Michelle Paver's Blog, page 12

Just wondering…

Rebecca writes…

Hi Michelle.
I was wondering some things:
At the start of Wolf Brother, Torak tells his father a joke.
What was that joke?
Will the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness book series be adapted onscreen (film/TV)?
Because I would love to see that.
Do you already have any actors in mind for the cast?
What was your first inspired thought for the first book?
And will Wolfbane be the very last book in the series?
Thank you.
I loved reading all these books in the series.
I don't want the adventures of Torak, Renn and Wolf to end.
Kind regards, Rebecca.

Michelle Replies…

Hello, Rebecca, thanks so much for your message, and I’m delighted that you’ve enjoyed the stories.  To answer your questions: Concerning the joke Torak was telling his father at the start of Wolf Brother, other readers have asked me over the years and I’ve always resisted telling them, so I’m afraid I won’t change that now (consider it one of the minor mysteries of the series!).  As regards film or tv, there are currently no plans for an adaptation; if this changes, you may be sure that I’ll post the news on my website.  The inspiration for the series came in bits and pieces over several years and involved a lifelong love of wolves and the Stone Age, as well as an extremely frightening encounter with a large black bear.  For the full story, go to wolfbrother.com, then go into the Cave and click on Why I Wrote Wolf Brother.  And finally – yes, I’m afraid Wolfbane really is the last book in the series.  With that book I feel that I’ve given Torak, Renn and Wolf a good send-off – not to mention the other characters; and I’d much rather leave readers wanting more, than have the series fizzle out.  But I hope that as you’ve enjoyed the series so much, re-reading it might let you have many more happy times in the Forest with Torak, Renn and Wolf.  Thanks again for getting in touch – and may the guardian run with you!  Best wishes, Michelle

Thin Air Sculpture

Nicola writes…

We ( my husband and I ) have been reading aloud together your book thin air
We are currently in Argentina on a holiday
We are staying in a town called bariloche and took the cable car up the mountain
We came across a sculpture
I have a photo of it
I could send it to you as it resonates with your book
Regards

Michelle Replies…

Dear Nicola, what a great idea to read a book aloud to each other; and in Argentina too!  I’d love to see the photo you’ve taken, which you feel resonates with the story, so feel free to post it in the same way that you sent this message, so that others can enjoy it too; but only if you wish, of course; if not, that’s fine too.  Either way, I hope you continue to enjoy THIN AIR – and have a wonderful holiday!  With best wishes, Michelle

Thin air

Nicola writes…

We ( my husband and I ) have been reading aloud together your book thin air
We are currently in Argentina on a holiday
We are staying in a town called bariloche and took the cable car up the mountain
We came across a sculpture
I have a photo of it
I could send it to you as it resonates with your book
Regards

Michelle Replies…

Dear Nicola, what a great idea to read a book aloud to each other; and in Argentina too!  I’d love to see the photo you’ve taken, which you feel resonates with the story, so feel free to post it in the same way that you sent this message, so that others can enjoy it too; but only if you wish, of course; if not, that’s fine too.  Either way, I hope you continue to enjoy THIN AIR – and have a wonderful holiday!  With best wishes, Michelle

Wolf Brother Book Series

Sam writes…

Hi,

I'm a student at university at the moment. I have been debating sending you a message for about a year or at least since I finished Wolfbane as an audiobook. I loved the book and I have bee a fan of the chronicles of ancient darkness ever since my dad introduced me to them as a child. basically I'm Dyslexic, reading never came easy to me but your books have always been a massive comfort, they were the first series I was truly invested in and your writing sparked a life long love of reading.

Thank You

Michelle Replies…

Dear Sam, I’ve just arrived home to find your wonderful message; what a lovely thing to find  when I switched on my computer!  I have Dyslexic friends, and I have an idea how hard it can be to get into a book, so I’m absolutely delighted that you connected with the Wolf Brother books as a child; and how great that your father introduced them to you.  I’m particularly pleased, too, that you liked Wolfbane.  It must have been an interesting experience to return to the series as an adult, and to re-connect with Ian McKellen’s marvellous readings of the stories.  Thank you again for taking the trouble to get in touch – and I’d like to wish you all possible success and happiness at university. With very best wishes, Michelle

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 multiple times throughout the day and sometimes I got so invested while walking home that I would walk past my stop and my family would have to shout for me. I have never finished the series, I have ADHD and struggle to concentrate and commit to things that take a long time but when I want to get into reading I always read your “wolf brother book” and my new years resolution this year is to finish all of them because I adore them so much, they were a massive part of my childhood.

Michelle Replies…

Dear Danni,

Thank you so much for your delightful message.  You paint such a vivid picture of how engrossed you used to get in my books at school: I love the idea of your teachers having to tell you to stop!  And I think it’s terrific that even at that young age, you were able you were able to get immersed in them so deeply.  Lots of people who don’t have ADHD lack that ability, so you are to be congratulated on developing what I regard as a highly useful life skill!

Thank you again for getting in touch, and I hope that you continue to enjoy my (and others’) books – at your own pace, and as and when you feel like it. With very best wishes, Michelle

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 multiple times throughout the day and sometimes I got so invested while walking home that I would walk past my stop and my family would have to shout for me. I have never finished the series, I have ADHD and struggle to concentrate and commit to things that take a long time but when I want to get into reading I always read your “wolf brother book” and my new years resolution this year is to finish all of them because I adore them so much, they were a massive part of my childhood.

