Story Behind the Story: An Interview with Novelist Cassandra Clare

[@lolagonna7782]

I thought that the City of Glass art was Alec! Like the entire time I was like, "Why is Alec on the cover? He doesn't have a large take on this book!" I finally got my question answered, it's Sebastian.

[@gradually6688]

Am I the only one who thought it was Simon rather than Sabastian on the cover?

[@bookandanimelover4life582]

I thought it was Alec

[@kidronramirez52]

I thought it was Simon

[@LuLovesStories]

I totally worship Cassandra Clare!! :D This woman is fantastic!! She does magic with her words!!

[@BluntLikeASpoon]

The TV show started in 1997 and finished in 2003. The series is very easy to find as it's practically everywhere, especially online.

[@angelbooky2255]

yes! i knew it was sabastion all along! love this series

[@kurohanatsuki]

I like Cassandra Clare's books and i like her takes on the characters and her way of using and weaving them within the story and making it interesting yet difficult for the readers enjoyment cause if you always knew what was coming then there's no fun in it and the trials and tribulations we readers and the characters have to go through is also enjoying and it keeps the experiences fresh and entertaining yet slightly frustrating :D

[@J0_m0]

"Remember kids...you can turn to the last page of the book" xD LOVE HOLLY BLACK such a quirky lady!!

[@cryptiKally]

I think one reason people tend to compare this series to Harry Potter is the fact that Cassandra started out by writing Harry Potter fanfiction. In fact, she wrote one of the more well-known fanfictions: The Draco Trilogy. There are a few things similar to Harry Potter in it, but don't most of the newer fantasy books?

[@EarlGreyProd]

Actually, The Mortal Instruments series started out as a Harry Potter AU fanfiction. That's why there was so much gossip about Cassandra Clare, and why a lot of it came from HP fans. She simply changed the names and elaborated to get her published works. You people really need to do your research

[@amsardina11]

I love these book so, so much.

[@angelbooky2255]

i always check the last sentence of the book so it'll make me want to read the book more, but it's not until i read about 50 pages of the book first

[@tateguy]

where did buffy the vampire slayer convo come up at?

[@gloriali7946]

Just to clear things up, writing is all about recycled material. There are two extremes on the spectrum, the way-too-disturbingly-original stories and the way-too-cliche stories. I think Cassie did a spectacular job hanging in that middle ground, and all her fans can testify to that... c: I look up to her AND J.K. Rowling as creative writing role models.

[@BluntLikeASpoon]

Kids these days. I was talking about Buffy the other day to a 15 year old and she replied, "Who the hell is Buffet?" I died a little inside. Of course, she perked up once I described Spike and Angel.

[@mrsdoctorsong]

yeah maybe, but Jace is like that because he hides the fact that he is actually broken, he likes to think he is this strong tough guy

[@BluntLikeASpoon]

Just to be 100% clear, I'm talking about the TV series. I've not seen the movie so I don't know how good it was but the television series was just fantastic.

[@BringtheRainx]

I actually had no idea about the HP plagarism thing until today and after reading the first book, I already noticed a lot of considerable similarities to Harry Potter. I do think it's different enough that you can't hold too much against her, but it's still there. There were quite a few times when I was reading City of Bones and thought, "Wow, that reminds me of this one time in Harry Potter when... blahblahblah."

[@autumnbryant828]

I love the mortal instruments so much! MY older sister suggested them and I fell in love then got my friends into it! I am dying to find out what happens in heavenly fire!!! It's killing me!!

[@claryfairchild6203]

I also think that love triangles r like a choice between taking the safe and/or know road(Simon or Jem), or taking the risk, the dangerous, and more adventurous(Jace and Will).

[@BluntLikeASpoon]

I was such a saddo when it came to Buffy. I was constantly on the look out for a Xander that could join our gang. We just needed a Xander and then we were practically set.

[@BluntLikeASpoon]

It was originally a movie that was released in 1992. Whedon wrote it but it Hollywood changed it into more of a comedy. The television series then came out in 1997. The TV series was how Whedon intended it to be, apparently.

[@chewy89422]

oh. what year did it come out??

