Ask Michelle
Here are Michelle’s most recent answers to the questions and messages readers have submitted.
THANK YOU!
Joyce writes...
I want to simply thank you for your dedication and hard work to bring this series to life. I first read Wolf Brother when I was in 4th grade, and now as a 26-year-old woman, I just finished Ghost Hunter and am currently waiting for Viper's Daughter to come in the mail.
I remember the day I saw Wolf Brother my teacher said we could have some books that were donated to the class, and I was so drawn to the art of Wolf Brother I nearly fought my friend for it and I'm glad I stood my ground! It has sense become one of my all-time favorites.
This year I finally took it upon myself to return to Torak's world and read the rest of the series. Everything in these books is so amazing and enjoyable even as an adult.
As an indigenous child I felt connected to the story IMMEDIATLEY when I first read Wolf Brother. The way Torak is in touch with everything, the ways the clans survive and are different from one another. All of it is so beautiful. Thank you for creating this world for us to enjoy!
Michelle Replies...
Dear Joyce, what a marvellous message for me to read when I got up this morning in overcast Wimbledon! I was fascinated to learn that you were first drawn to the artwork of Wolf Brother; and I can understand why. Both the cover designer and the artist who did the maps and chapter illustrations embraced the spirit of the story from the start, and it was a joy to work with them over the course of the series. Also, I'm particularly pleased that as an indigenous child, you connected with Torak and his world; my aim was always to honour the clans' way of life (as well as telling good stories!), and as you'll be aware from the Author's Notes, much of my research has focussed on the lives of indigenous peoples around the world. I'm delighted, too, that you're now enjoying the stories as an adult, and I really hope that you enjoy Viper's Daughter when it arrives - and maybe Skin Taker and Wolf Bane, as and when you feel so inclined! Thank you so much for getting in touch. With very best wishes, Michelle
Publishing advice
Benjamin writes...
Hello Mrs/Miss Paver.
Absolutely love the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness saga. It's the only book series I've read five times or more. It's one of those stories where you can feel what's been written. It really does make you route for every hero.
As an apsiring author, what advice would you give on how you got your stories published?
Thankyou for taking the time to read this and a great, big thankyou for Torak, Renn, Wolf and The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness
Ben Aris
Michelle Replies...
Dear Ben, I'm delighted that you like the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness so much! You've asked a weighty question, but briefly: I think the main thing is not to rush to submit your work. Take the time to make sure that whatever you write is absolutely the best you can create. It's a good idea to put it away for a few weeks, then come back to it; you'll be astonished at how much will probably need improving! Once you are convinced that it's the best you can do, then I'd suggest trying to get an agent first. This is as hard as getting published, but it really helps in the long run. It's years since I had to do this, so I'm afraid my advice might be a bit out of date, but you should find lists of agents and publishers in The Writers' & Artist's Handbook, or the Writer's Handbook (I used hard copies in those pre-internet days, but they may be available as e-books). These are important, as they tell you how different agents/publishers like to receive submissions. For example, some might want just the first chapter and a covering letter, others just a synopsis; and if you don't submit in the form that they want, your precious story will probably go straight in the bin! Such directories also tell you what kinds of works the agents/publishers handle - and that's also crucial. You don't want to send a thriller to an agent who only handles non-fiction. Finally, try not to be discouraged if you get a rejection letter. It has happened to us all. It certainly did to me, I got lots of them in my early years of learning to write. That's all I've got time for, and I hope it helps a bit. I'd like to wish you all possible luck with your writing - and if you need a break, you can always spend some time with Torak, Renn and Wolf in the Forest! With best wishes, Michelle
Wolf brother book to TV series?
Poppy writes...
