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

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 Mr. Cornwell, I just finished Sharpe's Fury and had a couple things I was hoping you could clear up. I was wondering why Sharpe let Lord Pumphrey go so easily after finding out about Astrid? I was expecting Sharpe to unleash his fury on Pumphrey and it didn't happen.

Secondly, I'm trying to figure out how the French dominated all of Europe and then got destroyed every time they faced the British. In this battle the British were out numbered 2 to 1 and the French had the better ground. But once again the British won. Up to this point I was under the impression that this was because of Wellesley's leadership, but Wellesley was not at the battle of Barossa. Don't get me wrong you do a great job painting the picture of how it happens. The British are better trained, more ferocious and the two deep line poured more firepower into the 9 deep French columns. What I can't figure out what made the French unbeatable against everyone else. Why didn't they adapt out of their columns? What was the benefit of their formation? Thank you, Joe

Submitted April 7, 2009

A

Because I might need Pumphrey again . . . . that's why!

Because British musketry was famously superior to other nations (Britain actually practiced live-firing, most countries didn't), because Britain alone adopted the two deep line (thus extending their flanks and the ability to enfilade French columns), because very often the French successes were against conscript armies that didn't have the same discipline and training as British professionals, and because the British (on the whole) were fortunate in their commanders. The French used the column because it worked (usually), and because it had great psychological effect against nervous enemies, because theirs was a conscript army and the column was the easiest way to move a mass of half-trained soldiery forward. They did develop tactics to nullify the advantage of the British line, specifically by deploying into line themselves at the last moment, but it never worked because the British musketry stopped the movement dead.

Q

Hi Mr. Cornwell, first, thanks for making wonderful books, I'm reading Saxon Chronicles right now and I think it's great! I was reading one of the most influential newspapers here in Brazil, "O Globo", about the "Bienal do Livro" event, and it said you were one of the guest authors of this year's "Bienal do Livro". I was really excited and so were all of your fans over here! We were wondering if you're going to sign books over here and maybe take a picture or two with us, just so we can prepare for this hehe! We have no additional information at the moment, just that you are coming to Brazil. Another question (and this one is just a personal question, not a community one), I have always been interested in pre-Christ history, do you plan to write something about these (really) Old days in the near future (like you did with Stonehenge)? Or maybe go deep into Fiction and create a whole Fantasy setting (don't know if you enjoy Fantasy like "Lord of the Rings")? I think the way you write your books is simply fantastic and unique, I'd love to read a complete fantasy book by Bernard Cornwell hehe! Thanks a lot for all your hard work (and sorry for mistakes, english is not my first language but I tried my best to make it understandable)!
Marlon Carrero

Submitted April 7, 2009

A

I don't really get inspired by fantasy - I like to read it once in a while, but it somehow doesn't trigger my imagination (at least not yet) so I suspect it's unlikely . . . . . but pre Christian history? I might go back there . . . . but I have nothing planned right now. I am looking forward to my visit to Brasil!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I very much enjoy your Saxon Stories. In particular it's Uhtred's motto that I like. Unfortunately I don't know how it is pronounced properly. (I am German and not familiar with the old English ...). Could you please tell me the pronunciation (as you did it for other words in FAQ 6). Thank you very much in advance and regards. Kathleen Kunze

Submitted April 7, 2009

A

The quotation is from an Old English poem, The Wanderer . . . and I've known of the poem (a bleak thing) for over forty years now! Can't truly remember how I first came across it. I'm no expert on old English pronunciation, but a Helpful Reader will doubtless correct me if I hazard a guess that it's pronounced Weird bith full arraid. That's my guess, corrections welcomed!