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Melissa writes�

Welke boeken van jou te koop

Michelle Replies�

Hi, Melissa. Sorry, I don’t speak Dutch, but I think you asked: which of my books can you buy in Dutch?  The six Torak en Wolf books were published by the House of Books � but I don’t know if they’re still in print.  The three later books in the series were not published in Dutch, so I’m afraid you’d have to read them in English.  De Geest Van Gruhuken (Dark Matter is the English title) was published by the House of Books; I don’t know about Thin Air and Wakenhyrst.  Maybe you can find copies of the Dutch editions online.  Good luck � and I hope this helps! Best wishes, Michelle

Jenny writes�

Hi Michelle,

I hope you're well and I'm sure you're busy gearing up for your new book release which I'm extremely excited for!

I'm taking part in a book challenge and the prompt for May is to read a book by a favourite author's favourite author. I'm a huge fan of Thin Air, Dark Matter and Wakenhurst � just such wonderfully written, eerie ghost stories. So, as one of my favourite authors, I thought I'd ask you � who would you consider your go-to/favourite author?

Many thanks!
Jenny

Michelle Replies�

Hello, Jenny.  I’m honoured that you like my books enough to ask me, and your book challenge sounds really interesting.  I don’t actually have one favourite author, because that changes, depending on how I’m feeling.  But in the interests of  helping you for your book challenge, I can tell you that last month I had a spate of re-reading Barbara Vine (eg A Dark-Adapted Eye, The Blood Doctor, Asta’s Book, the Minotaur), and this month I’m re-reading Edith Wharton (eg The Age of Innocence, and lots of very fine ghost stories).  Both are favourite authors of mine, so you should be able to find one of their books that appeals. Thanks for getting in touch, and I do hope that  you enjoy whatever you decide to read!  With best wishes, Michelle

Marko writes�

Hi again. It is Marko remember?
Thanks for replay! I am happy you like my English beacuse I am teaching it from 1.class to now.
I want to ask how much time do you need to vrane ancidant cronic of darkness?
Have a nice day
Marko

Michelle Replies�

Hello again, Marko.  If I’ve understood your question correctly, you want to know how long it took to write the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness?  It took me about one year to write each of the books.  That might sound a lot, but you see, each one involved lots of work.  I had to plan each story, then do the research (which meant travelling to different places, as well as reading lots of books in libraries) � and then write for months and months, followed by more months of re-writing: cutting out the boring bits, varying the pace, making the plot hang together.  My aim was to write books which would be easy to read, but very hard to put down! I’m so glad you’re enjoying them.  With best wishes, Michelle

Marko writes�

Hi,
I'm 13 years old and I am from Slovenia. I fall in love with your books first time I read them. You are good writer. When I start reading your books I can not stop! If I can ask, how old are you? I am veary happy beacuse you're books are in my language too.
Have a nice day!
Marko

Michelle Replies�

Dear Marko, I’m so pleased that you like my books � and it’s great that they’re in your language; I remember meeting your publishers years ago, and I really liked them.  (Also, congratulations on writing such good Engish!)  Of course you can ask how old I am: I’m 64.  That probably sounds very old, but the weird thing is, it doesn’t feel it.  I just don’t feel that much older than when I started being a published author, in my early forties � although of course I know that in fact, I am.  Isn’t that strange?  The main thing is that I’m still writing.  (And also climbing trees when I feel like it.)  Thanks again for getting in touch � and I hope you continue to enjoy my stories!  With very best wishes, Michelle

Kirsten writes�

I am a Teacher Librarian in British Columbia, Canada � many of my students are wondering if you plan to make your novels into Graphic Novels?
Thanks!

Michelle Replies�

Hello, Kirsten, thanks for your question.  I’m afraid I’ve no plans for turning my stories into Graphic Novels � although that’s not because I’ve anything against them, it’s just that no one has approached me about this; and of course my own interest lies in writing novels pure and simple (I’m not much good at drawing!).  I should add that if it’s Wolf Brother or its sequels which you’re teaching, then I envy you doing it in British Columbia, with its rugged coastline and endless forests (well, rather more endless than Wimbledon, where I live).  Also, as you may be aware, I gained much inspiration for the clans and their beliefs in the stories from the First Nations of your part of the world. Thanks for getting in touch.  With best wishes, Michelle

Carla writes�

Hello!! I'm sorry for the lenght of this message, but I wanted to explain how important you've been to me ^^.

