Q&A with Cassandra Clare discussion
Q&A: Clockwork Angel/TMI: questions here!
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2) I love to write for fun and I'd like to know something about character personality. When you create a character for a book, how do you decide upon the decisions that they make and the actions they take based on their personality. In other words, how do you make a character realistic and true to who they are?
1) I had indeed initially planned not to write more Mortal Instruments books after City of Glass. Two things happened to change that: One, I had written a plot for a graphic novel about what would happen to Simon after the events of Glass. When the graphic novel didn’t work out, I was left with this storyline and nothing to do with it — it wasn’t enough for a whole book on its own. However, while I was writing the first book in The Infernal Devices, Clockwork Angel, which deals with Jace, Clary, and the Lightwoods’ ancestors, the way events played out in it gave me the idea for a new villain and conflict that might beset the cast of characters from The Mortal Instruments, and connect up to the plotline from the planned graphic novel. I’ve always liked stories where the distant past comes forward to affect the future, so, without being spoilery, when I realized I could connect the events of Infernal Devices to the few loose ends left at the end of Glass, I realized I wouldn’t want to pass up writing that story, especially considering how much chaos I knew it would bring to the lives of Jace, Clary, Simon, Alec, Magnus, Isabelle and the rest!
Then, in October of last year, I sat down to start writing the story of City of Fallen Angels. I had a detailed outline based in part on the graphic novel idea I had had, but when it came to expanding the outline and writing the story, it just wasn’t working for me. I was on a writing retreat in Mexico with a number of other writers, and when we sat down to go over the issues I was having, I realized that the story I had thought I was telling was really a much bigger story — that my smaller, Simon-centric story had morphed into something much bigger, much more epic, and deeply involving the whole cast of characters from the first three Mortal Instruments books. I realized that what I had on my hands was not a single book that would wrap up the story begun in The Mortal Instruments, but rather the beginning of a new trilogy about these characters. (The fun part was calling my agent and editor to explain “You know that one book I was going to write? Well, actually, it’s three books!” I like to think I could hear heads hitting desks all through Simon and Schuster. But when I submitted the outlines for the new Fallen Angels, City of Lost Souls, and City of Heavenly Fire, they were thrilled with the idea of the new trilogy — and I hope readers will be as well.
2) Character is determined by the actions that character makes and the choices they make. You have to get to know your character the way you'd get to know a real person or a friend, such that you can predict their behavior in any given circumstance.
Ok, I had two questions:#1- At the back of the CoG in paperback, there's a peice of CoFA, and it said that it was going to be released in Spring of 2011, and I was wondering if you knew a more exact date?
#2- All the MI books have a City of... title, and I was wondering if there was a reason as to why they have that in commmon?
P.S. I love your books!
Cassandra wrote: "If Amatis Herondale is Luke's sister, and Luke will be married to Jocelyn, while Clary is Jocelyn's daughter, Jace is her boyfriend, and Amatis is Jace's stepmom, then wouldn't Jace and Clary still..."Thanks! Just wondering.
Ohh! One last question! Now they are coming at me like crazy :)) overflowing. If Jace and Will would meet face to face how would that go? ^_^
I would have asked, does Sophie have something hidden? Or is she related to Will by any chance and absolutely fantastic turn of faith. Or who in blazes is Cecily? Maybe Will's sister und zu weiter.
I actually thought once that - be prepared - my imagination is at full blast here: Cecily is Will's sister, that is also Sophie. But he left before he even got to know her, so why would he think she is ever something other than a human...Anyhooo. DON'T ANSWER THAT! My German homework has just twisted me for the night.
As said: Fruitful writing and more fans with each day that passes. ^_^
Hi Cassandra,
**Spoiler for Clockwork Angel**
In regards to crazy theories; have you heard anyone ask if Will is gay/bisexual/just plain confused?
