![Paver-2234 Paver-2234](https://michellepaver.com/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/Paver-2234-circle-467854c7d5b8a8399620c00d41c59ba9-v76ch5msa40z.jpg)
Ask Michelle
Here are Michelle’s most recent answers to the questions and messages readers have submitted.
Thank-You from the bottom of my heart
Liam writes...
Dear Michelle,
Thank-you from the bottom of my heart for books you have written. They gave me an anchor into something deeper, truer and more mystical than I could ever have stumbled across otherwise. I found true companionship with the characters and guidance from the elders in those books that was unavailable to me elsewhere. Having grown up in a very repressive situation, your books gave me a sanctuary away from the harshness of the modern world. Despite being raised in a military family with little exposure to other cultures or customs, these books gave me a way out, a nostalgia for something I had never experienced but was more familiar and meaningful to me than anything I had encountered. Your words left a primal imprint on my psyche that has been whispering to me in times of strife throughout my teens and well into my adulthood. After many years of being lost, directionless and under enormous pressure from my family and peers to conform, I have finally received the call loud and clear. Today, as so many narratives built on shaky ground begin to fall around us, I feel so grounded and firm in my place on this Earth thanks to your writing which gave voice to the deepest and most repressed parts of myself.
I am far from where I grew up, but closer to the feeling of home than I have ever been. I am 28 years old, with a restored relationship with my family, living on a narrowboat, studying Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Bristol with a special interest in Archaeoacoustics, Folk Religion and Ritual studies. Thank-you for helping me find my way home.
My greatest appreciation,
Liam
Michelle Replies...
Dear Liam,
When I read your message it brought tears to my eyes. Over the years, certain books have given me companionship when I've needed it, and I'm truly glad that my stories have been able to do this for you.
You write about what you have gone through with such clarity, perception and self-knowledge that I've no doubt you have chosen a path that is right for you. I can only add that I'm delighted that this includes studying Archaeology and Anthropology - not least as it's what I would have studied had I not fallen in love with Biochemistry. As for living on a narrowboat, I envy you that. The opportunities for being close to nature must be truly special (depending on where you're moored, of course.!) .
Again, thank you for letting me know how my stories have helped you. I shan't forget what you have said.
With very best wishes for a long, happy life rich in experience.
Michelle
Start reading
Dean writes...
Hi Michelle, I'm a 38 year old, in my 20's I'd never read a book, I have always had a wondering imagination and love fantasy stories.
Your book were the first thing I read and started my reading journey.
They taught me how to read and how to enjoy stories.
Since that I've read hundreds including all the game of thrones, all David gemmels books.
Thank you.
Regards
Dean
Michelle Replies...
Dear Dean,
What a lovely message. I'm delighted that my books helped you to understand how marvellous reading is, and it sounds as if you've never looked back! Thanks so much for getting in touch - and happy reading.
With very best wishes, Michelle
Chronicles of Ancient Darkness mini series
Zach writes...
Dear Michelle Paver, I just want to say how much I love the chronicles of Ancient Darkness book series and how much it has impacted me all the way from year 6 (2017) when my primary school teacher showed me the first book till. I just want to ask if you've ever thought about writing a mini series or a sort of prequel book series to the books so we learn more about toraks father and his up bringing and when Finn-Keddinn was fostered with the wolf clan as well as when Fa joined the healers and the great fire that disbanded the soul eaters and a series where we finally learn Fa's name. You said in a previous answer how you would not want your writing quality to drop so you stopped writing the wolf brother books so how about a prequel book series?
thank you so much yours sincerely Zach
Michelle Replies...
Dear Zach,
Many thanks for that. You're not the only reader who has, over the years, asked me whether I've considered writing a prequel book or series. However I'm afraid my answer is no. You see, quite simply it has never appealed to me. Perhaps this is partly because these books have always been the story of Torak, Renn and Wolf; and I can't see myself departing from that. Also it's because I believe that the stories of Fa, Fin-Kedinn, and others, are best suggested rather than explored in detail. They work as tantalising background (at least, I hope they do), but I wouldn't want to go into them more. I prefer to leave them to the reader's imagination.
Finally, you're right that in the past I have said that I wouldn't want the quality of the stories to lessen. This is one of the main reasons that WOLFBANE will be the last of the WOLF BROTHER books - and it holds true for prequels too. After all, it's all the same world.
So it was a nice try, Zach, and it shows how much you like the series, which is great. But I'm afraid that you and others will have to make do with the existing nine books. I hope that you'll continue to find plenty to enjoy in them!
With very best wishes, Michelle
Signing session in Italy
Evaluce writes...
Hi Michelle!
I’m Evaluce, from Italy, and I’m nineteen.
I want you to know that I love your books in a way that can't be expressed in words (especially the series Wolf Brother❤️). They are my favourite books among all the ones I've read, and I've read more than five hundred books in my life!
Is there a possibility that you will take an autograph session in Italy? Because seeing you and having your autograph would be a dream for me!
With so much love and respect,
Evaluce
Michelle Replies...