I just wanted to tell you that I read the Gods and Warriors saga when it released back in 2012/2013. I was a teenager, and I had a Greek mythology fever due to Percy Jackson haha. So when I saw your book I bought it, even if it didn't talk about the Greek gods I knew, because I would devour anything Greek. It turns out � I loved it! Like, really loved it. I was so eager for the second book to be published, I read it super fast. Then something sad happened, and it's that the publisher wasn't going to translate the remaining books (I'm from Spain!). During that time I had taken up English, so I said "why not" and bought the next books in the original language. Actually, all of them were already out in English except for the last one, and I got it the very same day it came out because I *needed* to know what happened next. I loved them so much, and the way you write, my parents got me the first two books of Chronicles of Ancient Darkness. Unfortunately, that was when I started university, and it was then that I stopped reading because it was painful for me; I was exhausted everyday, and I was struggling with OCD and anxiety, so I stopped reading at all, even though it was my favourite hobby ever. I would read two books per week, more or less, and now it was a miracle if I read just one a year.

The thing is, it's been 8 years since I started university, and 1 since I finished my Master's dregree. And I've recently (finally!!) felt the need to read again, as I used to. It was like an urge, sudden, and my gut told me to pick up "Wolf brother". And what a fantastic choice. I'm finishing it, and I'm so loving it. I'm almost 26, but your books are such a delight to read even if one's not a kid anymore. I wanted to thank you, actually. I'm an Art Historian, and I specialise in Ancient Art, mostly Celtic, but I fell in love with the Bronze Age thanks to your books, Michelle. That's why I also love Cycladic, Minoan and Mycenaean Art � it reminds me so much of Hylas and Pirra. Besides, my MD was in Archaeology, and my favourite subject was the Paleolithic period, so reading Wolf Brother is being such a pleasure, as I understand so much better the forage, the clan structure, the resources, etc.

Just� Thank you so much, for writing books that stuck with me even when I didn't feel like reading at all (I was always thinking about Gods and Warriors when I studied Greek Art), books that sparked the interest in Bronze Age and Prehistory in me. And, above all, books that managed what none other book could in these 9 years: make me the reader I once was again!!

Michelle Replies�

Dear Carla, thank you for such a heartfelt and  moving message. I have to applaud your dedication as a young adult all those years ago, in reading the next instalment of Gods and Warriors in English instead of Spanish � and I’m only sorry that the Spanish publishers didn’t publish the rest of the series.  I really sympathise with your troubles at university, when you lost your desire to read for pleasure.  That sounds so distressing, to lose something which had previously been an important part of your life.  I’m absolutely delighted that after all several years you’ve found your way back to reading, and I’m honoured that Wolf Brother was of help.  May I also offer huge congratulations on getting your Master’s degree; and again, what an honour that it was Gods and Warriors which helped instill a love of the Bronze Age. Thank you so much for getting in touch � and may your career as an Art Historian go from strength to strength!  With very best wishes, Michelle

Luciana writes�

Hi Michelle, I hope you're doing well. I'm Luciana Aramburo, I'm eleven years old and I live in Jalisco, Mexico. I have already read all the books in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness collection, I liked them very much and I saw that you released a new book "Wolf Bane". I would like to ask you if you could please have it translated into Spanish like the other books as well, would you help me? Greetings from Mexico.

Michelle Replies�

Hello, Luciana, it’s great to hear from you, and I’m so pleased that you’re enjoying the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness books!  I’m sorry that you haven’t been able to get hold of Wolf Bane in Spanish, and I really hope that Salamandra, the publishers, will make a translation � but I’m afraid that this is up to them, and I have no influence over them.  If you feel like it, you could write to them and ask what they intend to do.  In the meantime, I hope you continue to enjoy many good times with Torak, Renn and Wolf in the Forest!  With very best wishes, Michelle

Fenella writes�

Hi Michelle,

I am relatively new to your books and I was wondering where you get all of the unique names from.