Pieces of evidence:
(1) Will and Tessa kissed in the attic and he said, “What was that?” (It sounds as though he never expected to want to kiss a girl—not just Tessa)
(2) When Jem kissed Tessa’s hand and Will had his hands fisted at his waist (Maybe he was actually jealous of Tessa rather than Jem)
(3) When Will says, “Why should he need to know my reasons for living my life as I do?” (Maybe Will is attached to Jem, and doesn’t want him to know, much like Alec and Jace in the beginning of MI)
(4) When Will say, “Oh, I can never get enough. Which, incidentally, is what your sister said when--" (Will brags about his conquests, as though he is trying to make people think he likes women more than he does)
I went off on a tangent there, but my main thought was that maybe Will thought he was gay before he met Tessa. Maybe she was the first girl he ever met who made him feel something. For the record, I freely admit this is a very outlandish theory; but since I am constantly blindsided by your plot twists, it didn’t seem entirely impossible.
**Spoiler for Clockwork Angel**
In regards to crazy theories; have you heard anyone ask if Will is gay/bisexual/just plain confused?
Pieces of evidence:
(1) Will and Tessa kissed in the attic and he said, “What was that?” (It sounds as though he never expected to want to kiss a girl—not just Tessa)
(2) When Jem kissed Tessa’s hand and Will had his hands fisted at his waist (Maybe he was actually jealous of Tessa rather than Jem)
(3) When Will says, “Why should he need to know my reasons for living my life as I do?” (Maybe Will is attached to Jem, and doesn’t want him to know, much like Alec and Jace in the beginning of MI)
(4) When Will say, “Oh, I can never get enough. Which, incidentally, is what your sister said when--" (Will brags about his conquests, as though he is trying to make people think he likes women more than he does)
I went off on a tangent there, but my main thought was that maybe Will thought he was gay before he met Tessa. Maybe she was the first girl he ever met who made him feel something. For the record, I freely admit this is a very outlandish theory; but since I am constantly blindsided by your plot twists, it didn’t seem entirely impossible.
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I've just gotta say that I love your books and I can't wait for the next one to come out! They are amazing and I love them!!
I also have a questions, why did you decide to make prequel to TMI?..."
Why not? There's so much backstory in the TMI series and I get asked all the time if I will write a series about the younger days of Valentine and Jocelyn and the Circle. I don't want to, however, because I am not interested in writing a story where everyone already knows how it turns out. But going back a hundred and fifty years, now, there I can write a story where people really don't know how it turns out. Plus I love the Victorian era.
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Because the UK hardback market is terrible, epecially for children's books. Hardbacks are expensive to produce and people rarely buy them enough to justify the cost to the publisher. Unless you're Harry Potter, you're going to come out in paperback.
Word counts:
Cob: 110,000
CoA: 105,000
CoG: 130,000
Have you ever dreamt about your books/characters?
Hey :) I was wondering, you seem to make all your male characters all cool and sarcastic whereas the main female characters are sort of more... I don't know, just subdued I guess. In any of your future writing are you going to make a female character that's kinda like sarcastic and cool and hardcore?
This has probably been written in a crap manner so uh, sorry.
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#1- At the back of the CoG in paperback, there's a peice of CoFA, and it said that it was going to be released in Spring of 2011, and I was wondering if you knew a more exact date?
#2- All the MI books have a City of... title, and I was wondering if there was a reason as to why they have that in commmon?
1) http://www.amazon.com/City-Fallen-Ang...
2) To let the reader know they're all part of the same series.
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If Jace and Will would meet face to face how would that go? ^_^
I would have asked, does Sophie have something hidde..."
I do not think Jace and Will would like each other. At all.
The Sophie is Will's sister theory seems a popular one...
Cassandra wrote: "Jorden wrote: "You said that CoFA will be mostly based on Simon (on your website). Will Jace and Clary's relationship still be a major part? and even though Simon and Clary broke up, does Simon sti..."Cassandra...thanks for this. I started the first book and put it down for awhile. When I finally picked it back up and got into the story, I loved it...right away bought and read City of Ashes in paperback....loved it!! When I finished it...ran right out to get City of Glass....had to buy the Hardcover and pay FULL PRICE!!! I loved it too! I must say...being an adult...I was a bit disappointed in the ending....was looking for a bit more "action" between Clary and Jace after all they'd been through!!!LOL! The new one sounds great and I will definitely try Clockwork Angel....keep em coming!!
