Ask Michelle
Here are Michelle’s most recent answers to the questions and messages readers have submitted.
On the Writing Process, Mrs Oliphant, and Reprints of Michelle’s earliest novels
Ryan writes...
Hi Michelle!! I am a writer from Edinburgh, Scotland! I first read your books back in secondary school in Dundee, where I was born and grew up, and I have loved them ever since. Nightly listening to Ian McKellen reading "Chronicles of Ancient Darkness" was one of the best thing in my adolescence. When I read your adult fiction, I fell in love with the characters. I loved "Wakenhyrst" and "Dark Matter" most, but when I heard that you are bringing out an Aztec inspired jungle thriller of the same vein as Dark Matter, you best believe I was in every way excited and preparing for the event. The announcement of a Michelle Paver book is a massive event in our household.
I have wanted to ask: what is your writing process? Do you handwrite a draft before typing, or are you exclusively a typist novelist? And what is is like writing in the house of a literary predecessor you've enjoyed the works of? I heard you live in the house of Margaret Oliphant, the writer of such great ghost stories as "The Open Door", "Old Lady Mary", and "A Beleaguered City"! That's remarkable in itself! Do you feel like her ghostly presence is looking over your shoulder sometimes when you're writing and telling you that this won't do, or that you're writing remarkably well for this project? It is funny as I am about to bring out, for my publishing course, a book of Mrs Oliphant's ghost stories with an introduction written by me, with Merchiston publishing.
I also want to ask: Will your earlier novels, "Without Charity", "A Place in the Hills", and the "Daughters of Eden" trilogy ever be reprinted? I remember finding copies of them in charity shops and loved them. They are remarkable novels that have stayed with me since I read them and I would love to see them restored to the book shops, since they are notoriously difficult to find. "Without Charity" and "The Shadow Catcher" were excellent novels. It is impossible to name a Paver novel I didn't like, they are so immersive and brilliantly written. But will they ever be brought out again, in paperback editions, perhaps with introductions or afterwards about how they came to be written or how you feel looking back on these books now, in what might be termed the writer's adolescence, now that you're firmly in the area of the writer's maturity?
I hope this makes sense and that you have a most wonderful 2025!!
Kindest Regards
Ryan Petrie
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Ryan, thank you for such a lovely message. I got it after a rather exhausting and depressing day, and it completely cheered me up! You asked about my writing process, so here it is. By the time I'm ready to write part of a story, I've got such a mass of research notes, ideas for my characters, and plot plans that I first need to do some very rough, longhand notes on scrap paper about the part of the story I'm about to write. I ask myself such questions as: From whose point of view is this part written? What's its "plot significance", ie how does this bit advance the story? What actually happens? And (crucially) What are the characters feeling? This helps me focus, and often I'll type up the answers into what I call a "mini-plan" for that section. After that, though, I can no longer put off my least favourite bit of writing: namely, facing the blank page and getting something down. I almost always do this by hand, as I feel it's freer and messier, letting me scribble stuff down, cross out a whole page, and so on. Only then, when I've scrawled a scene or even a whole chapter, do I type it up. (I usually do this on the same day, as otherwise I might not be able to read my scribbles!) Then follows a day or two of polishing, after which I'll print that section and move on to the next bit. After a few months of this, when I finally get to the end of the story, I can start what I call the re-write. This is my favourite bit, as by now I have a much better sense of what the characters and the story are about. Also, I have something on paper, which makes it much easier to see its many faults. The re-write can take many months, but it's so much more fun than that blank page! So that is my writing process in a nutshell. Although I should stress that all this is only what works for me. Your own writing process may be entirely different - and that's absolutely fine. The important thing is that it works for you!
Turning to Margaret Oliphant, you're right, I live in the house where she spent the last year of her life, and where she died. I love her work, and on the day I moved in (well, shortly before midnight), I read her marvellous ghost story "The Open Door" as a homage to her. Before I began to read it, I said aloud, "Margaret, you're still anthologised." It just seemed that she'd like to know that, if she was still around. I should add, though, that I didn't feel her presence then, nor have I ever done so in all the years that I've lived here - although it's a wonderful house to write in. But then, I'm not someone who senses presences. Moreover, as she was exhausted by the time she died, I suspect that if anything of her did survive death, it was only too happy to leave. I do think about her quite often, though, and her works are part of my library; not only her ghost stories, but many of her Carlingford novels. So it's great that you're re-publishing her ghost stories!
