Ask Michelle Anything!
Here are Michelle’s most recent answers to the questions and messages readers have submitted.
Audio cd’s
Elyane writes...
Our family loves your Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series not only the books but the audio cds as well for road trips and nights around the stove.
Will there be an audio book for Wolfbane?
Thanks
Elyane Saul
Michelle Replies...
Dear Elyane,
What a lovely picture that conjures up: the whole family in the car, and/or around the stove, listening to Ian McKellen's inimitable tones reading the Wolf Brother stories! And yes there is indeed an audio book of Wolfbane, it came out last spring, at the the same time as the book - although whether it's available in California (where I'm guessing you are, from your email address, though I could be wrong) I don't know. I do hope so, because he gave yet another marvellous reading. Over the years I've been lucky enough to be present for every day of each one of his recordings of my stories, and it has been such a privilege to watch. He really inhabits each character: he becomes Wolf when he reads from his point of view, and even moves like him. At times I haven't known how he was going to voice a given characters. For instance, how do you give voice to the Sea Mother? I needn't have worried. In that particular case, he started making slow wave-like movements with his arms, and then the voice of the Sea Mother issued forth - and everyone in the recording studio (including me) went shivery and got goosebumps (in England we call them goose pimples). It was awe-inspiring. I've always told Ian that if he'd lived in the Stone Age, he would have been a Mage.
Thank you for getting in touch - and for reminding me of good times with Ian in the recording studio. I will always be grateful to him for making the time in his busy schedule to record every single one of the Wolf Brother books. And I do hope that you can get your paws on the Wolfbane audio! With very best wishes, Michelle
Big Fan
Hena writes...
Hi Michelle,
This isn't a question, I just wanted to let you know that I love the Wolf Brother series. It was one of the first book series that I really got into in elementary school. It had such a big effect on me that I started using the British style of quotations in my homework, which my Canadian teacher was confused about. I was beyond excited when I learned that there would be 3 more Wolf Brother books published. Thank you for what you do!
Best Regards,
Hena Masjedee
Michelle Replies...
Dear Hena, what a lovely message to receive, thank you so much! I'm delighted that Wolf Brother was one of the first series you were able to get into at school, and I was amused to hear that you confused your teacher when you adopted a different style of quotation marks. I really hope that you enjoy the final three books in the series, as and when you can get your paws on them - if you haven't already. Thanks again for getting in touch. Very best wishes, Michelle
Wolf Brother Movie release date…
Aiyana writes...
Hello, let me just say I love your work, and I kinda like to think of myself as your No.1 fan
It really is an honour to be speaking to you, I love 💕 your books. My favourite is definitely Vipers Daughter.
I really wanted to ask you when / if there’s going to be a Wolf Brother movie coming out any time soon.
I have done allot of researching online and watched a few trailers (it looks amazing), but I also found out that apparently you had to stop working on the Wolf Brother movie project.
I would really just like an update on a release date (something to look forward to), and also if you aren’t working on a movie yet, please please begin making one, I’ve loved your books, and I’m sure many others have too, and we’d all love to see a movie come out.
Michelle Replies...
Dear Aiyana, thanks very much for your message, and it's great that you like my books. I was really pleased to learn that Viper's Daughter is your favourite, as it was a very difficult one to write, because I'd been away from the Wolf Brother books for so many years!
You're not the only reader to ask about a film adaptation, but I'm afraid that since the last film deal ended, there have been no developments. As for those trailers which you saw online, I'm pretty sure they relate to some other film, and not WOLF BROTHER, because our film deal never got that far.
I'm sorry I can't give you better news. Please be assured that if things change, I will post the news on my website. In the meantime, I hope you continue to enjoy my stories. With very best wishes, Michelle
French Translation 3bLast books chronicles of darkness
Vincendeau writes...
Hello MIchelle.
I m really enjoy to have find your website.
I m French woman : so apologize for my -bad- translation !
I discovered your books of aventures of Torak Wolf and Renn when I Was 12 years old. I foolowed their aventures until your Last book "ghost unter". I loved them !
I m not really fluent in english to say you, to say you properly the Way that your histories made me dream when I was young. I discovered this world through your writing !
Now I m 29. Today, since long time I opened the first book "Wolf brother" to read again your chronicles. I found another time the magic of your universe ! I dont get enough.
Then I discovered That you wrote not one but 3 others books ! My dream Come True !
I want to thank you to have continued the aventures of Torak Wolf Renn with 3 others books !
However after many research, it seems that your 3 books are not translate into French language. I permit me to ask you if it Will be possible to translate in French language your 3 books ? It Will be unbelievable ! But it s right, I don t know of it Will be possible.
In any case I thank you again and again for your writting your fabulous books !
I return to my reading !
Flore
Michelle Replies...
Dear Flore, thank you very much for your lovely message, and I'm delighted that you've enjoyed my books over the years. I'm afraid that at the moment Hachette have no plans to publish a French translation of the final three books in the WOLF BROTHER series. I don't know why, but they just decided that they wouldn't. You aren't the only French reader who as asked this question, but I'm afraid there's not much we can do about it. Although you could always write to them and suggest that they do; it might help!
