Your Questions

Q

Dear Bernard, I am working my through all your books, I'm currently on Harlequin, but my favourite of all is Sharpe. I apologise if you've already been asked this - you've said before that you didn't intend Sharpe to end up with Lucille, but did you have any idea when you first wrote about Jane that she would be such a ***** or did she just evolve that way? by the way, have you ever heard of Waterlooville, in Hampshire, where I work? If you look it up in Wikipedia they quote a nice legend (fact??) about soldiers returning from Waterloo.
Hazel

A

I think I knew from the start that Jane was a Mistake, but I didn't know what shape the mistake would take . . . . well, a very nice shape, just a disaster. So, yes, I knew she was not a wise choice, but she evolved anyway, poor girl.

I do know Waterlooville! And I guess you're referring to the story of soldiers returning from the battle, collapsing into the pub for a drink and never leaving? I hope that's true!


Q

I've been reading your books for twenty years now and they have given me and all I pass them to great pleasure. I will have to say the stories of Arthur to be my favorite and hope some day for a movie done just as it reads. One question I have was if they're any more works of American stories lurking in the future? Thank for all your hard work, ten months a year at sea, you do a lot of reading, a good bit of your work has been read many times over and always with the same sense of glee! Bruce Cowden

A

It's a good possibility!


Q

I just wanted to say I accidentally discovered you while in a book store... the Viking series, and was reading Will Durant's history of him, since that's all I read, and realized that's what I was looking for. I've always been obsessed with history and writing about it. I only write short story as such, though. Just finished on the children's crusade, but I since have read everything I can get a hold on. In my opinion the Archer's series is the best so far, and now just decided to read some Sharpes and was equally amazed how Sharpe's Tiger was written. I learn a lot from you, a lot about parts of history I never really put much attention to as well (Sharpe's) I'm chiefly focused on the 100 years war and Joan of Arc. If you any thoughts or opinion on her I would love someone of your writing stature to relate a couple if you have the chance.
Micheal Watkins

A

I really do not know enough . . . . I haven't studied her and I doubt very much that I'll write about her, so I'll look forward to your book! Certainly the tale of how she was captured and betrayed is fascinating (and noteworthy that the French, given the chance to buy her, refused).


Q

Hey I'm a big fan of The Saxon Stories and i was wondering if there will be anymore to come. With the Sharpe book is there any particular book to start with? because I hate picking up a book and it being for the middle of a larger story line. thank you, Kyle Wilkinson

A

There will be more Saxon stories!

I generally recommend reading the Sharpe books in chronological order. Click on the Sharpe books link and you will find a page listing the Sharpe books in chronological order starting with Sharpe's Tiger.


Q

The Sharpe books are brilliant. will there be any more?
John Bickerton

I am a fan of the Richard Sharpe books. When will the next one be written and published? Please keep them coming. Gary

A

There will be more Sharpe books; but not for awhile. Sharpe is having a bit of a rest.


Q

Hello Mr Cornwell, I have checked through the FAQ's but can't see anything on this subject. I wonder if you could tell me a little more about your Island of the Dead. Living very close to Portland and having read your books, I know how you portrayed it, every time that I travel on or off the isle I think of your description. However can you tell me if there are any facts behind it. To me it seems so possible because of the history of the Isle and it's close associations with the penal system. I also know that there was a Leper Hospital close by at Lyme Regis, where some were moved to other places of 'safe keeping'. Best wishes, Debbie

A

I'm afraid that was all totally fictional! The three Arthur books do have more 'fantasy' than most of my books . . . . though I confess to a frisson of annoyance whenever I see those three books shelved in bookshops under 'Fantasy'. I know the Isle fairly well and it just seemed an ideal place to put the fictional Isle of the Dead


Q

Dear Bernard. One of my favourite periods of history is Victorian London. As much as I love reading your series is there any chance you could write a one off novel based around the London of 1888 and the deeds of saucy jack? I'm sure a collaboration between yourself and Don Rumbelow would lead to an outstanding work. I wish I had the talent to write it myself but I couldn't even walk in your shadow!
Barrie Lovewell

A

Victorian London is a great era . . . . . I've never had a great fondness for the period, but who knows? I know Donald Rumbelow, and his book on the Ripper is splendid (as I'm sure you know).


Q

Hi Bernard, Just wondering which of your books did you find the hardest to write and why? I recently read Sharpe's Waterloo where you mention you had to discard an initial attempt after 50000 or so words. Was this the toughest book or are there others?? BTW I thought your final effort was absolutely excellent!!! Regards Willie

A

Thank you! Without doubt the hardest was Stonehenge . . . . I did a VAST amount of research, too much of which found its way into the novel, and I found the 'theology' really difficult to invent. It was a slog!


Q

Mr. Cornwell, Greetings yet again from a huge fan. I just completed your Arthur series and, yet again, greatly enjoyed the journey. Stonehenge is enroute to me as I type and Azincourt will follow. I do write you with a purpose however. I wonder, having read the Saxon Stories (my personal favorite of yours; I believe that Uhtred is the greatest fictional character ever written) and the Arthur tales, why you spend so much time writing about the great Roman architecture and art in dark ages England but don't write a story about the Romans, in England, in Rome, in... anywhere. Is it just me? You seem to have quite an interest in the Romans. Any plans to write a Roman tale? Many thanks for all of the great reads. And, as I've said on previous posts to you, please remember my name. I would love to have a note from you adorning the jacket of one of my novels. Not a request for you to read an unpublished work, just a hope that you will read it once it's published and, if the mood strikes, recommend the work; I can think of no higher honor. I read your advice for authors and it is good and encouraging advice indeed. Best regards, Billy Stewart Chesapeake, VA, USA

A

A Roman tale? Absolutely none . . . sorry! It isn't that I dislike the period (quite the contrary), but I've never done the research . . . and there are already several excellent authors writing about the period and I'm happy to leave the field to them! But no-one else is writing about the Saxons (as far as I know), and one of the things I find fascinating is the Saxon reaction to the Roman ruins . . the feeling that Christendom is sliding into a dark age (it was) and that the great achievements of mankind were all in the past . . . .


Q

Hello On the Amazon.ca site, a new book titled "Warrior" is said to be available in April of '09, but there is nothing on your website about it. Is this book really yours, and if so, is it the next Saxon book?? (Hope so!!)
Sandra Herd

A

No, sorry, it's not mine!