Finally, you asked about my earliest novels, "Without Charity", "A Place in the Hills", and the "Daughters of Eden" trilogy. I'm so glad that you liked them, and there are indeed plans for them to be reissued, as ebooks, some time next year. When I know the publication dates, I will post them on my website.
Well, I've got to go now and do some more writing (from scratch, that blank page awaits!). Thank you again so much for getting in touch - and I do wish you all possible good luck with your own writing. With very best wishes, Michelle
Developing Your Unique Writing Voice
Hilbert writes...
Dear Michelle,
I still remember when my brother came home from school one day with that orangey-brown book and I knew from the get-go I wanted to read it too. I think that must have been in 2009/10. We both devoured the whole Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series, returning each day with another coloured book to the point where our mam also ended up reading all the books!
Last year I had my whole backpack stolen from my car while on holiday including my kindle. When I got a replacement, I saw recommended your trio of new books and can confidently say I've enjoyed your writing as much at 25 as I did at 9 or 10.
I've been working on my own fiction in recent years, and although it's set somewhat later in history in the Viking Age, your unique "wolfey" descriptions have shaped and inspired me in many ways. My question would be to ask how you developed such a unique writing style? How long, and how did you find your writing voice? And did all the publishers you approach understand it or like it at first?
I've asked three questions not one, but mostly just wanted to say thank you for all the wonderful books from my family to you. Tige tank!
Wishing you all the very best from Aotearoa New Zealand,
Hilbert
Michelle Replies...
Dear Hilbert, I so enjoyed hearing about how you came to read the Wolf Brother stories as a child, and I'm delighted that as an adult, you still like my writing - although I do feel for you in the loss of your backpack! I was also fascinated to hear that your own writing is set in the Viking Age. It's such a rich, strong period, so vital and adventurous; and the sagas have an abundance of great characters. When I was learning to write novels, I set one two of my early, unpublished ones in that period. One of them was a sort of prototype Wolf Brother; it included a passage from a wolf's point of view, and was set in ninth century Norway.
Turning to your questions: the first two I'll answer together, because to me one's voice and one's style can't really be separated. And my answer is that in general, they simply come during the course of one's writing. Of course like everyone else I've been influenced by the books I've read, and by writers I admire; and at times, when the story has demanded it, I've consciously tried to adopt certain stylistic features, such as shorter sentences and/or paragraphs. But I learnt early on that if I tried to "write like" someone I admired, or adopt certain features of their style, it simply didn't work, and my own voice soon re-emerged. In other words, I think your voice is essentially part of your character. It's who you are, so it will emerge naturally, the more you write. I don't think you have to do anything about it consciously.
Finally, you asked whether all publishers I approached understood or liked my voice. Well, none of them actually mentioned it, and although one or two said a few nice words about my style, I met with nothing but rejection for years while I was starting out. Even when I'd published several adult novels, and sent out the first few chapters of what would become Wolf Brother, I got a few rejections: "it's not right for our lists", that sort of thing. I hope that's not discouraging, and it certainly isn't meant to be. It's just how life is for most writers when they are starting out; and it certainly was for me. The important thing is to keep writing. If you give up, you will never see your books on the shelves - whereas if you find a way to pick yourself up off the floor after each rejection and carry on, you have a chance of getting published.
So onwards and upwards, Hilbert. I hope you find plenty of Norse resonances in the marvellous New Zealand landscapes, particularly the mountains, the forests and the fjords - and I wish you the very best of luck with your writing.
May the guardian run with you!
Michelle
Mexico 🇲🇽
Ximena writes...
hellooo. Good morning, afternoon or evening wherever you are. Let me introduce myself, I am Ximena Ortiz from Mexico 🇲🇽 and I am very excited to be able to write to you since she is my favorite author and her works on “Chronicles of Prehistory” have really enchanted me and allowed me to learn about the ancient world. I can highlight that his works not only transmit knowledge, but also lead you to imagine and explore further in the imagination.
As a good lover of a book, nothing compares to a paper one that I can take with me everywhere. However, I would like to share with you that books are difficult to obtain in Mexico and that is why I am turning to you, to ask you in the best possible way not to stop with distribution and, I don't know to what extent, reach an agreement with the publishers. I have tried to have most of them, but I realized that some only have them in eBook. And I completely understand this, but I have to tell you that since I got the first book in 2015 from a high school library I couldn't get the others. Which is sad because there are thousands of people who miss out on these incredibly detailed stories.
