Michelle Paver's Blog, page 5

tattoos and thankyous

evan writes…

michelle for my tenth birthday in 2016 i was given my copy of the wolf brother book, every following excuse or holiday i got i would ask for the next installed and finished the series when i was 13. i held it dearly to my heart having grown up with my dad calling me 'wolf child' and running around woods and camping i instantly had felt a resonance with the series though perhaps didnt have the full reading capabilities to read the messages and foreshadowing strung throughout the books yet. a few months ago i was hit with a wave of nostalgia and reread the books not first the first time but it had been a long while. i was in tears of joy at the end of ghost hunter, it felt like saying goodbye to an old friend who was moving on to greener grass. after some online exploration you could only imagine my joy when i found out you had written a whole 3 other books in the series! i just want to thank you michelle for this beautiful series and the closeness it brought me to my 'fa'. i truly do feel as if i grewup with these characters. im planning on getting a tattoo inspired by some of Geoff's incredible art and your brilliant mind later this year and cant wait to show you, i hope that it will be a reminder for me that just like for torak the forest is always there for me ,as i seem to get lost in the whirlwind of life, that its good to reconnect with nature and it gifts you right back. if you had to have a favourite bit of the series that you think would be sick to add in as part of my inspiration(place,moment,creature,sign,clan tattoo etc) what would it be and why ?

Michelle Replies…

Dear Evan, I was fascinated and moved to hear about what Wolf Brother books meant to you as a child, and how marvellous that you’ve re-connected with them as an adult! And concerning the further three sequels, I’m always curious to know how they strike a reader who knew the first six books as a child, so I’m delighted that you enjoyed them too!  As for your planned tattoo – I don’t really have a particular favourite bit, so I can’t make a suggestion; besides, I think it’s best if I leave the subject and design to you; after all, it will be your tattoo.  One last thing: I love your comment that the forest is always there for you.  I’m so glad you feel that.  I feel it too. May the guardian hunt with you!  With very best wishes, Michelle

Not as much as a question, but a thank you.

Ash writes…

Hi Michelle,

As a child the Wolf Brother series was one of my favourites. It's been so influential to me; to the point of naming what is probably my first ever character in Renn's honour when I was fourteen. I still write to this day. In part, a LOT of that is because of you. I even aim to go into the publishing industry. I'm not much of a writer, despite my enjoyment of it, but I want more stories like yours to be told. Hopefully to help more people to be as inspired as your work as moved me.

Due to moving, I lost the majority of my book collection. Including your series. Over the years, I've been rebuilding. Bought Dark Matter, loved it. That spurred my partner to buy me entirty of the Wolf Brother series for me as an early birthday gift. You can imagine my delight when I found out it DIDN'T end after Ghost Hunter.

What inspired me to write to you is because of Wolfbane. Last month, my dog Cain, passed. Wolfbane's last few chapters helped me reflect on his loss, what I went through. I've been struggling to process it, and after reading (and drying my eyes) I've been looking at my grief with more clarity. While a the series has grief, and healing with it as a major theme, the finale felt like a warm hug. So, a simple thanks feels shallow. It's kinda beautiful how a childhood series that shaped my development has came back to offer me comfort as someone in my mid-twenties. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for this beautiful story.

Also, Dark quickly became my favourite character. I'm very very grateful you got more time to develop him further (and it was his deepening relationship with a certain someone in the last few chapters that finally got me crying). You did an excellent job with all of your characters, but Dark really captured my heart. And as I'm sure you know, us in the LGBT+ community very much so appreciate him.

Thank you Michelle, I'm really looking forward to your future projects.

Michelle Replies…

Dear Ash, thank you for such a heartfelt and moving message.  I really appreciate that you’ve shared how much the Wolf Brother books have meant to you, both as a child and in adulthood.  You do have my sympathy for the loss of Cain.  That must have hit hard, and it will take time to deal with; but I’m very glad that Wolfbane has played a part in helping you grieve.  On a happier note, I’m delighted that you like Dark so much!  For me, one of the best things about writing the three sequels was that they gave me a chance to show more of his character, in a way that I just hadn’t been able to do when we first met him in Ghost Hunter.  And it’s been truly wonderful to have so many positive responses to him and his story from the LGBTQ+ community.  Thank again for your message – and I’d like to wish you all possible luck with your own writing – wherever it takes you!  With very best wishes, Michelle

Clan-tattoos part 2

Sofie writes…

Hello again! I forgot one part of my previous message, haha. I was wondering if you had any significance in mind when it comes to the placements of the different clan tattoos, as in if certain parts of the body would mean something special to the clans or bear some kind of importance when it comes to where they wear their tattoos. Again, if it's better left obscure I am happy still! Haha. Thank you so much!

