Ask Michelle
Here are Michelle’s most recent answers to the questions and messages readers have submitted.
I’m a huge fan!
Shinji writes...
Hello, Michelle
I'm a high school student in Japan, so I apologize for my bad English. But, I want to tell you that your books excited and inspired me!
Two weeks ago, I went to the library to study. When I took a break, I found "Wolf Brother" and started to read it. I was pulled into the world deeply, so I avidly read it until the library close. I have not read books much before, but I found books interesting because of them. Today, I have just ended reading the first six books of the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. They were wonderful.
Torak, Renn, and Wolf's adventures were really exciting. Relationships and friendships among them are very realistic. Their beliefs, thoughts, cultures, and knowledge about nature are very interesting. I enjoyed the story.
But their harsh destiny broke my heart. Like Torak, I lost my father when I was a child, so the parts where he recalls memories of his father are so heartbreaking for me. Altough his tragic experiences, he survives strongly. This aspect gave me much courage.
I will never forget these books.
I have two questions.
First, in "Soul Eater", what happened to the boy who was serving as an acolyte to Soul Eaters afterwards?
Second, I found that you published the next three books in the series, but they don't seem to be translated into Japanese. Do you plan to publish them in Japanese? I can't read English well, so I really would like it.
Lastly, I am very much looking forward to the film of these books!
Best regards,
Shinji
Michelle Replies...
Dear Shinji, It's great to hear from you - and your English is excellent! I was also impressed that you've read all six of the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness in just two weeks, and I am delighted that you enjoyed them so much. I was moved, too, to hear about your father, and the fact that what Torak experienced resonated with you. I'm glad that that helped you a little too.
I liked your question about the boy who was serving as an acolyte to the Soul-Eaters in Soul Eater; I don't think anyone has ever asked about him before! I have always thought that he did manage to return to his clan, the White Fox Clan - although his experiences did mark him, so he remained a little apart from them.
Concerning the final three books in the series, which I wrote a few years after Chronicles, I'm afraid that you're right, and they aren't translated into Japanese. I'm sorry about this, but the decision isn't up to me, it's up to my Japanese publishers and they decided against it. Of course, there is nothing to stop you writing to them and asking them to change their minds. But in the meantime, I am afraid your only option is to try to get hold of the English version. I am sorry that I can't be more help about this. But I hope that you will maybe enjoy re-reading the books you do have at some stage.
Thank you so much for getting in touch. With very best wishes, Michelle
language/runes used in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness
Alyx writes...
Hi Michelle,
I hope this question finds you well,
I was wondering if you might be able to clarify the nature of the runes used throughout the series although there is no formal writing. It's one of my all-time favourite series, although unfortunately I have not been able to read the latest addition to the series.
I would like to get a tattoo related to the series as it means a lot to me. If there isn't I was wondering if there is a certain language that you based this on that I could use as a reference instead.
I am hoping to get something related to protection, or wolves (wolves are my favourite animal).
Thank you for taking the time to read my question
Yours Faithfully,
Michelle Replies...
Dear Alyx,
Thanks for your question, and I'm delighted that my books are among your favourites. You're correct that there was no system of writing as such in Torak's time (at least, not that we know of). And for my stories, I haven't based the signs on symbols on any particular culture or language - although many have a Nordic or Scandinavian feel. But I can clarify the origins of a few signs, in case it helps. Torak's forest symbol - ie the spiky trees which first appear as scene-breaks in Wolf Brother (eg p20) is loosely based on that of the Sami people. The hand with three lines of power emanating from one finger (see Wolf Brother Chapter 19, p135) is based on a Stone Age rock carving (I can't recall where). Spirals are of course widespread in many cultures. And many of the other symbols, such as scene-breaks and on the back covers of the books, were devised by the wonderful artist, John Fordham, who tried to evoke the Stone Age by studying Stone Age rock art; see for instance the Soul-Eater symbol of the 3-pronged fork (See Soul Eater p153) - though I'm not sure that you'd want a Soul-Eeater tattoo! John also designed the gorgeous running wolf symbol which first appeared on the title page of Wolf Brother, and again on the last page, 233. Over the years, I've met fans who have used this as a tattoo. I'm not actually suggesting it to you as I don't know whether you're old enough to get a tattoo; but I mention it in case you are and it gives you ideas.
