Michelle’s Mailbag – Michelle Paver

Michelle's Mailbag

Here are Michelle’s most recent answers to the questions and messages readers have submitted.

Wakenhyrst

Lau writes... I want to thank you for writing this novel. English is not my first language, nor am I from the UK, so it has been a truly enriching journey. It has been years since I’ve read with a dictionary in hand, and it has made me feel very rewarded. Furthermore, it has helped me connect with my dear aunt, who is also a big lover of gothic novels. Thank you from the bottom...

about you

Jan writes... Hi my name is janice i am in primary school i am doing a school report about you I have a few questions 1.what is ur fav color 2.what challenges did u have to over come 3.what do you wish for to do in the future ty this will help alot i couldn't find anything about these questions Michelle Replies... Hi, Janice. As you're written in text-speak, my answers are just as short:...

Dark Matter and Thin Air – I want more books!

Pamela writes... Hi, I’ve recently read both Dark Matter and Thin Air and I am devastated you don’t have any more books along these lines. I genuinely don’t want to read anything else. I absolutely loved everything about them: you’re writing style, the plot, the story telling, the atmosphere, the characters and all of the spooky parts were amazing. I’m begging you to write more books like these. They’re beautiful. I bought both on my...

Clan guardians

Jasmyn writes... Hi my names jasmyn and I have loved reading the chronicles of ancient darkness. I would like to ask you about clan guardians. Can your clan guardian be an animal that you are deeply connected too? Thanks, Jasmyn Michelle Replies... Hello again, Jasmyn, and thanks for this. You're quite right, your clan guardian can indeed be an animal to whom you feel deeply connected. In my previous answer about clans, I explained what...

Can you have clans today? Can your clan be a bird or animal you feel connected to?

Jasmyn writes... Can you have a clan today. Is a clan a bird or animal you are deeply connected too?Can that be your clan and guardian? Michelle Replies... What a fascinating question, Jasmyn, I don't think I've been asked that in quite the same way before. First, let's look at what we mean by a clan. In Torak's world, you're generally born into a certain clan: for instance, Fin-Kedinn was born to the Raven Clan. ...

Chronicles of Ancient Darkness and growing up: how did you tackle the last three books?

Isabelle writes... Hello, Michelle! Hope you’re doing well! I fell in love with the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness books as a pre-teen and has since re-read them in about every stage of my life and each re-read gives new perspectives on the books as my own life experiences grow. For example, while as a kid, I despised Hord, as an adult, I can also feel empathy for him. Sure, he is vain, prideful and a...

Wolf brother – how did you get the idea?

Jeffrey writes... How did you think of the idea to make the book wolf brother and what inspired you to make this specific book series Michelle Replies... Dear Jeffrey, I think the idea for Wolf Brother goes back to when I was a child, and mad keen on wolves and the Stone Age. I loved the idea of making clothes out of hide, and not going to school! Later when I grew up, I was...

Inspiration Inquiry & Prehistoric Fantasy Series Idea

Joshua writes... As a fan of both your esteemed historical fantasy series:- the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, & having recently discovered Jean M. Auel’s own intriguing prehistorical fictional series:- Earth's Children—I would like to ask if you have been influenced by her preceding work. Is this so? Also, I would like to know if you have ever considered writing a series of books set amid the Late Pleistocene epoch—that combines themes from both the aforementioned...

Your books changed my life!

Holland writes... I rediscovered the Wolf Brother series this winter when I visited my parents’ house. I was obsessed with the series as a kid (I’m now 30). I took the books home and re-read them; I was completely blown away by how much and how differently I enjoyed them as an adult. As a kid, I loved the action and the imagination of the story. As an adult who is fascinated by archaeology and...

Wolf Brother – does part of you want to revisit that world?

Anton writes... Hi Michelle! First of all I would like to thank you for creating such a captivating story and world with Wolf Brother! I’ve been an avid reader of the books since 2006 when I started out at 8 years old, and now at almost 27 I read it in class for my own students. As a member of the lgbtq+ community I must also thank you for including a storyline featuring queer characters...

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…