Q&A with Cassandra Clare discussion

Hi guys! Here is where to post your Q and A questions. 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. (*Please, no movie questions.) If you are going to post questions that have big spoilers in them just put "Spoiler for [book]" at the top of your post. You are welcome to ask writing questions as well though you might want to take a look at my writing advice page before you do. http://www.cassandraclare.com/cms/wri...

Let the questioning begin . . .

Hi Cassandra.

******************SPOILER FOR CLOCKWORK ANGEL**********

I'm curious about the Clockwork Angel necklace. For most of the story it was just a necklace. Henry looked at it and found nothing unusual about it, yet it "came to life" when Tessa needed it and help defend her. Also, it disappeared for a significant amount of time. Will we find out more about it in future books?

Spoiler for mortal instruments

hello cassandra: I was just wondering if jace and clary's relationship last through the future books?

Hi Cassandra!

I absolutely LOVED Clockwork Angel and am so excited for Clockwork Prince. I was just wondering, are we going to maybe meet some more descendants of Infernal Devices characters in the next three tMI books (like Charlotte and Henry or Jessamine's descendants, for instance?)


Also, how do you think the next three tMI books compare to the first three? Would you say they are darker/lighter, funnier/sadder, etc.?

Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to answer the fans' questions. For writing such fabulous books and then actually taking the time to stay active with the fan base, you're absolutely my favorite author.

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 still love her?

Hey Cassandra! On your blog, in the Q&A's, you say that Tessa shows up in CoG, MI. I'd like to know where she's mentioned?

Hello, Cassandra. I just wanted to ask if you have thought about killing off any of your characters either in the Mortal Instruments Series or the Infernal Devices Series. If so, will they be main characters or minor characters?

Lisarenee wrote: "Hi Cassandra.

******************SPOILER FOR CLOCKWORK ANGEL**********

I'm curious about the Clockwork Angel necklace. For most of the story it was just a necklace. Henry looked at it and found n..."

The Clockwork Angel necklace comes from Tessa's mother — and all Tessa's secrets are bound up in what happened to her parents/between her parents and Mortmain, etc. Why is she special and not her brother, etc. It was impossible to reveal everything about the Clockwork Angel without revealing the secrets of the next books, but I also don't think it would be very fair (or good plotting!) to never reveal them. The angel's origins and what it does/was meant to do will be revealed before the series ends.

*************"Spoiler for CITY OF GLASS"***************
How do Alec and Mangus end up? I think they are by far the cutest couple and you are awesome for writing it.

I am currently rereading your TMI books. You're and excellent writer and you portray characters so realistically.

Lesley wrote: "Spoiler for mortal instruments

hello cassandra: I was just wondering if jace and clary's relationship last through the future books?"

*grins* Nice try... They're dating at the beginning of City of Fallen Angels, I can tell you that much.

hey cassandra
i just finished the book last night til 2 am but it was definetely worth it lol.
but after it all, I know the angel necklace has some importance to it but Will. There seems to be a great deal will is hiding. Does it get included more in the upcoming book of the series?

He reminds me of Jace but I still like Jace more lol

Cassandra, To go with Windowchild's question. I looked at your blog and didn't see a family tree anywhere. Is there one or will there be one to link all the characters together?

♪Yue~Epically Random Weirdo~ wrote: "Which character is on the cover of City of Glass?"

http://www.cassandraclare.com/cms/faq...

In fact before you ask questions you might want to check the FAQ page generally:

http://www.cassandraclare.com/cms/faqs

This discussion is really for answers you can't get elsewhere - stuff like "What are the release dates for the next books?" and "Who is on the covers?" are all answered on my website.

Hi Cassandra,
Clockwork Angel and the upcoming City of Fallen Angels have produced countless hours of discussion in my book club. As the days pass, our theories of what might happen in future books grow more and more bizarre (we really try to think outside the box since your writing is anything but predictable). What are some of the crazier theories you’ve heard regarding your characters/stories?

I absolutely LOVED Clockwork Angel and am so excited for Clockwork Prince. I was just wondering, are we going to maybe meet some more descendants of Infernal Devices characters in the next three tMI books (like Charlotte and Henry or Jessamine's descendants, for instance?)


Also, how do you think the next three tMI books compare to the first three? Would you say they are darker/lighter, funnier/sadder, etc.?

Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to answer the fans' questions. For writing such fabulous books and then actually taking the time to stay active with the fan base, you're absolutely my favorite author.

I will say the descendant question is an interesting one — people have already asked me if the fact that we haven't met anyone in TMI called Carstairs means Jem dies. But the TMI characters haven't met every Shadowhunter in the world; the name Carstairs may well live on whether Jem does or doesn't. I have to be careful in what I reveal about TMI in ID and ID in TMI because while you guys are reading while both series are being published (ie reading in publication order) the vast quantity of readers will read either all of ID first or all of TMI first once the series are done — because that's how people read, in series order, not publication order.

Therefore the books contain hints (as well as overlapping characters: Camille is in both ID and TMI Cycle 2, but that doesn't spoil much except that she doesn't die in ID, but we know that already) — for instance Jace sees some graffitti on the wall of the City of Bones in CoFA and we find out how it got there in Clockwork Prince. But whatever order you find out about the graffiti in, it doesn't really matter.

But, say, if you met Charlotte and Henry's descendant in CoFA you'd know they both survive ID. And I tend to work toward a policy of less reassurance, not more. So you will learn things that illuminate the others series in each series, but not things that spoil them.

"Also, how do you think the next three tMI books compare to the first three? Would you say they are darker/lighter, funnier/sadder, etc.?"

Darker. Still funny, but I like black humor.

Thank you for the compliment!

Emma (Pulvis et umbra sumus) wrote: "Hey Cassandra! On your blog, in the Q&A's, you say that Tessa shows up in CoG, MI. I'd like to know where she's mentioned?"

http://www.cassandraclare.com/cms/faq...

Lisarenee wrote: "Cassandra, To go with Windowchild's question. I looked at your blog and didn't see a family tree anywhere. Is there one or will there be one to link all the characters together?"

A family tree now would be a huge spoiler! There will be one, when the ID series is over.

Jess wrote: "i just finished the book last night til 2 am but it was definetely worth it lol.
but after it all, I know the angel necklace has some importance to it but Will. There seems to be a great deal will is hiding. Does it get included more in the upcoming book of the series?

When I get these kinds of questions I start wondering what books have done you wrong in the past by introducing HUGE plot points and then never addressing them again. Of course you find out what Will's secret is! It would be poor plotting indeed if you didn't, and quite mean considering the ending of CA.

He reminds me of Jace but I still like Jace more lol

Of course you do. You've spent 3 books with Jace and you know everything about him. You've spent 1 book with Will and know almost nothing about him, plus he is a jerk in a way Jace never is.

Candace wrote: "Hi Cassandra,
Clockwork Angel and the upcoming City of Fallen Angels have produced countless hours of discussion in my book club. As the days pass, our theories of what might happen in future boo..."

My current favorite is that Will is a robot.

Hey Cassandra, you once told that Cassandra Clare is your pen name, and I was wondering why you chose not to use your real name, and why you've chosen that one specifically.

I'd also like to thank you for taking the time to talk to your fans about your books. It means a huge deal to all of us.

(I apollogize if my english is not very good... it's not my native language!).

♪Yue~Epically Random Weirdo~ wrote: "Do you have a favorite character of your stories? If so, which ones?"

http://www.cassandraclare.com/cms/faq...

♪Yue~Epically Random Weirdo~ wrote: "Do you listen to any songs when you write?"

http://www.cassandraclare.com/cms/faq...

Jenna wrote: "*************"Spoiler for CITY OF GLASS"***************
How do Alec and Mangus end up? I think they are by far the cutest couple and you are awesome for writing it.

I am currently rereading your ..."

Magnus, not Mangus. :) I am glad you find them cute. Their relationship in CoFA gets some stress put on it when one of Magnus' old flames from the past returns . . .

Hi Cassandra!!! We're The Nephilim Force! How is the situation with the italian publisher? We know that maybe CWA will translate in italian soon

Barbara ,wise crouton chopper wrote: "Howdy Cassandra,:D

Will there be a possibilty of hearing about Sebastin once more in City of Fallen Angels?
if so will he be a minor character or major character like Valentine?"

Well, you'll certainly hear about him because the other characters discuss him. Sebastian is too big a personality to ever be a minor character. :D I will say there is a completely new villain in CoFA, someone no one has guessed so far.

You said there will be a new villian in CoFA. Is it someone we've already met in the MI or CA books?

