Your Questions

Q

Mr. Cornwell, as I have read the "Sharpe's" series (seen the movies, too) I find flashes of Forrester and O'Brian books. Characters personalities and similar scenes crop up. Is that because of the interest you authors had with the time period, do you think? I, too, am fascinated with the time period. I had an ancestor, Howard Pease (my maiden name), who wrote sailing ship books. I remember reading them years ago, but can't remember the period. Does the name ring a bell with you? Looking forward to your new Sharpe stories. Thanks for great reading and watching. Can't wait for the new DVD in US. Alice Turner

Submitted April 11, 2009

A

I think Howard Pease's books were set in the first half of the 20th Century - and were, of course, set firmly at sea, but it's been years since I saw one of his books. As for the similarities with Forester and O'Brien? Forester was a huge influence on me, O'Brien less so though I always enjoyed his books - and I suppose the period does impose some circumstances that would give rise to similarities - probably the frequency of idiots being promoted to high command and thus frustrating (temporarily) the protagonist's career

Q

A friend turned me onto your books after I read Pillars of the Earth and World Without End by Ken Follet and I haven't looked back. Your books are fantastic. If you could live "back then" would you favor Arthur, Uhtred or Sharpe's world?
Shannon Lewis

Submitted April 11, 2009

A

Oh, Sharpe's, I suppose, but it's not something I think about! Or maybe none? If I really had a choice I'd go to Elizabethan London and watch the opening performance of a Shakespeare play!

Q

Please write one more book about Derfel! Recently discovered your books when I bought Sword Song. (Uhtred #4)I love your viewpoint style, and you explain how Saxons & Danes think the Christian heaven sounds boring. I love the story of the Christian king who told sword Danes his God had saved a saint from being killed by arrows. Saxons decided to try it (a logical extension) Wyrd bia ful raed! I have now read all the Saxon Tales books & Warlord chronicles. My daughter tells me you are famous for Richard Sharpe stories so those are next. Stonehenge was a little too primitive for me, although your premise was a great theory. Not many authors are writing in this period (except for the Arthur authors) but yours are different because of the viewpoint of Derfel. Will you please write one more book about Derfel? How did Ceinwin die? What happened to Derfel's daughter Morwenna and her family, who were on the boat that sailed into the silver mist with dying Arthur? Did the boat go to Avalon? do you ever come to the DC Book Festival? You are my new favorite author! Please write more books set in Saxon time in Britain. or maybe the 1100's? the Crusades? Your characters are so fully drawn.
Heidi Toll

Submitted April 11, 2009

A

I don't plan to add to the Arthur books - sorry! But I feel the story has been told. For some reason I can never get very excited about the Crusades, though perhaps that will change? No plans for the DC Book Festival! I am glad to know you are enjoying my books - thanks for taking the time to write.

Q

hi there, thanks for answering my previous message, a quick question about writing style - when you write, do you consciously think, 'will this sell?' or 'will my fans enjoy this' or do you just write what you want, what feels right and hope others enjoy it too? take care, Matthew Williams

Submitted April 11, 2009

A

I write for my own pleasure - and I can honestly say I've never thought 'will this sell', though every minute of every day I wonder 'is this good enough?'. I think we all have to write for our own pleasure, and hope that it coincides with the reader's taste.

Q

Hi, I have all your books bar the American and contemporary ones. Recently I was recommending your books on the Edward III part of the 100 Years War to a fellow re-enactor, but added the comment that your hero didn't wear an archer's bracer as he liked to feel the sting of the string. As we have both been badly bitten by bow strings he felt you ought to reconsider that line if the books were to go to a new edition. I currently use a 72lb replica war bow and even with a bracer on it has occasionally bitten me leaving a very large bruise. Geoff

Submitted April 11, 2009

A

Your point is well taken - I think I was wondering what happened (as it must have done) when you lost your bracer on campaign. But thanks anyway!

Q

Mr. C: You've said you like to write about what interests you. Has there been a subject that interested you but after you really got into it you found it more daunting or challenging than first thought? Or was one of your published series like that? Uhtred can't get here fast enough!

Shannon Lewis

Submitted April 11, 2009

A

No! I've never abandoned a period I've enjoyed, though probably the background to Stonehenge proved less interesting than I'd hoped. It was certainly daunting to write - but that's the only one I can think of.