Haiii I wanted to say I LOVE the world brother series, I'm currently rereading it for I think the fourth time now (I lost track haha) and I still absolutely love it so thank you so much for creating something so special :), basically I was wondering whether you were still trying to get a film or series made? And if so what style would you be looking at (live action, animated, anime etc) or if you might ever write short side stories and adventures set at different times during the series that aren't important to read just fun 🙂
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Poppy. I'm delighted that you like the Wolf Brother books so much, and I'm so glad that you enjoy re-reading them. I also re-read books that I've enjoyed, sometimes after many years, and I always see something new in them; I hope you do too. As for a film or tv series, it's really up to the studios to decide. I would like to see the stories adapted eventually, although only if it was done in a way that was faithful to the spirit of the books. And I've no idea how they would tackle Wolf! You asked a good question about what kind of adaptation I'd prefer. I'd be happy either with a really good animation, or with live action - although if the latter, I'm pretty sure that Wolf would have to be mostly computer generated, as wolves aren't dogs, and can't be trained (they don't see the point of obedience). Finally, you make an interesting suggestion about short stories set at different times during the series. I can see the potential for that, but I'm afraid that I've no plans to do anything like that. However, with nine books, I hope you'll be able to make many more visits to the Forest, along with Torak, Renn and Wolf. Thank you so much for getting in touch - and may the guardian run with you! With very best wishes, Michelle
The Witching Hour
Ryan writes...
Dear Michelle,
I hope this message finds you well and that autumn is giving you all the ghostly inspiration you could wish for! I saw in the bookseller that you’re contributing a short story to an anthology out next October! I for one cannot wait and want to thank you for keeping your readers so well satiated next October! It’s going to be an amazing month for MP fans! Just wondered if there are any hints you can give as I’ve been craving my MP fix since Wolfbane! Ha!
I also recently started submitting my latest novel to agents on the hopes that I can join you on bookshelves some time in the future! I’ve poured my heart and soul into this book and sharing it is incredibly daunting but also very exciting! I wondered if you had any advise for how to occupy my anxious brain whilst going through the submission process. Was there anything that helped you when you wear searching for an agent or when you were on submission with publishers!
All the very best,
Ryan
(Aka HalfBloodRyan/Empire of Books)
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Ryan - and thank for your enthusiasm about my short ghost story! I'm afraid I won't be in a position to share anything about it for quite some time, as I'm still writing it. I've mothballed the first draft and plan to unwrap it and revise it very soon, ie around Hallowe'en. The timing seems appropriate, and I did the same thing for Dark Matter.
Huge congratulations on submitting your latest novel - and I mean that irrespective of the response you get. It takes a great deal of commitment and stamina to produce a novel, and it can be really hard to share it with strangers. But it's good that you've put your heart and soul into it; that's what you should do when you write. And again, I mean that irrespective of the response you get. As for how to keep the angst at bay while you wait - oh dear, I wish I knew! I too went through it for long stretches, although perhaps it was easier then, as this was in pre-internet days, so I only had to check the post once a day; whereas you maybe have to stop yourself compulsively checking your emails... In my case the day job helped somewhat, but not all that much. What I can say is that when I was in the dumps - for instance, after getting yet another rejection letter - and it crossed my mind that maybe I should just give up, it really helped to tell myself: "If you stop now, you'll be 100% sure of never getting published - but if you keep going, you've got a chance." Put like that, I knew that I had to keep going. And that's what it boils down to, I'm afraid. Keep on keepin' on.
Anyway, I wish you all possible good luck while you wait. With very best wishes, Michelle
Wolf brother
Raven writes...
Hi 👋 I’m your biggest fan ever and i can’t believe how good your books are🤘🏼!
I have read all of your books about 6 times now!
I have a few questions.
What is the first tree in real life?
What was the joke Torah made before the bear came?
Why did you start writing wolf brother?
Do you eat any snacks while you are writing ✍️
Do you like chicken nuggets and ketchup?
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Raven, it's great to hear that you enjoy my books so much! To answer your questions:
- The First Tree is what we could call the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis..
- Other readers have also asked about the joke Torak had just told before the bear attacks - but I'm afraid I will never tell!
- If you go to wolfbrother.com and go into the Cave, you'll find a post on Why I Wrote Wolf Brother. It involves meeting a large, very frightening black bear in the wilds of California... I hope you enjoy it.
- I only occasionally snack on a few almonds or a banana while I'm writing; but I do drink lots of coffee and tea. It gives me a chance to take a break while the kettle's boiling.
