Your Questions

Dear Bernard, The Sharpe series are excellent books and you may be intrigued by this: is it possible a sub-conscious association produced the hero's name? In the 'Battle' or 'Battle-Action' boys' comics from the 1970s there's a minor comic strip character from the 'Rifles' with a prominent scar on his face. There's also lots of brutal hand-to-hand fighting and a particularly gritty style to the stories. That's not the only co-incidence: the character's name is Sharp. There, you'll be happy to learn, the similarity ends, since the stories are very different. They're about an unpleasant World War Two coward: 'The Rat of the Rifles'. Even if there's no association, it's certainly interesting. http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/ComicInformationPages/BattlePages/BattleHomePage.asp>/a>. I'd be interested to learn if you read comics when you were younger! Regards, Dave

Mr. Cornwell: I read what you said about sending you ideas, but think of this as a suggestion: An American by the name of John Cabell Breckinridge (statesman,lawyer,soldier) would make a great subject for one of your novels. I can find no published books about this person, only research data. I can find no novel featuring this person as a central character. There are at least a couple of biographies about him. "Statesman, Soldier, Symbol", by William C. Davis; and "Proud Kentuckian, John C. Breckinridge, 1821-1875", by Frank Hopkins Heck.

Because you are my favorite author, I'm bringing this to your attention only. Thank you. Sam D. Harrison.

Dear Bernard, The Sharpe series are excellent books and you may be intrigued by this: is it possible a sub-conscious association produced the hero's name? In the 'Battle' or 'Battle-Action' boys' comics from the 1970s there's a minor comic strip character from the 'Rifles' with a prominent scar on his face. There's also lots of brutal hand-to-hand fighting and a particularly gritty style to the stories. That's not the only co-incidence: the character's name is Sharp. There, you'll be happy to learn, the similarity ends, since the stories are very different. They're about an unpleasant World War Two coward: 'The Rat of the Rifles'. Even if there's no association, it's certainly interesting. http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/ComicInformationPages/BattlePages/BattleHomePage.asp>/a>. I'd be interested to learn if you read comics when you were younger! Regards, Dave

Hi, I'd just like to say I LOVE your Saxon Stories! I grew up as a SCA kid. I'm currently in College and there is no SCA here. Your books have been my outlet . I'm probably your biggest Saxon fan! Well I guess I'd like to get to my question. I've looked around and no one seems to know for sure if there will be a 4th book. If there is a fourth book, when will it come out? I tend to preorder them so they are cheaper, and I get them faster. (Cheaper is the main reason) I would also just like to say Thanks! I know you probably don't read all of these, but just thought to say thank you *grin*.
Chris

I love the Saxon stories! I just finished Lords of the North. Do you have a planned date for the release of the next book? June Johnson

I emailed you yesterday about the Saxon series, wanting to know how quickly you were planning on writing the books and how many there would be in the series, but I have since found your answers to previous questions on the same subject here on this website. You say the next book will be out in October this year (good!) and there will be at least 6 books in the series (excellent!) Now I don't want to spoil the enjoyment of others, but on the very first page of "The Last Kingdom", Uhtred, presumably writing as an old man, says of Bebbanburg: "I dream, and know that one day I will take back the land from those who stole it from me". Was this an inadvertent plot spoiler? Jenny

I know you're busy, so no need to respond to me. I am a fan of all things "Arthur" so I was psyched when I came across some fiction about him, that was/is well recieved. I just ordered all 3, and am happily thru half of The Winter King, its AWESOME !. I hope I enjoy it as much as Mary Stewerts books on Arthur, starting with 'The Crystal Cave" I wonder if you have read her, she is such a great writer. I am enjoying your book so much more than that garbage written by E.B.White. I am from Boston, and I am pleased to know you are on the Cape. I will be reading all your fiction, history is great isnt it ?
John Ford

hello general, I hope you are well. It's a while since I contacted you, been off line so to speak. I read Fury as soon as it appeared. A veritable tour de force, thank you for it. Do you remember our old friend Sgt Mitchel of the 40th foot? I was watching war with France and Sgt Mitchel pops up quoting from what I take it as his memoires. 1 sir, are they available for the public to read? and 2 could he have been a self publicist? His gravestone says he was a member of the Folorn Hope at Badajoz, so he must be named somewhere. I was just wondering, if you can help I'm grateful. regards, Jim Fenwick

Mr. Cornwell, I was wondering what bewitching creature was the inspiration for Olwen in the Arthur series? I had the strangest sense that she might have been the daughter of Derfel and Nimue. Olwen's age seemed to match up with the time when Derfel and Nimue were lovers and her temptations seemed to suggest the high sin of incest and the power it would contribute to a fatal curse on him if he accepted.
James Peacock

I've read all of the Sharpe series. Regrettably just put down 'Sharpe's Fury' and already feeling like my best friend died. When can I expect the next Sharpe installment? Hurry, please! Dorothy

Dear Bernard, this is a question on writing style. I've got advanced plans for a "Saxon era trilogy myself and have begun book one. However, being a history graduate and not an author Ive discovered how difficult it is to write a novel! Ive heard that some authors just write the bare bones of a story, getting the basic plot down and then going back and building around it. Being a novice, I tried to start from page 1, writing the story as if I were reading it. Ive found this difficult as I find it hard to write descriptive text or to paint a scene. However, I have a clear idea of what I want in my three books and especially for book one, i.e. this person goes there, that person does that, he says this etc. Should I just start from the beginning and write a finished article so to speak, or go along the lines of an extended plan and just get my story down in detail before going back and adding the fancy descriptive bits? Any advice would be grateful as Ive read your books for many years and think to a novice author your advice would be invaluable. Dave Green

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I just wanted to say thank you very much for providing me with so many hours of entertainment. I have read many books in my life and you are one of my favorite authors. I have never been disappointed by your work. I am aspiring to become a historical fiction writer myself and I was wondering if you could possibly offer any advice on the actual writing process. For example, how do you research a subject like the Civil War? How do you start writing - do you make a list of characters etc... or do you just begin typing and it all comes together? My problem is I can't seem to finish anything I write. I have the humble beginnings of five or six great novels and I seem to just leave it at that! If you could offer any advice I would be most grateful. I know you must be very busy so please reply at your earliest convenience. And, if you do not have the time, I would understand and would like to again thank you for your work which I really enjoy immensely. Sincerely, Dave Dockery