Michelle Replies…

….And to follow up on your additional question, Sofie, the placement on the body of the clan-tattoo tends to be affected both by the character of that clan, and also on where it lives.  For instance, the Seal Clan tends to be just a bit showy ( all those little bone beads in their long fair hair); and as they’re a Sea Clan, they tend to have bare arms and legs for a lot of the year.  So it’s not surprising that their tattoos are long wavy lines all over their arms (in the men) and on the legs for the women.  Contrast that with the Ice Clans, such as the White Foxes – whose tattoos are on their faces: because that’s the only part of their body that’s on show most of the time.  I hope that helps a bit – and again, thanks for asking such interesting questions!  With best wishes, Michelle

Clan-tattoos: some questions

Sofie writes…

Hello dear Michelle!

I hope you're having a wonderful summer so far and that your latest launch is going well. I heard the news just yesterday, and it seems like a thrill! I'm excited for you.

I was just wondering a bit about clan tattoos, so if you don't mind I have a couple of questions! I know you've mentioned some of these things in the books of The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, but I think the tattoos are such a lovely element to the world, so I was curious to know more.
1. I know that people of different clans marry. Would the person who moved to live with the clan of their spouse have the new clan's tattoo done along with their existing one, would they adopt some other kind of mark to show that they've joined the new one, or would they simply stay as they are in terms of appearance?
2. At what age would people typically have their tattoos done? I know that children bear them, but I was wondering if it varied vastly between clans or if some would see that you reach a certain milestone or feat first.
3. Is there any tattoo that you like the most or that you think would suit you best? Personally I like the Red Deer one – I find it's simple but pretty and noble in a way. Of course it's hard to choose a favourite!

If some of this is better left as more abstract or simply different from case to case, that's of course alright haha. Thank you in advance either way!

Best wishes from Sweden!

Michelle Replies…

Hello, Sofie.  Thanks for asking about clan-tattoos; and you’re not alone in finding them intriguing!  To answer your questions: 1) What happens when an individual goes to live with the clan of their mate?  It’s up to each clan on this, there’s no set rule that governs all the clans.  Generally, the more easy-going clans let the incoming individual keep their original tattoos without adding a new one (unless they particularly want to); only some of the very hard-line Deep Forest Clans such as the Aurochs require them to adopt new clan-tattoos.  2) At what age does a child get them? Usually at age seven; which is why Torak recalls Fa giving him his clan-tattoos at the beginning of Wolf-Brother. 3) Which clan-tattoo is my favourite?  Well, if I had to be in a clan, I think I’d go for the Ravens – but as for the clan-tattoo, I actually like that if the Sea-eagle Clan best: a four-clawed sea-eagle foot on the back of the left hand sounds about right for me, as I’m left-handed; and perhaps it would bring me luck in my writing.  (Having said that, I’m not keen on the idea of actually getting a tattoo for myself; I don’t like the idea of its being permanent.)  But I can see why you like the Red Deer clan-tattoo, it’s very elegant and neat, and yet mysterious, too.  Thanks for asking such good questions, Sofie – and may the guardian hunt with you!  With very best wishes, Michelle

chronicles of ancient darkness: outcast is amazing

nabatanzi writes…

My book to read was outcast but I felt like entering the book. I don't know how you do it but your books are very amazing.

Michelle Replies…

Dear Cynthia, I’m really glad that you like my books so much, and thank you for taking the time to get in touch!  I hope that once you’ve finished Outcast, you’ll go on to enjoy the further adventures of Torak, Renn and Wolf.  And just so you know, a few years after I finished the sixth book (Ghost Hunter), I wrote three more books: Viper’s Daughter, Skin Taker, and Wolf Bane.  May the guardian run with you!  With very best wishes, Michelle

Freud, Jung, and the forest

Richard writes…

Dear Michelle,
Thank you for answering my question about analysis. To me, Freud's idea of the unconscious is like a spoiled brat who causes trouble, whereas for Jung it's the source of wisdom. The forest in COAD is like that, the source of life — but you can't control it. No need to reply, I just couldn't help wanting to share this. I've always loved the forest in these stories and this realisation helped me see why.
With best wishes,
Richard

Michelle Replies…

I know you said I didn’t need to reply, Richard, but I wanted to, because I love what you say about the Forest in COAD! I also agree in general with your distinction between the way Freud and Jung saw the unconscious.  And to me, Freud’s insistence on delving into an individual’s past has always seemed to place a bit too much emphasis on it, whereas what I’m drawn to in Jung’s writing is his view that we are all continually developing, right through our lives: something with which Fin-Kedinn would probably agree. Thanks for your messages, and for your insight into the Forest.  With best wishes, Michelle

Wakenhyrst Book – signed copy

Lisa writes…

Good afternoon, my mum has lost her signed copy of her favourite book. Would it be possible to pay for another copy at all please. Many thanks

Michelle Replies…

Dear Lisa, I’m so sorry to hear that about your mum’s book, but I’m afraid I can’t send you another signed copy, as if I did it for you I’d have to do it for everyone, and that wouldn’t really be feasible.  I hope you understand.  I can tell you, though, that I’ll be doing a few book events in the autumn, and as soon as details are finalised, we’ll post the venues on my website – so if there’s one near you, I’d be happy to sign another copy if you bring it along.  I hope that helps a bit.  And I’m chuffed to know that your mum likes Wakenhyrst so much!  With very best wishes to you both, Michelle