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**Spoiler for Clockwork Angel**
In regards to crazy theories; have you heard anyone ask if Will is gay/bisexual/just plain confused?
Pieces of evidence:
(1) Will and Tessa kiss..."
Yes, I've had a lot of people ask if Will is gay or bi. A lot of them want to know if he had an affair with Magnus (thus I guess sparking off Magnus' passion for all things dark-haired and blue-eyed.)
I tend to avoid spoilers, so I guess I'll just say: the reason that Will shows up at Magnus' at the end looking for his help has nothing to do with his sexuality, nor is his sexuality the problem that is wrecking his life and making him a jerk. We already had a character with that secret — Alec.
Cassandra!!! Thank you SO much for answering Fan questions. I am a HUGE fan of your books. :D1. OMG DO CLARY AND JACE BREAK UP?! :'( i love them together, and the beginning of City of glass when Jace yelled at her killed me.
2. Is Tessa gonna end up with will or jem? Because i love them both but i think her and will are amazing. :)
3. Are both series (Infernal devices and MI) gonna have happy endings?
4. Does Simon survive with the whole "Mark of Kain" thing? Please don't kill him. :(
5. Who is going to be the new villain in the MI series?
6. In the infernal devices series, do they ever find a cure for jems condition?
7. And does Jessamine ever accept her shadow hunter lifestyle?
I <3 UR BOOKS!!! :D and i'm soooo happy you came out with a prequel series. <3 <3 <3 <3 -Laina
Cassandra wrote: "Ban wrote: "1) What made you decide to continue the Mortal Instruments trilogy?2) I love to write for fun and I'd like to know something about character personality. When you create a character f..."
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions, I really appreciate it.
I'm glad to know that we have a new trilogy to look forward to :) It was an honour just being able to talk to you like this. Your books allowed me to explore a wonderful world and characters. I hope to read more of your works in the future, best of luck to you.
Forever you fan, Ban.
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Thank you! If I ignore your question it's probably because someone else already asked it and I answered it (the favorite character question for instance.)
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Shadowhunters are people - some are more tolerant than others. In general it is not going to be a huge problem for him but sure there are some characters who are prejudiced.
- Does Will really love Tessa?- Is the reason he goes to Magnus at the end of CA, that he's in love with her and wants it to end, hoping that Magnus has a cure against love? Or is it to find a cure for Jem?
- Do you have a CA or/and a TMI soundtrack?
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The idea for the Mortal Instruments came to me one afternoon in the East Village. I was with a good friend of mine, who was taking me to see the tattoo shop where she used to work. She wanted to show me that her footprints were on the ceiling in black paint — in fact the footprints of everyone who’d worked there were on the ceiling, crisscrossing each other and making patterns. To me it looked like some fabulous supernatural battle had been fought there by beings who’d left their footprints behind. I started thinking about a magical battle in a New York tattoo shop and the idea of a secret society of demon-hunters whose magic was based on an elaborate system of tattooed runes just sprang into my mind. When I sat down to sketch out the book, I wanted to write something that would combine elements of traditional high fantasy — an epic battle between good and evil, terrible monsters, brave heroes, enchanted swords — and recast it through a modern, urban lens. So you have the Shadowhunters, who are these very classic warriors following their millennia-old traditions, but in these urban, modern spaces: skyscrapers, warehouses, abandoned hotels, rock concerts. In fairy tales, it was the dark and mysterious forest outside the town that held the magic and danger. I wanted to create a world where the city has become the forest — where these urban spaces hold their own enchantments, danger, mysteries and strange beauty. It’s just that only the Shadowhunters can see them as they really are.
