Ask Michelle Anything!
Here are Michelle’s most recent answers to the questions and messages readers have submitted.
Thank you so much
Amanda writes...
My names Amanda and I have been a huge Chronicles of Ancient Darkness fan since elementary school. I found wolf brother in my school library and was hooked from the start. Before my question I just wanted to thank you for your stories, for feeding my niche interest in ancient worlds, getting me out into nature, but especially for Renn. Growing up she was really the first strong female character for me. I just love how her and torak are able to naturally bond and support each other. And throughout the story I wanted them to end up together,but that was never the main focus of their relationship so thank you for that. For making her a stand alone fierce , funny, and complex person. It's refreshing with your books that even though the characters are fictional I can see myself and people I know in them. My question though as I just finished wolfbane. Is had you always planned for Kujai to be Dark's mate? Or did it just progress while you were writing?. Im a gay woman so that moment when Kujai said the reason he hasn't found a mate was because he was waiting for him. I started getting emotional over it because this series means so much to me and that representation was so small ,but unexpected in the best way. I'm sorry this is a lot to read, but once again thank you for this world and can't wait to read what other worlds you may create.
Michelle Replies...
Dear Amanda, Thank you so much for your beautiful, heartfelt message. I love what you say about Renn, as it's very much how I saw her from the start. As for Dark and Kujai (bit of a spoiler, that, but I'll let it pass), Dark was in my mind from the very beginning, when I was planning the original series, but there was only space for him in what I then thought was the last book, Ghost Hunter. And although I knew he was gay, there just wasn't room in that story to bring this out; and to try to cram it in would have trivialised it - so with regret I had to leave it out. I was then really pleased when I had the idea for the final three books, as it gave me the chance to take Dark's character further. I didn't know with whom he would end up until Kujai made his appearence when I was planning Wolfbane; but I knew immediately where they were going, and I so enjoyed writing their scenes. I'm delighted that you found them moving, as I did too when I was writing them. Thanks again for getting in touch - and may the guardian run with you! Best wishes, Michelle
Fun facts about you
TOMOJAY writes...
Can you share Fun facts about you?
Michelle Replies...
Hi,Tomojay. Fun facts, hmm, that's a tough one. But here goes: (1) I once licked a giant slug. It was in Canada, researching for the Wolf Brother books, and licking that type of slug is a traditional cure for tooth-ache; it worked, my mouth went numb. And the slug survived. (2) I can't whistle. Never learnt how. (3) My favourite Muppet is Sam the American Eagle. I just love his earnest expression! (4) I once helped Torak the wolf cub to burp. He was only a few weeks old and I'd just bottle-fed him, so I picked him up by placing my palm under his tummy - and he burped! It was incredibly cute. Well that's all I can think of right now. Thanks for getting in touch. With best wishes, Michelle
Thin Air
William writes...
Hi Michelle,
I met you around ten years ago when you came to my secondary school, you were very kind and took the time to talk to me about your books and life. I am reading Thin Air at the moment, and just wanted to comment on how fantastic the book is. I am a doctor myself and find it so easy to relate to Stephen. Your books kept me interested in reading as a child and this has continued throughout my adult life.
Thank you very much!
Michelle Replies...
Dear William, thank you so much for getting in touch. I found your message very moving. I'm glad that you have good memoriesof my visit, and that my stories kept you reading as a child. I'm also particularly pleased that you're enjoying Thin Air, given that you're a doctor. (As an aside, I really enjoyed researching altitude sickness for the book, as I found it fascinating to look back at my own experiences at high altitude from a more informed standpoint.) I hope you enjoy the rest of the book. With very best wishes, Michelle
Literacy
Ethelyn writes...
Can you tell me about your experience of writing books?
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Ethelyn. Ooh, that's a very big question; I could probably write a whole book about the experience of writing books! But it's also a good question. In brief, I love doing the research, and brain-storming a new story - but I hate, absolutely loathe, what I call "writing from scratch" - that is, when I'm faced with a blank piece of paper, and I have to decide HOW to tell the story, rather than simply dreaming up what will happen (which is much easier). However once I've made a start, and have typed up my first chapter on the computer, I begin to enjoy re-writing it, because at least I've got over the worst part. Although then of course I have to do the same all over again for Chapter Two - and so on, until I've written what I call my first draft. Then things get better, though, because by that stage I know more about my characters and what the story is about, so the subsequent months of intensive re-writing are much more fun, even if they're very hard work. So to sum up: writing (for me) is very hard work, and at times it feels very muddled and frustrating. But that's more than made up for by the times when it's marvellous: for instance, when a scene really comes alive and I can practically see the characters. And it's incredibly satisfying when the story starts coming together, and I keep getting ideas for how to make it better. I could go on, but I haven't time - as I've got to go and write a chapter from scratch! But I hope that gives you some idea, and that if you're keen on writing, it hasn't put you off. With best wishes, Michelle
An homage
Sasha writes...
Hi Michelle,
I've been a fan of the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness ever since I was a child. I have all the Dutch translations and I'm looking forward to buying the next three in whichever language as soon as my wallet can handle it.
It currently can't because I've adopted a dog! His name is Torak, as an homage to both our previous dog (who's name was Ronja after the book by Astrid Lindgren - which was also a favorite book of mine) and to your lovely series.
He's a very silly boy who's got a lot to learn, but who hopefully won't have to fight any demons or evil shamans. At least not in real life, I don't know what he's doing in his dreams. 😋
If you'd ever like a picture, let me know and I'll send you one!
