Q&A with Cassandra Clare discussion
Q&A: Clockwork Angel/TMI: questions here!
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1. In any of the books in the TMI or ID series, do the characters not have a certain faith or religion?
2. (relevant to the question above ^) Do shadowhunters have a specific faith/religion that they ALL follow?
Shadowhunters worship the angel Raziel. That's the religion they all follow.
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Magnus Bane is my favorite literary character of all time. I'm even being him for halloween even though I'm a girl. haha. ANYWAY I was wondering if you'd consider writing a book on his life or something like that because it's interesting how in a over a hundred years he goes from the consort of a vampire baroness in London to the high sparkly gay warlock of brooklyn. And his childhood definitely sounds interesting..Again, Magnus is fantabulous. Just so you know."
I like Magnus a lot too. I wouldn't rule out a book or a novella on him. It's just a matter of timing and juggling projects.
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Thanks for answering everyones questions it was really nice of you to clear some things up :), can't wait for the next books, have fun writing them. xxOne last question.
- What made you choose the name Valentine, it doesn't seem like an evil name, did you just hear it and it fit the character perfectly or what?
Thanks again <3
how much money do shadowhunters make, in u.s. currency?and thank you so much for answering all of these questions, you're fantastic :)
Haha, it seems like ALOT of work to ask questions, and its so wonderful that you are doing this. I mean, writers have book signing but writers who do this are very dedicated and caring! Thats what I personally think, but Thank you Cassandra! Its been a pleasure finding out SO many answers to your following books! Once again, I CAN NOT WAIT TIL THEY COME OUT!!!!!! :D I actually have one more question:
1. when you came up with the characters Jace and Will, did you consider their personalities to be somewhat similar in the books?
Thanks!
-Natalie
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So Jenny was wondering, and actually, I'm really curious about it too... in Clockwork Angel, if there's all this business with Mortmain and armies of clockwork creatures, that's pretty important too, I'd guess. So, back in in Clary's time, wouldn't all of the Shadowhunters have known that it happened? And if they don't know, then is it because the Clave is keeping it secret for some reason?
Sure, they know it happened. Lots of extremely important battles have been fought in the past of the Shadowhunters, huge demons defeated, the world saved in the nick of time, etc. That's part of how Shadowhunters came to be, but that's not relevant here — just as the story of Mortmain and the London Institute isn't relevant in TMI. The reason they talk about Valentine and the stealing of the Mortal Cup is that Valentine returns and starts stirring things up (not to mention that it happened a bare fifteen years ago to people the characters all know.) If Mortmain returned with a bunch of clockwork creatures to Manhattan in 2007, you can bet they'd have brought up the story. But he didn't, so they didn't.
(Also it isn't "so big." As I've said before, the story in TMI encompasses the fate of all Shadowhunters. So far in Clockwork nothing has happened that really involves any of the Shadowhunters who aren't in London. The scale is just a lot smaller.)
Cassandra wrote: "Kirn- TheRealAnnoyingOrange wrote: "so in the infernal devices do we find out how the herondales got that star birthmark on them? does it have anything to do with Will's secrets? and what did Sebas..."Really? And yeah i totally get that, but i was hoping it was a clue into who the next evildoer is >_>. So is that why he liked Clary? Becuase she was like him in blood? Or was it really all a game like he claimed...
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I can't take credit for that. I was brainstorming names for him with my critique group and Holly Black came up with Valentine.
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It depends what they do. You run an Institute, you get paid more than a random Conclave member, etc.
Cassandra wrote: "Vampyrelover1993 wrote: "Hey Cassandra :D I have a Clockwork Angel question, So I was wondering if "The Gray Book" has anything to do with the Gray family or Tessa?"No."
Thanks for answering (:
approximately how many shadowhunters are there in the world?
Maybe I can't recall from COG but why the big secret about bringing Jace back to life?
will we ever meet a mundane who is simon's ancestor in infernal devices?can isabelle's electrum whip be cut/broken? and if so, would it just mend itself like jem's cane?
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No. It makes sense for the Lightwoods and the Herondales to have known each other 150 years in the past. They're all Shadowhunters, and Shadowhunters are a tight knit group. It makes no sense for them to run into an ancestor of Simon's, a mundane who just happens to randomly befriend Clary 150 years later. There are interesting connections, and then there are coincidences so huge they're distracting. Not to mention that Simon's ancestors are probably being chased by Cossacks in Russia somewhere, not in England.
can isabelle's electrum whip be cut/broken? and if so, would it just mend itself like jem's cane?
It can't be cut, broken or burned.
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It's a pretty huge thing Clary did there. They're not sure it's a good idea to tell.
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I'm not sure I'd say he 'liked' Clary. Weird obsessive feelings, maybe.