(I never even considered writing the story about adults — I hate writing adults!)
Question I really want to know, pretty much the one I'm most curious about.*****Clockwork Angel Spoiler(somewhat really)*****
What are the chances of Jem making it to age 30? (If he manages to escape death from Clockwork and other things that is) Mostly I'm talking about his disease really.
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2. Is Tessa gonna end up with will or jem? Because i love them both but i think her and will are amazing. :)
3. Are both series (Infernal devices and MI) gonna have happy endings?
4. Does Simon survive with the whole "Mark of Kain" thing? Please don't kill him. :(
5. Who is going to be the new villain in the MI series?
6. In the infernal devices series, do they ever find a cure for jems condition?
7. And does Jessamine ever accept her shadow hunter lifestyle?
I <3 UR BOOKS!!! :D and i'm soooo happy you came out with a prequel series. <3 <3 <3 <3 -Laina "
1)I CAN'T TELL YOU THAT. :)
2) Or that, either.
3) Or that. (We're not batting too well, here. I guess I would say the end of ID is bittersweet.
4)It's the "Mark of Cain." That's an odd question — the Mark of Cain makes it impossible for anyone to hurt him, so why would it put him in extra danger?
5)David Hasselhoff. No one will see it coming. :)
6) They certainly try.
7)Jessamine's character out of all them but Will probably undergoes the most changes.
Thanks for letting me know you liked the books!
Hello Ms. Clare! I'd go on about how much I love your writing but there aren't enough characters for that haha...So, honestly, which did you enjoy writing more: the mortal Instruments or the Infernal Devices?
I used to love your Harry Potter fanfiction. I told one of my friends about them and she said "I knew that her stories must have been influenced by Harry Potter." I defended you because the stories are very different, but I do see some similarities. Can you say why they're different and how they influenced you?
At any time in your life, did you ever believe that vampires, werewolves, and demons exsist?
I think I might be over thinking this but, Does Henry have an alternative motive or is he just naturally like that ?
Cassandra, Chuck Norris would be the better villian. poeple have an odd intrest in him. ;)
Also, (sorry for all the questions. Hopefully this will be my last one) if you were going to be a shadowhunter for halloween, how would you reccomend dressing?
heeeey cassandra:)i love ur books so much and tanx for answering our questions!my question is not about the books,not this one at least:Di know u've born in tehran and i'm from iran(urmiah)just wondering if u've ever thought of comin here couse u have quiet alot of fans in here and we would LOVE to see you:)
hey cassandra this is celeste i have meet you once before you were with holy black at a book signing in ann arbor michigan i just wanted to know how many books are you going to write after clock work angels and are isabelle and simon going to get together? i really hope they dolove and respect
celeste
You mentioned that Simon's character was influenced by your best friend and fiancé (congratulations, btw!). I was impressed again and again by the bits of geek cred Simon carries in the series and made me feel how he had influenced Clary's tastes for anime and manga as well. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I'm guessing that some of those details are extrapolated from real life. If so, are there any comics, manga, or anime that you (or your fiancé) particularly enjoy and would recommend? :)On an unrelated note, you're brilliant and I look forward to your future books! Thank you for gifting us with your work and providing hours of inspiration. :)
I think I forgot to say this, Cassandra, but I wanted to tell you that your books are ah-mazing! I found them by coincidence (They aren't as big in Denmark as they are many other places), but as soon as I started them I was hooked. So I guess I just wanna thank you; for writing such an amazing series. It's had a great impact on my life! ;D
This thread is so dangerous for me :O *Haven't read CA yet :S*But I have to be here anyway!
You're books are so fricking amazing :P
I can't really think of any questions though :S
..Hmm. Thinking way into the future, are you planning on writing more after you finish TMI and ID? Like, in a whole different world.. or some more in this world? Cause you must never stop! :3
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In any of your future writing are you going to make a female character that's kinda like sarcastic and cool and hardcore?"
