Ask Michelle Anything!
Here are Michelle’s most recent answers to the questions and messages readers have submitted.
A reader in Slovenia asks: how old are you, Michelle?
Marko writes...
Hi,
I'm 13 years old and I am from Slovenia. I fall in love with your books first time I read them. You are good writer. When I start reading your books I can not stop😀! If I can ask, how old are you? I am veary happy beacuse you're books are in my language too.
Have a nice day!
Marko
Michelle Replies...
Dear Marko, I'm so pleased that you like my books - and it's great that they're in your language; I remember meeting your publishers years ago, and I really liked them. (Also, congratulations on writing such good Engish!) Of course you can ask how old I am: I'm 64. That probably sounds very old, but the weird thing is, it doesn't feel it. I just don't feel that much older than when I started being a published author, in my early forties - although of course I know that in fact, I am. Isn't that strange? The main thing is that I'm still writing. (And also climbing trees when I feel like it.) Thanks again for getting in touch - and I hope you continue to enjoy my stories! With very best wishes, Michelle
GRAPHIC NOVELS COMING?
Kirsten writes...
I am a Teacher Librarian in British Columbia, Canada - many of my students are wondering if you plan to make your novels into Graphic Novels?
Thanks!
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Kirsten, thanks for your question. I'm afraid I've no plans for turning my stories into Graphic Novels - although that's not because I've anything against them, it's just that no one has approached me about this; and of course my own interest lies in writing novels pure and simple (I'm not much good at drawing!). I should add that if it's Wolf Brother or its sequels which you're teaching, then I envy you doing it in British Columbia, with its rugged coastline and endless forests (well, rather more endless than Wimbledon, where I live). Also, as you may be aware, I gained much inspiration for the clans and their beliefs in the stories from the First Nations of your part of the world. Thanks for getting in touch. With best wishes, Michelle
Gods & Warriors and Chronicles of Ancient Darkness: a love of Archaeology and a return to reading!
Carla writes...
Hello!! I'm sorry for the lenght of this message, but I wanted to explain how important you've been to me ^^.
I just wanted to tell you that I read the Gods and Warriors saga when it released back in 2012/2013. I was a teenager, and I had a Greek mythology fever due to Percy Jackson haha. So when I saw your book I bought it, even if it didn't talk about the Greek gods I knew, because I would devour anything Greek. It turns out - I loved it! Like, really loved it. I was so eager for the second book to be published, I read it super fast. Then something sad happened, and it's that the publisher wasn't going to translate the remaining books (I'm from Spain!). During that time I had taken up English, so I said "why not" and bought the next books in the original language. Actually, all of them were already out in English except for the last one, and I got it the very same day it came out because I *needed* to know what happened next. I loved them so much, and the way you write, my parents got me the first two books of Chronicles of Ancient Darkness. Unfortunately, that was when I started university, and it was then that I stopped reading because it was painful for me; I was exhausted everyday, and I was struggling with OCD and anxiety, so I stopped reading at all, even though it was my favourite hobby ever. I would read two books per week, more or less, and now it was a miracle if I read just one a year.
The thing is, it's been 8 years since I started university, and 1 since I finished my Master's dregree. And I've recently (finally!!) felt the need to read again, as I used to. It was like an urge, sudden, and my gut told me to pick up "Wolf brother". And what a fantastic choice. I'm finishing it, and I'm so loving it. I'm almost 26, but your books are such a delight to read even if one's not a kid anymore. I wanted to thank you, actually. I'm an Art Historian, and I specialise in Ancient Art, mostly Celtic, but I fell in love with the Bronze Age thanks to your books, Michelle. That's why I also love Cycladic, Minoan and Mycenaean Art - it reminds me so much of Hylas and Pirra. Besides, my MD was in Archaeology, and my favourite subject was the Paleolithic period, so reading Wolf Brother is being such a pleasure, as I understand so much better the forage, the clan structure, the resources, etc.
Just... Thank you so much, for writing books that stuck with me even when I didn't feel like reading at all (I was always thinking about Gods and Warriors when I studied Greek Art), books that sparked the interest in Bronze Age and Prehistory in me. And, above all, books that managed what none other book could in these 9 years: make me the reader I once was again!!