Anyway I am loving your books and hope they get better as I keep reading.

Thanks, Fenella

Michelle Replies�

Hello, Fenella, and welcome to the world of Torak, Renn and Wolf!  I’m so glad that you’re enjoying the books, and you’ve asked a great question.  It’s a striking fact that because Stone Age people didn’t have writing, we don’t know a single Stone Age name.   This mean that I had to make them all up.  As the stories are set in northern Scandinavia, I used names and sounds from old northern European languages, such as Old Norse and Anglo-Saxon � although I tweaked some of them when I thought they needed it; and my guiding principle was that the name must suit the character.  This gave me names such as Saeunn, Hord, and Fin-Kedinn (he’s one of my favourites). Thiazzi is based on a Norse storm giant, Thjazi, and Eostra on a rather frightening Norse or Anglo-Saxon goddess (she’s probably the source of the word Easter).  I also got names from other cultures, such as Tanugeak, which is Inuit, and Maheegun, which is Cree for “wolf�.

Some of the most important names, though, were completely made up � or so I thought!  I made up Torak, but then when I went to Greenland to research Spirit Walker and Soul Eater, I discovered that “torak� means “perfect� in Greenlandic.  I thought I’d made up Renn, too, only to discover that “renne� is French for reindeer.  That must make translating my novels into French rather interesting.  Funnily enough the hardest name of all was Wolf.  Before I wrote Wolf Brother, I spent several days trying out all sorts of names for my wolf cub, such as Dari or Nari, but they all sounded far too cute and un-wolf-like.  Then I thought about this from his point of view, and I realised that he doesn’t have a name, he’s just Wolf.

So as you can see, names are difficult, but also fun to make up, and very important too; and the key is that they should fit the character. My test is that once I’ve made up a name, it should come readily to mind whenever I think about that character.  If I can’t remember it, it’s probably not the right name.  Thank you so much for asking this � and I really hope that you continue to enjoy the books.  May the guardian run with you!  With best wishes, Michelle

Susan writes�

I have just re-read The Shadow Catcher and it has made me want to read the rest of the trilogy, but don’t even know the titles, which weren’t available when I bought The Shadow Catcher.
Perhaps they are out of print? You have obviously written many books since 2002!
Best wishes,
Susan Carson-Rowland

Michelle Replies�

Hello, Susan.  I’m glad that you enjoyed the Shadow Catcher.  The other books in the trilogy are Fever Hill and The Serpent’s Tooth.  I’m afraid you’re right, they are currently out of print � although you might be able to pick up secondhand copies online, eg from abe.co.uk � but my publishers may reissue them as e-books some time next year.  Anyway, I hope you manage to get your paws on copies somehow, and thanks for getting in touch!  Best wishes, Michelle

Sasha writes�

Dear Michelle,

I wrote to you last year about adopting a dog and naming him Torak. I've come back to report that Torak is doing amazing in his new home!

He's learned a ton of stuff, from boring old house rules (such as don't steal my slippers to get attention) to tricks. Most importantly that the best time to get loved on is when I bend over to tie my shoes, and that the couch is the best place in the entire house to sleep on, of course.

Meanwhile, I've learned that I'll need to get a couch with at least three seats for my new apartment because I would also like to sit comfortably while Torak snores as loudly as a bear. I'll also need a good bookcase since I've completed my Chronicles of Ancient Darkness collection! I'm looking forward to reading them all and will probably drop back in once I do.

I've also attached a picture I took on the only morning we had snow. As you can see, Torak loved it.

I hope you have a wonderful day, and may the guardian run with you!

All the best,

Sasha

Michelle Replies�

Hello, Sasha � and Torak!  Thanks so much for this.  Torak looks gorgeous (not to mention very clever, as befits his wolf ancestry) � and you’re clearly doing a great job of raising him.  May the guardian run with you both!  With best wishes, Michelle