Ddpjclaf’s Comments (group member since Sep 21, 2010)

Ddpjclaf’s comments from the Q&A with Cassandra Clare group.

Does anyone look forward to revisions?

Haha! Well, *I* don't, but...let's just say I know some people who do. ;) In fact, I'm working on a revision right now that's making me want to pull my hair out.

Anyway...

I found it interesting when you were talking about how your editor wanted some changes and you said no (Jem's 'affliction'). I've heard it said many times before that 'it's your (the author's) story, ultimately,' but I guess I always had in the back of my mind that if an editor wanted changes you sort of had to do them. I'm guessing this isn't normally the case though, huh? If that happens (editor asks for changes you don't want to make), do you usually try to talk it out with them,compromise on the situation (like you did with Will's drinking), or are you more apt to dig your heels in (like with Jem)? Or does it just depend on how strongly you feel about the content being questioned?

Btw, thank you for answering my writing questions! They were most helpful. :)

Hi Cassie! I've been reading through this chat since it started, enjoying the answers you've been giving about everything. I thought I had nothing to ask, but I've finally thought of some things. :)

1. When you begin a new project, do you enjoy the world building or the character building process more? Or do you enjoy both equally?

As a writer myself, I tend to enjoy character building most, so I wondered if you had a preference.

2. Which part of the writing process do you most look forward to? Research? Outlining? The actual writing? Revisions? Is there any part you really don't look forward to?

3. When you first submitted CoB (to either your agent or publisher, or both!), were you asked to make any big changes to the storyline? Tweak characters or setting? I'm not talking about minor things, but things that changed any dynamics or arcs you had originally planned for your story?

I ask this because I have author friends who have gotten an agent with a story, submitted it to publishers, and then were asked to change some major points which ended up pretty much changing the entire storyline. I would expect change requests, but I'm talking bigger ones. (I hope this makes sense) I just wondered if you've ever experienced that and how you felt about it.

4. After you got that initial "idea" for CoB in the tattoo parlor, what did you do with it right then? Did you mull it over in your mind for a while before anything concrete started forming? Or did you start to "see" this whole world/story arc coming to play immediately? Basically, how do you start the process of putting this idea you've had down on paper? Jot down notes? Start outlining? Etc...

I hope these questions are not too repetitive or monotonous. If they are, feel free to ignore. :) I've been trying to read every answer you've given, but I may have missed some.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer all of these questions!