[@mrsdoctorsong]

to be honest i dont think cassie copied anything, inspired, maybe. anyway her stories are amazing i love both tmi AND tid, cant wait for the movie and book 6

[@claryfairchild6203]

also, your really leaving me hanging! I was so surprised when Magnus broke up with Alec! then I read a snip of the next, and final book, (Jem(brother Jeremiah) is in it!!) and it mentioned Magnus trying to keep a secret so he broke up with Alec...? when Magnus ended them, I was like "NOOOOO!!!!" lol but my hopes are raised and my fingers crossed. :) Cassandra Clare u are an amazing author

[@BluntLikeASpoon]

I really suggest watching it, or at least reading up about it. Buffy the Vampire Slayer was THE thing for teenagers. Joss Whedon did a fantastic job with Buffy and Angel (spin off show). Both shows were very successful because they didn't talk down to their audience. Every girl wanted to be Buffy because she kicked ass and took crap from nobody. It's a supernatural show peppered with love, friendship, humour and life.

[@kula2200]

Actually she does mention Harry Potter, in one of the books there is a set of people arguing whether Magnus or Dumbledore is stronger. I'm not saying that she copied the book since the story lines differ but all writers are inspired by the things they have read. No one can be completely original.

[@0o0FallenStar0o0]

Oh trust me, I already knew that. c: So yes I did my research...hahaa. I was just saying I don't care if she took some ideas, big deal..lots of authors do that. She made up her own story and got it published, good for her.

[@Izzy85461]

Look it up. The fanfiction was 'The Draco Trilogy.' It was taken down because of plagiarized material.

[@mrsdoctorsong]

Okay will people stop saying she copied Harry potter, she didn't but even if she did, the mortal instruments would still be amazing okay!

[@razzberrySk8ter2]

CoFA was the best book of the series in my opinion. :')

[@internetjumbie]

@marym2011 Just thought I'd let you know that an author can't plagiarise her own work. I can see your point, but if she wants to adapt her previous works to incorporate them in a different context, then she's fully entitled to do that.

[@23peacelovemusic]

@theslutx Not going to lie, the draco malfoy part of your comment made my day.

[@TheJane394]

She wrote the Draco Trilogy too.

[@roopz10]

She is basically a fangirl torturing other fangirls... Oh what have I become addicted to.

[@Izzy85461]

Because City of Bones was originally a Harry Potter fanfiction.

[@Snailsfordays]

Without pain, there is no happiness huh....she still didn't have to kill Max! He was such a cutie! he read manga for godssake!!!!! >o

[@ShyToDaChiCity1]

cassandra clare or holly black?

[@kaj000rox]

What the hell, why are people commenting that this is unoriginal!? And like Harry Potter?!! This is NOTHING like Harry Potter, for god's sake. Just because a character also word glasses and was marked means she copied Harry Potter? That's pathetic. For every similarity, there is about 50 differences. For example, you people are saying that Clary is a copy of Ginny, but the amount of similarities stops at the fact that they both have red hair.

[@jackomeara3135]

People need to gtfo because cass is an amazing writer!! Her series are excellent and who cares that she was inspired Ieveryone has to get their ideas from somewhere and if you don't like it then don't read her books don't waste your time coming on here just to state your pointless opinion

[@dianaa51]

for the person who just said hp is for children I sincerely hope u don't mean that. or else..

[@ToryMae]

Seriously, who cares if she draws her style from other authors? It is a fantastic series with a diverse set of characters and interesting plot. She has drawn up a lot of her world on her own. Plenty of authors take their inspiration from other writers. (Think of any Romeo and Juliet knock off you've ever seen.) If the books are entertaining I don't care how original they are. That's just me though.

[@JustDifferentVeiws]

I want to spend more time with Magnus. LOVELOVELOVE to that man.

[@dinabee123]

behold our queen

[@elizadavis8105]

WHAT SEBASTIAN????? what is my life now???

[@AshLuvMilo]

Why am I seeing a whole bunch of harry potter comments when Cassandra Clare has NOTHING to do with that series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@akaXD1]

:( why are people bringing harry potter into this? I LOVE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS! its a freakin teen read! -.- hp is for children so grow up! dont get me wrong i love harry potter as well but i dont get how you can compare these series. theyre both beautiful and awesome in their own ways! so stop hating. it doesnt bring yu anywhere. all charcters hav their own elements that make it unique and different.

[@ruyan1997]

I love sebastian! He's evil but he's sexy evil. Haha

[@LuisenGames]

wtf? youre fucking crazy

[@ThatArabgirl1903]

True, but he kinda made me sick when he made a move on Clary, just, no.

[@tateguy]

how can it be? In harry potter there are no shadowhunters. In city of bones you dont see any "witches and wizard" and they dont even mention Hogwarts. In none o the HP books have they encountered demons.The two series are SO different in SO many ways.

