Ask J.K. Rowling a Question About The Casual Vacancy Showing 1,001-1,050 of 1,725

[Kübra]

Was it a big challenge for you to write Krystal's suicide? Or was it a kind of relief like it was for Krystal because after the death of Robbie, the only one who Krystal cared and really loved she had nothing

[Stephanie]

I was impressed with your insight and empathy towards people within communities who are doing it tough. The cause of the climactic tragedy could very easily be interpreted as a failure on Terri's part to be a capable mother, but I wondered if you had hoped that readers would see that her spirit had been broken by her defacto father and that he was in essence the villain of the piece? Thank you for a wonderful work.

[Anthony]

Since you have such a voluminous fan base, were you afraid that they would not appreciate you as an adult author?

[Tracy]

Did you find the transition from writing young adult to adult fiction a difficult one at first? Or was it a matter of needing to stretch your skills in a different direction?

[Jennifer]

I was thoroughly gratified by your realistic representation of mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence, child development, and general characterological disorders. I also recall your fascinating development of a psychopath in your previous work (Tom Riddle, HBP). Is psychology a field of interest for you? The portrayals of your characters are clinically accurate, yet so real and personal. I wonder where your inspiration comes from. Study? Personal experience? General observation?

[Megan]

Do you feel that writing "The Casual Vacancy" is tearing you away from the feeling that you get writing about "Harry Potter"?

[Saloni (earnestlyeccentric)]

Why did you decide to write 'The Casual Vacancy' instead of a Marauders Prequel?

[Briany]

What made you or what thoughts went through your mind when you decided to write an adult fiction book after writing Harry Potter?

[Jessica]

You consistently create characters who come off the page and feel real enough to be our loved ones, friends, or people we meet in the world - how do you do this?

[Wynona]

The characters in The Casual Vacancy were very interesting. At times, unlikeable. They were very different from the characters in HP. How did you come up with each character's story/situation? Were some based on your past experiences?

[Simone]

If there is a sequel will it be about Fats redemption or will he further self destruct?

[Mithra]

I really liked The Casual Vacancy. But I also noticed that the younger characters in the book were much better developed than the adult ones. The narrative voice also seemed more forgiving of their misdemeanors. Would you say you understand/ relate to children better than adults?

[Megan]

This book of political strife and personal trials and tribulations is a serious look at what has been briefly touched upon in your Harry Potter books - what inspired you to write such a drastically different book? Was there any specific political debate or personal experience that inspired this novel? Would you write any more books along the lines of "The Casual Vacancy" or do you enjoy writing more "Harry Potter"-geared fiction?

[Debra]

"The Casual Vacancy" was very thought-provoking. Not many authors can effectively convey the point of view of so many segments of the population at once. I felt something for each character and could not label anyone of them as a "good" or "bad" person; they were all products of their environment. I had sympathy for each and every one of them. Did any of these characters or story lines come from personal experience or from friends' experiences? Well-written; well-done! I look forward to reading more adult-oriented books from you!

[Frederik]

Wich story do you love the most, Harry Potter or The Casual Vacany?

[Eitiel]

do you plane to write another kids/teens serials?

[Jean]

Why did you write a story of total termoil in one town.? You have a fantastic curious mind, so why center you work on the dark side?

[Eitiel]

do you plane to write another kids/teens serials?

[Nancy]

As someone involved in local politics in the US I was struck by the similar personalities of the characters in the book and local politicians I know. Was the inner working of politics the impetus for writing the book or how the politicians dealt with the elephant in the room: the poor and substance abuse?

[Connie]

My question is this: Do topics come easy to you to help you write a novel? I haven't read your newest book yet but I know it is a completely different topic than the Harry Potter books.

[Tina]

Although I have been an adult for a long time, I have never given up reading "YA" books - a genre which British authors seem to write very well indeed. Did you find in moving to adult literature that you had to write differently? Did you have you add or subtract anything? (and of course, what?) Was it primarily a matter of viewpoint? The characters', or the viewpoint you generated for the reader?

[Amy]

What was your inspiration in writing this book?

[catful]

This book was such a stark contrast to your Harry Potter series, what made you jump genres in such a drastic way? I admire an author that can write in such distinctly different forms, but after a complete series of Fantasy novels, I can't be alone in saying that I was expecting another book about Magic. What made you decide to go in a different direction?

[Kurt]

Do you suffer when you write, or write when you suffer?

[Lillian]

Unfortunately, I was NOT impressed with this work. After the stellar job done with Harry Potter I expected so much more something different...something adult...and a WHOLE lot more than than this...A very big disappointment.

[Hayley]

Did you model your writing style after any other author(s)? I ask, because this book reminds me of Jilly Cooper's fast paced and witty style.

[JP]

Who was your favorite character, and can you see some similarities between some of The Casual Vacancy characters and the ones from Harry Potter?