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 still love her?"

No, actually, I've said over and over and over on my site that CoFA is NOT based mostly on Simon. I was going to write a fourth book spinoff about Simon, but decided instead to write the Mortal Instruments Second Cycle (that's what we're calling the last 3 books at the moment) which is not a spinoff about Simon, but a completely different project about all the characters. Here is what it says on my website:

4a) Whose point of view is City of Fallen Angels told from? What about City of Lost Souls and City of Heavenly Fire?

City of Fallen Angels, City of Lost Souls, and City of Heavenly Fire are all told from mixed third-person viewpoints. That means some scenes are told from Simon’s point of view, some from Clary’s, some from Jace’s, etc. Much like City of Glass.

and:

f) Will Jace and Clary be in City of Fallen Angels? What about City of Lost Souls and City of Heavenly Fire?
When I originally announced that I would be writing City of Fallen Angels, I said that it would “focus more on Simon and how he adjusts to life as a vampire.” This set off a flood of rumors that Clary and Jace were not in the fourth book at all, or were only in it peripherally. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Just like the previous books, CoFA shifts through multiple character points of view, including Simon’s, Clary’s, Jace’s, Isabelle’s, and even Magnus’. Clary and Jace’s relationship, and the challenges they face, are a major plotline in the last three TMI books. There is also a strong plotline for Simon in the later books of the series, in which he is more than an adjunct to the larger drama around Clary and Jace, but this does not detract from attention paid to the other characters.

Fear not. Jace and Clary's relationship is featured very. very. heavily.

2) "Even though Simon and Clary broke up, does Simon still love her?"

He still loves her, he'll always love her, but in a different way now than he used to.

Carina wrote: "Hello, Cassandra. I just wanted to ask if you have thought about killing off any of your characters either in the Mortal Instruments Series or the Infernal Devices Series. If so, will they be main ..."

At least one main character from each series will die before the series end.

Taking the knowledge I have from the MI books, I'd say that Tessa ends up with Will. That would also explain why Tessa seems familiar to Clary. But I might be wrong. Anyway, I wanted to ask you, is there gonna be a serious love triangle between Tessa, Jem and Will?

I was wondering about Will's reaction to Tessa when she says he is an orphan. It is so extreme. I get the feeling that Will is actually protecting his parents by not being with them. Am I asking the right questions of the story?

Hi Cassandra. First I just wanted to say that I absolutely love all your works. I know- this is probably the millionth time you've been told this, but your books are really something different!
I guess mine is a bit stupid question..anyway I also guess you got used to all kinds of stupid questions by now! So... if you ever thought about it, could you tell me the exact heights of some of your characters? We already know Clary's or Valentine's, for instance. What about Jace's? Simon's? Alec's? And, as for your latest characters, Will's and Jem's?
I apologize for my poor english :)

Emma (Pulvis et umbra sumus) wrote: "Taking the knowledge I have from the MI books, I'd say that Tessa ends up with Will. That would also explain why Tessa seems familiar to Clary. But I might be wrong. Anyway, I wanted to ask you, is there gonna be a serious love triangle between Tessa, Jem and Will?"

I would not say basing what you think is going to happen in ID on what happens in MI is a good idea. Will is somewhat like Jace, due to their being blood related, but Jem is nothing like Simon and Tessa is nothing like Clary. While this first book was meant to look as if it was leading to a Tessa/Will relationship, Will pretty much burns that to the ground in the last chapter, and Jem is obviously interested in Tessa. In addition, the second book focuses more on Tessa's relationship with Jem (who she already thinks is beautiful and who gives her electric shocks when he kisses her hand — neither of which, alas for Simon, are feelings Clary ever had for him.) TMI wasn't really a love triangle. ID is.

Valerie wrote: "I was wondering about Will's reaction to Tessa when she says he is an orphan. It is so extreme. I get the feeling that Will is actually protecting his parents by not being with them. Am I asking ..."

You are asking the right questions in the sense that for a twelve year old boy to run away from his living family and refuse to see them again, one might well assume that either they did something awful, or he did.

Nephilimforce wrote: "Hi Cassandra!!! We're The Nephilim Force! How is the situation with the italian publisher? We know that maybe CWA will translate in italian soon"

Then you know more than I do! I know they want to publish TMI cycle 2, but last I heard they were still insisting that Italian readers would not read historical novels.