Michelle Replies...
Dear Carla, thank you for such a heartfelt and moving message. I have to applaud your dedication as a young adult all those years ago, in reading the next instalment of Gods and Warriors in English instead of Spanish - and I'm only sorry that the Spanish publishers didn't publish the rest of the series. I really sympathise with your troubles at university, when you lost your desire to read for pleasure. That sounds so distressing, to lose something which had previously been an important part of your life. I'm absolutely delighted that after all several years you've found your way back to reading, and I'm honoured that Wolf Brother was of help. May I also offer huge congratulations on getting your Master's degree; and again, what an honour that it was Gods and Warriors which helped instill a love of the Bronze Age. Thank you so much for getting in touch - and may your career as an Art Historian go from strength to strength! With very best wishes, Michelle
Wolf Bane – a Spanish Edition for Mexico?
Luciana writes...
Hi Michelle, I hope you're doing well. I'm Luciana Aramburo, I'm eleven years old and I live in Jalisco, Mexico. I have already read all the books in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness collection, I liked them very much and I saw that you released a new book "Wolf Bane". I would like to ask you if you could please have it translated into Spanish like the other books as well, would you help me? Greetings from Mexico.
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Luciana, it's great to hear from you, and I'm so pleased that you're enjoying the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness books! I'm sorry that you haven't been able to get hold of Wolf Bane in Spanish, and I really hope that Salamandra, the publishers, will make a translation - but I'm afraid that this is up to them, and I have no influence over them. If you feel like it, you could write to them and ask what they intend to do. In the meantime, I hope you continue to enjoy many good times with Torak, Renn and Wolf in the Forest! With very best wishes, Michelle
Chronicles of Ancient Darkness – How did you create the names?
Fenella writes...
Hi Michelle,
I am relatively new to your books and I was wondering where you get all of the unique names from.
Anyway I am loving your books and hope they get better as I keep reading.
Thanks, Fenella
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Fenella, and welcome to the world of Torak, Renn and Wolf! I'm so glad that you're enjoying the books, and you've asked a great question. It's a striking fact that because Stone Age people didn't have writing, we don't know a single Stone Age name. This mean that I had to make them all up. As the stories are set in northern Scandinavia, I used names and sounds from old northern European languages, such as Old Norse and Anglo-Saxon - although I tweaked some of them when I thought they needed it; and my guiding principle was that the name must suit the character. This gave me names such as Saeunn, Hord, and Fin-Kedinn (he's one of my favourites). Thiazzi is based on a Norse storm giant, Thjazi, and Eostra on a rather frightening Norse or Anglo-Saxon goddess (she's probably the source of the word Easter). I also got names from other cultures, such as Tanugeak, which is Inuit, and Maheegun, which is Cree for "wolf".
Some of the most important names, though, were completely made up - or so I thought! I made up Torak, but then when I went to Greenland to research Spirit Walker and Soul Eater, I discovered that "torak" means "perfect" in Greenlandic. I thought I'd made up Renn, too, only to discover that "renne" is French for reindeer. That must make translating my novels into French rather interesting. Funnily enough the hardest name of all was Wolf. Before I wrote Wolf Brother, I spent several days trying out all sorts of names for my wolf cub, such as Dari or Nari, but they all sounded far too cute and un-wolf-like. Then I thought about this from his point of view, and I realised that he doesn't have a name, he's just Wolf.
So as you can see, names are difficult, but also fun to make up, and very important too; and the key is that they should fit the character. My test is that once I've made up a name, it should come readily to mind whenever I think about that character. If I can't remember it, it's probably not the right name. Thank you so much for asking this - and I really hope that you continue to enjoy the books. May the guardian run with you! With best wishes, Michelle
Daughters of Eden trilogy
Susan writes...
I have just re-read The Shadow Catcher and it has made me want to read the rest of the trilogy, but don’t even know the titles, which weren’t available when I bought The Shadow Catcher.
Perhaps they are out of print? You have obviously written many books since 2002!