Ghosts of Summer

Lucan writes…

Having just read your latest article I feel compelled to lambast your publisher, we want ghost stories the whole year round! The summer is when the ghosts don't just skulk in the shadows but they ride forth. I have just spent the night of the summer solstice in meditation on top of the Longman of Wilmington and the barrow that sits atop it. The ghosts are very active when the earth is heated by the sun and a cool wind turns a skin's caress into goosebumps. Your Dark Matter is one of my favourite books and the environment plays a big factor in it's sense of isolation, but I think a wildness can be summoned in a summer haunting.
I look forward to your next book immensely!

Michelle Replies…

Dear Lucan, I absolutely loved your message! What a fantastic idea to spend the summer solstice like that.  I do applaud your imagination in doing so – not to mention  your courage – and I’m envious of the experience.  And I totally agree about summer hauntings – as you will see, if you read the ghost story I’ve written for this October’s anthology, The Witching Hour…  (And, now I come to think of it, my forthcoming full-length novel, Rainforest.)  Anyway, thanks again.  It’s so encouraging to know that there are people like you who really love ghost stories!  With very best wishes, Michelle

analysis – what type of therapy did you have?

Richard writes…

fascinated by your account of your 'block' dream, and its resolution with analysis; do you mind me asking what kind of analysis you had? I know analysis and therapy quite often doesn't help so anything you'd share as to what made it work would be great, though I'm asking a lot! perhaps just — was it the type of therapy or the rapport with the therapist?

Michelle Replies…

I’m glad you asked that, Richard.  During my writer’s block I had done a lot of reading about the psychology and science of dreaming, and I’d also read the writings of CG Jung.  These really resonated with me, because of his emphasis on the importance of folklore, myth and fairytales.  So when I realised that I needed help, I did some googling and found myself a Jungian analyst (or therapist, if you prefer).  And you’re right, one does of course also have to have a rapport with the therapist in question, which happily I did.  But I also found – and still find – that the Jungian approach works for me.  I hope this helps a bit, and thanks for asking.  With very best wishes, Michelle

Source of the Spell in Spirit Walker – and the Ian McKellen connection

Tim writes…

Dear Michelle,

We have met before (and I've asked you questions before), and this time I would like to ask you yet another very specific question about a scene in COAD. At the start of Spirit Walker, when the sickness is spreading through the Forest and the first members of the Raven Clan fall ill, Saeunn and Renn perform a ritual over Oslak's body to try to get rid of the disease (he's been dead for quite some years now so I feel I'm allowed to say Oslak's name out loud…). I've read the books in Dutch, so I'm not exactly sure how the spell goes in English, but it's something like this:
'Come, disease. Out of the marrow, into the bone. Out of the bone, into the flesh. Out of the flesh, into the skin. Out of the skin, into the arrow. Out of the arrow, into the fire.' After which Saeunn does indeed throw the arrow into the fire.

I have just read a book on the history of the Dutch language, which contains a chapter with – among other things – charms written around the 9th century that were later used by Jacob Grimm to formulate his theory on sound changes in the Germanic languages around that time. The charms are supposed to be remedies against worms, and one of them goes:
'Out, worm, with nine little worms, out of the marrow, into the bone…' and then it goes on exactly like the spell you put in Spirit Walker, right up until the end with the arrow. I'm assuming that can't be a coincidence.

I realise this was a very long time ago, but I wanted to ask if you remember how you came to this. Was it something on which you accidentally stumbled across and decided would fit into the story, or were you actively looking for ancient spells and such in books more often? Are there any other such charms that you took from old sources?

Best wishes,
Tim

Michelle Replies…

Hello again, Tim!  You’re absolutely right, that spell is based on a real source (though I’d not heard of the Jacob Grimm connection till now).  It’s an Old High German charm called Contra Vermes, probably dating to about the early 1oth century, but with pre-Christian roots that may go back to the Rig Veda, the ancient Sanskrit text.  I came across it years before I began Wolf Brother in a translation of an Icelandic grimoire or collection of spells (The Galdrabok, transl. Stephen Flowers, pub’d Samuel Weisner Inc, 1989) – but when researching Torak’s world, I re-read my collection of such books and found it.  Have I used others like it? Definitely.  In creating Torak’s world I drew on the folklore of many cultures such as the Ainu, Native Americans, Indigenous Australians, Inuit, and of course Norse and Germanic.  Mostly I can’t recall the sources, but I do recall that Seshru’s summoning charm in Outcast –“When reed quakes, etc, remember me..” derives from a Malaysian charm that I think I found in The Golden Bough.  (Incidentally, when Ian McKellen read that for the audiobook, it put him in mind of what the ghost says in Hamlet!)  Thanks for asking such a great question, which had me leafing through my old continuity notes… With very best wishes, Michelle