Cassandra wrote: "Kirn the Graveyard Keeper wrote: "Really? And yeah i totally get that, but i was hoping it was a clue into who the next evildoer is >_>. So is that why he liked Clary? Becuase she was like him in b..."ohhh stalkerific. got it. why do i feel like he might make another guest appearance due to his greater demonic blood?
Thank you for answering all of these Good Read fan questions. ****Spoiler****
In the CA (pg 44) where the Dark Sisters are chasing Will & Tessa into the basement. When they realize they are in a slaughterhouse Tessa bites her own hand to keep from screaming and Will is whiteface and mouthing something under his breath. What is Will saying / or thinking?
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1. when you came up with the characters Jace and Will, did you consider their personalities to be somewhat similar in the books?"
Yes and no. I've answered this a LOT of times. Try message 1039 on the previous page.
Will there be any reprocutions for Clary refuseing the Selie Queens offer?
1.What are shadowhunter weddings like? And what color do they wear (since mourning colors are white already)?2.How do shadowhunters celebrate their birthdays (general)>
3.How do they celebrate their 18th birthdays? Is there some kind of ritual? If so, what do they do in the ritual?
Cassandra wrote: "Miche wrote: "Hi Cassandra!Magnus Bane is my favorite literary character of all time. I'm even being him for halloween even though I'm a girl. haha. ANYWAY I was wondering if you'd consider writi..."
Thanks so much for replying! I just always thought something about him would be interesting... =) I appreciate the hope you have given me on my new dream. haha. Thanks again!
~Miche
Jonathan wrote: "Will there be any reprocutions for Clary refuseing the Selie Queens offer?"Good question =)
"Eliot wrote: "Hi, Cassandra,orry if you've already answered this question/comment, I didn't take the time to read every post. I was curious as to whether there's any significance between Tessa's last name (Gray) and one of Luke's surnames (Greymark). I know it's a stretch, but it just seemed to strike me as some sort of connection. Anyways, I love all of your books, they're fantastic!!! :) I can't wait for the next ones. Thanks!"
Nope. None."
Thank you so much for answering my question, and the huge load of other ones out there. :) I figured the answer would be no, but I really wanted a chance to ask you something and most of the questions had already been asked. Anyways, I think you're a fantastic writer. Thanks again, I can't wait for the next books!
Can you tell us something cute about magnus and alec's relationship that we don't know?
Here's something I was wondering about... I've noticed a lot of people wondering why Alec and Will look so much alike, thus making me think that maybe the Lightwoods and Herondales end up sharing genetics.Now, obviously, I know you can't tell me if they are or not, BUT, would any...developments... to how everyone is related to each other come up in tMI?
Also, just because I'm wondering - without his secret, would Will be a nice(r) person?
Thank you so much for doing this! :D I've loved reading through all of the questions and answers.
This is more of a comment than a question, but I've been looking back at CA, and am wondering if Will's secret has something to do with death/dying - either he is drawn to it, or can only get close to those who are dying...something along these lines.There are a couple places in the book where death seems to draw a reaction from him; in the beginning, when Tessa questions why they would focus so much on Emma's death, and a brief strange look crosses Will's face; and then at the Dark sisters house, when Will and Tessa are with the corpses, he gets a strange reaction. He also only seems to be able to get close to Jem, and then at the end, he lets his walls down with Tessa when he thinks she's dying. And this is way off base, but I was wondering if his habit of biting vampires might have anything to do with his death fascination (if he does in fact have one :)).
Thanks again for taking the time to do the Q&A - I've really enjoyed reading the answers. I really respect the way you interact with your fans.
Will or Jace: if you had to choose, who would you personally prefer? And why? :D
I know this is a strange question, but if through some very unfortunate circumstances a child was born from a shadowhunter and a demon, would they be a shadowhunter or a warlock? Or am I thinking about this all too much?
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Cassandra wrote: "Aaaand the Q and A session is done — but I'll be back tomorrow to answer the last few questions I didn't get to. But now it's 2am and I have to sleep. ;)"Have fun sleeping, after all the questions you've answered i'd sleep for like a year. :)
Thanks for doing this Q & A, and i hope you'll be able to fit another one in after COFA comes out, :D
Thanks again <3
In the book you talk about the devils mark on Warlocks, what is Magnus's mark???And if you could, would you make a short book about Magnus's life from when he was born and after he he killed his father???
are Will and Jem Virgins ? sorry if that sounds wrong .
It's time to stop asking new questions now, guys - the session is up. Cassie has to stop some time or she's never going to get another book finished, and I know what I'd rather have her be doing!
Helene wrote: "When will Clockwork Angel be available in Europe? More spesifically Norway?(or the UK, so I can order it from www.play.com)"
You can already order it on play.com...