I'm sorry I can't be more helpful, and thanks again for getting in touch. I hope you continue to enjoy those of my stories which are available in French. (And by the way, your English is really good, and a lot better than my French!). With best wishes, Michelle
Eagle Owls
Annabel writes...
Hi Michelle, my name is Annabel. When my sister left home a few years ago, she handed your books down to me and I have come back to CoAD ever since. We heartily agree that they are such good books.
Ghost Hunter has to be my favourite, because of the excitement and ultimatum of it all. I cried when the eagle owl attacked the wolves and, for the first time in my life, I felt a strong sense of dislike for owls, having loved them all my life!
I also met the wolves at the UK Wolf Conservation Trust before it closed to the public, taking some wonderful photos of them. One day, I want to write about the friendship between children and wild animals, though I think big cats are more my thing. I do like wolves, but I think you have ticked that box!
One final note: the first meeting of Renn in Wolf Brother still makes me want to give her a good slap. That is how good you are at creating convincing cruelty in your characters!
Many thanks for being you,
Best wishes
Annabel
Michelle Replies...
Dear Annabel, thank you so much for your message, and I'm delighted that you like my books! I did laugh when you said that you wanted to slap Renn when Torak first meets her; you're not the only reader who's had that reaction. And just so you know, that eagle owl in GHOST HUNTER is a bit of an exception, and I too love owls. There are tawny owls on Wimbledon Common, where I live, and sometimes they hunt in the meadow opposite my house; it's always a treat to hear them calling to each other, and to catch a glimpse of them flying.
Thank you again for getting in touch, and the best of luck with your own writing, as and when you do it. Regards, Michelle
Wolf boy
Cassie writes...
Hi! Just wanted to say a huge thankyou for you chronicles of ancient darkness series. My 8 yr old son is reading wolf boy at the moment and he can not put it down! He tells me it's even better than Harry Potter.
He has a lot of troubles at school so it is so lovely to see the joy that reading your book brings him. Thankyou!
Cassie.
Michelle Replies...
Dear Cassie, that's absolutely brilliant to hear, I'm so glad! I had trouble at school when I was about ten (I was bullied), and reading became my lifeline. I don't know what kind of trouble your son is having, but I really hope it resolves soon - and that he continues to enjoy the Wolf Brother stories. There are eight more after the first one!
Thanks again for getting in touch. Best wishes, Michelle
Chronicles of Ancient Darkness
Timothy writes...
Hello Michelle,
I grew up on the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness book series and it was my favourite book series by far, one of the best parts of my childhood. I was wondering whether there was a complete special edition for all nine of the books, as I want to keep them in my collection and get them signed by you at some point. My original copy was accidentally destroyed recently by my parents in a move to university and I'm just wondering where I could get the collectors edition.
Michelle Replies...
Dear Timothy, I'm delighted that you've enjoyed the books so much, and also glad that you've managed to catch up with the last three books in the series! I'm afraid there isn't a collector's edition or any edition of all nine books together, because the final three have a different publisher from the first six; and publishers aren't great at collaborating on these things. If that changes in the future, I will of course announce it on my website. In the meantime, though, I'm afraid you'll have to make do with what's available. Although I should say that Head of Zeus, who publish the final three books in the series, have done a gorgeous job of making them look like the originals, because they've used the original artists, Geoff Taylor and John Fordham.
Hope this helps. With very best wishes, Michelle
Writing to Michelle paver for a school project
Haylee writes...
Dear Miss Pavar,
My name is Haylee Barnhardt, I live in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. I am 11 years old, I have a dog and two parakeets. I LOVE wolves, I want a pet wolf when I’m older, my favorite book of yours is wolf brother. That’s the book I’m on I haven’t red all your books yet. My favorite book genres are animal, Adventure,and mystery. And you have all those combined and I’m also writing a book with all ‘em combined, but don’t worry I’m not copying you.
Do plan on writing any other books? What’s your favorite book you’ve wrote? Do you get a lot of fan mail? Do you have any pets? Do you have a pet wolf, I thought when I looked you up you were holding a wolf pup? By the way I’m writing to you for a school project. A couple more questions, Do Renn and Torak end getting together? Do Renn and wolf stay with Torak throughout all the books? We’re did you get the idea to write a book and we’re did you get the the information and idea to write the book?
I really like how you made the enemy a bear. I hope Renn and Torak are mates in the other books. You should make a movie it would be AWESOME.
Well by for now. You don’t have to write back but I would Appreciate it if you did. I hope I wasn’t bothering you have a great day.
Michelle Replies...
Dear Haylee, thanks for your message, and I'm so glad that you are enjoying Wolf Brother. It's also great that you like wolves so much. I'm sure you'll understand that I can't answer all your questions, because if I did, lots of other readers would want me to help them with their homework! However you'll find the answers to lots of your questions either here, where I've answered them for other readers, or on my website www.wolfbrother.com. In particular, if you go into the Cave there, you'll find something all about how I came to write Wolf Brother. As for what happens in the stories, I shall leave that for you to find out...
