Your Questions

Dear Mr. Cornwell.

(Yes, it's me again; I promise I won't bother you again for some time!) I just finished SHARPE'S STORY last night, and, thinking about the frustrations you expressed in that book, I wondered if you had ever considered doing "revised editions" of the Sharpe novels that would address the issues raised by their being written out of chronological order---a literary equivalent to a "director's cut" of a film. Thus, for example, Obadiah's "Says so in the scriptures" could be inserted into the Peninsular War books, and the reference to Sharpe's being in his first naval action could be removed from SHARPE'S DEVIL (one of the few things that stood out like a sore thumb). Having recently read the entire series, in chronological order and without interruption, I can unequivocally say that the revisions would not have to be extensive; considering that the books were written over so many years and out of order, the series holds together remarkably well. I know that for various reasons many authors do not care to revisit completed works, so I'm curious as to how you would feel about correcting inconsistencies or errors in the Sharpe series that inevitably resulted from its unusual genesis. If you were ever to return to Sharpe's world, it would, I would think, be an opportune time to "set the record straight" in the older works, presuming they would be re-issued in conjunction with the new ones. In today's age of social media, you could even even directly solicit input from your dedicated readers. For example, though I myself can't recall, I bet you someone out there knows exactly which of Sharpe's cheeks is scarred, and whether you were consistent! Take care, and long health to you.
Chris Nelson

Hi there,

I have two questions if that is ok?

You clearly do a lot of research for your books, where do you begin with the research, do you have a clear story in mind and you research around that or do you have a loose story idea and the research you do helps to fill in some of the blanks?

What was the first book you read and really fell in love with?

James

Mr Cornwell;

I read the vast majority of your books. I started reading them with the first Sharpe book released in the USA. back in 1981 I believe.
I have thoroughly enjoyed them all . I must say that as much as Richard Sharpe is a great character I think Uhtred of Bebbanburg is your best.
I found myself  literally saying out loud " don't die, don't die " at the end of The Pagan Lord.
You sent Uhtred over the precipice then pulled him back! Masterful writing!!!
I hope you meant Uhtred the elder would see the downfall of the Saxons, not his son..don't do that to us!!!
But Athelflaed only has about 7 yrs left historically and Uhtred will be almost 60 when she dies.
How many more books do you envision?? Hopefully 3 more.
Respectfully
Edward Caccavale

Mr. Cornwell,
Do you do your own research for the Saxon series and if you do what resources  would you suggest to someone who would like to learn more about this period of time in English history?  I LOVE the Saxon series.  Please keep Uhtred around for as long as possible!!!  And write faster!!!!
Your avid reader,
Lucy Townley

Love your work.  Please write a western.
Harvey Combs

Hi Bernard,
Thanks for the good advice concerning my previous question! I'll be visiting my local library and try to obtain the books you mentioned. Moving on....This may seem an obvious question, but do you reckon the Republic of France owed its survival to Napoleon's earlier victories? Or, do you think it would have survived if he (or an alternative commander) hadn't triumphed against the Austrian and Piedmont-Sardinian alliance? Which other contemporary generals, in your opinion, might have saved the Revolutionary government?
Robert Douglas

My son lent me Agincourt with instructions to return it. He doesn't keep many books, so that was a clue right there that this book was special. He had given me several of the Sharpe books to read and they were fascinating. Agincourt is a time capsule on paper. I'm an illustrator and immediately tried to find pictures of the battle, the armor, the bowmen, the towns, and the castles. I lived in Germany for 6 years and visited and painted castles. I found them fascinating and enimagic. I read a lot while I was there trying to understand the castles and the times. Agincourt is a masterpiece when it comes to creating visuals from printed words. 1415 is going to be one of those dates my odd brain will treasure; and I might even be able to work it into conversations. I talked about your book at our book club meeting on Wednesday and emailed information to members since I lot of them were interested in reading it.

I would be interested in how you write. Do you have a set time you write or place? Do you work all day? Do you keep a notebook? Do you do all your own research?

