I've climbed Stromboli when it's erupting, which is quite a heavy climb: three hours with a helmet to get to the top. When you're there, and it's dark, and you can see this eruption and feel it, it's quite different to watching it on TV. Michelle Paver climbdarkerupt share on social
I actually carry a little picture of a wolf in my wallet, rather like people carry a picture of their kids. The reason I do that is to remind myself why I'm doing this, to remind myself of the story. Michelle Paver carrykidpeople Change image and share on social
When my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 1991, I asked him if he had any regrets, and he said no. I was a burnt-out litigation solicitor in my thirties, hating my life, and his cancer made me re-evaluate it all. Michelle Paver askburncancer share on social
In a ghost story, usually you've got to hang on until daylight, and you'll be alright. But if daylight's four months away, then you have a problem. Michelle Paver alrightdaylightghost Change image and share on social
To experience the northern forest in the raw, I went to northern Finland and Lapland, travelling on horseback, and sleeping on reindeer skins in the traditional open-fronted Finnish laavu. I ate elk heart, reindeer and lingonberries, and tried out spruce resin: the chewing gum of the Stone Age. Michelle Paver agecheweat share on social
It's true to say that once I've got the bare bones of a story, I often get ideas from my own research trips to faraway places. Michelle Paver barebonefaraway Change image and share on social
I would love to live in the wilds of nowhere, and when writing 'Chronicles,' I would occasionally rent a cottage in the middle of nowhere that had no mobile reception, but I'm not about to move away from my family. Michelle Paver chroniclecottagefamily share on social
Writing is a mysterious process, and many ideas come from deep within the imagination, so it's very hard to say how characters come about. Mostly, they just happen. Michelle Paver characterdeephappen Change image and share on social
My thirties merged into my forties, and I sort of gradually realised that I don't really want children. Now I'm glad I don't have them. Part of that is because I have my books. Michelle Paver bookchildforty Change image and share on social
Even if you plan your book, the actual writing is unplanned. Michelle Paver actualbookplan Change image and share on social