The best of luck with writing your own book, I hope you have fun with it. And thanks for getting in touch, Best wishes, Michelle
Biggest fan
Andrew writes...
Hello, my name is Andrew foster & I absolutely love your books. I read wolf brother in 4th grade and was hooked ever since. I’m 29 now and still reading them but now I get to read them to my own 2 sons. The way you make it easy for the reader to picture what they’re reading is incredible. I just wanted to thank you and express to you how much your books impacted my life. They brought me into a different world that I could get lost into for a few hours and Put the real world to the side. I think everyone could use that from time to time. Thank you for your amazing writing and I hope you know your books changed my life and I could never thank you enough
-Andrew Foster
Michelle Replies...
Dear Andrew, What a marvellous message for a writer to receive! I'm really pleased that you have found it easy to be able to picture what's happening in my stories - not least because that's not an easy thing to achieve when one is writing, and it has always taken me dozens of drafts. I also find it particularly moving that you are now (or perhaps will be soon) reading the stories to your own sons. Somehow that puts me in mind of Fin-Kedinn telling the clan stories around the long-fire.
Thank you so much for taking the trouble to get in touch. With very best wishes, Michelle
Primary school class loving your novel.
Dale writes...
Good afternoon,
My name is Dale Innes and I am a primary school teacher. We are currently studying wolf brother as our class novel and the children are loving it. The opportunity Arouse to purchase new books for our schools reading scheme and wolf brother was top of my list. I have taught literacy through your novels in previous schools and I love how this novel grips the children’s imagination and interest in reading.
I was wondering if you would be able to answer some of the children’s questions? We are completing an author study on you and the children love having the opportunity to ask you questions. =)
1. How did you come up with the ideas for characters in wolf brother?
2. What inspired you to write wolf brother? Do you have a favourite chapter?
3. What is your favourite book of both your own writing and of other authors books?
4. What inspired you to get into writing novels?
5. How did you feel when your published book becomes popular?
6. How long does writing a book take?
7. Did you enjoy writing as a child?
8. Do you plan on continuing to add to the wolf brother sequel of novels?
9. Do you have anything on your desk whilst writing to inspire you?
10. Does writing books require a lot of motivation to keep going if you get writers block?
Thank you for your time and for writing such interesting novels.
King regards,
Dale Innes and Primary 5/6 I
Michelle Replies...
Dear Dale,
Many thanks for your message, and I'm so glad that the children are enjoying my stories. They've asked lots of questions, and as I've already answered some of them for other readers or on my website, I won't repeat myself, but here goes:
Qu 2 - What inspired me to write Wolf Brother? - Please see wolfbrother.com, go to the Cave, then click on "Why I wrote Wolf Brother", for the full story.
Qu 8 - Will there be more in the series after Wolf Bane? The short answer is "no". For a fuller answer, please see my recent answers on this website to Josiah and also Lilya.
Qus 2 & 3 - I don't really have favourite chapters, or books that I've written, or read. (Or if I do, they keep changing!)
Qu6 - How long does writing a book take? It depends on how long the book is, but not as much as you might think. For instance, Wolf Brother is a shortish book, but it took just as long to write as some of my adult stories which were twice as long. I'm quite a slow writer, and the books I write always seem to need lots of research - both in libraries and in the wild. I also like to plan my stories very carefully, although these plans are only a guide, and I always change them a lot as I'm writing the story. Lastly, I re-write a lot, cutting out the boring bits, making the story clearer, that sort of thing. This is crucial. For Wolf Brother I went through about 30-40 drafts. So to answer your question, most of my books take about a year to write; and sometimes as much as 18 months.
Qu 1 -Some of the characters share traits with myself (Renn is rather critical, as am I, and Torak is a loner, as I am) - or with people I know. However mostly they are themselves, as they walk into my imagination. And they often surprise me while I'm writing, by doing something (in my imagination, I mean), which I didn't expect. But that's good, it means they're coming alive.
Qu 7 - Yes, I always loved writing as a child, and I wrote my first story when I was five. It was called "Ebany the Mouse Goddess" (my spelling wasn't great), and it was about a mouse goddess who rescued her people from a glacier which was threatening to squash their village. At school I went on writing, and I loved it. I think this was because when you write, you can make anything happen. You're in control. And I enjoyed using my imagination.
Qu 9 - I don't really get inspiration from the things on my desk, but I do have a few small objects that I like to look at and pick up when I 'm thinking. One I particularly like is a small swimming seal about the size of my thumb. It's beautifully carved from reindeer antler and very realistic, with its front flippers pressed against its flanks, as seals do when they swim. It was carved by a Chukchi artist and I bought it from him on a windy beach in Chukotka, eastern Siberia, when I was there on a research trip for Viper's Daughter, the seventh book in the Wolf Brother series. I love it.
Well that's all I've got time for, but I hope the children enjoy these answers - and continue to enjoy my books. Thanks for getting in touch.
Best wishes, Michelle