Finally, thank you, thank you, thank you for always writing. For going beyond imagination and being in the places Torak, Renn and Lobo were years ago. Your stories are a great contribution to your readers and, especially, mine. It has brought back the spark by reading about adventure stories and being able to share them with some students. Have a pleasant morning, afternoon or evening. 🐺
Michelle Replies...
Hola, Ximena!
Thank you so much for your message. I'm delighted that you've enjoyed my stories so much - and I was very interested to hear why you do; I think you explain it very well, especially considering that you are writing in English! I am really sorry that you find it so hard to get hold of the books in Mexixo, that must be so frustrating for you. But I am afraid that I have no control over this, as it is entirely the decision of the publishers as to where to sell the books. I really wish I could help you more, and I do hope that you are able to find some way of getting hold of the rest of the series. Thank you again so much for gettting in touch.
With very best wishes,
Michelle
Clancast Q&A From 1st November 2009 – Is It Available Anywhere? (Yes!)
Asia writes...
Hi Michelle,
I have been a fan of yours for a very very long time!! I hope you are doing amazingly and time has treated you well. My question is whether you have a recording of Q&A that took place on the 1st of November in 2009? I know this is a big asked, 15 years ago now!! But I am re-reading the books and I remember the lovely chat I had with you on Skype and wanted to see it again.
Always wishing you the best <3
Kind regards,
Asia
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Asia. Thanks very much for this. I asked my wonderful agent to do some digging. as he's far more tech-savvy than I, and the good news is that he has found not only our chat, but lots of other audio chats as well, in the form of podcasts from that time.
And thanks to your gently prompting, we (well, I mean, my agent) - will be re-releasing this material, so that others can also revisit and enjoy it. We''ll start posting them to my YouTube channel (see link below), with two new episodes posted weekly, on Thursdays and Sundays. (And to everyone who's interested: please share this and the link with any of your friends - and/or your children; and you can of course subscribe to the channel, to be notified every time there's a new video/podcast.)
As regards you, Asia, I'm told that you were the very first reader with whom I chatted on this show; so here's hoping you can go on my YouTube and find it!
Here's the link to my channel:
https://youtube.com/@MichellePaverAuthor
Thanks again for getting in touch - and enjoy your trip down memory lane!
With very best wishes, Michelle
Wolf Brother in Russian?
Valeria writes...
Hello!
I love your books, especially the Wolf Brother series. I wrote to you in 2022 asking if the new books from this series would be translated into Russian. I understand the situation in the world, but I still want to ask this question again. Will the new books from the "Wolf Brother" series be translated into Russian in the future?
Thank you!
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Valeria, nice to hear from you! I'm afraid that there are still no plans to translate the final three books into Russian. I don't think this has anything much to do with the current political situation, as the books haven't been translated into French either (to give just one example); it's just one of those things and it's out of my hands. However, judging from your message, your English is pretty amazing (and a lot better than my Russian) - so you might be able to tackle the sequels in English. I'm so sorry to disappoint you, and I hope that at some time in the future, you will be able to get your paws on the sequels and enjoy them! With very best wishes, Michelle
Just Wondering… What Was Torak’s Joke?
Rebecca writes...
Hi Michelle.
I was wondering some things:
At the start of Wolf Brother, Torak tells his father a joke.
What was that joke?
Will the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness book series be adapted onscreen (film/TV)?
Because I would love to see that.
Do you already have any actors in mind for the cast?
What was your first inspired thought for the first book?
And will Wolfbane be the very last book in the series?
Thank you.
I loved reading all these books in the series.
I don't want the adventures of Torak, Renn and Wolf to end.
Kind regards, Rebecca.