To be honest, I think this is a gendered reading of the characters rather than the characters themselves. There is nothing about Clary that is more subdued than Simon — Clary, who slaps Jace across the face for "the other ten percent", cracks plenty of jokes, and drags herself bleeding and in agony across the ground to save the world from Valentine — after, I might note, Jace tried, and died in the attempt. What's not hardcore about that? And while Will might boast with double-entendres about the girls he's seduced, here's Isabelle:
"“It’s my motto,” said Isabelle, with a sultry smile. “ ‘ Nothing less than seven inches.’
who actually does date around and sleep with who she wants when she wants, wears chain mail, carries a whip, is super-sarcastic, and thinks nothing of using her stiletto heels to spear a demon. How is she less hardcore than her brother (who is actually kind of dorky and hopelessly unsarcastic?) It's hard not to read that as "she is intrinsically less hardcore by virtue of being female." And if that's what you go into a book believing, then that's what you'll find inside it.
Hi Cassandra,I absoloutely love your books(: My friend and I were up to three AM one night just randomly role playing with the characters, I even remember cutting her head off with the Soul Sword when she insulted Jace xD
I've been wondering if Clockwork Angel is technologically possible considering the time period... I know your books are fiction, but I'm just wondering if you if there actually the technolgy to build something close to the automatons...
Also I loved how every thirty or so pages Will mentions Demon Pox, I found it hilarious. Will there ever actually be anything serious about Demon Pox in the upcoming books? Silly question, I know.
Zoey,If only it was as easy as finding it.. I'm 100% sure that it's not sold in Estonia, so I'll have to order it, or get one of my friends in Ireland to send it.. - which might actually be happening - *Sigh* So annoying. Estonia needs to get some of this brilliance!
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- Is the reason he goes to Magnus at the end of CA, that he's in love with her and wants it to end, hoping that Magnus has a cure against love? Or is it to find a cure for Jem?
- Do you have a CA or/and a TMI soundtrack?
"
1) Does it seem like he does?
2) If he was looking for a cure for Jem, he'd have no reason to visit Magnus in secret in the night — and besides, they've already "looked everywhere' for a cure for Jem, so one might assume they've already asked Magnus.
3)http://www.cassandraclare.com/cms/faq...
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Just once, that we were in the supermarket and they were ahead of me in line.
Cassandra wrote: "Marlaina wrote: "Have you ever dreamt about your books/characters?"Just once, that we were in the supermarket and they were ahead of me in line."
Mega Lol!
I am SO jealous!I've got like NOTHING here! I'm trying to get ahold of both CA and Mockingjay right now.. Mockingjay might actually get here, since the other two were, but it's gonna be such a long wait.. Yep, I definitely need to get my friends to send me some books. They can be early birthday presents :D
Wow! So, the usual, I love your books, you're an awesome writer, please have some cookies in thanks for letting us read them. (I didn't know your favorite kind of cookies, so I made one of each. :D)You said that Magnus's ex would show up in CoFA, I believe? Would it be safe to assume that it is Camille? (I know, you probably won't answer that. Spoilers. *sigh*)
I keep wondering about Alec and Isabelle's parents. We got to know their mom a little bit, but I was wondering if we'll get to know more about them. Especially their dad.
Are there ways for Shadowhunters to become immortal, besides being turned into vampires? Just curious...
Oh, and I'm kind of leaning towards Max coming back to life and being the major villian right now. Just so it's out there...
Thank you so much for answering all these questions and stuff. It means a lot to us fans. Enjoy the cookies!
I know! And I can't believe that there's going to be 2 more after that :D That was like the best news of the year!
Hi Cassandra =) in City Of Fallen Angels approxmitaley how much of the book focuses on Clary and Jace's relationship?
Hello Cassandra ^^.I would like to know where you researched about the angels, demons, werewolves etc. and how long it took for you to research.
