Your Questions

Q

Hi Bernard I understand you do not want to do any more of the sailing books but with you and Sam Llewellyn both not writing sailing books at present what is there to read? I am now having to re read all the old ones again!! Kind regards, Adrian Chichester Harbour England

Submitted March 7, 2008

A

That's a problem . . . . . maybe I'll write more when I retire?

Q

Dear Mr.Cornwell could you please tell me when you write your novels do you write at any particular time of the day and do you use paper or a word processor? Also do you visualise the look of the character you are writing about before you write? many thanks, Greg

Submitted March 7, 2008

A

I write on a computer, I work from early in the morning till late afternoon, and I guess I do visualise the characters . . . I'm sure I do, but it's not a process I've ever analysed

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I'm sure that you receive much praise for your work in historical fiction, but I would still very much like to express my appreciation for your Saxon Tales. I received the first two as a late Christmas present, but I read through both within two weeks and I was quick to purchase the following two. My interest in pre-England Britain has grown dramatically from the four books and, as I'm sure you've deduced from my e-mail address, I've always had an interest in the Norse gods. My one question that I do have for you is do you have any personal belief in the pagan gods? If that is to personal a question, by all means, you aren't obliged to answer.

My one comment I would like to express is that there was no teaser-chapter in Sword Song as there was in the previous three. Does that mean I have to wait a long time to hear more of Uhtred of Bebbanburg? I'm sure I'll hear back from you soon after all "Fate is inexonerable."
Liston H. Pennington

Submitted March 7, 2008

A

None whatsoever. I would love to think there were gods and that they took a benevolent interest in me (and you!), but I can find no evidence, anywhere, that any such helpful (or unhelpful) creatures exist. Actually I'd much prefer a benevolent goddess, but they seem in short supply too.

No part of the next book has been written - and I don't expect to start it until later this year.

Q

Hello, reading the Sharpe books led to purchasing biographies of Wellington; reading of other books has resulted in even further expense for me! Thankfully you haven't written a boring read yet... Anyway, at a time when history is deemed to be boring by many kids, I would like to see some of your books (and certain books by others) introduced into the curriculum. History, for me, is about empathy - getting an insight into the sights, sounds, thoughts, beliefs and emotions of folk living in another time. That's what makes history interesting - the why? And how? So: have you ever written anything deliberately for student consumption? Ben Wire

Submitted March 7, 2008

A

Never, I can't imagine writing for student consumption . . . how would it differ from my other books? If school-age kids like my books, great, but I can't quite see what I would do different to appeal to them!

Q

Just finished "Singing Sword" & really enjoyed it. Can't wait for the next installment, which brings me to my question. Why are your books first published in Great Britain? We Americans must wait 2-3 months longer than they do. Bob Kocher

Submitted March 4, 2008

A

It's the publishers decision and publishers work in mysterious ways!

Q

I have thoroughly enjoyed all your novels having completed Saxon Tales, Warlord Chronicles, Grail Quest Series and am now just completing the Sharpe Series. I have noticed that you have gone back and filled in some of the gaps in the Sharpe series. My question is do you have any plans for new novels to expand on his pre-India life and experience??? You are an exceptional writer, keep them coming!! Tom Hall

Submitted March 4, 2008

A

Having taken Sharpe backwards in time once I'm not inclined to do it again, but who knows? Maybe as a short story?

Q

I'm a huge fan of both Sharpe and Uhtred. I've come to really enjoy Uhtred telling the story in the first person. Since you have so much experience writing in both, I was wondering which you prefer, the first person or the third?
Scott Starkey

Submitted March 4, 2008

A

It's swings and roundabouts. You do lose something by writing in the first person - not just the suspense of whether the main character will survive (which he or she usually does even in third person narratives), but also the alternative points of view that can increase suspense - i.e. you can watch an ambush being laid, then watch your hero walking into it. On the other hand there's an immediacy to the first person which can increase excitement and pace. I don't think one is any better than the other - and though most of my books are third person I enjoy doing the first.

Q

Hi Bernard. I have read all of the Sharpe books so far and have thoroughly enjoyed them all. I am ex-army and also an ex army wife of some 14 years and as such am interested in the life of the women who 'followed the drum'. I have found your historical notes useful but would appreciate some further pointers as to where I can find more information about the women who travelled with Wellington's army as I will begin work on my year 3 dissertation on that very subject soon. Any sources of relevant info would be most useful. I am a Yorkshire lass and as hard-headed and stubborn as Sharpe at times. Take care!
Lynn Turner

Submitted March 4, 2008

A

I'm not certain there's one obvious source . . . no book, so far as I know, called 'Female Camp Followers of Wellington's Peninsular Army'. So, what I think you must do is read every single memoir, diary and collection of letters that emerged from the war - Harris, Costello, all of them! You'll glean lots of facts. I'd recommend August Schumann (Marching in Wellington's Footsteps), he was a German commissary officer in W's army and had a keen eye for women . . . good man. Sorry I can't be more helpful, but this is one of those areas where you have to pick up hints from a wide range of books (that said, there is, I think, a useful reference or two in Redcoat, by Richard Holmes . . . certainly worth a look!)

Q

Sir, I have read nearly everything you have written with the exception of the Nate S. series. My wife, Angela Best, yes, of the George and Angie chronicles introduced me to your work and I have been extremely entertained. You are an magnificent writer. I can only hope that you continue. Angela and I are both writers, she is published I am not. She had hopes that by reading your work it would motivate me. It has, thank you. Is there a time when you expect to continue on with Uhtred? All the best, Mark Miller

Mr Cornwell, I have just finished Sword Song, and enjoyed the continuing adventures of Lord Uhtred. how long do fans of the series have to wait until the next book? and will Uhtred move further towards Bebbanburg? Darren North

Dear Sir, I thoroughly enjoy your books and I am currently reading the STARBUCK Chronicles for the second time. Can you please give me some indication as to when the next STARBUCK book can be expected, and the next book in the SAXON series? Kind regards.... Matt Leeson Rochester, Kent (U.K)

You stated in the Historical Note of Sword Song that Uhtreds adventures will continue. As a fan of these books, I am looking forward to reading the latest edition. So that Ill know when to look for it, what might the release date be and what title is planned? Ive enjoyed the Uhtred series and some other Cornwell books and am very much looking forward to the latest. Thank you. Ray Muniz

Submitted March 4, 2008

A

Starbuck - don't know, sorry. Saxon - possibly Autumn 2009. I won't know the title until I write the book.

Q

Hi Mr Cornwall, may I start by saying thank you for the wonderful books you are writing. I have read many of the and enjoy them all, so much so I have even gone back and read them again and in some cases again! I have a quick question for you, did you ever meet Sean Bean at any point when he was playing Sharpe, or afterwards? I have worked in his house a few times (being a gas engineer) and I had the pleasure of meeting him. What a nice down to earth and laid back bloke! One more quick question if you don't mind, how many more books will be in the Saxon stories if any? I look forward to spending many more hours reading your brilliant books! Kind regards Trevor

Submitted March 4, 2008

A

I've met Sean many times. He's a very nice guy and a terrific Richard Sharpe.

Don't know how many more, but there will be more!