VBT# Cassandra Clare - Author Interview

Are you a fan of Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instrument Series ? Well, she just recently visited our small country of New Zealand and here's the Interview I had with Cassandra Clare.

About The Author: Cassandra Clare :

Cassandra Clare was born to American parents in Teheran, Iran and spent much of her childhood travelling the world with her family, including one trek through the Himalayas as a toddler where she spent a month living in her father’s backpack. She lived in France, England and Switzerland before she was ten years old. Since her family moved around so much she found familiarity in books and went everywhere with a book under her arm. She spent her high school years in Los Angeles where she used to write stories to amuse her classmates, including an epic novel called “The Beautiful Cassandra” based on a Jane Austen short story of the same name (and which later inspired her current pen name).

After college, Cassie lived in Los Angeles and New York where she worked at various entertainment magazines and even some rather suspect tabloids where she reported on Brad and Angelina’s world travels and Britney Spears’ wardrobe malfunctions. She started working on her YA novel, City of Bones, in 2004, inspired by the urban landscape of Manhattan, her favourite city. She turned to writing fantasy fiction full time in 2006 and hopes never to have to write about Paris Hilton again.

Cassie’s first professional writing sale was a short story called “The Girl’s Guide to Defeating the Dark Lord” in a Baen anthology of humor fantasy. Cassie hates working at home alone because she always gets distracted by reality TV shows and the antics of her two cats, so she usually sets out to write in local coffee shops and restaurants. She likes to work in the company of her friends, who see that she sticks to her deadlines.

City of Bones was her first novel.

Website : http://www.cassandraclare.com 

Interview : Cassandra Clare :

1) What inspired you to write “The Mortal Instruments Series” and then “A Clockwork Angel”?

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 showed me the tattoos she had designed, based on old runes. I became fascinated with the idea of rune tattoos and the fact that warriors in all sorts of different cultures used to tattoo their bodies before they went into battle because they believed it would protect them. The idea of a race of demon-fighting warriors in the modern world whose magic was basic on tattooes developed from there.

2) What would be your favourite genre to read?

Mystery and fantasy top the list for me but I read in every genre.

3) What gives you the innovation to write a particular genre?

So far I’ve written mainly fantasy, with some realistic or horror short stories. Just like I read in every genre I like to write in many genres. Each one has its own traditions and its own special appeal.

4) Has your characters or writing been inspired by friends/ family?

A few of them, though generally so altered that they're unrecognizable. Raphael is based on a friend's younger brother, Simon is sort of a combination of my boyfriend and my best friend. Magnus is based on a friend of mine — a guy who used to wear a ton of glitter and outrageous outfits, but there was this real keen intelligence under all the glitter and partying, which is what interests me about Magnus. But most of my characters are creatures of imagination only.

5) What are you working on now?

Right now I am working on the fifth book in the Mortal Instruments series, City of Lost Souls.

6) I noticed that there are two more books to be released in the Mortal Instrument Series, at this stage will Book #7 be the final one?

There will be a total of six books in the Mortal Instruments series — the Infernal Devices is a trilogy, with only three books.

7) Had you previously written anything prior to your Mortal Instruments Series?

No, City of Bones was my first novel.

8) Were there any scenes that were cut in the editing process you wish had made it into the book?

There are a few deleted scenes you can find on my website. While I think they are interesting, especially when you’re interested in the process of writing, I think the book is stronger without them.

9) Can you give us one fun fact we might not know about The Mortal Instrument Series? Something about the story itself or the writing process?

I almost got arrested while researching locations for City of Bones. I was fasctinated by an abandoned smallpox hospital on Roosevelt Island and didn’t notice the “no tresspassing signs” when I went to take photos. Fortunately the police were very understanding.

10) How did you get into writing? Did you always want to become a writer?

I can’t remember a time I didn’t want to be a writer. I come from a family with a deep love of books and storytelling and I got into telling my own stories at a young age. They weren’t very good of course, but my friends were supportive and I shared my stories with them and with my family. In college I did a concentration in creative writing.

11) I noticed that there is a graphic novel to be released of “City of Bones” , will the others be released in this format also ?

Infernal Devices is going to be released as a manga adaptation, which is exciting for me because I love that style of art.

12) When you began The Mortal Instrument Series, did you ever think they would become a worldwide hit and as popular as they are, what has your reaction been to their skyrocketing popularity among readers?

Oh, I didn’t think anyone would buy my books but my Aunt Rose when they first came out. With a first book you feel very invisible — there’s no fanbase waiting for it, it’s just another of so many new books on the shelves. I think i was lucky — my book managed to hit the stores just as the kids who had grown up reading Harry Potter were getting to be teens and looking for something a little older, but still magical. It’s been wonderful to see them embrace the books, and in so many countries.

13) Which author has inspired you most and why? What advice would you give aspiring authors?Tolkien may have inspired me most. First picking up Lord of the Rings changed my whole perpection of writing and fantasy. The best writing advice I got was from my friend Holly Black who said “Never pull your punches” meaning never ve afraid to go to the extreme with your writing.

14) In terms of your characters are you more a Team Simon or a Team Jace? I personally am a member of the Team Jace fan base

I think writers think about their characters differently, because both Jace and Simon feel like part of me. Jace is more my sarcastic and grouchy side and Simon is more my quiet, geeky side. I’m Team Jace for Clary, if they can work it out!

15) There have been rumours of a movie being made? Are they just rumours or is something in the works as that’s the million dollar question for fans of The Mortal Instrument Series.

The Mortal Instruments was optioned by Sony Pictures’ Screen Gems and right now they’re actively casting for Jace. They already have their Clary, Lily Collins, who’s a wonderful actress, and they intend to start shooting this year. - See Pic Below.