Ask Michelle
Here are Michelle’s most recent answers to the questions and messages readers have submitted.
I am the family genealogist—sending you a text that went to my brothers today
William writes...
I am wondering if you are part of the South African branch of the family?
Yes and I found Uncle Henry the other day. He’s buried in Belleville, NY. He was Thomas William Paver’s brother from Otterton, UK our great grandfather—his generation (siblings)went all over the world. One brother in South Africa, another in Australia. I’m guessing the author Michelle Paver is a relative from South Africa.. Their Uncles were the two Paver’s killed in WW1 and I’ve tracked them down in France. Worth a trip if you ever go—the WW1 sites are pretty awesome.
ps: I read your books to our 5 children and am now on to the Grand kids
Michelle Replies...
Dear William,
Thanks for this, and I'm glad that your children - and now, I hope, your grandchildren - are enjoying my books. You're right, I'm part of the South African Pavers.
Regards, Michelle
Book
Connor writes...
I have a Question and I am reading the wolf brother so I was wondering ???? if there was a film so yes or a no answer as soon as possible please ????
Michelle Replies...
Dear Connor, I answered this question fully when I responded recently to a message from Anna; but the short answer is, I'm afraid there are currently no plans for a film.
Best wishes, Michelle
A simple letter
Michela writes...
Dear Michelle,
I wanted to write a love letter to you and your work since a very long time, but I always felt like I didn’t have enough words to describe how much I’m grateful for all you’ve done.
Chronicles of Ancient Darkness have made my life and part of who I am now. I’m almost 29 but I love those books like that first day, when I was only 10 – a little girl in a library fascinated by a wolf who could be a brother.
And Wolf has been my brother since then, alongside Torak and Renn and all the amazing characters that live inside me every day.
I’ve reread their adventures a lot, so much that I’ve lost the count, and yet every time it feels like the first time, and the emotions flow like a river as I run, and hunt, and howl, and cry, and laugh with them.
Now that their journey is over, I’m sad and nostalgic – but I know it’s not really over, ‘cause I’ll keep them forever in my heart.
Following your live streaming on YouTube has proven me that you are not only an amazing writer (my favorite!), but also a wonderful person, one to look up for to be the best version of ourselves.
I hope this letter finds you well.
With all my love,
Michela
Michelle Replies...
Dear Michela,
Thank you for so much for your wonderful, heartfelt message. I'm absolutely delighted that the stories have meant so much to you. And you put it so well when you say that they're not really over, because they will be with you always. That's how I feel too about some of my favourite books.
As for my live stream programmes, you say some very nice things about me; although in the interests of accuracy I should tell you that I also have my less wonderful side. For one thing, I can be rather sharp and critical, just like Renn! But I'm glad you've enjoyed the live streams.
Again, thanks so much for getting in touch. I received your message on an extremely dark and gloomy day when it didn't stop raining - and reading what you said brightened it considerably!
With very best wishes, Michelle
Partner
Josh writes...
Hello I have been trying to get tickets to one of ur book signing but as u kindly told me that there are no signing ATM could there be a chance I could purchase a signed copy of one of ur books please as It would mean the world to my partner thank you for ur time
Josh
Michelle Replies...
Dear Josh,
Your persistence does you credit, but I'm afraid the only way you can currently buy a signed copy of one of my books is if you can find one I've already signed in a bookshop - whether that bookshop is a real one, or online. (I'm sure you'll appreciate that, like most authors, I don't sell my books myself.) I hope you find what you're looking for.
Best wishes, Michelle
urgent question
Moritz writes...
In the book : Dark Matter A Ghost Story
Did the dark figure drown, if not how did it die?
Thank you for Answer
Kind Regards
Moritz Eggenberger
Michelle Replies...
Dear Moritz,
This is the kind of question I leave to the reader to decide. If one makes a ghost story too definite, it's no longer scary. Have fun using your imagination!
Regards, Michelle
question for the exam I have tomorrow
Jasin writes...
