Ask J.K. Rowling a Question About The Casual Vacancy Showing 951-1,000 of 1,725

[Priya]

The Casual Vacancy was nothing like i expected it to be and as always the unexpected surpassed the expected! I loved the book and the development of the character. Now comes the question, which character of the book would you say you can relate to the most or come closest to?

[Irfan]

What was the reason that made You write "The Casual Vacancy"?

[Dennis]

How was it to write a story without the use of magic to bring the story to a satisfying ending :)

[Annarita]

Did you take inspiration, for your book, from real person or facts?

[Guillem]

Hello,

"The Casual Vacancy" is a raw review of what's actually inside of us and which part of it we decide to show and polish. While writing the novel, what was the most challenging aspect of describing such a magnificent range of characters, they all being different from each other and still having things in common?

Yours,

Guillem

[P.D.R.]

It must have been very difficult to write such a different novel knowing the critics and readers would be ready to pounce. How did you find the courage to write 'The Casual Vacancy' knowing that, and knowing that you had such an enormous base of fans who wanted more like the Harry Potter series?

[[deleted user]]

Why did You wrote this book ? What was Your motivation for writing ?

[Heather]

Are you scared that the characters and storylines won't be cast as brilliantly and the cast in hp, and therefore the tv adaptation of the casual vacancy won't be as successful? Who do you see as playing the characters?

[Wendy]

What struck me the most when reading "Casual Vacancy" (and the Harry Potter books) is the way you introduce such a variety of characters that all seem so real. Do these fictional characters come to life as you are writing? Do you have them figured out before you start to write? Are they still in your head when you finish writing, saying "Hey don't forget about us - we are still here!".

[Anaa]

Is any of the characters based on a "real" person?

[Clare]

Where does Fat end up?

[[deleted user]]

I'll be honest, I haven't read the book and it'll be a while before it comes into my possession as a future read. So my question for you isn't about the wonderful complexities of the characters that make your writings delightful and engaging, nor is it about a storyline that's sure to thrill. But, when that time comes to read your book, I'll need to know, hardback, paperback or electronic?

[Shari]

I am a huge fan of the Harry Potter series. My question is, after writing about such a fantastical and magical realm, as portrayed in Harry Potter, what made you steer towards an adult, serious and grave world as depicted in The Casual Vacancy??

[Salma]

In the process of writing The Casual Vacancy -and long after finishing it-, have you noticed any similarities in its themes or characters to those of the Harry Potter series? And if so, how did you feel about them?

[Riley]

As a teenager myself, I thoroughly enjoyed The Casual Vacancy so much that it's probably my most favourite adult book of all time. In the book, the way the teenagers were captured was perfect in the use of language and their reaction to situations. My question is this: The way you captured the teenagers; is it because you've observed teenagers in these types of situations, been in any type of situation like this yourself or do you have any personal relationships with people who have similar characteristics to the teenagers written about in the book?

[Chelsea]

In what way did you think your fans would react to this book ?

[Jean]

Was the time you spent prior to the release of the Harry Potter series, when you faced your own hardships, any inspiration towards you addressing stereotypes about poverty in Main stream society?

[Meera]

I couldn't believe that the same person who told the magical tale of Harry Potter is telling us how non-magical real life is. Did you want to send a message through the obvious difference between Harry Potter & Casual Vacancy? Didn't you feel different while writing those?

[Liz]

While I see that mothering, mental health issues and social class are all instrumental issues in Casual Vacancy, I was struck at the crew team and its importance to Krystal and her friends. At the end her friend Parminder serves as the ultimate team mate. The boys who avoid sports like crew where each rower rows as one are unable to support others and even themselves. Without crew, Krystal cannot stay afloat.

The question:
How did you determine to focus on crew? Do you feel this sport is a key to understanding the book?

[F B]

Domestic violence seems to be a recurring theme in The Casual Vacancy. Is this really applicable to the day-to-day lives of ultra forward and strong-willed women of Britain?

[Tommy]

If I could ask one question, I would ask what is your research process like? How do you know what it feels like to be a middle aged man or an elderly man on a council? It always astonishes me how you can get so in depth with so many types and personalities. How do you achieve this?

Tommy

[Becki-boop]

Did you ever consider writing The Casual Vacancy under a different name to avoid the inevitable comparison between this work and the Harry Potter series?

[Mitch]

What potable themes/insights from The Casual Vacancy would you hope an international reader takes away from your British setting?

