Your Questions

At 60 I have discovered the joy of reading and you my favourite author. Are you going to finish the tales of Uhtred   in his old age and are there any more tales of Thomas Hookton in the pipeline after 1356?

Roy Bridson

I read  Matheus Ziderich's question on Nov. 30 about the mystery of the identity of  Sharpe's father; and he, like me, assumed Sharpe's father surely appears SOMEWHERE in your writings!!  I would think, "Ahhh, perhaps this is THE FATHER."  However, figuring up suggested ages, etc., it could not be.  Ziderich suggested the father  may possibly be a historical figure, as I thought myself. . . and that this "figure" may perhaps appear somewhere in your writings.  Yet, your answer is:
Nope, he doesn’t!
Mr. Cornwell, you have put me (as well as Matheus Ziderich, I presume) right back to square one.  Obviously Richard Sharpe inherited a good fair share of brains, astounding stamina, ingenuity, health, and some passable good looks, courageous aggression (and perhaps that basic trait was further developed in his early childhood environment?) and somewhere along the line, he harbors a deep streak of integrity.  Well, you're not finished with the Sharpe series yet, I trust. . . or would Sharpe's father be so far up in years now he couldn't even be worked into the next adventure?  It's not fair to all us readers who muse so earnestly over the identity of Sharpe's father, Mr. Cornwell.  Obviously, YOU know!!!
To change the subject, I am anticipating receiving your new book 1356 soon!  You're an extraordinarily gifted writer!
. . . and now, another question for you:  Did YOU conduct a search for your biological parents, or did the genealogist in that family find you?  You wrote of that somewhere. . . None of my business, so please excuse my perhaps inappropriate interest; but our American family having been found recently by English-Canadian relatives, who "harbor" a genealogist, and our joy over having found each other was a great event!  We in America  learned of our English ancestry back to the 16th century.  I would like to hear (if you'd like to share) just how you connected with your biological family, and the details.  Autobiographies, especially of one whose books I've consumed, are most interesting, for we readers feel almost a "kin" to some favorite authors' lives.  Thanks for your attention, and excuse please, if you find the above questions annoying, or out-of-line,  and please keep writing.  I hope all is well with you, and with all your family.

Elfreth

Hello!
Just curious if we will ever see Sharpe and his son Patrick Lassan march together, perhaps to the Crimea?
Also, as an Army supply officer I greatly enjoyed Sharpe trying his hand at my trade in Sharpe's Fortress. Some things really never change, though sometimes I wish I was as adept at solving "missing horseshoe" problems as Sharpe!
Thanks!
Nick

The Saxon Tales have been an absolute joy to read. I love the humor you used when Guthred and "Thorkild The Leper" first met each other. I just wanted to ask where you found out about Guthred. You mentioned he was a real character, but I can't find a whole lot of information on him.
Thanks for your time.

Ryan Weitendorf

Hi Bernard,

Actually two questions if I may?
Firstly I recently finished 1356 and I loved it!  I have never read any of your works that I haven't enjoyed (and I've read rather a lot now), however I think 1356 will rate as one of my all time favourites.  Please is there any chance of more Thomas?  I know you will likely say "maybe one day if I get around to it" or suchlike, but I just think there is so much more mileage in Thomas.  Given the entire middle ages were pretty much one long punch up from start to finish, and Thomas operates as a mercenary there must potentially be a lot more scope with Thomas than say, Starbuck?

The other thing is currently I am working through the Starbuck series (just started Battle Flag yesterday).  In Copperhead you mention the two neutral states depicted on the stars of the new confederate flag as Kansas and Missouri.  Surely these were Kentucky and Missouri?  The reason for mentioning it is just by coincidence I set this question in a quiz quite recently, and I'm worried the pedants might catch me out?

Adam Porter

How long was it before your first novel was put to paper, I'm constantly jotting idea's down for books I'd love to read, I recently tried to organise everything into simple manageable sections. characters, with descriptions and backgrounds, motivations, even plot lines and scenarios and where this helped to organise my thoughts on already established idea's. it seemed to stop new ones from forming,

I'm not asking for writing advice, and I understand that ever writer goes through writers block I was just curious as to how long it seemed for your first book to go from your head to what you classed as the finish.

I'm a fan but my book choice would be the grail quest and the Saxon series followed closely by the warlord.

Hopefully you can answer what in truth is a very simple question, and I honestly look forward to your reply

Patrick

Still looking forward to reading your next Uhtred book ,but three questions I should ask cause I love Uhtred's character though he irritates  me (I love his shield neighbors at ethadum steapa and father pyrig and look forward to reading  more of them, as they seem to  keep Uhtred fighting for the english  as much as his sworn oath-lords and lady  ) a bit .

The first one -  is it possible that Uhtred might come across  a surviving  copy of Derfel's memoirs  regarding his service under Arthur, assuming of course it was copied?

This leads directly to question 2 -  what do you think  has prompted and inspired Uhtred  as a character to go back and write his own story considering his famous hatred of both reading and writing ?

Finally do you think Uhtred  will in the  end admit either to himself or to  his family and friends  that he is proud of fighting for the english homeland  both under Alfred and his children and granchildren despite his religous and family upbringing  with the danish invaders and that he loves the english people as much as he loves the danish people, which is kinda what Alfred really wanted from him all along

Michael Powers

Hello there Sir,

I'm a "long" time reader and a fan of your work. For now I just have a small question in regards to music. Do you listen to anything in particular (or nothing at all) when you write your novels? What about when you're reading? I've always used read in utmost silence but lately I've decided to try adding some soundtracks in the background (instrumental music mostly) and I must say in some cases it assisted in the immersion.

With my deepest regards
Tiago "Salvador" Souza

Mr Cornwell,

First let me say how much I enjoy your books.  I wonder when you begin a new story, do you have a sequel in mind and write towards that goal? Or does it evolve and you let the story take you where it will?  I ask as you are writing the next book to the Saxon series and you mention that you're uncertain if there will be more books in the series.

Finally, have you considered any books featuring the North West Mounted Police (now Royal Canadian Mounted Police) and the great march west?  As you're probably aware, Canada and the USA moved west across the continent using diplomacy or conquest in there interaction with the native people's.  Just food for thought.

Look forward to your next book!

Marc
Victoria British Columbia

Hello sir,
I have read about how you don't actually plan like some writers. As an aspiring writer I am not great at the planning either, I want the story to unfold in front of me, it's part of the adventure. But you ever have trouble? Say in the thought 'I've gotta get Sharpe to the prison or the tavern' but can find no logical reason for him to be there? And I can't remember if you set yourself a page target minimum, per day or week?
Adrian