Q

Both my husband and I are convinced we have seen footage of at least part of the story of Sharpe's Devil especially the part where Sharpe and Patrick actually meet Napoleon (or at least Sharpe does)and they are given a picture to take on to South America. Can you tell me where this footage is from and if there are any plans to film Sharpe's Devil or any other of your wonderful stories? We are huge fans and have both the books and the DVD's/videos of Sharpe and the chosen men. I look forward to hearing from you.
Amanda Madeleine Ross-Edwards

Submitted April 11, 2009

A

I don't know of any plans to film Sharpe's Devil - I think sea stories are more expensive to shoot and prey to all kinds of disasters . . . but who knows? You think you saw part of Devil on film already? I have to be very cautious here, because lawyers are circling in the water, but you're probably thinking of the ending of Master and Commander which, purely by coincidence, bore a striking resemblance to the final sequence in Devil - but, of course, that must have been pure coincidence.

Q

Bernard, Once again I have been immersed in the wonderful worlds your books create; and once again I find myself reading the books you recommend as the basis of your entertaining stories. My question is do you have any intention to continue the fine series of the American Civil War your 'Starbuck Chronicles'. Hopefully after a 13 year rest Nat is ready to don the grey once again. I have an interest in the ACW and reading your books brings that exciting yet troubled coming of age era to a different life. I once read where you said that Starbuck was Sharpe in America. Perhaps for you writing them it may seem that way, but certainly not for this fan. Thank you so much for writing such riveting historical novels. I have just finished reading 'A Crowning Mercy' and 'Gallow's Thief' and immensely enjoyed them both. Keep well Regards
Andrew Evans

Hi Mr Cornwell, I know you must be sick to death by now of people asking you, when will Starbuck return.Will he ever return, we left this marvellous character relatively early in the civil war with surely many adventures still ahead of him. Thirteen years later, there is still no sign of his return and rapidly approaching my sixtieth birthday, I am now wondering if I will ever see his return. Please, please, resurrect the wonderful Starbuck Chronicles.

Mr. G Dellow

Mr. Cornwell - I recently discovered your books and have enjoyed the first of the Saxon Stories and all four of the Starbuck Chronicles. The problem is, you left Nate (and us readers) hanging with an unfinished story. I know it has been over a decade since Starbuck went on vacation but any thoughts of continuing? In the mean time, it's back to the Saxon Stories; they are interesting to me and educational for my English wife especially when we discuss her roots (I'm pure English she replies!) Thanks for the entertaining stories; please keep it up!
Allen Porter

Bernard Now that the Burning Land is completed is there any chance of Nat Starbuck returning. We have now been waiting 13 years for his next adventure. Tony Contreras

Submitted April 9, 2009

A

I do hope to return to Starbuck before too long.

Q

Hello, Do you know when the next book in The Saxon Stories will be release in paperback in the UK? I have tried looking in this website but no mention is made, I have also looked on Play.com to see any mention, it only shows Azincourt.

Shaun Haywood

Submitted April 7, 2009

A

Generally a book comes out in paperback approximately one year after it's published in hardback. The next Saxon book - likely to be called The Burning Land - should be released in hardback in the UK in October of this year. That means a paperback publication would likely be in October 2010 (maybe earlier).If you are looking for a paperback edition of the last Saxon story - Sword Song - that was released in May 2008 and should be available (try the link to Amazon.co.uk on the Sword Song page of this website).

Q

Mr. Cornwell. Thank you for your previous response, it truly helped!, however to see yourself in the situation in which your character sees himself can be a tad difficult at times; you really must close your mind out to everything else in your life it seems!! I wanted to ask another question about writing style when it comes to characters voice. I hope that my question does not go against the legal disclaimer that was mentioned (I would be honored if anything that I wrote appeared in any part of any book you write!) but basically I wrote a line where a French recruiting officer asked people in the crowd if anyone would join the French army, and then he asked a particular random in the crowd if he would join up. Mainly because I knew that they had conscription, but Im sure that they would also love younger recruits (illegal but just the same, happy to have them). The recruiting officer asks you there boy, will you join? and the boy says Might so sir. And then looks to his feet. My question comes here. That line ( the response.. the might so sir) came out just easily as I was typing at my computer, it simply felt like it was a way that a question of that sort would have been answered, but both teacher and student underlined it and wrote question marks around it when peer reviews were issued. When I read the line it seemed like it flowed very well. I have read most of the Sharpes books but have listened to all of them, either way they to flow very well. Is there any way you write differently when it comes to the reading/writing dilemma? I believed they were one in the same until this.. Anyway thank you very much Mr. Cornwell, Vince Kurtz

Submitted April 7, 2009

A

I like 'might so, sir' - good! You know, this is all instinctive! If it feels right, then it probably is right, and I'm not sure there is any rule or technique (that I know of) which can offer guidance. I think you hear the character's voice in your head and from there it goes through the fingers to the screen - but if you can come up with 'might so, sir', what are you worrying about??