[Ana]

Barry's widow and his children are rarely at the forefront of the plot. Sometimes I had the notion they don't even live in the same town.
Are there any specific reasons for omitting them from the main plot?

[Shimon]

For you, what is the most important human moment in the story and why?

[Ruth]

I very much enjoyed The Casual Vacancy, and as I read it, I could only think either you had done a great deal of research talking to both social workers and those on social assistance. I also wondered how involved you were in the politics of town councils, so to speak, as you seemed to have a very good idea of what went on there, the schisms that develop, and the people that get involved. My question: research or experience for this amount of knowledge on both aspects (social work and municipal politics)and if research- how many people interviewed, and how many hours were spent in the research? Creativity is just as important here as hard slogging, it seems.....

[Vignesh]

I think the Casual Vacancy wouldn't have got nearly this much of attention if it had been written by anyother writer, i.e. a writer who hasn't had the exposure or experienced such a life? How do you feel?

[Alisha]

i would like to know if the town and the people in it hold any special connections to J.K. in real life. what inspirations did she draw on to create this wonderful setting?

[Mary]

I'm a huge fan of your writing. You have a style that draws the reader into the depths of your stories. My question is a little more personal. After writing for both young and mature readers, do you have a preference and in which direction do you see your future writing heading?

[MLC]

How does it feel writing a book other then Harry Potter?

[Taline]

Spoiler alert! Just like your previous writings,The Casual Vacancy began and ended with the death of a character. Would you say that your writing style or genre would always be "death" themed ?

[Khairiyyahb]

Did you have this story within you while writing Harry Potter or it developed later on? Where did the inspiration come from?

[Ann]

What reaction did you expect from your large following of readers after The Casual Vacancy was launched?

[Dee]

Are you glad you wrote it?

[Dea7h7alker]

Not has a sequel, hasn't it?

T

[Lisa]

Which nineteenth-century writers influenced The Casual Vacancy? What elements or strategies of those writers did you re-imagine in a modern context for the novel? How and why?

[Bailey]

Being a huge fan of yours I was wondering where you got the inspiration to write Casual Vacancy and/or Harry Potter?

[[deleted user]]

How difficult was it writing about drugs, teen sex, prostitution, rape, etc., after having so much success with the Harry Potter series?

[Diane]

There were many lessons to be learned from your book. Is there one lesson you would want readers to take away from your book in particular (can you tell I am a teacher?)?

[Heather]

What was your inspiration for writing an adult novel after seeing the success of the Harry Potter series?

[Areeba]

What inspired you to write this book?

[Serena]

Hello, Ms. Rowling,
You chose to begin this book from Barry's point of view and his death sets the story in motion. When you planned the story, did you originally anchor the book this way? Or did you later decide on the varying points of view?

[Katarina]

Ciao, I was wondering, do you relate to any of the characters on a personal and mental level, because they say the best writing is writing from the heart, and do you believe that quote also?
Thank you!!!!!

[Jennpower]

Did you find it harder to write adult fiction after being put into the realm of children's literature for so long? Do you think that the reception of this book has been based on what the public thought of Harry Potter?

[justforshiggles]

Jumping about from each character's point of view to another is difficult to pull off - did you find it tricky, or liberating (given HP was primarily Harry's point of view)?

[Shannon]

When you began writing the story, did you know the ultimate result for Krystal? Was there any point at which you planned to give her a happier ending?

[Joe]

What made you decide to go the adult route since you were so successful at the teen level with all age ranges? Why not expand on the world you already created instead of building something completely new? Seems like you could get lost in the Potter world for some many more books. Is there any interest at all in returning to the Potter series?

[Roberto]

First of all, I want to thank you for making great books ... This book has many similarities to the Harry Potter series, which is basically the human psyche, not only of British people's behavior, but in most of the world ... each personality of your books are based on your life experience? or where do you get every personality? because each personality it is so genuine that will come to love and hate the characters... Thank you again and we wait you in Monterrey, Mexico!

[Cathy]

You had a spiritual connection... with... someone... when creating your 7 book H.P. series. Did you connect with that same person in spirit when writing the Causal Way?

[Devika]

hey ma'am rowling i must say i am a big fan , i hope i will someday get to write like you maybe even possess an autographed book by you !!!! well let me get down to business i havent really read casual vacancy because i am underage and i think it has a lot of sexual abbreviations what i want to ask is how can a mind that wrote harry potter come up with a book so completely different from it ? is there any relations between the two books ? and which one of the two is your favorite ?