Q Dear Bernard, I have two quite contrasting questions. Firstly, from an historical writer's perspective, when you've decided that a particular period and/or place(s) appeals to you, do you seek out as much information on that period as you can or do you try to seek out the key source of information for that time and work from there (i.e. the Saxon Chronicles for the Uhtred stories)? I'm often overwhelmed by the amount of information readily available and wonder what your strategy is in order to get right to the heart of the detail relevant to your future story without being bogged down by all the rest.
Secondly, as a fellow (expat) Englishman living for quite some time away from the 'motherland', I'm extremely interested in how you've dealt with living overseas as an English writer, and one who is obviously passionate about British history? From a personal point of view, how have you managed the distance / disconnect from England over time, given your focus on England in so much of your work? From a writing perspective, have you felt disadvantaged not being in the UK on a full-time basis to do the research, soak up the environment, and so on? I've been away 9 years now and wonder whether I'm best placed 'watching from afar' or whether it would pay to be located 'in amongst it all'. I really am quite keen to learn more about this second point, particularly your experiences, whether you have opted for British publishers or US-based ones (ditto for agents), and whether you've found yourself to be quite happy writing from a distance away. I'd be more than happy to talk over email if easier than through this website. Do keep up the good work. I enjoy your writing immensely - long may it continue. Kind regards, Russell
Submitted January 10, 2012
A I've been reading history since I was a child, and all that reading contributes to what I do. However - when thinking about a new book I'll spend some months reading in a very concentrated way, though how long and how much depends on the book. As for facts versus story - my job is to tell a story. I'm not an historian. If you want to know what happened in The Peninsular War then read Professor Charles Esdaile's wonderful history, but my job (far more than his) is to entertain you. I do try and stick as closely as possible to the history, but where changing it would make for a better story, I change it; but, very important, I confessed my sins in the Historical Note.
Oh I'm totally happy writing at a distance, as were those most English of writers C.S. Forester (California) and P.G. Wodehouse (Long Island)! Distance might lend enchantment (which is the largest risk of exile). I don't feel at any disadvantage because I spent the first half of my life in England (or Ireland) and British dialogue, manners and history is etched into me! There might be a disadvantage if I was writing contemporary novels - things change at a great rate and I'm sure mistakes would creep in (I read a book recently which had US style fire hydrants in London's streets, that's the kind of error I mean), but history? That really doesn't depend on geography. My primary publisher and agent are in England, but that's really an accident - though a happy one because the books are so Anglo-based. Exile wasn't really a choice! Unless rejecting the blonde was a choice, and it didn't seem so at the time, nor does it 33 years later!