Ask Michelle
Here are Michelle’s most recent answers to the questions and messages readers have submitted.
RE: A Recent ReReading
Evan writes...
A few months ago I asked a question subjected "A Recent ReReading", and a little while afterwards I got an email saying my question had been replied to, but on the email the "Michelle replies" section was blank, and I haven't been able to find it on-site. I hope it's not annoying of me to chase this up, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything! All the beet.
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Evan. I'm really sorry that you got a blank answer; I must have pressed the wrong key by mistake! As records don't go back that far, would you mind repeating the question? Again, my apologies. Michelle
Gods and Warriors
Kay writes...
I'd like to say how much I enjoyed the Gods and Warriors series. It always seems underappreciated compared to the Wolfbrother series (which I also really enjoyed, incidentally)
In both series - but particularly G&W- the style of writing, the density of information and the creation of atmosphere were masterly.
I know the books are meant for children/teenagers but there is never anything patronising in them . I'm 65 and I get just as much out of the series as a 15 year old would ! Especially as I'm a keen amateur egyptologist ( loved The Crocodile Tomb...brilliant!)
My question is, will there be any more Audible recordings of G&W books? Toby Stephens made an excellent job of Book 1 and I would be delighted to collect the others .
Anyway, thank you for providing many enthralling hours .
Kay Cooper
Michelle Replies...
How very kind of you, Kay, and I'm so glad that you like Gods and Warriors! I'm also delighted that you liked The Crocodile Tomb, as I particularly enjoyed writing it - having been, like you, an amateur egyptologist for years. You're right that the series hasn't received as much attention as the Wolf Brother books, and I've always thought that this may have something to do with the fact that they have different publishers. I also agree that Toby Stephens gave a terrific reading of the first book. Sadly, though, the publishers decided not to record any more. I don't know why, and I do think it's a pity, but it can't be helped. Still, at least they're still publishing the books! Thank you so much for getting in touch. With very best wishes, Michelle
Croniques des Temps Obscurs
LAURENT writes...
Hello Madam, please can you help me; I can't find Tom 1 of Chroniques des Temps Obscures In French; thank you for your writing which takes us to periods where the sun lights up my moments or the desire to escape the monotony of the days that pass cordially Guy Calixte LAURENT
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Guy. I'm so sorry that you can't find the first volume of Chroniques des Temps Obscures. I'm afraid the only thing I can suggest is that you look for it on the internet, for example, on abe.com or one of the other websites that sells secondhand books - or else write to Hachette, the publishers. Sorry I can't be of more help - and bonne chance! With best wishes, Michelle
Dark Matter
Helen writes...
I’m just back from a trip to Svalbard, all because I read and loved Dark Matter a couple of years ago. (I bought all my family a copy too.) Notice I went when it’s 24 hour daylight, not winter 😂.
Michelle Replies...
Dear Helen, I'm so very glad that you've been to Svalbard! And of course I'm delighted that you enjoyed Dark Matter. Excellent choice to go in the summer. For one things there's lots more wildlife; and for another, it's rather less alarming. I do hope you had a good time - and thanks so much for getting in touch. With best wishes, Michelle
Dark Matter
Kris writes...
Hello! I just wanted to thank you for writing Dark Matter. It's probably the best book I've ever read! The writing style and pacing are absolutely perfect and it gave me chills down my spine that I haven't felt when reading horror stories since I was a child. I do not have a single bad thing to say about it.
I just felt compelled to send this after finishing an extremely disappointing horror novel about deep sea exploration and discovery. I found myself thinking, "I wish Michelle Paver wrote this instead" quite often while reading it, haha.
I look forward to any future horror novels of yours! Have a nice day!
Michelle Replies...
Thanks so much for that, Kris; I'm delighted that you enjoyed Dark Matter so much! You might also enjoy my novel Thin Air, set on one of the highest mountains on earth - as well as Wakenhyrst, which is more of a Gothic novel, set in an old house in the fens. And I've got a new one coming out next year, set in the rainforest, and called (surprise) Rainforest. Again, thanks for giving me a lift at the start of what promises to be a hot day here in London. With very best wishes, Michelle
Nieuw boek deel idee
Silene en Rosie writes...