Anyway, I hope you find the above helpful and inspiring - and thanks for getting in touch! With very best wishes, Michelle
Thanks you and ask for Audible translate
Lucas writes...
Hello, good evening dear Mrs. Michelle Paver!
Let me introduce myself, Jaupart Lucas, 25 years old, great reader in my spare time, Show Technician by profession and self-taught programmer.
I read your whole series of "Chronicles of Ancient Darkness" starting with the first volume when I was 8 years old and that's what made me love reading it.
Today I still like to immerse myself in the incredible stories of Torak and Wolf from time to time and I read them again.
I am sorry if my English is not very correct, I am Belgian from the Walloon part and therefore speak French normally, not knowing if you speak it I prefer to write to you in English ^^
So here I am contacting you obviously to share with you the love I have for the universe you have created but also because I noticed that your novels are only available in English on Audible.
So I wanted to know if you plan to release them also in French in this way or if you would accept that I read it myself by sending you the progress of the reading chapter by chapter and that we can together make it available in this language. ?
I ask absolutely nothing in exchange, the simple fact of sharing this universe would already be more than enough for me 🙂
I hope you are well.
Have a good day/evening.
A very big fan.
Michelle Replies...
Dear Lucas,
It's lovely to hear from you - and your English is excellent! (It's much better than my French, even though I am half Belgian.) I'm so pleased that you like my Wolf Brother stories, and it's a lovely and very generous idea of yours to read them in French, so as to share them with French-speaking readers. However I'm afraid that won't be possible. You see, the rights are owned by my French publishers, Hachette, and they wouldn't allow it. So I'm afraid that for now we'll have to do without French-language audio books of the series, as Hachette has (to my knowledge) no plans to create them. I'm sorry about that. And I hope that despite this, you will continue to enjoy the world of Torak, Renn and Wolf.
With very best wishes, Michelle
Just an immense thank you!
Ellinor writes...
Hi!
I just wanted to send an immense thank you for creating Torak and the world around him. I was born in 1997 and was about the age of 10/11 I think when I first read the first book, maybe even a bit younger. I fell in love immediately, and the series has stuck with me throughout all these years. It isn´t until this past that I´ve gotten my hands on the rest of the series, seeing as they unfortunately aren´t widely known in Sweden.
I will always count the series as my favorite, there´s no doubt about it, and I try to constantly recommend it at work (I work in a bookstore). Sitting here and writing this at 25, I realize just how much your books have meant to me. I´m an aspiring author, and I look to your work for writing tips because your books are so well-written. I look to your books to understand how to write amazing characters. I look to your books to inspire myself to write something that could touch someone like your books touched me.
All of this is just to say thank you, but thank you isn´t enough. But I don't think I will ever find words that could be enough.
Best regards,
Ellinor Nolsäter Sörensen
Michelle Replies...
Dear Ellinor, what a lovely message to receive, particularly as I've just spent the past two days sorting through my old Wolf Brother files and boxes of newspaper cuttings. This means that Torak, Renn and Wolf have been very much at the forefront of my mind - albeit in a nostalgic sort of way, as I'm packing up my papers to make way for new projects.
I'm truly delighted that my books have meant so much to you (as well as being hugely impressed by your facility with English). And if they can help you with your own writing, then so much the better. Reading what you enjoy, and trying to work out how the story is achieved, is an excellent way of learning to write; at least, it worked for me all those years ago when I was an aspiring, unpublished writer. So I'd like to wish you all possible good luck with your writing. And thanks for getting in touch!
With very best wishes, Michelle
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