I already did...;-)
Hi Cassandra...I am currently re-reading MI for the, i don't know, 'th time.... some thing just acord to me, all my brothers names is in your books. Alexander, Valentine and Gabriel, I thinks that's funny..
My Quetion is, when You start a new novelle/story, does draw a timeline of the events you want in the story or do you just sit back and see where the story takes you, or is it a mix of both.
I was just wondering because, I'm going around with a story of my own in my head I'm thinking about wrinting down....
Love your books, just love love love your books...
Hope you answer my quetion, if not, it was just something I had to get out there...
Sarah H. wrote: "In the book you talk about the devils mark on Warlocks, what is Magnus's mark???And if you could, would you make a short book about Magnus's life from when he was born and after he he killed hi..."
Magnus's mark is that he has cat eyes...
1.who will train clary to be a shadowhunter?2.is the real sebastian the new villain?
3.if there is the greatest angel(raziel)is there the greates demon,something like raziel's evil brother ?
Thanks for answering...I'm still gonna assume Jace isn't a virgin btw, until the book comes out ;)
'Cause I'm annoying!
Guys, please STOP POSTING QUESTIONS NOW. Cassandra posted the start and end dates/times of this Q&A at the beginning of the thread and even if you forgot them, she just *posted* to say that the Q&A was finished. That's it. THE END. If you keep posting questions it looks like you're completely ignoring her. I'm sure you're not meaning to be rude, but you need to pay attention to what Cassandra posts, please.
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Repercussions? Yes.
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2.How do shadowhunters celebrate their birthdays (general)>
3.How do they celebrate their 18th birthdays? Is there some kind of ritual? If so, what do they do in the ritual?
1) Gold.
2) Not with a lot of fanfare. Gifts, a family dinner, that sort of thing. The only really important birthday is when you turn 18.
3) People seem to be expecting a really exciting ritual when you turn 18, but basically it's a Clave ritual — you go before the Council, you have to answer their questions, you have to take oaths to uphold the Law and abide by the Covenant, you get a stele (not like you didn't have one before, but this one is specially made for you; it was Jocelyn's birthday stele Clary lost in the lake and Jace's father's birthday stele that's in his box) and a rune marking your rite of passage into adulthood and that's about it.
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Now, obviously, I know you can't tell me if they are or not, BUT, would any...developments... to how everyone is related to each other come up in tMI?
No, those revelations are going to be in ID mainly. I intend to keep it so that you can read either series without having to read the other.
Also, just because I'm wondering - without his secret, would Will be a nice(r) person?"
Oh, yes.
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Interesting!
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I think I answered this already . . though I would generally prefer a guy like Jem, he's dying, and I don't want my heart broken so I'd go for Will. I know his secret so I could fix him up and make him a bit nicer.
Am I close?I think Tessa's "father" was Mrs. Dark, who was a shape-shifting demon. She probably took on Mr. Grey's form so Tessa's mother never knew she was being unfaithful. It was probably planned/intentional so that the baby would be a shapeshifter too. Tessa's mother had to have some empathic/psychic powers so the combination of her parentage gave Tessa her unique abilities. I am guessing there was another experimental aspect to it so Tessa can have children.
For CoFA, has anyone guessed Mr Lightwood (Isabelle's and Alex's father) as the new "Big Evil"; he's my guess.
Just found this group today; sorry I missed the deadline. My appologies for commenting late, but wanted to share my theories at a minimum! I really enjoyed reading this forum! Thank you Cassandra Clare for such captivating stories!
Sarah H. wrote: "In the book you talk about the devils mark on Warlocks, what is Magnus's mark???And if you could, would you make a short book about Magnus's life from when he was born and after he he killed hi..."
Magnus has eyes like a cat. :)
Cassandra wrote: "Amy wrote: "Will or Jace: if you had to choose, who would you personally prefer? And why? :D"I think I answered this already . . though I would generally prefer a guy like Jem, he's dying, and I ..."
She said Will or Jace, not Jem ;)
Just pointing out if you wanted to re-answer...
Thankyou!
Q&A with Cassandra Clare
Books mentioned in this topic
Clockwork Angel (other topics)City of Heavenly Fire (other topics)
City of Lost Souls (other topics)
Mostly I can't answer those questions, but I will answer the Isabelle/Sebastian one: Look, no one thinks of themselves as evil. Sebastian sees that Isabelle's really beautiful, willful, stubborn, up for a party all the time, perhaps a tad selfish, and thinks she is more like him than the rest of her family (who strike him as moralizing bores.) And since he's constantly trying to find someone who is "like him" he may have hoped Izzy was; he probably figured out pretty quickly she wasn't, but she'd still be his favorite.