Your Questions

Q

How long does it take on average to conceive an idea, say the Saxon stories, to completion of the story? When can we expect another Saxon novel? Regards John P

Dear Mr Cornwell I have just finished reading "Lords of the north" - when will the saga continue? All your books are fantastic. Paul Brown

Hello, I would firstly like to say thank you so much for writing the saxon series of books. I am a 25 yr old women who untill recently would never have picked up a book like yours because i liked girlie girl books. But you have opened my eyes to amazing stories that had i have read at school I think I would have enjoyed history lesons so much more. I love this series of books and have just finished the 3rd. (the lords of the north). And Would like to know if you are writing a 4th, and how long do I have to wait? I think you're great!! xxx

Sian Geffray

I was wondering if The Lords of the North is the sequal to The Pale Horseman and was wondering if it would be the last of the series ?
Stephen

Submitted September 8, 2006

A

Hard to say. Subconsciously I'm thinking about the stories for a long time beforehand, but that is subconscious, and it might be (should be) years. Then I decided to write it, and it all goes fairly swiftly after that. But the process is a mystery, to be honest. Most of the idea is unformed, and the only way to find it is to write the book. The next one will hopefully be ready for publication next autumn.

The Pale Horseman does follow The Last Kingdom - The Lords of the North is the third book, but far from the last, of the series.

Q

Sorry to take you away from your work but I want to be a writer and I have a few things to ask you. (1) I want to write a series on a fictional Irish unit in the American Civil War, And I was wondering if in your research you came along a book that explained what made the Irish fight in the Civil War? (2) I'm having trouble deciding what battles to write about, any advice? Have you considered writing a book on the war 1812?

dear sir, When did the British amry drop the smooth bore musket and start using rifles as thier main weapon.?
Adam Azzalino

Submitted September 8, 2006

A

Can't think of a book offhand, though I've an idea I've seen one somewhere . . . .not sure I can help you a great deal. You might want to look at the story of the draft riots in New York, though - lot of Irish involvement there. As to the battles? Well, that's up to you! But take a good Irish regiment, see where they fought, and follow their footsteps. And no, I'm not really tempted by the 1812 war - maybe one day.

When? Mid nineteenth century - a bit later, actually. After Crimea, I think - I'm not really sure, but would guess the 1860's to 70's

Q

dear Mr. Cornwell I love the Sharpe's series and I have just finished Sharpe's Devil and I was wondering was Bauista really gay in historical fact? and do you know if there will be another Sharpe's film made after challenge? I was also just wondering if you ever considered writing a series or at least a book on Patrick Harper particularly before he and Sharpe meet? I'd love to find out more about why he went into the british army.

Cameron Stewart

Submitted September 8, 2006

A

Fictional, totally fictional

No plans for another film at the moment, but keep your fingers crossed!

No plans for a book on Harper.

Q

Have you ever considered contacting the CS Forester estate for permission to use Horatio Hornblower in one of Richard Sharpe's adventures? Both their adventures take place in the same time period and it seems like these two would have somehow met over the course of the Napoleonic wars. William Krehmeier

Submitted September 8, 2006

A

So they might, and a meeting would be interesting, but I'm not sure I want to pay my royalties to the CS Forester estate, and I'm not sure Forester's myriad fans would necessarily like my portrait of Hornblower, admiring though it might be.

Q

Mr. Cornwell. If I might dive into the Baker rifle debate, do you know how the Baker did when tested against the Kentucky rifle? I've heard that the sturdiness of the Baker was a factor in its being chosen. The Kentucky rifle was regarded as more of a precision hunting gun and did not stand up well to the rigors of wartime use. Also, the Baker's heavier construction made it a better club in close-quarter situations when there was no time to reload. Do you know if there was ever a model of the Baker fitted with a percussion cap? Alan Kempner

Submitted September 8, 2006

A

I don't know whether the Kentucky Rifle was one of those tested at Woolwich, though certainly there were American made rifles in that test (all of them with three-quarters turn rifling, as against the Baker's quarter). And you're right, it was the robustness of the Baker which, as much as its superior accuracy, that recommended it. I have an idea that some Bakers were converted to percussion, but I'm not sure . . . they must have been very late models.

Q

Just finished Sharpe's Fury, thanks, I didn't know I had relative in the South Essex. Now that you've admitted Sharpe was at Bussaco when are you going to tell us the story?

PS I do hope Jack Bullen was there too and did something heroic (obviously he has to die eventually, as all of Sharpe's Lieutenants do - plus he doesn't feature in "later" stories).
William Bullen

Submitted September 8, 2006

A

Did you miss Sharpe's Escape?

Q

In the special, "Sharpe's Challenge: Behind the Scenes", it states that challenge is based on the Sharpe's novels Tiger, Triumph, and Fortress. In an earlier question's answer you cite only two of these books. Is the show in error? Thank you.

Leila

Submitted September 8, 2006

A

Dunno. Maybe they based it in part on all three? But I always thought it was just Tiger and Fortress, and I didn't detect any Triumph in there.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell; Thank you so much for your wonderfull novel Stonehenge. I loved this book and have told numerous friends to purchase it and read it. Your ability to educate with wonderfull historical facts and information, wound into a fascinating story is remarkable. I had to restrict myself to raeding only a few pages each night, as I didn;t want to put your book down, but wanted the story to last forever. Can you tell me if you have any other similar novels planned, as I find the prehistoric era fascinating, and would love to read more about it from yourself? Thank you gain for such an amazing piece of literature. With warmest regards, Sharon

Dear Bernard, Just finished reading Stonehenge, and starting Sharpe's Fury, may I please request that you make a sequel to the former. I really did not want to finish it, a truly thrilling read. Many thanks to you sir for giving me so many hours of entertainment. Michael Starkey (SAS Member)

Submitted September 8, 2006

A

I'm not planning any, sorry!

Q

Hello M. Cornwell, I want to thank you for the many hours I spent reading your work! I really enjoyed it ! I was wondering, do you alter your writing style when you start a series, is it part of the challenge to continue writing?
Martin Proteau

Submitted September 8, 2006

A

I think the style depends on the subject. I certainly write, say, Uhtred, differently from Sharpe, and it's not just the first person versus third person. But really the book demands its own style, and I guess I just go along.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I enjoy your work. How much plotting do you do before you start writing? Thank you. Ian

Submitted September 8, 2006

A

Almost none, ain't capable of it. I have a very broad idea of where I want the book to go, then just let the characters sort it out amongst themselves. I'm not saying this is the right way to do it - some writers plot very carefully, and their books are great, but others, like me, leave it to instinct.