Cassandra,You altered the definition of Warlock slightly (anyone wondering what I'm talking about see message 53). So would it be a stretch to say you also altered that of a witch as well? Yeah, you know what I'm thinking, but I won't ask it. I know I can't get anything more out of you. ;)
Kayla wrote: "Wow! So, the usual, I love your books, you're an awesome writer, please have some cookies in thanks for letting us read them. (I didn't know your favorite kind of cookies, so I made one of each. ..."In regard to the first question about Magnus and Camille, I think it sounds likely. After all, Camille was mentioned by Raphael as the head of the vampires there, and that she was just away for a little bit. So, to me, it seems safe to assume that it is her that comes back.
Hi, Cassandra! Okay, first off, I just want to say that I fell in love with your books (mostly Jace) from the very first page of City of Bones. I read the book in about two days and then I forced my mom to bring me to Barnes & Noble so I could get City of Ashes. I eventually convinced my sister to read it, and most of my friends and they all loved it too! I'm still in the process of trying to convince my mom to read them, and I still have yet to read Clockwork Angel (but I really really want to!)
Okay, finally, we're on to my question.
I've read the teasers of CoFA on your website. I really really want to read more, and I keep checking everyday just to make sure whether or not you posted another one (which I admit is a little sad). A particular one with the Silent Brothers has really caught my attention. Do they (being the Silent Brothers) have a major role in the next three books of TMI? And ***SPOILERS*** why the heck is Jace so calm when he asks if he's going to die? Honestly, if anyone said anything about a "mark of death" on me I'd probably start hyperventilating.
I apologize for any misspelling or horrible grammar. I'm only thirteen (fourteen in a month!)I think I did pretty good though. :D
Oh, and on last thing. I don't really know if you can ask this question on here, but are you planning on ever coming to Wisconsin for a book signing? Because that would be so COOL!!!!
Thanks for everything!
Zoey, Message 53 of posts. It's on the second page of this topic. If you don't have message numbers search for the word Warlock.
♫♪Kristenn҉ wrote: "Kayla wrote: "Wow! So, the usual, I love your books, you're an awesome writer, please have some cookies in thanks for letting us read them. (I didn't know your favorite kind of cookies, so I made..."I actually think it can be Magnus' "first". I mean a guy "first" after Camille...
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1) As the description says, "The discussion is meant to be about Clockwork Angel, but you can ask questions about TMI and the upcoming City of Fallen Angels as well." Fanfiction's really off the topic so I am not going to answer questions about it beyond this one.
2) Every single writer I know who writes fantasy has gotten the email saying that the reader sees clear connections to Harry Potter in their work. Even people who wrote their books before Harry Potter was published. The HP books are so popular that everyone in the world has read them — even people who don't read that much fantasy so don't recognize that things like a Dark Lord who returns after people thought he was dead, flying motorcycles, wizard schools, spells in Latin, etc. and so on are common to an enormous amount of fantasy and did not originate with Harry Potter.
3) You don't need to defend me against charges of being "influenced." All writers are influenced. There is nothing wrong with being influenced. Terry Pratchett in fact once said that the only crime is in pretending that you *aren't* influenced.
4) "Can you say why they're different"
The setting, all the characters, the entire magic system and how it works, the fact that all supernatural being and occurrances in my world are based on angel and demon mythology while neither angels nor demons are ever mentioned in HP, but honestly, the question is ridiculous. Here's Neil Gaiman quoting Terry Pratchett:
"Back in November I was tracked down by a Scotsman journalist who had noticed the similarities between my Tim Hunter character and Harry Potter, and wanted a story. And I think I rather disappointed him by explaining that, no, I certainly *didn't* believe that Rowling had ripped off Books of Magic, that I doubted she'd read it and that it wouldn't matter if she had: I wasn't the first writer to create a young magician with potential, nor was Rowling the first to send one to school. ***It's not the ideas, it's what you do with them that matters.***
Genre fiction, as Terry Pratchett has pointed out, is a stew. You take stuff out of the pot, you put stuff back. The stew bubbles on."
Finis.
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)
Who was your favourite character to write about in clockwork angel/TMI series?
Juliette