[Joani]

I loved the Harry Potter series and shared it with my children and grandchildren. I understand that you wanted to write something different aimed at a different audience. it seems like those who transition from young adult fiction to adult fiction tend to go for shock value - the way teen stars go from Disney to nudity and drugs. I think you are an amazing writer with talent I can't imagine, but I guess I loved the whimsy and the fun of the HP series and wondered why this one had to be quite so gritty and shocking. I've worked for local government, and I was so looking forward to the many stories there are to tell, but I couldn't finish the book because the subject matter was so depressing and almost in your face with ugliness. Why did you make the decision to include so many things that are difficult to deal with, or even read about, in one book?

[Donna]

I found few really positive characters in The Casual Vacancy, but I particularly noted (and this is consistent with the Harry Potter Series as well) a particular disdain for overweight people. Very few of the characters had healthy personal habits overall, yet there was a lot of disgust reserved for the fat. Why do you have this issue?

[Bob]

Amin wrote: "Desperate Krystal feels by the end of the book that she wants to have a child in order to raise, protect and love... to give him all the things she didn't get from her mother. Ironically, her situa..."

Just wanted to tell you this is a great point. Krystal does so many things in the book that seem like they add to her tragedy, but most of them seem rational from her point of view. I think that this (plus the unexpected point that she affected everyone in the town just like Barry did) is what makes this book about seemingly "unimportant people" so affecting.

[Tracey]

Was the transition to an Adult book difficult and will it be a difficult transition to return to writing children's and Young Adult books?

[Laura]

Did you go to school or ever work with anybody like any of the characters in The Casual Vacancy? I recognise Kyrstal Weeden in several people I went to school with.

[Maria]

Hello, Joanne!
I'm a big HP fan and would like to thank you for your brilliant writing. I enjoyed The Casual Vacancy as well, I'm rereading it now. Some moments in the book were quite hard, you know, I had to give it almost half a year to start reading it again. But it's really GREAT.
The main thing that you've taught us, your readers, in HP is the choice that a person has to make. Your every choice in this life is important. Isn't it the same thing you try to show through your new book? Not just some traits of character but that every day we make a choice?
Once again - thank you, you're a perfect author. The BEST for me!

Maria, love from Russia

[Meg]

The Casual Vacancy is told from many different points of view. Which character's point of view did you enjoy writing from the most and why?

[Andrea]

I know this was intended for adults, but why was it so extreme? I put it down after 20 pages because I was sick of the "f" word and the inappropriate topics. I expected so much more since I loved the Harry potter books!

[Cambrie]

While writing Harry Potter, which character have you found you can relate most to?

[Lauren]

In some of your interviews, you claim to have seen yourself in the character of Hermione. Was there a character in "The Casual Vacancy" that you similarly identified with, consciously or unconsciously, as you wrote the book?

[Amy]

While writing this book, Was there a shedding of the "cloak" moment you proved to yourself you are a true diverse author ?
( always wondered if authors feared or self doubted themselves when changing genres )

[Cecilia]

There was a stong theme about suffering when hiding secrets. Also, Is the tension between British and people from India that bad?
Why did you have one of your chararcters have the disorder of cutting? Do you know someone with the illness?

[Tori]

I have been trying to write something and stick to the story for years. I always find things wrong with my writing and get discouraged. Then I get motivated again and start another story soon after. What is something that helps you stay on task when writing your books and how do you stay encouraged to keep to the topic you are writing about?

[Danny]

How does it feel to have changed your writing from Harry Potter to The Casual Vacancy??

[Christal]

What made you take the step from fantasy into adult novels? Will you ever write a series like Harry potter again?

[Hira]

1. Did you enjoy writing The Casual Vacancy mare than Harry Potter?

2. What was the message? The ugliness of the society we gloss over? The injustice?

3. What was your inspiration for the novel?

[Freddie]

When writing the novel, how conscious were you of the readership that you expected it to reach and how do you think that effected it?

[Jodi]

The characters of the book are extremely detailed and complex, how were you inspired to create them?

[Margaret]

Fats feels very strongly against people he deems "unauthentic" and is constantly reflecting on his own authenticity and morality, or lack thereof. What inspired you to create a character who thinks like this? Do you hold similar beliefs as Fats? Do you think people are one or the other?

[Lis Katrine]

What is your own opinion on the Fields? Should they remain a part of Pagford or not?

[Mary Elizabeth]

What was your inspiration for writing this novel?

[Sean]

Do you feel that you enjoyed writing this more than you enjoyed writing the harry potter series if so why?

[Shruti]

The casual vacancy is a simple yet intense novel .
The one question I would like to ask Miss Rowling is ....the story of casual vacancy starts with a death episode of an innocent and interestingly ends with the same. Is this a deliberate thought ...if yes then why?.....or it just got evolved eventually with the story.