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Rebecca, thanks so much for your message, and I'm delighted that you've enjoyed the stories. To answer your questions: Concerning the joke Torak was telling his father at the start of Wolf Brother, other readers have asked me over the years and I've always resisted telling them, so I'm afraid I won't change that now (consider it one of the minor mysteries of the series!). As regards film or tv, there are currently no plans for an adaptation; if this changes, you may be sure that I'll post the news on my website. The inspiration for the series came in bits and pieces over several years and involved a lifelong love of wolves and the Stone Age, as well as an extremely frightening encounter with a large black bear. For the full story, go to wolfbrother.com, then go into the Cave and click on Why I Wrote Wolf Brother. And finally - yes, I'm afraid Wolfbane really is the last book in the series. With that book I feel that I've given Torak, Renn and Wolf a good send-off - not to mention the other characters; and I'd much rather leave readers wanting more, than have the series fizzle out. But I hope that as you've enjoyed the series so much, re-reading it might let you have many more happy times in the Forest with Torak, Renn and Wolf. Thanks again for getting in touch - and may the guardian run with you! Best wishes, Michelle
Thin Air Sculpture
Nicola writes...
We ( my husband and I ) have been reading aloud together your book thin air
We are currently in Argentina on a holiday
We are staying in a town called bariloche and took the cable car up the mountain
We came across a sculpture
I have a photo of it
I could send it to you as it resonates with your book
Regards
Michelle Replies...
Dear Nicola, what a great idea to read a book aloud to each other; and in Argentina too! I'd love to see the photo you've taken, which you feel resonates with the story, so feel free to post it in the same way that you sent this message, so that others can enjoy it too; but only if you wish, of course; if not, that's fine too. Either way, I hope you continue to enjoy THIN AIR - and have a wonderful holiday! With best wishes, Michelle
Wolf Brother Book Series
Sam writes...
Hi,
I'm a student at university at the moment. I have been debating sending you a message for about a year or at least since I finished Wolfbane as an audiobook. I loved the book and I have bee a fan of the chronicles of ancient darkness ever since my dad introduced me to them as a child. basically I'm Dyslexic, reading never came easy to me but your books have always been a massive comfort, they were the first series I was truly invested in and your writing sparked a life long love of reading.
Thank You
🙂
Michelle Replies...
Dear Sam,
I've just arrived home to find your wonderful message; what a lovely thing to find when I switched on my computer! I have Dyslexic friends, and I have an idea how hard it can be to get into a book, so I'm absolutely delighted that you connected with the Wolf Brother books as a child; and how great that your father introduced them to you. I'm particularly pleased, too, that you liked Wolfbane. It must have been an interesting experience to return to the series as an adult, and to re-connect with Ian McKellen's marvellous readings of the stories. Thank you again for taking the trouble to get in touch - and I'd like to wish you all possible success and happiness at university.
With very best wishes,
Michelle
I LOVE your Chronicles of Ancient Darkness books!
Danni writes...
Hello michelle. I just wanted to write to you and say I LOVE your chronicals of ancient darkness books. I first got introduced to them when I was in primary school, at around 11 years old. I would read your books all day, every day, my teachers had to tell me to stop multiple times throughout the day and sometimes I got so invested while walking home that I would walk past my stop and my family would have to shout for me. I have never finished the series, I have ADHD and struggle to concentrate and commit to things that take a long time but when I want to get into reading I always read your "wolf brother book" and my new years resolution this year is to finish all of them because I adore them so much, they were a massive part of my childhood.
Michelle Replies...
Dear Danni,
Thank you so much for your delightful message. You paint such a vivid picture of how engrossed you used to get in my books at school: I love the idea of your teachers having to tell you to stop! And I think it's terrific that even at that young age, you were able you were able to get immersed in them so deeply. Lots of people who don't have ADHD lack that ability, so you are to be congratulated on developing what I regard as a highly useful life skill!
Thank you again for getting in touch, and I hope that you continue to enjoy my (and others') books - at your own pace, and as and when you feel like it. With very best wishes, Michelle
Thank you!!!
Maryam writes...
To michelle paver,
Thanks so much for answering to my email!!! I was shaking when I read your answer. I sadly can't read those other books that you're making now but I'll read the other ones!!
I asked because you weren't really active on Instagram, anyways, I understand you response and I also wanted to ask what books would you recommend to me that you've wrote for 12-13 year olds? I also loved the ending of you're email. Anyways I hope you have a great rest of your day!!
Michelle Replies...
Dear Maryam, I'm so glad that my message made you happy! A few years ago I wrote a series of five books for ~10-13 year olds, called Gods and Warriors. It's set in the Mediterranean in the Bronze Age (so it's a bit later than the Wolf Brother books) - but it still has plenty of animals and adventure. I think it's still in print in the UK, but I don't know about the US or other countries. I hope you enjoy it if you're able to get your paws on it.
With very best wishes, Michelle