- Nope, I'm afraid I'm not fond of fast food - but I do, occasionally, enjoy really well cooked chips (French fries if you're American) - although with mayonnaise, not ketchup. Thanks for getting in touch, Raven- and may the guardian run with you! With very best wishes, Michelle
Wolf talk
Ella writes...
Hello,
I was working at Waterstone’s after graduating when Wolf Brother came out and I absolutely loved it! I’m now having the great joy of sharing it with my children, and am struck again by the incredible realism of Wolf and his perceptions and “wolf talk”. My daughter is fascinated by it, and I wondered if you’ve done a post, or have in a form you can easily send us, a glossary of the body language they use to communicate? No worries if not easily done - we’ll just have to reread it and make our own!
I’ve looked online and have only found a glossary of the Wolf point-of-view vocab, which is also delightfully convincing but which sticks in my head more easily anyway.
Thank you for a truly incredible series!
All the best,
Ella
Michelle Replies...
Dear Ella, how lovely to hear that you are now enjoying the books with your daughter. I'm afraid that I've never done a post of any kind of glossary about the wolf talk body language; and my notes on this are very messy, because they were scrawled over the years as I kept learning more about wolves. I can read them, but I don't think anyone else would be able to make head or tail of them (if you'll forgive the pun!). Thank you for getting in touch - and may the guardian run with you both! With best wishes, Michelle
Crónicas de la Prehistoria
Juan Carlos writes...
Hola Michelle!!!
Va a producirse una serie animada de la saga???
Muchas gracias por todo tu trabajo y dedicación para crear la historia de Torak, Renn y Lobo!!!
Ojalá en un futuro te animes a seguir escribiendo sobre su mundo como precuela o secuela…
Un cordial saludo!!!
Juan Carlos
Michelle Replies...
Hola, Juan Carlos! I'm afraid I don't speak Spanish, but if you are asking if there's going to be an animated series of the stories of Torak, Renn and Wolf, I'm afraid the answer is no, there are no plans for one. But of course, that might change at some time in the future. If there is any news, I will post it here on my website. In the meantime, thank you for getting in touch! With best wishes, Michelle
oath baker Imaginative Response
Noah writes...
Hay Michelle Paver
I hope you're doing well. I'm in S1 at High School and I'm working on an Imaginative Response based on your book "Oath Breaker." I'm thinking of adding another soul-eater or reincarnating one. If I were to reincarnate a soul-eater, which one do you think I should choose? Also, if I decide to add a soul-eater, what should I call them and what kind of mage should they be? I'd love to share my Imaginative Response with you, but it contains spoilers. Wishing you all the best, and may the guardian swim with you.
From Noah
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Noah. I like your idea of inventing or re-incarnating a Soul-Eater. I'm not going to suggest which to choose, as that's best left to you; but what I can do is suggest some questions you could ask yourself, which will help you create your character. Was your Soul-Eater born bad, or did they become that way - and if so, what turned them evil? What clan are they from? Are they typical of that clan? For instance, if they're Red Deer, were they originally against fighting, and something turned them aggressive? Or were they just different from the other members of the clan, so that they didn't fit in? In what way are they evil? For instance, Seshru is cunning and uses trickery, while Thiazzi relies on his brute strength, and Eostra scares everyone rigid. How would your Soul-Eater's magecraft work? If you spend a little time thinking about these things, it should help you create your character (it's how I did it when I wrote the books). I hope this helps, and that you have fun with what sounds like a really interesting project. And by all means share the results with me (though I won't post it if it contains spoilers). May the guardian swim with you! Michelle
wolf brother production
luke writes...
hi michelle just wondered if we could all get an update on the progress of the wolf brother show production
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Luke. I'm afraid nothing is happening, and plans for a Wolf Brother film/tv series have lapsed. If anything happens on this, I will post the news on my website. In the meantime, fans will just have to rely on the books and their imaginations! With best wishes, Michelle
Last email
Sam writes...
I got the previous email thank you so much 😄
Michelle Replies...
That's great to know - thanks for acknowledging! Michelle