[@rebeccabirch6130]

Who cares about Harry Potter and all of these things she has supposedly stolen? None of it changes that fact that TMI is the best series I have ever read. And trust me, I have read a LOT. I never thought anything could top Harry Potter until I read this series.

[@rosemackie]

And I have some questions for you, Holly ....... so, would you feel if it was YOUR work she plagiarized?

[@FolakeVideo96]

I was referring to Hodge as "the tutor".The shadowhunters are almost exactly like the potential slayers in Buffy.the nephilim race was interesting ( a superhuman race that clearly thinks they are above Gods favorite creation mundanes*cough*muggles*cough* but yet the only reason they exist is to serve us lowly humans) i thought the mortal instruments would be a promising book and it wouldve been if Cassandra clare was smart enought to work with it but al i saw was a H.P ,BTVS and starwars ripof

[@LiaAwesomeness]

if you research cassandra clare pagiarism, you'll see that she does

[@KaiInMotion]

She took them from the draco trilogy . . . because she wrote the draco trilogy.

[@ciaranx02]

@lolowahine95 I was exactly the same!!! the first book pissed me off so much but the of course I had to buy the city of ashes as I was utterly unsatisfied with the ending to the first book! haha I think Cassandra Clare is a very smart women!! I've read clockwork angel and and it's really good when you read city of fallen angels you'll see some characters are mentioned in both series! enjoy :)

[@flamephoenix4721]

I saw someone said Harry's scar kills anyone who tries to attack him... ...What Harry Potter books did you read? And there is NO similarities to Harry Potter, for god's sake.

[@0o0FallenStar0o0]

People seriously need to stop comparing Harry Potter to this series, its so annoying! YES Cassandra might have taken some ideas (The flying motorcycle) but its different then the version in HP..almost all authors take some ideas from books already made and change it around a bit..so I don't see the reason to just bash on her. Besides the MAIN plot is totally different then HP >>

[@Freakenstine1]

AHHHHHHH this has to be one of the most frustrating books i've read in a LONG time i mean she does things to her charcters and i'm like whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy???????????

[@FolakeVideo96]

Clare obviously caught the biblical reference to the story of Cain in Harry potter and put it in her book. God=Lily=Clary Harry=Simon=Cain Bitch please. Voldemort/Valentine-they both-mimic hitler-esque idealism's and thought to be dead. Star wars plot twist, nuff said. the cat named church,as in from pet cemetary?course thats a coincidence! shall i go on? because any Harry Potter,Star Wars and Buffy fan could easily tell the mortal instruments was a total knock-off. the infernal devices were ok

[@prpunk787]

drop by the wiki we need help!!!!! search for it on google

[@FolakeVideo96]

known for MASS plagiarism... awww, and i respected her so much for the Infernal Devices and The Mortal Instruments, tis a shame.

[@PoemsOFsHadows]

I love Harry Potter, and I never once compared the two because they have COMPLETELY different stories. Harry isn't falling for his sister. Nor is Voldemort his father. Harry isn't a vampire. He's a wizard with no family. How anyone could say TMI is a ripoff of Harry Potter because of a few references is a complete imbecile. -_-

[@gregarioussorrow]

I don't know why but whenever I see her I think of greedy elephant seals

[@chewy89422]

whoes buffy the vampire slayer? and if your trying to get a thumbs up, no one's thumbsed you up yet.

[@666foREVerlove]

@scarface133 Completely different than Harry Potter.

[@marym2011]

@lolowahine95 LOL. this whole comment... I can't

[@chewy89422]

oh

[@theslutx]

cassandra clare seems to think that hot guys are allowed to treat people like shit and get away with it. not cool. we all know you like draco malfoy. just stop.

[@Tiffmidon]

Right click and stop download. LOL

[@inifiniteangela]

I love the series but i saw a lot of similarities to harry potter, tbh.

[@mrsdoctorsong]

Wat!! I thought it was Alec lol

[@harrypalmer253]

just a couple of cows mooing

[@scarface133]

Harry Potter.

[@marym2011]

How about you all just google... "cassandra clare plagiarism". But 13 year olds with limited brain power probably don't care.

[@morrius0701]

SPOILER ALERT!!!

[@ffaf295]

ew... it's Sebastian? i always thought it was Alec. ugh.

[@FolakeVideo96]

Buffy The Vampire Slayer rip off.. Jace-Buffy Clary-Willow Tutor-Giles Simon-Xander Isabell-Cordelia

[@jewelofsaturn]

What the hell is going on with CC's lipstick? It's all smeared and gross.

[@sp101erinteddy]

@LenaLuWolf07 She Ment Jonathon ;)