices and the way they conduct themselves in the community. As a therapist, I often get to hear people like this tell their story and when I do I can completely understand how they have come to live the way they do. These people are sometimes demonised and uncared for and often it takes something terrible to happen too late - for the community to become compassionate - as was the case in your book.Was that part of what you wanted to achieve with the story? To invoke compassion for those who don't always get the same opportunities as everyone else?
Does Casual Vacancy represent the new weapon that the white race uses against black people which is apathy and indifference?
Will you PLEASE PLEASE PLEASEEEEEE write another Harry potter book??You know the WHOLE world wants you to!
Did you enjoy writing this book or the Harry Potter series better?
Why did you select the name Mollison?Kate mollison
I am a big Harry Potter fan and I loved The Casual Vacancy ! They are both rather different in genre and style. What made you decide on the plot and characters for The Casual Vacancy?
what made you keep on writing, i mean, after you started writing the first harry potter book, what kept you motivated to actually keep on writing until the end?!
It's commonly known that you came up with the idea of Harry Potter on a train. How did the concept of A Casual Vacancy come to you and did the place, time and happenings affect the novel in any way?
i wish you would make another harry potter book maybe about how his parents met or him and his children and ginny or voldemorts childhood these books were my childhood and now there over i wish there was more
Why did you feel the need to include profanity in the book because it is for "adults"?
After writing a fantasy tale full of magic, Harry Potter, a novel enjoyed by children and adults alike, what made you change the genre and steer it towards a novel in the serious, adult world?
Did you feel more liberated or more constrained writing to a more "adult" audience that may have never considered you as more than a "kiddie-lit" author?
My question is this: Why did dropping the f-bomb on practically every single page become necessary to write a grown up book? This is why I refused to read it. I don't mind a couple but c'mon! I have no desire for my question to get picked, I just found this part disappointing.
when you look back at the harry potter books you have written, and you see how many smiles they have created, what do you think? what have you learned from harry potter?You are an amazing writer and you have made thousands of childhoods happy and have created a new kind of smile called potterhead smile :) thanks!
What was your inspiration in writing 'Casual Vacancy' , a novel of completely different genre than Harry Potter?How well was this change accepted by the public?
While 'The Casual Vacancy' has just as detailed and large a setting as 'Harry Potter', there are far more narrators and it isn't always clear who the hero(ine) is, or even if there is one. Why did you choose to have such a wide range of narrators?
Hello Ma'am :) I want to ask that why didn't you write more on Harry Potter. I mean you could further tell about Harry's children and the fight between his children and Voldermot's children or Ron's children could be evil wizards and kill Harry or something. Thanks.
Patrick wrote: "If you could ask J.K. Rowling one question about The Casual Vacancy, what would it be? In celebration of the paperback release, J.K. Rowling will answer one winning question about the book from Goo..."Why did you decide to go to main stream adult instead of another childrens book?
Patrick wrote: "If you could ask J.K. Rowling one question about The Casual Vacancy, what would it be? In celebration of the paperback release, J.K. Rowling will answer one winning question about the book from Goo..."Was this book easier to write than your first? Has your motivation changed ?
Being Barry such an important figure to everyone in Pagford, specially for Krystal, what would Barry say/think about Krystal's death?
How did you transition from the Harry Potter series to Casual Vacancy, with it being a mature adult novel?
Are you planning to do a book signing in washington anytime soon? :)
Will you personally be working on the TV Show adaptation of the Casual Vacancy? If so, will you be the actual showrunner?
Despite the bleakness of many of the lives you created in Pagford, there is still a sense of hope emanating from the characters. Is there a specific process that you have to create such fully rounded characters--so realistic that you weep with them?
What are the adjustments you did from writing children's books to writing a novel for adults?
It may be just be me, but I noticed some parallels/similarities to The Casual Vacancy and Jane Austen's books. The small town, the lives of the people and how they interact with each other, the social commentary.My question is: how much did Jane Austen's works influence you in writing The Casual Vacancy?
what inspired you to write this book and are you making any more books?
I enjoyed the complex personalities of the characters in The Casual Vacancy. They each had very real reasons for being who they were. I wanted to be able to get in touch with them and help them through some of their trials and tribulations. They felt very real. I was not a Harry Potter fan (havent read a word of it)but I figured your first adult book would have to be as good if not better. That is why I was compelled to read this book. I cant wait for your next adult fiction. Is it coming soon? x
Was Casual Vacancy always in the back of your mind early on or did it come to you after the last Harry Potter story?
Mrs. Rowling, what "strength" did you use in writing all your books until you become famous today? When you were in difficult situations did you still optimistic that your works would be successful at last? Thanks for your answer, Rahmat Ali, Jakarta.
Mrs. Rowling, what "strength" did you use in writing all your books until you become famous today? When you were in difficult situations did you still optimistic that your works would be successful at last? Thanks for your answer, Rahmat Ali, Jakarta.
As in the Harry Potter books you have a great understanding of people, how they may act, their needs, etc. Is this something you made a point of observing, or do you feel you have an natural understanding of these aspects of life.
how do you make your characters both dislikable and likable at the same time, while still being very realistic?
If Krystal hadn't died, would she have ended up just like her mother? Or did she stand a chance at being different?
what inspired you to write this book?
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