I've always said that Michaelangelo didn't have to get supper or do the laundry and that as why he managed so much work.

Do you go to the places you write about? I've always avoided battlefields and places with harsh history. I've found I can't seem to get it out of my mind once I've been there. When I get back to Europe, I want to go to the Agincourt battlefield because I would be rooting for Hook and I know he survived so that is a good thing.

Thank you for your wonderful work. It is inspiring. I hope you write a thousand more books. And now I've got to get supper started.

T. Watson Bogaard

I recently bought a copy of "1356" at Costco, and after reading it I wished I had discovered your works sooner.  I just finished reading "The Archer's Tale" and in the Historical Note, you speculated on the reason for the skill of the English archer.  I can't offer any documentation, but years ago I heard that the King of England outlawed all forms of sport and recreation for the common man except archery.  The only form of competition the average man could engage in was archery, and that is why they were so skilled.  I'm sure your knowledge and understanding of history is exponentially greater than mine, so maybe you can provide more information.

I am looking forward to reading "Agincourt".  For me, Agincourt has always been just an echo of history without much meaning, but after reading the book I expect that I will have a better understanding of the battle in its historical context.  I appreciate that you avoid taking literary license with historical facts.

Bravo!
Craig Johnson

Dear Mr Conwell:
I am long-time reader and occasional letter writer. When I was a young teenager( I'm 23now,) I got an idea for a Civil War novel and gave up because I thought the place I set up my fictional unit was too contrived and I think I was too young to create characters that functioned as passable people rather than stereotypes of what I thought both Irish people and adults in general acted like.   But as I was doing research for a project on labor history in Pennsylvania at University I discovered there was a civil war era unit formed not far where I had placed mine. And the fire was lit again. It's just interesting that the characters from my novel as a teenager won't fall away after so many have and I feel them change and become more realistic as I read more about the war. I just wonder if that ever happened to you? Should I trust the ghosts of characters rattling around in my brain or focus on newer writing?
Also  the historical novelist Robert Goolrick told me at a book signing that he thought writing historical novelist was to create your historical reality like a movie set designer and drop your characters into it and let it shape them. I wonder if you could comment on your process.
And lastly, I kind of feel conflicted about my writing sometimes. I have a great aversion of war out of generally pacifist principals (these weren't forced views like those of your adopted parents--I watched a friend mine who fought in Vietnam die slowly of agent orange induced cancer and it made me hate war, really. And yet, I love books like yours, Patrick O'Brien's and John Jakes and even Morgan Llywelyn's that find adventure in war. Can one write stories like that because they find those situations interesting and yet not give credence to war itself? One of my friends who its Philosophy major suggested I was being hypocritical. What do you think of that?
I know this much to consider and thanks for your time. Also I wanted to thank you for sending a birthday wish to me via Facebook the other day. When you do that with your fans, it always makes me crack a smile.
Sincerely,
Adam Azzalino

I thoroughly enjoyed the Starbuck chronicles but it seems to have been left unfinished! In the historical note to the last book you say that "Starbuck will march again" Will there be more Starbuck? Please?
David Lines

 

Mr. Cornwell,
I've just started in on THE PAGAN LORD, and it's top notch, sir. I think the Saxon stories have now edged out your other works as my favorite. So, two questions then: I know you've been asked this ten thousand times before, but will we EVER see any more of Nathaniel Starbuck? How about a tale set in Roman Britain? Is there any hope for that?
Thanks for all of the fabulous stories!
Chris Grega

 

Dear Mr Cornwell
I have just finished The Bloody Ground and must congratulate you on a quite superb series. Having read almost all of your books, including the magnificent Sharpe and the even better Warrior Chronicles, I did not expect an even better read. I was very wrong. Nate Starbuck rivals Uhtred as the ultimate hero, and I could not help but want the Confederacy to win every confrontation, even if in reality I disagreed strongly with their attitude towards slavery. I wanted to ask you, if there is any chance you will write more books based around Nate and the civil war or did you finish at Antietam, for a particular reason? Either way I will continue to read your novels until there are no more. Many thanks.
Simon Smith