Your Questions

Hi Mr Cornwell.
My Father and I both very much love your books, especially the Saxon stories. We have talked about how great they would be as a TV Series. So I thought I would write and ask if it has been on your mind too?
We also discussed who would make the best Uhtred. If you do not know him already, I would like to bring to your attention Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones)  We already know he can swing a sword, but better than that is the fact that he is naturally Danish. Perfect for any Danish Language/English subtitled parts. Also when he speaks English he does it with a Danish accent. Something I imagine Uhtred would have actually had over a British one, being that he was raised by the Vikings.

Tom Brook

 

Can you get in touch with someone to make a film or TV series of your Warrior Chronicles books. e.g. the Last Kingdom split into a few episode or a film. I think if the books were converted into a screen viewing, it would be really good.
Thanks
Harry Scotch

Thanks Mr. Cornwell for bringing such interesting periods of history to life for us!  While I'm sure you get plenty of questions on writing, it looks like most questions here on your site are in regards to your stories specifically. I hope it's alright that mine isn't.

I was merely curious if, in your experience, professional writers ever give up on a book/story idea, even if its one they really like.  I seem to have this notion in my head that professionals can always "make it work" if they try hard enough. Not that it is an excuse to give up every time one is backed into a corner, but is it ever appropriate to abandon a story, temporarily or permanently?  Thanks so much!

Jesse

Dear Mr Cornwell
I have recently become fascinated with some of my early family members. One being my ggg grandfather who fought in the Peninsular wars. I have read most of your books and thank you, they are most informative especially for someone like myself who did not study history and is quite clueless.We have letters of his which tell us about one of the battles he was involved in.Below is part of the letter:
"That your Memorialist had the honor of distinguishing himself in the severe Battle fought in front of Bayonne 13th December 1813 by retaking a part of great consequence at the head of the Company he commanded, His Captain having being killed early in the Action, and his only Brother severely wounded then a Lieutenant in the same Company, which caused his death some time after., For which your Memorialist was presented by his  Commanding Officer on the following morning to Major General  Sir John Byng then in Command of the Brigade, who was pleased to thank your Memorialist, “saying  at the time” that he had witnessed the whole affair himself and would be happy at any time it may be in his power to serve your Memorialist."

I was wondering if this would have been the battle St Pierre as when we pulled up his war medal info it says that he was wounded at st Pierre. I see he was at 8 battles but only received 5 bars/clasps, why would this have been?  I do apologise if these are not the questions you would normally answer.  If not, would you be able to refer me to a historian who could.( we would hire their services) I am also wanting to find info on my ggggg who fought and was killed at Louisburg in 1758. The information we have is from another family letter which has been passed down.

kind regards,

Victoria

I just finished the first book in your Arthur series. I couldn't put it down. What I wanted to know is this. I also have your Saxon Chronicles. Though there is no evidence of Arthur, true anyway...is there in your mind why the Saxons were able to, and I don't know if I am stating this correctly, take Britain from the British? Was is due to the smaller tribes in-fighting? Also, is there anywhere you can point to where to start reading a good true history of this era? My father has my first book in your Saxon series, so I will use that as a start. Your writing is some of the best historical fiction I have ever read. Your Arthur is human. Nothing more, nothing less. And that makes him more "real" to me than anything I have read even from Mary Stewart. Thank you for your time
Darren Purcell

Hello, I'm your fan. I live in Brasil and I'v read your books a lot. I really loved them.
When you will write the continuous of the adventures of Uhtred? I loved this saga and I'm anxious to read the sequel.
Please, say that you are working on this book, please.
I'll be waiting for your contact.
Thank you and thank you for your books. I loved Thomas, the first character I read about.
Patricia

 

Do you have plans for another Saxon book and if so when?
Bob Overbeck

Mr. Cornwell
I have been trying to write my own book for sometime now (more like a few months) and one problem I have been having is that I cannot come up with the names of the characters I want to portray. I have been through your writing advice page several times, it serves as a motivator when I feel like my writing is pathetic, the advice is quite good, but it does not give advice on how to pick names for the characters in a story. So I'll ask you. How did you pick the fictional characters in your books? Did you pick traditional names of the time period? Or are they people you have met in your life? Any advice at all would be much appreciated.
your fan
- Clayton Kuhlmeier

I was wondering if you have had a chance to view the History Channel new program "Vikings" and what your thoughts are? I have found it interesting enough at least to tune in again this week.

Todd - Colchester, VT

Hello Mr Cornwell
I have been a fan of your books for many years starting with the Sharpe series.  We met in Watersmiths in Birmingham years ago were you signed my book, Sharpe's tiger, I was in a wheelchair  at the time, you were kind enough to have a quick  chat about your books.  Don't worry I don't expect you to remember me.

Anyway, my question is about gallows thief, which I really enjoyed. Ryder Sandman was a strong character.  I assumed there would be a series of this book because of the characters being so strong.

My question is will there be more books with Ryder Sandman? I do hope you reply is yes.

Kind regards

Sheron

Dear Mr Cornwell,

Please accept my thanks for many years of pleasure,  reading and recently listening to your books. I was delighted to learn that you are writing a new Saxon book I am so looking forward to this, when Death of Kings finished I was not sure that there might be another. Will the new story be on audio books as well as in the hardback version?

Regards

Rob Brown

Hello Mr. Cornwell,
We are Canadians, married later in life (43 & 56), were both avid readers with filled bookcases, and my husband had everyone of your books published up to the mid-1990s.
One day, I was looking for something different to read, after several comtemporary American police procedurals and found you on his book shelf.
I started with The Winter King, did not like it. Then went to Azincourt, found the first person point of view a little frustrating, because I wanted to know more about the history from other characters.
Eventually went back to Winter King, finished it, finished the series and jumped in with the Grail series and the Saxon stories. Absolutely love both. I am grateful that you provide maps and names at the beginning of each book, because I keep going back to them as I read. I also do my own research about places, old maps and people, giving me an even better understanding and insight into the story.
I enjoy your short Historical Notes at the end of each book. You allow us a glimpse of who you are and how you approach each book.
Questions: Have you ever considered writing a non-fiction book about England's history? Especially before 1000AD.
Diana Gabaldon gave us a taste of historical Scotland in her first bestseller Outlander. Have you ever considered one book or more about that country's chaotic history?
Finally, I want to say thank you, our retirement years have been enriched by your literary efforts.
Best wishes,
lisa