Are there any plans in the works to make the Arthur series into a movie trilogy? It would truly rival "The Lord Of The Rings". Thom Donnelly
No plans at the moment Thom - but thanks!
I have continuously been impressed by your quality of writing. From your story telling ability, historical research and your incredible use of imagery. I am curious about your writing process. I see three parts becoming one. Research, story outlining and characterization. Which follows which? For example, does Uhtred take the story where he wants to go or does the story take him. And of course, you need to follow history. Then you add your extremely detailed imagery of the landscape and people. All appearing woven together so effortlessly, but I know that is not true, it's your skill and talent that creates this illusion. I never read historical fiction before so I am curious about this.
Also, ever thought of doing a WW2 story? Best wishes...Marcus in Thailand
I just wish I could tell you!! None of those activities are discrete. On the book I'm writing now I did a vast amount of reading before I started any writing, but then so had little idea what the story would contain. Then, when reading about heresies in England in the early 15th century I came across an episode that happened in London in 1414 and thought, ah! that's chapter one. Next thing I did was to look through the list of every archer who was present at Agincourt (we have 90% of their names) and I found a name I liked, so I had a main character. Then I started writing. Everything changes as you go along!! Essentially you see the story through the eyes of the character, and I don't always know what will happen to him. So you see, there really isn't an easy answer. It's just something I do!!! That wasn't very helpful, was it? But the truth is I make it up as I go along!!
No plans for a WW2 story.
Hi again, Mr. Cornwell. From your Uhtred books, it seems that Saxon and Viking warriors were very similar in their equipment. During battle, how did they tell each other apart, especially when it was a free-for-all type melee? Alan Kempner
Guess you tried to keep fighting the guy in front of you! There would be differences, but you're right, the equipment is the same and they must have looked very similar. Probably shield decorations were a big clue, as were the presence of arm rings (which were not prevalent among Saxons), but there must have been confusion.
Dear Bernard, You have mentioned that your next book you are writing about the battle of Agincourt I was curious if there were any plans to write about some of the defeats of the archers in the hundred years war like the battles of Patay/Forgimby of that war from the British perspective as well as simply the victories????
On another note could you give any indication of when another Starbuck will ever happen you have said you want to finish off Sharpe but even if a Sharpe book came out once a year that would still be at least 4 or 5 years away. Surely Sharpe's story is finished and it's just individual battles that need to be filled in as opposed to Starbucks story that has lots of hanging plot points???
And will a future Uhtred book focus on the actions that happened around North wales and Chester. Which slightly leads on to the next when you are next touring is there any chance you will be in Chester or the North west??? And as a fan of some of your book reviews in the papers that are always clear and concise and a joy to read is there any chance of anymore reviews being published???
And finally have your ever considered writing about the wars of Edward 1st. If Alfred had a vision of England its fair to say he had one of the UK and some have remarked that he is Britain's greatest military commander do you think that's true????? Yours sincerely Tony
P.S Mark Urban's new book Fusiliers on the 23rd and there time in the American Revolution is really worth getting if you do not have it and a great companion to the 95th.
I'm sure some author would love to write that! Not me, though.
Not sure when I'll get back to Starbuck.
I honestly don't know, but I suspect the answer is yes. I really only begin to know what will happen in each book when I begin the research for it, and that won't happen for the next Uhtred story until the spring of '08. I know I ought to plan the whole series, but if I did the plan would change as soon as I started writing, so I just stagger on from book to book.
I don't have any idea where I might be doing a book tour next, but check the Diary page on occasion as all appearances will be posted there.
Have no idea if it's true . . . mainly because I haven't looked at him in depth .. . but yes, there's a possibility!
It's a terrific book, I agree! I'm reading it now . . . I have some minor quibbles, but overall it's wonderful!
Hey Bernard. You must read everyday messages about "Hey, I'm you best fan" or things like this. But I want to say something different: Hey, I'm your best fan from BRAZIL. Maybe someone have already done that too, but who cares? I felt like I had to say it. Your plots just own every other history based book's plot. Uhtred? He's becoming my alter-ego. The way you describe battles is so real that I feel it happening in front of me. Actually, reading your book while hearing "The Battle of Evermore" from Led Zeppelin was a really far trip, since I really got away from my mundane thoughts last time I tried it. Your books inspire some of my songs Lyrics, so keep writing or you'll cut half of my inspiration. Now seriously, grats for your work, and if you read this, I'd like to receive an answer telling me which music you hear to inspire your spirit before writing your books. A hug fro then fan, Antonio Lombardo.
Thanks! I'm so pleased! I'll keep writing, I promise. Not sure you'll appreciate my choice of music, though . . . at the moment I'm going through all of Faure's works. Last month it was Scarlatti. Forever it's Mozart.
