Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, please could you tell me the inspiration for the name "Sharpe" in your marvellous novels. Many thanks, Sue Winch

Submitted February 2, 2004

A

He is named after Richard Sharp the great rugby player - all I did was add an 'e'.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a long-time fan of your work (esp. the Sharpe series-alas , I have no valuable 1st editions as I am too frugal-alright cheap to buy hardcovers). I was gratified to see a new 'Sharpe' is on the horizon. I just finished "Gallows Thief". It was a great read and Rider Sandman looks like a character with great potential. How was it received and do you plan on continuing Sandman's adventures? Thanks from a historical junkie Michael Ruskey

Submitted February 2, 2004

A

There's a good chance of another adventure for Sandman, but I'm not sure when I'll get to it.

Q

Hello. Just a quick note to say that I first read your books when I was at boarding school. It was a grim time sometimes but I do remember finding a battered copy of Sharpe's Gold in the school library, hurray! I spent many a dull weekend following Sharpe and Harper all over Spain and India. I even managed to convert some of my mates who also read the books, and my copy of Sharpe's Trafalgar was well read by about 20 people and is heavily re-inforced with cellotape! Anyhow, I've read the bulletin board and I've noticed that there is a glimmer of hope in rousing Sharpe from Lucille's Farm after Sharpe's Escape is there a possibility in Sharpe strapping on the sword belt for one last time? James Walkerdine

Submitted February 2, 2004

A

It's possible - always possible, but likely? Don't know. It's something for a few years away.

Q

By my reckoning, Richard Sharpe would be76 by 1853, not to old for a British general in those days. Was he involved in the Crimean War at all? William W. Gill

Submitted February 2, 2004

A

Give the man a break! I know Blucher was fighting away in his 70's, but I don't think Sharpe was. Still, never say never.

Q

Mr Cornwell, by dumb luck I found a used Sharpe's Rifles in a half priced bookstore many years ago and have purchased all your novels since. I eagerly await each new book. I too waited, as others to read about Starbuck at Appomattox. I also looked everywhere for a sequel to the great Redcoat novel. It seemed such an obvious choice for a series. Why no sequel? You ended the story in midstream. Would you please continue the series for Redcoat? Gary Elliott

I finished reading your book, "Redcoat" this afternoon and wanted to let you know how very much I enjoyed it. I have read many of your other novels and enjoyed them all. My question is, why in all the FAQ's was there never any mention of "Redcoat"? And, I was disappointed to find no reference of any further books about the redcoat, Sam Gilpin. I would highly recommend this book and only wish you had continued the story in another book or two. It had such possibilities for Sam, Caroline and Mrs. Crowl. Keep writing and thank you for some most enjoyable reads! Joline

Submitted February 2, 2004

A

Maybe, perhaps, not sure. I think the book comes to its proper end, but I'll have another look and think about it. Thanks

Q

Hello, Mr. Cornwell, We met a couple of times at the Sharpe convention. I have never joined a fan club in my teens because I thought no one was really worth such adoration. Well things have changed since I was made to read a Sharpe book. I am addicted! I have always written stories starting with children's tales and gone on to older audiences (I wrote for my children) but I have never had the courage or conviction to get them published. However, my question: How do you keep track of all your "players'" characters and idiosynchrasies? Do you keep a journal? (I have tried this and still made mistakes three books later). Do your proof readers pick up any mistakes? And has it happen you had to rewrite parts of your books because of it? Keep writing, PLEASE! Your insights are fantastic. Thank you for your books and your time! Susanne Young-Hotz

Submitted February 2, 2004

A

I don't keep track, which throws up huge problems - I try to - I have 'post-it' notes stuck everywhere, and other notes, and files on the computer, but I still lose some, and yes, I rewrite constantly, endlessly. Stick with it and someday you may get published. Good luck!