Dear Evaluce,
Thank you so much for such a lovely email - and in perfect English, too! I'm really delighted that you like my books, it means a lot to me. As regards doing signings, I'm afraid that at the moment I have no plans for any international travel this year or next. This is partly due to family concerns (elderly relatives), and partly as I'm hard at work on a new book. I'm so sorry to disappoint you. However if things change, I will be sure to put details on my website.
Once again, thank you so much for getting in touch!
With very best wishes, Michelle
Book signing in Wiltshire
Charlie writes...
Hi
Our 11 year old Daughter absolutely loves your books. Her friend recently managed to get her book signed by you at Westonbirt arboretum and we missed it. She was so upset when she found out you had been so close and she hadn’t seen you. Do you know if and when you will next be in Wiltshire? We would love to bring her to get her book signed.
Many thanks
Charlie
Michelle Replies...
Dear Charlie,
I'm so sorry that your daughter was upset about missing my signing at Westonbirt. I'm afraid that at the moment I have no plans for further signings in Wiltshire or elsewhere this year, as I need to do some writing and see to some family stuff.
Again, I'm really sorry to disappoint her. Thank you for getting in touch; she's lucky to have such dedicated parents!
Best wishes, Michelle
Good Quality Research
Alessia Wilimowski writes...
Hello Michelle Paver, I would like to ask how do you do sufficient research? I know you go to different parts of the world, but how do you do it when you can’t travel? Well, I guess what I am asking is how did you do research when you first started?
Thank you, your books are inspirational.
P.s I saw you at the Y.A.L.C books signing. I still have the signed book. You are amazing.
Michelle Replies...
Dear Alessia,
I'm so glad you enjoyed YALC. As for how much research is enough, that's kind of a "how long is a piece of string?" question, but I'll do my best to answer.
If I'm new to a subject, I'll start at a broad-brush level: maybe (because I'm old-fashioned) looking it up in an encyclopaedia, and/or a few reference books at the local library. Just to get a sense of things, and of what I might use in the story I'm thinking about writing. If it's a region that I need to explore, I'll refer to the relevant Lonely Planet guide for idea on places to travel to. And you might of course use the internet - but again, at this stage, head for an authoritative source. ( The internet is also great for quickly answering a specific question, such as how does a particular birdcall sound, or something. )
If the subject isn't central to what I'm writing about, a general reference might be enough. But often it's only the start, because a general account can't give me the interesting little details that might make a story come alive - or, crucially, which spark ideas for the story. For that I often resort to secondhand books (a great source is abe.co.uk, provided you know what you're looking for). For instance, when I was writing my Gothic novel WAKENHYRST, set in the Suffolk fens, I found a 1930s poacher's memoir in a secondhand bookshop; it described "eel-babbing", a way of catching eels. I'd never heard of that, but it sparked all sorts of ideas for the story and ended up featuring in a key scene. That's what I love about research. You never know what you'll find, or where it will take you.
Of course if funds are limited, you don't need to buy the books. I've used my local library for years. And the British Library is brilliant for "deep fishing" into a subject. Once you have a reader's ticket, you can call up all sorts of weird and wonderful things from the stacks. In my time I've called up court-martial transcripts, 1930s Army & Navy catalogues (for DARK MATTER), obscure booklets on folklore (for WAKENHYRST) and any number of anthropological publications for the WOLF BROTHER books.
Also, a word about location research. You don't have to travel to the jungle to experience,for example, tropical plants; a visit to the glasshouse at Kew Gardens will bring you face to face with quite a few, and although the experience wouldn't be the same, you'll probably get something out of it that you wouldn't get by looking at a book or website on the subject. I've had lots of ideas which I've ended up using in the WOLF BROTHER books from observing urban wildlife in Wimbledon, where I live. It only takes imagination to transport a squirrel up a tree in a Sainsbury's car park, to Torak's world.
Finally, it's worth saying that I never really know how much research is sufficient research. Often while I'm writing, something will crop up which, despite all my months of research, I haven't covered. And very often, I'll end up with pages and pages of notes on something that never finds its way into the story. That's just the way it goes. But reading into a subject is, I think, part of what gives one assurance in the writing. So it isn't really wasted.
I'm sorry I can't be more precise, but as you can see, this isn't a very precise topic! However I do hope that you'll find the above pointers helpful - and the best of luck with your writing.
Regards, Michelle
wolf brother
Anna writes...
Hi, I love wolf brother with all my heart and can not stop rereading - wolf brother, spirit walker and outcast! I NEED to know if you are thinking of turning my fav book series into films?
From anna
P.S. I love this book series more that my friends
Michelle Replies...
Dear Anna,
I'm so glad that you like the Wolf Brother books - and I'm delighted that you re-read them. (I've always loved re-reading books, as I'm constantly finding new things in them on each re-reading.)
As to whether they'll be turned into films, I'm afraid that at the moment, there are no plans for this. Over the years, I have done several film deals for the books, and most recently, a deal for turning all the books into a tv series. Each time things have looked promising; and until recently, they looked very promising indeed for the tv series. But I'm afraid that each time, things have eventually petered out - and I'm sorry to say that it's the same with the tv series.