Dear Bernard In reading about the real Guthred's life it says that he defeated a scottish invasion with the help of the spirit of Saint Cuthbert. I was curious if Uhtred might be at that event giving his brother in law a hand and also how someone can claim spiritual assistance and get away with it even back then when surely an undead spirit rising from the netherworld would be noticed in a battle.
And although this might be a bit tricky I wondered how much of Alfred's vision of England survived the Norman invasion and will you ever write about the Saxon stand at Hastings some say its Britains most famous battle???
On another note you have said might do another book on the American Revolution from the British perspective I was curious if it was Lexington and Bunker Hill???
And You have said in the past that you gave Starbuck a rest in favour of Sharpe will you ever give Sharpe a rest in favour of Starbuck it has been over 11yrs since the last Starbuck and there are more unanswered plot points in Starbuck than Sharpe???? Yours sincerely Geraint
P.S People in the past here have mentioned David Gemmell to you if you ever do try one of his books try Wolf in Shadow and the brilliant character of Jon Shannow its worth a read. As for factual books Peter Cozzens excellent book That terrible swift sound on the battle of Chickamauga is also worth a read.
Well, they always ascribed their victories to divine help. People still do! But back then? It was a superstitious age, and they invested an enormous amount of time and money eliciting supernatural aid. And Cuthbert was thought to be extremely powerful! And you didn't expect to see the supernatural aid, you just accepted that it had given you victory (or blames something else for the defeat).
It's a big question . . . yes, a lot of Anglo Saxon institutions survived the conquest (and survive to this day in the form of parish and county boundaries, arguably even trial by jury). The conquest was a top down invasion . . . it didn't necessarily disturb customs and usages that worked, but harnessed them to their own ends, and in many ways the mediaeval story of England is a tale of the re-emergence of the Saxons as they assimilated and changed the Normans. No, I don't think I'll write about 1066.
I'm not ready to say anything about that yet.
I hope to get back to Starbuck but I can't say when it will be.
Dear Mr. Cornwell, Will you forgive me for sending a book suggestion if I promise to forswear fat lawyers? I would like for someone to tell the tale of Hermann, Arminius of the Cherusci, victor at Teutobergerwald in 9 CE. History knows him through Tacitus and Dio Cassius (and one or two other Romans), but his story begs for a non-Roman perspective. The best I could do is a short poem at http://www.billiter.com/hermann.htm. Cordially, Jim Billiter Laurel, Maryland
Well, thanks for that, but I've sworn off the period. Whether I'll keep my oath is another matter, and it IS a great story, but for the moment I'm going to resist it. Sorry!
I remember watching Sharpe as a kid, and only recently discovered it was a book series; first I've always hated books, but loved the tv show, so I gave it a chance, and now I love to read, so thank you for that... in the t.v shows, my favourite character being from London, is Cooper, but I was disappointed that he died so early into Rifles... I've only read 6 Sharpe books, though I will read them all, could you tell me which books, if any, Cooper's in, or where the story's set in London...
I study a-level history, but we bypass this whole era, so your books have helped to fill the void in my knowledge... I'm doing a course essay into the battle of Britain's importance to the allies, and i know its not your speciality, but if you've any idea, it would be much appreciated.. sorry about the spelling mistakes. Ross
Sorry, this is way off any area of expertise I might pretend to have! You could be revisionist and say it was of no importance? I'd say that it killed any idea of an invasion of Britain and therefore turned Hitler's eyes to the east, so in that way it's the equivalent of Trafalgar which ended Napoleon's dream of a cross-channel invasion and turned his armies eastwards.
Cooper? Afraid I couldn't tell you which books he's in without going back to search and I just don't have the time for it, sorry!
Hi Bernard. Just finished Sword Song. Fantastic piece of writing. Really enjoyed it. I find it quite amusing that Uhtred's history seems to follow my own! My wife is from Strensall, which is mentioned in The Last Kingdom. I am from Chester-le-Street which is Cuncaester in Lords of the North and then you have a battle at Ludds Gate in London in Sword Song, which happens to be the head office where I work. Anyway, brilliant, like I say. Has anyone expressed an interest in doing a screenplay for the Saxon Books? I hope someone gets a move on or I may have to go for it myself! I'm glad to see you're writing on Agincourt. I look forward to seeing the book. A fantastic period. As always, thank you for the entertainment and also the constant inspiration to continue with my own work. If I ever get published I will happily buy you dinner to express my gratitude.
Iain
No plans for a screenplay at the moment! Glad to know you enjoyed the book.
Hello I am an Italian reader of Sharpe's books since the first came to Italy in 90's. Will all the English books of the series be translated and published in Italy ? Thanks, best regards Giuanfranco de Gotzen
Yes, I believe the publisher plans to eventually translate all the Sharpe books.