Q

Dear Bernard First off all I read recently with pleasure that there was a memorial service recently given to the British war dead on the Corunna campaign. A truly horrific campaign if ever there was one. Second inregards to the Starbuck chronicals may I ask what first started off your interest in the U.S Civil war if you do not mind me asking and why put the main charachter on the losing side (though it is a nice contrast to Sharpe whose on the winning side)? Lassan said his Nephew wanted to join the fighting will we see Sharpe's Grandson in action. Will Starbuck ever find out that it was Delenay not Ridley who had Sally raped and beaten and of course his attempt to kill him in Copperhead? And will he get back with Sally (Julia Gordorn was not as interesting in JMO). Chickamauga (aptly named river of death) was a slaughter yet had some of the best soldiers on both sides there (Longstreet,D.Hill,Hood,Cleburne and Forrest for the South and Roscerans,Thomas and Sheridan for the North) will Starbuck get to there and Knoxville with Longstreet's Corps. Or will he be with the disasters at Bristoe,Rapphanock station and Kellys Ford against Meade? 3) Lonsgreet considered Lee to be great defensive general but that he would lose his head on the offensive (There does seem some truth to this even though he was villlified for uttering it) what's your opinion on Lee abilities tactically and strategicaly? Geraint

Submitted January 30, 2004

A

What got me interested in the US Civil War? Living in the US. And why put Starbuck on the losing side? Because it's more interesting - by the end the north is a behemoth, and the south is struggling, and he probably knows he's on the wrong side, but that makes it all the more interesting and, of course, as you say, it's a contrast to Sharpe. I won't know the answers to all the rest of your questions regarding Starbuck until I get there - sorry!

Q

MR.CORNWELL - I LOVED YOUR AUTHOR SERIES AND HAVE ONE QUICK QUESTION FOR YOU....WHAT HAPPENS TO DERFEL?? :) THANK YOU! SARAH H.

Submitted January 30, 2004

A

He writes three books, then gets killed by the Sais. Poor sod. In real life he was probably a warrior of Arthur's who is reputed to have founded a church, still there, in west Wales (Llanderfel).

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, Just before Christmas, I enjoyed my 21st birthday and this year, just like every year I can remember, I received a copy of one of your books. Having read them all, I would like to complain very strongly about how you caused me countless sleepless nights (when I said "I'll just finish this page"); for being told off for reading at the dinner table; and especially for making me wait two whole years for Excalibur! With those off my chest, I'd like to thank you for a superb collection of books all of which I enjoy immensely, especially the Warlord Chronicles, undoubtably the finest books I've ever read! I could ask you a thousand questions, but I'm sure you're grateful that I won't, instead I'll limit myself to asking "out of all your many characters, which is your favourite creation?" (I won't allow you to say Sharpe, even though he pays the gas bill...) Thank you very much for all your brilliant creations and I wish you luck in whatever adventure you embark on next! Matt Cowan

Submitted January 30, 2004

A

My favourite is Obadiah Hakeswill, of course, and after him the delicious Ceinwyn from the Arthur books.

Q

Reading your advice for writing stories was very interesting, but I wanted to ask you how you go about writing and planning your characters. I'm a big fan of the Arthur books and Stonehenge, and have been amazed at how many characters you introduce without them feeling anything but convincingly alive. Do you sit down and analyze them psychologically at the story-planning stage, and work out what character-changing or revealing stories can happen to them individually, or do you deal with them in more detail as bigger situations come up? I wondered, with all the hundreds of characters you've created by now, how you see those characters.. whether they are each a conscious list of traits and flaws, or people you don't completely know but learn more about by writing them in a way that keeps you convinced in them?

(ps:I really think I enjoyed the Arthur trilogy much more for the slow beginning you've commented on - I found it helped build up the reality of what came later, especially in making some of Derfel's early life a bit quieter, and also giving some sense of the albeit limited peace and history that the Saxons were starting to encroach on. Julian

Submitted January 30, 2004

A

I fear I do none of the sensible things above, I just sit down and write! I know that ain't helpful, but if the characters don't emerge through the story then they probably won't work. I know that when I sit down and try to work them out psychologically, or give them a 'back story' that things are desperate and it's time to look for another job.