I think this is mainly because the books would be extremely expensive to make, given that Wolf would need to be computer-generated (real wolves do NOT make good actors!), and the whole thing takes place outside, which also makes it very costly. With the tv series, another reason we were given is that there's a perception among people who make tv series, that people want stories with adult main characters, rather than children. And of course Torak and Renn are twelve when Wolf Brother starts. So there we go. It's a pity, but it doesn't mean that they won't be made at some stage in the future. Just not for now.
I hope that hasn't dashed your hopes too much - and that you continue to enjoy the adventures of Torak, Renn and Wolf!
Best wishes, Michelle
Thank you for a beautiful series.
Ziyaad writes...
Dear Michelle Paver,
My name is Ziyaad and I started reading Wolf Brother when I was around 12 years old (incidentally the same age as Torak). I recalled it fondly and always held it in high esteem amongst other childhood stories that I loved.
Around 2020, the pandemic had begun. It was an incredibly difficult time for everyone. I started my second year of university in September. On account of living close by, I decided to take the train for the few classes that remained in person. And each time I walked past a massive poster of Viper’s daughter. A part of me wondered what had become of my old friends Torak and Renn in the last 8/9 years. However, I put it to the back of my head as we went into December lockdown.
This year I finished my third year of medicine. I decided to take a year out to pursue global health before continuing with the last two years of my degree. It still leaves me feeling abit lost, thinking there’s a need to start in a new city with new people. Yet, ultimately this decision was for me to have some more time to myself. I started reflecting on how our modern day stories don’t have happy endings and my mind thought back to that poster I walked past on my train journeys. I purchased all 3 books. And wow.
I slipped back effortlessly into a world my heart had never left. The noise in my mind was softened by the quiet snowfalls. My feeling of being alone was lessened when I saw the fierce bonds of loyalty Torak, Renn and Wolf share. All of these universal themes of loyalty and love were infused in characters that had grown up with me. I felt incredibly emotional to see how events unravelled. For example, the arc of Torak losing then finding himself again. His intention was to protect those he loved but he needed Renn to ground him.
It’s not often one gets to grow up with a character, but it has been an absolute pleasure. These books returned to me at a difficult time when I needed to be reminded of what was the right way of looking at things.
So all I can humbly offer is a thank you. Perhaps you will read this and perhaps not. However, my message comes from the heart. These characters never left and returned to guide myself (and many others) through the difficulties of the pandemic and the trials of entering adulthood. If Torak, Renn and Wolf can withstand Naiginn, I can withstand life’s challenges.
I don’t know if you’ll ever return to these stories. I do hope so (perhaps vainly to see Torak and Renn have a family and grow up more). However, I’m glad you returned when the world was in a dire need of being reminded what good overcoming evil looked like.
Thank you very much for your writing. I remain a humble fan.
Yours faithfully,
Ziyaad Surtee
Michelle Replies...
Dear Ziyaad,
What a marvellous, evocative message . Thank you for taking the trouble to decribe what you have gone through over the past few years. I can understand your need to take a year out from medical school before continuing with your degree. It's a courageous thing to do; but time to reflect is invaluable, and I don't think you'll regret it.
I can't tell you how glad I am that my books have helped you at a difficult time in your life. Someone once said that "We read to feel that we're not alone". I think that's true for many of us. I'm delighted that you found it steadying to return to your old friends Torak, Renn and Wolf. You put it so beautifully, when you said that the noise in your mind was "softened by the quiet snowfalls". That will stay with me. Indeed, I had to smile when you wrote: "Perhaps you will read this and perhaps not". Ziyaad, I've read it, printed it, and will keep it. (We writers also have our dark times, and messages like yours are a great help!)
Again, thank you so much for getting in touch. I'd like to wish you all possible good luck with your medical studies - and with whatever else you choose to do with your life.
Best wishes, Michelle
Audible
Melodie writes...
My dyslexic sons want to know whether (and when!) books 2 and 3 of the Wolf Brother series will come to audible! We don’t have a CD player.
Thanks!
Melodie
Missoula, Montana
Michelle Replies...
Dear Melodie, it's great that you and your sons want to listen to Ian McKellen's fabulous readings of the Wolf Brother books . I'm afraid I'm not the best person to ask about availability issues, as I have no control over these things. I know that all the books are available on Audible in the UK, but I'm afraid I can't speak for the US. If you are having any difficulty, I can only suggest that you contact Audible itself, and/or the US publishers of the books, HarperCollins Children's Books. Wishing you the best of luck!
Regards, Michelle
wolf brother
Sandra writes...
I am thinking of using Wolf Brother with my years 5 and 6, all are good readers, as part of out Stone Age, is the activity pack still available ?
Kind regards
Michelle Replies...
Dear Sandra, it's great to hear that you are thinking of using WOLF BROTHER for your class. When I last looked at my websites (wolfbrother.com and michellepaver.com) the activity packs were still available. I'm assuming it's the online ones you mean. I'm afraid I don't know more than this, as it was my publishers who organised this, so if you have any difficulties in getting access to the activity pack, your best bet is to contact them.
I hope this helps - and that you and the children enjoy WOLF BROTHER!
With best wishes, Michelle