Michelle Replies…

Dear Danni, thank you so much for your delightful message.  You paint such a vivid picture of how engrossed you used to get in my books at school: I love the idea of your teachers having to tell you to stop!  And I think it’s terrific that even at that young age, you were able you were able to get immersed in them so deeply.  Lots of people who don’t have ADHD lack that ability, so you are to be congratulated on developing what I regard as a highly useful life skill!  Thank you again for getting in touch, and I hope that you continue to enjoy my (and others’) books – at your own pace, and as and when you feel like it. With very best wishes, Michelle

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 multiple times throughout the day and sometimes I got so invested while walking home that I would walk past my stop and my family would have to shout for me. I have never finished the series, I have ADHD and struggle to concentrate and commit to things that take a long time but when I want to get into reading I always read your "wolf brother book" and my new years resolution this year is to finish all of them because I adore them so much, they were a massive part of my childhood.

Michelle Replies…

Dear Danni, thank you so much for your delightful message.  You paint such a vivid picture of how engrossed you used to get in my books at school: I love the idea of your teachers having to tell you to stop!  And I think it’s terrific that even at that young age, you were able you were able to get immersed in them so deeply.  Lots of people who don’t have ADHD lack that ability, so you are to be congratulated on developing what I regard as a highly useful life skill!  Thank you again for getting in touch, and I hope that you continue to enjoy my (and others’) books – at your own pace, and as and when you feel like it. With very best wishes, Michelle

Thank you!!!

Maryam writes…

To michelle paver,
Thanks so much for answering to my email!!! I was shaking when I read your answer. I sadly can't read those other books that you're making now but I'll read the other ones!!
I asked because you weren't really active on Instagram, anyways, I understand you response and I also wanted to ask what books would you recommend to me that you've wrote for 12-13 year olds? I also loved the ending of you're email. Anyways I hope you have a great rest of your day!!

Michelle Replies…

Dear Maryam, I’m so glad that my message made you happy!  A few years ago I wrote a series of five books for ~10-13 year olds, called Gods and Warriors.  It’s set in the  Mediterranean in the Bronze Age (so it’s a bit later than the Wolf Brother books) – but it still has plenty of animals and adventure.  I think it’s still in print in the UK, but I don’t know about the US or other countries.  I hope you enjoy it if you’re able to get your paws on it.  With very best wishes, Michelle

Which Character Do You Hate/Despise?

Stella writes…

Dear Michelle Pave

I know I’ve written to you twice before. The first time I asked you whether there would be a TV series or not. Second time I asked you who of all the villains you’ve created you thought was the most well written. I know you’ve said that Wolf is your favorite character and I understand you. He is mine as well. I love him so much. He’s so brave and loyal. I am jealous of Torak for having pack-brother like that.

However I want to ask you the opposite question is there any character from Chronicles of Ancient Darkness who you hate or at least dislike? Personally I’m not too fond of Thiazzi and I guess due to his sadism, he’s not meant to be liked. What about you?

Michelle Replies…

Hallo, Stella.  I’m really glad that Wolf is your favourite character – and like you, I also dislike Thiazzi; although as you say, I didn’t create him to be likeable!  It might surprise you to learn that one character I particularly dislike is Durrain, the Red Deer Mage.  She’s really quite passive, and yet her attitude to other clans is rather superior; for instance, when she tells Torak and Renn that “The Red Deer never fight”. Of course, not fighting is on many occasions quite praiseworthy; but not always.  I mean, if Renn and Torak and all the others clans had taken that approach, then the Soul-Eaters would have walked all over them.  Of course, as with Thiazzi, Durrain’s annoyingness was deliberate on my part.  I didn’t intend people to love her; although at times she can also be quite admirable.  I enjoyed creating someone who is outwardly good, but really rather irritating at times – at least, to me!  With very best wishes, Michelle

Character you hate/despise

Stella writes…

Dear Michelle Pave

I know I've written to you twice before. The first time I asked you whether there would be a TV series or not. Second time I asked you who of all the villains you've created you thought was the most well written. I know you've said that Wolf is your favorite character and I understand you. He is mine as well. I love him so much. He's so brave and loyal. I am jealous of Torak for having pack-brother like that.

However I want to ask you the opposite question is there any character from Chronicles of Ancient Darkness who you hate or at least dislike? Personally I'm not too fond of Thiazzi and I guess due to his sadism, he's not meant to be liked. What about you?

Michelle Replies…

Hallo, Stella.  I’m really glad that Wolf is your favourite character – and like you, I also dislike Thiazzi; although as you say, I didn’t create him to be likeable!  It might surprise you to learn that one character I particularly dislike is Durrain, the Red Deer Mage.  She’s really quite passive, and yet her attitude to other clans is rather superior; for instance, when she tells Torak and Renn that “The Red Deer never fight”. Of course, not fighting is on many occasions quite praiseworthy; but not always.  I mean, if Renn and Torak and all the others clans had taken that approach, then the Soul-Eaters would have walked all over them.  Of course, as with Thiazzi, Durrain’s annoyingness was deliberate on my part.  I didn’t intend people to love her; although at times she can also be quite admirable.  I enjoyed creating someone who is outwardly good, but really rather irritating at times – at least, to me!  With very best wishes, Michelle