All the best,
Sasha
Michelle Replies...
Dear Sasha, what an absolutely delightful message! I'm afraid the final three books aren't (to my knowledge) translated into Dutch, so you'd need to read them in English. But in the meantime, huge congratulations on adopting Torak the dog! He sounds enchanting; and from what you say, I have a vivid image of his paws twitching as he dreams... May you and he enjoy many happy times together -and of course without any Soul-Eaters or demons to contend with. May the guardian run with you both! With very best wishes, Michelle P.S. by all means send or post a photo, if you can work out how to do that, I'd love to see Torak.
Inspiring a young writer
Gemma writes...
Hi, I hope this email finds you well. I am reaching out to see if you can help...
I am a private tutor for young children and I have a pupil (who attends Latymer Prep School, London) who has found a love of writing stories. He has read all of your books and often talks about them during our lessons. He recently announced that the authors he reads inspire his own writing and has made him want to become a children’s writer one day too. At 9 years old, this fills me with great joy.
I wanted to ask if you would be happy for me to send you a copy of one of his recent pieces to read? I know he would be thrilled to know that I have sent it onto you!
Please let me know if this is a possibility. Thank you in advance for your time. Best wishes, Gemma
Michelle Replies...
Dear Gemma, it sounds as if you're an incredibly inspiring and empathetic tutor, and it's wonderful that your pupil enjoys writing stories - and clearly is a keen reader too. It also does you great credit to ask me to read one of his pieces. However, if I said yes to you, I'd feel honour-bound to say yes to rather a lot of other readers (from all over the world) who also ask the same thing; and that just wouldn't be practicable. So with regret, I'm afraid I can't take it on. I do hope you understand. But obviously if your pupil would like to write to me c/o my publishers, they'll pass the letter on, eventually - and I'd write back. Thanks again for getting in touch. With best wishes, Michelle
Ghost Stories for adults
Joanne writes...
Hi Michelle,
You no doubt get asked this all the time but are you going to write more ghost story novels for adults?
If so, when? Your last three were absolute pearlers and scarily good!
Thankyou, Joanne
Michelle Replies...
Dear Joanne, thank you so much for that. As it happens, my publishers Orion have just announced my new ghost story for adults, Rainforest. (I've just been told by a very long-standing fan that there's already something about it on Amazon.) It will be published next year, so I'm afraid you've got a bit of a wait - but I hope and trust that it'll be worth it! With very best wishes, Michelle
Rainforest
Ryan writes...
Hello Michelle. Hoping you are well. Apologies for not contacting you for a while. I had meant to write to you after the Wolfbane event where we met last in Cambridge but as I’m sure you can imagine, life has just ran away with me. I just wanted to fire over a message to congratulate you on the deal for Rainforest which I saw was announced this week on the Bookseller. Saw that it was up on Amazon already, so of course I’ve preordered it ha. So very, very excited to read it and hoping there will be some events (life and commitments permitting of course) that we’ll be able to catch up at again! Wishing you all the best!
Ryan (HalfBloodRyan/Empire of Books/Life Time Clanner)
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Ryan, thanks so much for getting in touch - and I'm delighted that you're excited about Rainforest! I think it's one of my best, and I'm really looking forward to hearing your views, you've always been such a loyal and perceptive reader. Have a great summer, and thanks again for your message! With very best wishes, Michelle
Multiple questions
Sam writes...
Hiya hope your having a good day/week/month
1. Are you and sir Ian maklen friends?
2. Is the wolf torak still around?
3. What COAD villain would you rather fight?
4. Was Hord mentally ok in wolf brother?
5. Are there any characters you would have wanted to written more of?
6. Dose Torak have a favourite food?
Thank you and have a good day
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Sam. It sounds as if you've rather enjoyed the Wolf Brother books. To answer your questions (briefly): I got on very well with Ian McKellen when he made all his magnificent recordings of my stories, and we had fun visiting the wolves at the UKWCT many years ago. Torak the Wolf died peacefully a few years ago, aged well over fifteen - which is a very good age for a wolf. I'd rather not fight any of the COAD villains, as I'm not good at fighting! Hord was definitely disturbed. When I finished Ghost Hunter, I wished I'd had a chance to write more about Dark - and I got my wish when I had the idea for the final three books. And as for Torak's favourite food - I think I'll leave that to you to imagine! May the guardian run with you. With best wishes, Michelle
Future book events?
Amy Noon writes...
Hi Michelle!! i have loved ur books since i was in year 3, i was one of the videos you watched in the live stream in 2022 on youtube. I live in england and was wondering if you are planning to have a book event similar to the one you had a couple years ago but this time in Milton Keynes possibly? i would LOVE to meet you and show you my support. I also wanted to ask if you ever thought about making merch!! You had a chronicles of ancient darkness tote bag on a giveaway a couple of years ago and i would definitely buy stuff like that normally 🙂
Have a great day,
Amy
Michelle Replies...
Dear Amy, it's great that you've been enjoying my books, and what a long time ago that live stream seems now! I'm afraid there isn't any merchandise available at the moment, and I've currenly no plans to do book events or signings this year, as I'm horribly busy writing and looking after my elderly mother. I hope that's not too disappointing - and if things change, I'll post it immediately on my website. In the meantime, enjoy being in the Forest with Torak, Renn and Wolf! With very best wishes, Michelle