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