Your Questions

Q

Hi Bernard
I'm half way through my first story and self doubt has nearly killed it three times now. Although every one around me says keep going it'll be alright, it still affects me.
So I'd like ask you
First what was it like writing your first book, and what would you consider your hardest book to write?
Second do you have any tips that may help me finish my story off, and to perhaps help with self doubt in the future?
Many thanks

Ciaran
P.S thanks for the reply on Flodden

Submitted May 16, 2013

A

Scary? I’d given up a proper job to live with the blonde I hoped to marry (we still are), and moved to the States because she couldn’t move to Britain, and if it failed then I was up the proverbial creek without a paddle. So scary!! And the most difficult? Probably Stonehenge. I never felt I’d found an adequate cosmology, and it made the telling of the tale very difficult.

For some writing advice I hope you'll find useful, click on this link:

http://www.bernardcornwell.net/writing-advice/

Q

Dear Bernard,

I am a fan. Your book Agincourt was recommended to me by a client. I loved it. I read the archer series including your newest book which was great. I then read the first three of the Saxon series.

I'm also a practicing Catholic. Your books always have an authentic great priest who stands as the example of what a priest should be like (especially in the Archer series with Thomas' priest friend and then the head priest who was related to Thomas). I understand the Church has had corruption within, but it feels to me like the level of corruption portrayed in the Catholic Church in the Saxon tales is exaggerated.

You go deeper into the Catholic faith than I've ever seen. What motivates you to write in this depth on the Catholic/Saints/Sacraments topic within your books?

Thank you,
Vince

Submitted May 16, 2013

A

You think? But the church was the only route to power for the unprivileged, and throughout history it attracted the ruthless, the unscrupulous and the ambitious!

Because it was the air they breathed. These folk lived in a pre-scientific, pre-technological age and there was no other answer to the great questions of life and death. I’d suggest religion plays a much smaller part in today’s world, because only the uneducated believe that it provides the only explanations for natural phenomena (tempests, floods etc) and personal disasters. Medieval man had no conception of humanism, that wasn’t to be rediscovered until the Renaissance.

Q

First of all, let me say that the Saxon Tales are simply the best historical fiction ever written. Don't just take my word for it, I have turned a couple of dozen people on to them and everyone agrees - so awesome, awesome work there, keep them coming. Now, my request... I have been researching my wife's family history and have traced her Crawford heritage back to Thorlongus of Mercia as he is credited as the founder of Clan Crawford when he fled Mercia for Scotland during the Norman invasion. Subsequent research has led me to believe that Thorlongus was the grandson of Elfwina of Mercia, who in turn appears to be the granddaughter of none other than Alfred the Great. I was wondering if, without any additional work for you, if your research for your novels could bear any of this out. I have no idea how I would compensate you for your assistance - other than to say that I buy every book you write. Any help you could give would be greatly, greatly appreciated!!!!

Kevin Boyles,

Baxter, MInnesota

Submitted May 16, 2013

A

Elfwina (or Aelfwinn) was Alfred’s grand-daughter, and daughter of Aethelflaed (A’s daughter) and Aethelred of Mercia. Now the usual assumption about Aelfwynn is that she never married, and instead entered a nunnery. In truth little is known about her after her mother’s death in 918, and I’ve seen nothing that might confirm or deny your belief about her being Thorlongus’s grand-mother. Sounds fascinating, though!

Q

I am just rereading Sharpe's Battle it's one of my favourites and the tv adaption was reasonable good Sean Bean makes an excellent Sharpe. Recently I visited the Wellington Arch and Aspley House. I was wondering if there was any chance of Sharpe gate crashing one of the Waterloo Dinners? I am sure Wellington the Politician had a few dirty secrets that the ever reliable Sharpe could solve either in London, Spain or India. Sharpe's Motive for leaving his Normandy farm he need the money as always.
Andrew Walker

Submitted May 16, 2013

A

I’ve thought about that idea a lot, but I’ve been resisting it. I think I’ll probably go one being tempted, but will go on resisting.

Q

You've said that the publication date for the Pagan Lord will most likely be around January next year. Is this the same for Canada?
Thanks
Nick

Submitted May 14, 2013

A

Canada usually follows the UK publication schedule, so I suspect you'll have it in September or October.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell

To start, may I thank you for the days (or possibly years) of pleasure I have had from your books. I have been an avid reader of pretty much every book you have written since I first came across Sharpe's Eagle when it was first published. My copy is now a funny colour of yellow, but throwing books away comes close to blasphemy in my household.

I have just finished reading 1356 - wonderful read, hard to put down. There are a couple of points I was not sure about - at several points you refer to the Prince of Wales as "Majesty" and in other places to the King as "Highness". Should this not be the other way around, or has practice in this area changed over the centuries?

By the way - any plans for more Starbuck novels?

Best wishes and please keep on writing

Roman

Submitted May 14, 2013

A

Oh my, I suspect I was confused. Forgive me.

Q

Hi Bernard,

With Pagan Lord now completed (from your end at least) do you already have an idea of the subject of your next book? Will it be an addition to an existing series, a new series or standalone?

Kind Regards,
Martin B

Submitted May 14, 2013

A

I think it may be a new series...

Q

Do you have any plans to finish the Starbuck Chronicles? I have just finished reading the series as it stands for the 5th time and while I love the Saxon tales and your other works I am dying to know what happens to Starbuck, the similarities between Starbuck and Sharpe are amazing, please finish the tale.
David Cook

Submitted May 14, 2013

A

Yes, I do hope to return to Starbuck.

Q

I have read your Warlord Chronicles and Saxon stories more times than I can remember now, I really enjoy that time period and the way you depict the northmen. That said, have you seen the new television show Vikings on the History channel? It is very good but there are some things in it that I never came across in your novels. One is shield maidens, women who go on vikings raids, was that common or just a possibility? Another that has come through multiple times in the show is the idea that vikings had "open marriages" sexually. This was never hinted at in your books and I have certainly never heard of it, are they just trying to up their ratings or was this a common practice of vikings during that era?
Daniel

Submitted May 10, 2013

A

I’ve never heard of it either! I suppose ‘marriage’ is a fairly loose concept, in the sense that it’s not controlled by a written law or, in the case of pagans, codified by the church, so it’s difficult to say what line, if any, is being crossed. Are we, as a species, naturally monogamous? If so then I suspect it’s a ratings pursuit and, if not, whoopee.

Q