Wij zijn Silene en Rosie, we zijn 12 jaar en wonen in Nederland. We zijn grote fan van de boeken van Torak en Wolf.
We hebben de serie Torak en wolf al veel keren gelezen en we willen vragen of u een nieuw boek wil maken van de serie.
We hadden zelf al een een paar ideetjes namelijk: in deel 6 schreef u dat er een woud achter de bergen was die Torak ging ontdekken, wij dachten dat het leuk zou zijn dat het woud een jungle is en dat een een panter, papagaaien, tijger, kikker stammen zijn. Er is een heerser over de drie stammen, de kikker, papagaaien en tijger stammen. Hij wil macht over de hele jungle. Torak, Renn, wolf, donkervacht en kiezel op pad gaan in de jungle. Torak gaat hout sprokkelen en wordt gevangen genomen door de panterstam. Wolf ging met kiezel weg om kiezel te leren jagen. Kiezel raakt kwijt en raakt bevriend met panters intussen hoort Renn Torak schreeuwen en gaat hem zoeken. Renn valt in een klif met donkervacht. Torak zit in een houten cel en zijn spullen worden van hem afgepakt en doorzocht door de pantermagiër. Die ziet de medicijn hoorn van zijn moeder. De pantermagiër denkt dan dat Torak hem heeft gestolen. Ze vraagt waar hij die van Daan heeft en dan antwoord Torak dat die van zijn moeder was. De pantermagiër laat Torak gelijk vrij en dan legt ze alles uit. De pantermagiër blijkt de moeder van zijn moeder te zijn. Zijn oma vertelt dat zijn moeder en zijn oma een hele erge ruzie hadden en dat zijn moeder was wegegaan van de panterstam en bij de stam van haar vader is gegaan de hertenstam. Kiezel was bij de panter, maar de panter moeder die bracht hem die acht bij de pantermagiër die naar Torak ging met kiezel. Torak zag hem en en riep wolf die bij Rip en Rek was.
Dat is wat wij nu hebben bedacht. Hopelijk vindt u het leuk om er een deel bij te maken! Zou u dat leuk vinden? Wij kijken ernaar uit. Alvast bedankt voor uw reactie!
Met vriendelijke groet,
Silene Duthler en Rosie van Mechelen.
Michelle Replies...
Dear Silene and Rosie, Thank you for your message. I'm afraid I don't speak Dutch, and I don't know anyone who does (my mother is Belgian, but she's not well enough to translate your message for me), so I couldn't follow all the details - but I gather that you've enjoyed the Torak and Wolf books, and I'm very glad about that. Your idea for a new story seems to involve taking them to the jungle. That's very imaginative - although it would take some doing to get them all that way! Perhaps when you're older, you'll be able to enjoy the three later books I've written about Torak, Renn and Wolf - which are available in English, but sadly, haven't been translated into Dutch. Thanks again for getting in touch. With best wishes, Michelle
Thank you so much
Amanda writes...
My names Amanda and I have been a huge Chronicles of Ancient Darkness fan since elementary school. I found wolf brother in my school library and was hooked from the start. Before my question I just wanted to thank you for your stories, for feeding my niche interest in ancient worlds, getting me out into nature, but especially for Renn. Growing up she was really the first strong female character for me. I just love how her and torak are able to naturally bond and support each other. And throughout the story I wanted them to end up together,but that was never the main focus of their relationship so thank you for that. For making her a stand alone fierce , funny, and complex person. It's refreshing with your books that even though the characters are fictional I can see myself and people I know in them. My question though as I just finished wolfbane. Is had you always planned for Kujai to be Dark's mate? Or did it just progress while you were writing?. Im a gay woman so that moment when Kujai said the reason he hasn't found a mate was because he was waiting for him. I started getting emotional over it because this series means so much to me and that representation was so small ,but unexpected in the best way. I'm sorry this is a lot to read, but once again thank you for this world and can't wait to read what other worlds you may create.