Emma (Pulvis et umbra sumus) wrote: "You said there will be a new villian in CoFA. Is it someone we've already met in the MI or CA books?"

Yes.

So... if you ever thought about it, could you tell me the exact heights of some of your characters? We already know Clary's or Valentine's, for instance. What about Jace's? Simon's? Alec's? And, as for your latest characters, Will's and Jem's?

You have caught me out! All the characters are tiny. They act out their adventures in a scale model of New York that is only half size. :D

No, the truth is, I give very little thought to character height beyond "tall" or "not tall." Alec is taller than Jace who is taller than Simon. Will and Jem are probably about the same height. Shadowhunters tend to be tall; it's genetic. Clary I do know is tiny, about 5'2, while Tessa's about 5'9.

Are any of the characters in CA, main or otherwise, largely based off of someone you know?

Barbara ,wise crouton chopper wrote: "i had a feeling that perhaps the seelie queen had something up her sleeve when she asked Clary to convince Luke to choose Meliorn to represent them,will there be more explanation to that in COFA?"

Not really. But there are two more books after that.

Cassandra wrote: "Emma (Pulvis et umbra sumus) wrote: "You said there will be a new villian in CoFA. Is it someone we've already met in the MI or CA books?"

Yes."

Is it someone we knew was bad, or will we be suprised?

Noelia wrote: "Hey Cassandra, you once told that Cassandra Clare is your pen name, and I was wondering why you chose not to use your real name, and why you've chosen that one specifically.

I'd also like to th..."

My real name is hard to spell and pronounce. Cassandra is after Jane Austen's sister. Clare is the county in Ireland my grandmother is from.

Marlaina wrote: "Are any of the characters in CA, main or otherwise, largely based off of someone you know?"

Simon is sort of a mash up of my fiance and my best friend.

*******Spoiler for Clockwork Angel*****************

Cassandra, Magnus feels Tessa is a Warlock. Usually when people talk of Warlocks they are referring to male witches. What is your definition for a Warlock? Seems like you may be rewriting the definition, which is fine with me.

Emma (Pulvis et umbra sumus) wrote: "Is it someone we knew was bad, or will we be suprised? "

*shakes head* I can't tell you. There are some things I just can't answer - like much about the villain, or whether Clary and Jace's relationship survives the series.

Taking the knowledge I have from the MI books, I'd say that Tessa ends up with Will. That would also explain why Tessa seems familiar to Clary. But I might be wrong. Anyway, I wanted to ask you, is there gonna be a serious love triangle between Tessa, Jem and Will?

Hey Cassandra I was so happywith the Mortal Instruments series, so My question is What did you first think about Jace when you created him and what was the expirence like beacause I'm writing a few books

Does the Kain mark on Simon's forhead have an impact on his life?

(Please, pardon my bad english. It's not my first language)

Have you ever found yourself speaking as if you were in the Victorian era whilst writing the ID series? :)

Hellooo Cassandra :D
I don't really have a question...just wanted to say thank you for writing such an awesome book (TMI and The Clockwork Angel was just amazing) even if it kept me from studying for my final exams >.<
Actually, I do have a question....do we find out A LOT more about Jem later on, or just a little...cause he seems like such a sweetheart :)
tc

Lisarenee wrote: "*******Spoiler for Clockwork Angel*****************

Cassandra, Magnus feels Tessa is a Warlock. Usually when people talk of Warlocks they are referring to male witches. What is your definition for..."

Anyone with a human parent and a demon parent is a warlock, regardless of gender. Witches are humans who have taught themselves to do some magic. It is a rewrite of the definition, but not a totally out-there one.

Barbara ,wise crouton chopper wrote: "which book will we find out who simon chooses between Isabelle and Maia?and will there be a fight between the two over Simon?"

I like to think that the girls are not waiting around for Simon to choose one of them. As he is dating them both at the beginning of CoFA, when they find that out, the question is more about which one of them is willing to forgive him for being a dillweed.

But yes, Simon's love life is determined by the end of the series.

Emma (Pulvis et umbra sumus) wrote: "Taking the knowledge I have from the MI books, I'd say that Tessa ends up with Will. That would also explain why Tessa seems familiar to Clary. But I might be wrong. Anyway, I wanted to ask you, is..."

Did you mean to post that twice? Or is Goodreads acting up?