Your Questions

Q

Mr. Cornwell, How would you feel about another writer using the Richard Sharpe character (and perhaps others from the Sharpe books) in a novel? Would you sanction that? Thanks, Scott

Submitted April 11, 2008

A

No! That sounds very churlish, but I'm not sure anyone could write Sharpe (he comes from my head, after all, and not theirs), and why should they receive money for a character I created? I'd happily allow it for charity, but otherwise it would be like me deciding to use Harry Potter in a Sharpe book ('the French battalion disappeared, replaced by headless chickens'). Joanna Rowling would be rightly upset and would sue me and I'd lose. Of course I could write to J.K. Rowling and say, 'hey, I've had this brilliant idea . . . if Harry could time-travel would you let me use him at the Siege of San Sebastian,' and if she was mad (she's not) she'd say yes, but she'd expect me to pay her some of the proceeds from the book . . . and that's really not such a bright idea for me! I know that sounds venal, but using someone else's character only ends up making lawyers rich, and I'd hate that. But, as I said, I would allow it for charity and, right now, a charity book is being prepared and the authors are using Sharpe and Harper, and good luck to them - the money all goes to charity! So that's good!

Q

Will a movie ever be made of the Saxon tales? I just bought the series, love them all. Thanks, Ann Geercken

Submitted April 11, 2008

A

Don't know? I don't spend much time thinking about it really.

Q

I'd love to see you write something about the Normans ,who they were, what they did, impact etc etc ...Thanks...D.Pegg *Love your books!!!

Submitted April 11, 2008

A

I've thought of the Normans, but it is not likely to happen any time soon.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I`m in my middle sixties and my eldest son, in early thirties, told me how good your Sharpe Books were. I have read about twelve of them, finding them packed with one terrifically gripping and convincing scene/portrayal after another. We have both commented on how we have to make an effort to stop reading and do some work (I`m a painter and he`s a landscape architect). Invariably, if I have come across a "weakness", or a part I find unconvincing, it has been "reconciled" later. However, in Sword, which I have just finished the fact that the bullet is left inside him (along with shreds of clothing? ) does not seem credible, in that, despite the doctors saying he may have a reversal, he actually defeats an expert swordsman..albeit with a bad leg..and has apparently made a full recovery. I know he is meant to be tough, but is it possible to survive the leaving of such a large lead object inside ? Sorry for long query, and it`s fantastic that you offer this service, and at least it`s made me break off from the uninterrupted Sharpe Readings..and get back to Naomi Klein`s The Shock Doctrine ! But I miss Sharpe already (a week !)but do prefer that he isn`t turning TOO mystic...a bit is OK ! MB

Submitted April 11, 2008

A

I asked that of a combat doctor, who said yes . . . . . and he's more expert than I ever will be, so the answer is, yes!

Q

Hi Bernard, I have just read the contact from Jonathan Glasman on 3rd April re weapons. I suggest that he visits the Royal Armouries in Leeds - a fantastic museum with a superb collection.

Also I have just read Robert Hardys book "Longbow" well worth reading , especially for those reading the Grail Quest books. Did you read this prior to writing the books. Regards, Bob Warburton

Submitted April 11, 2008

A

Yes, thanks for that suggestion!

I did, and re-read it for writing Azincourt. It's a really terrific book!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell you probably hear this countless times but your Arthur trilogy is without doubt the best fiction based on fact that has been written. I am at present a budding author, I hope, and would like to ask, do you live and breathe your characters and do they come with you when you are out and about and do you carry a note pad with you when an idea comes to you and do you keep one by your bed? Greg

Submitted April 11, 2008

A

You do live and breathe the characters, and yes, they're with you all the time, and I hear them speaking in my head, but I don't carry a notebook - if an idea comes it usually stays lodged in the memory, and if it doesn't stay lodged then it probably wasn't a good idea anyway! Oddly enough the best ideas come in the shower! Have no idea why that should be, but I'm very clean.

Q

OK, I understand that you have plenty of stuff of your own to write without picking up George MacDonald Fraser's shield to write more Flashman novels. How about a tribute then, with a cameo appearance either by Flashman himself in a future Starbuck book (since we know from the packets of papers that he was in the American Civil War--conveniently in battles you have NOT written about yet with Starbuck like Chancellorsville and Gettysburg). Or alternatively, an appearance by Harry Flashman's Dad Buckley Flashman, who we know from "Black Ajax)fought in the Peninsular Campaign, in a future Sharpe Spanish adventure? Jim Dickey

Submitted April 11, 2008

A

I can't use George's characters without paying his estate vast sums of money and, selfishly, I don't want to do that . . . . sorry!

Q

Hi Bernard Just read the Starbuck chronicles again after a couple of years. Great books. When you get back round to the series will you tie it up in 1 book or write 2 or 3 more?

Neil

Submitted April 11, 2008

A

Sorry Neil, I won't know til I get back to writing Starbuck.

Q

Something is driving me MAD! I read one of the Sharpe books years ago where Sharpe had all his belongings stolen from storage before boarding a ship. In the end he had to "persuade" the local crime boss to give him it all back in his own particular way. Which book was this, I want to read it again. Please advise. David

Submitted April 11, 2008

A

Sharpe's Trafalgar . . . . one of my favourites

Q

I've been reading your books (jumping back and forth between the series) and am intrigued by the way the Church acts in the Grail Quest series. I know that the Church acted very selfishly at times throughout history just from things I hear here and there. I was wondering if you had any suggested readings that delve further into this topic. I'm looking for a historical view on some of the things the church did, specifically in that time period, that may have been an abuse of their power. Thank you, and keep up the great works!
Derek Flesner

Submitted April 11, 2008

A

Try the crusade against the Cathars . . . . plenty of good books on it . . . I've always been fond of the Papal Legate's advice . . . . he was asked how the crusaders could distinguish between Christians and heretics and his answer was 'kill them all, God will know the difference'. As I understand Christian theology this answer is absolutely correct. I've never understood why Christians are so reluctant to die . . . if you're so sure of heaven, why not get there fast? My idea of heaven is bacon and eggs for breakfast, blondes all day, cricket in the afternoon, more blondes, roast beef and yorkshire pudding for dinner, a brunette for a change, plenty of Jameson whiskey and no hangover, another brunette - oh well, you get the idea, and I could get all that, forever, for free, just by dying!!! I'd take the option!