Michelle Replies...
Dear Amanda, Thank you so much for your beautiful, heartfelt message. I love what you say about Renn, as it's very much how I saw her from the start. As for Dark and Kujai (bit of a spoiler, that, but I'll let it pass), Dark was in my mind from the very beginning, when I was planning the original series, but there was only space for him in what I then thought was the last book, Ghost Hunter. And although I knew he was gay, there just wasn't room in that story to bring this out; and to try to cram it in would have trivialised it - so with regret I had to leave it out. I was then really pleased when I had the idea for the final three books, as it gave me the chance to take Dark's character further. I didn't know with whom he would end up until Kujai made his appearence when I was planning Wolfbane; but I knew immediately where they were going, and I so enjoyed writing their scenes. I'm delighted that you found them moving, as I did too when I was writing them. Thanks again for getting in touch - and may the guardian run with you! Best wishes, Michelle
Fun facts about you
TOMOJAY writes...
Can you share Fun facts about you?
Michelle Replies...
Hi,Tomojay. Fun facts, hmm, that's a tough one. But here goes: (1) I once licked a giant slug. It was in Canada, researching for the Wolf Brother books, and licking that type of slug is a traditional cure for tooth-ache; it worked, my mouth went numb. And the slug survived. (2) I can't whistle. Never learnt how. (3) My favourite Muppet is Sam the American Eagle. I just love his earnest expression! (4) I once helped Torak the wolf cub to burp. He was only a few weeks old and I'd just bottle-fed him, so I picked him up by placing my palm under his tummy - and he burped! It was incredibly cute. Well that's all I can think of right now. Thanks for getting in touch. With best wishes, Michelle
Thin Air
William writes...
Hi Michelle,
I met you around ten years ago when you came to my secondary school, you were very kind and took the time to talk to me about your books and life. I am reading Thin Air at the moment, and just wanted to comment on how fantastic the book is. I am a doctor myself and find it so easy to relate to Stephen. Your books kept me interested in reading as a child and this has continued throughout my adult life.
Thank you very much!
Michelle Replies...
Dear William, thank you so much for getting in touch. I found your message very moving. I'm glad that you have good memoriesof my visit, and that my stories kept you reading as a child. I'm also particularly pleased that you're enjoying Thin Air, given that you're a doctor. (As an aside, I really enjoyed researching altitude sickness for the book, as I found it fascinating to look back at my own experiences at high altitude from a more informed standpoint.) I hope you enjoy the rest of the book. With very best wishes, Michelle
Literacy
Ethelyn writes...
Can you tell me about your experience of writing books?
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Ethelyn. Ooh, that's a very big question; I could probably write a whole book about the experience of writing books! But it's also a good question. In brief, I love doing the research, and brain-storming a new story - but I hate, absolutely loathe, what I call "writing from scratch" - that is, when I'm faced with a blank piece of paper, and I have to decide HOW to tell the story, rather than simply dreaming up what will happen (which is much easier). However once I've made a start, and have typed up my first chapter on the computer, I begin to enjoy re-writing it, because at least I've got over the worst part. Although then of course I have to do the same all over again for Chapter Two - and so on, until I've written what I call my first draft. Then things get better, though, because by that stage I know more about my characters and what the story is about, so the subsequent months of intensive re-writing are much more fun, even if they're very hard work. So to sum up: writing (for me) is very hard work, and at times it feels very muddled and frustrating. But that's more than made up for by the times when it's marvellous: for instance, when a scene really comes alive and I can practically see the characters. And it's incredibly satisfying when the story starts coming together, and I keep getting ideas for how to make it better. I could go on, but I haven't time - as I've got to go and write a chapter from scratch! But I hope that gives you some idea, and that if you're keen on writing, it hasn't put you off. With best wishes, Michelle