Best wishes,
Susan Carson-Rowland
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Susan. I'm glad that you enjoyed the Shadow Catcher. The other books in the trilogy are Fever Hill and The Serpent's Tooth. I'm afraid you're right, they are currently out of print - although you might be able to pick up secondhand copies online, eg from abe.co.uk - but my publishers may reissue them as e-books some time next year. Anyway, I hope you manage to get your paws on copies somehow, and thanks for getting in touch! Best wishes, Michelle
An update on Torak the dog and his human
Sasha writes...
Dear Michelle,
I wrote to you last year about adopting a dog and naming him Torak. I've come back to report that Torak is doing amazing in his new home!
He's learned a ton of stuff, from boring old house rules (such as don't steal my slippers to get attention) to tricks. Most importantly that the best time to get loved on is when I bend over to tie my shoes, and that the couch is the best place in the entire house to sleep on, of course.
Meanwhile, I've learned that I'll need to get a couch with at least three seats for my new apartment because I would also like to sit comfortably while Torak snores as loudly as a bear. I'll also need a good bookcase since I've completed my Chronicles of Ancient Darkness collection! I'm looking forward to reading them all and will probably drop back in once I do.
I've also attached a picture I took on the only morning we had snow. As you can see, Torak loved it. 🙂
I hope you have a wonderful day, and may the guardian run with you!
All the best,
Sasha
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Sasha - and Torak! Thanks so much for this. Torak looks gorgeous (not to mention very clever, as befits his wolf ancestry) - and you're clearly doing a great job of raising him. May the guardian run with you both! With best wishes, Michelle
Seals in Dark Matter: some thoughts
P writes...
Possible spoiler, sorry, but am so curious.
I couldn't help noticing the repeated reference to a small "wet dark round head" throughout the story. I also think that Algy's mistreatment of the seals is no coincidence. I think the explanation coming from the various minor characters is a red herring. I love Scottish sea legends, shared among Faroese and Icelandic cultures. Perhaps you might "seal" what I am referring to...? Or even "kelpie" me to understand?
Michelle Replies...
Thank you for this. I share your love of sea legends with Scandinavian roots, and I can see how your suspicions have arisen. However, as regards settling things for you one way or the other, I'm afraid I'm not going to do that. You see, I think it's important when one's writing a supernatural story to keep things ambiguous: to leave room for individual readers' interpretations; and over the years since I wrote Dark Matter, I have come to learn that these can vary hugely. In short, there is no right or wrong interpretation. There is only your own interpretation; that's what counts. I hope you won't find that too annoying vague, and I'm sorry that I can't be more definite. But thank you for raising such an interesting point. With best wishes, Michelle. P.S. No worries about spoilers; I took the liberty of slightly editing your message by deleting a couple before I posted it.
Forgot to mention in previous message on Dark Matter
Mona writes...
That things are dark in the U.S. right now, very frightening, and it often feels like the news here is just more horrible and more horrible, and your bleak and haunting tale made me feel much better! I guess it was the escapism I needed. Thank you so much.
Michelle Replies...
Dear Mona, thank you for this. I find it fascinating that sometimes a bleak and haunting story can be just what one needs when the real news is bad. We've always needed stories to escape into, and to help us make sense of things; and we always will. Your capacity for feeling strongly about a book does you proud. Dark times pass. Stay steady. With best wishes, Michelle
Dark matter
Mona writes...
I just finished dark matter and I loved it so much. The setting and characters were so vivid, I felt like I was there. I was trying to imagine a book that would suit me more in setting, atmosphere, characters, or story and I cannot. I cried at the end and thought the love story was beautiful. Off to read your other ghost stories! Please keep writing them. Dark matter is now my favorite book!
Michelle Replies...
Dear Mona, what a lovely message to wake up to. I'm delighted that you enjoyed Dark Matter so much. I'm also quite pleased that it made you cry (and I mean that in the nicest possible way), because I try to evoke strong emotions in my readers, and it's always good to know when I've succeeded. I should add that I cried a few times too, when I was writing it!
I am indeed writing more ghost stories. I find them fiendishly difficult to write, but I love them all the same. My next one, Rainforest, is published in the UK in October. Thanks again for getting in touch - and I do hope that you enjoy Thin Air and Wakenhyrst, as and when you can get your hands on them. With very best wishes, Michelle