Hello Miss Paver,
what does the title of your book "dark matter" mean? How does it relate to the story?
kind regards
Michelle Replies...
Dear Jasin,
You'll be able to answer both questions if you read the book. Best of luck with the exam,
Regards, Michelle
Events
Josh writes...
Hello my name is josh I was wondering when your next signing is in Sheffield or surrounding areas if you could help it would be great as I'm wanting tickets for my partner as your her favourite author
Thanks
Josh
Michelle Replies...
Dear Josh,
It does you credit to be thinking about your partner, and I'm so glad that I'm her favourite author! But as you'll have seen from my answers to previous questions, I'm not doing signings this year and have none planned as yet for next. If that changes, full details will be posted on my website.
Best wishes, Michelle
Advice
Alessia writes...
Hello Michelle,
I would really like to ask you a question that I am trying to answer myself over these last few weeks and…I wonder if you ever had to choose between two dreams? I want to be an author and an actress. But sometime I feel I am drifting to the acting ‘side’, and sometimes more to the writing ‘side’. I don’t know how to decide or if I can make it as both? I mean can you even be both? Thank you for your time.
Alessia Wilimowski
Michelle Replies...
Dear Alessia,
My goodness, that's quite a question! And it's not one I've ever had to address, as I've never been faced with it, because I only ever really wanted to write. I don't think I'm in a position to give you advice, as the answer is, in all likelihood, something which will probably only gradually become clear to you. All I would suggest is that perhaps try not to think of it as an "either/or" question. In other words, trying your hand at writing doesn't necessarily mean giving up on acting, or the other way around. It's all about creativity, and the one feeds the other. So perhaps give yourself permission to investigate and play around with both.
The best of luck with exploring this.
Regards, Michelle
Signing Schedule
Louis writes...
Hello Michelle!
I'm writing to inquire about if you have any upcoming signings?
Little backstory: my girlfriend grew up reading your "Chronicles of Ancient Darkness" series and apparently she had met you and gotten her copies signed way back when. Unfortunately, due to her unstable family life, she was forced to give up the books when she was 16. Now at 25, she often muses about missing them.
I think this would be a good gift for her and I'd like to see if I can go to a signing to get this done.
Thank you for taking the time to read this,
Louis Southard
Michelle Replies...
Dear Louis,
Thanks for getting in touch, and it does you great credit to be thinking of such a thoughtful present for your girlfriend. However as you may have seen from my replies to previous messages, I'm afraid that I have no plans for further signings this year. If this changes, details of any signings will be posted on my website. And one final thought: if you girlfriend hasn't already read the latest three books (VIPER'S DAUGHTER, SKIN TAKER & WOLF BANE), one or other of those might make a nice present.
Again, thanks for your message. With best wishes, Michelle
next gothic
james writes...
Hello Ms Paver. sorry i'm being nosey but wondering if you are going to continue onto a fourth gothic novel. I've brought copies for a few youngsters who have been a bit slow in picking up the reading habit and they have all been devoured - especially "Thin Air" - honestly the only recent book in the genre that comes close is "The Little Stranger" but too long for godchildren. If you're writing i shan't expect a reply but will be keeping a lookout for reviews. Thanks for the very good reads, i listened to the first two cycling to work and frequently took a longer route to Shoreditch to squeeze another 10 minutes in....V Best.....James
Michelle Replies...
Dear James,
No need to apologise and you're not being nosey at all! It's always lovely to hear from readers who have enjoyed my books, and I'm delighted that my gothic stories, particularly THIN AIR, have gone down well.
As it happens, I am indeed working on another gothic story. It will be shorter than WAKENHYRST, ie of a similar length to DARK MATTER and THIN AIR; and it is set in a rainforest. I'm afraid that's all I can tell you at the moment, as I never like to talk about a book while I'm writing it. And I don't know when it will be published, because I still have lots of work to do on it. However I hope that has given you something to go on; and thanks again for getting in touch.
With very best wishes, Michelle