Your Questions

Mr. Cornwell, Hello and thank you for the hours of entertainment Richard Sharpe brings me even when I should be doing other things like sleeping or working. I am a reading teacher at a high school in Tampa, Florida and hope at some point to incorporate some of your writing into my curriculum to help students realize that reading isn't all boring or tedious. I also have enjoyed Patrick O'Brian's Jack Aubrey series and actually thank you for the inside cover art of "Sharpe's Trafalgar," it helped make more sense of the inside of a frigate than any of the illustrations that ever accompanied one of O'Brian's novels. I'm sure you get tired of comparisons with Mr. O'Brian, but I am driven to ask a question regarding Jack Aubrey and Richard Sharpe and you are the only living man who can answer it. Have you ever considered having some sort of collaboration, however brief, between Sharpe and Aubrey? I think it would be interesting to have the two characters meet, however briefly, and wonder if the thought has ever crossed your mind also. Thank you again for the fantastic writing. Sincerely, Tom DuSold

Mr. Cornwell, I have enjoyed your Saxon series immensely. You obviously have a wealth of knowledge concerning the Saxon and Viking people. Consequently, I was wondering if you have ever considered writing about the people and events surrounding the Norman, and less successful Viking, invasion of 1066? I cant think of anyone more capable of bring that period of history to life than you. Joel T. Leggett

Hello mr. Cornwell. I´ve just finished reading The last kingdom and The pale horseman, and really enjoyed it. I would like to buy the two last books of the saxons stories. Could you say me when the books will be available in spanish? Thanks, Rubén

Dear Mr. Cornwell (sir), First, thank you for writing such entertaining and colorful adventure stories. Shamefully I must admit although I am a bibliophile I was first drawn to your work through the BBC Sharpe episodes. I later delved into the written series and have relished each book thus far. At the moment I am reading Sharpe's Trafalgar and what absolutely pulled me in the most are the very real and believable characters and descriptive settings. Well, that and Sharpe's brilliant dialogue! It is worth mentioning that when I read Sharpe I do not always picture Sean Bean, though I do not wish to take anything away from his rendition of Sharpe. Hes great! Until last year I was in the Marine Corps and have begun to write in my spare time around my current 9 to 5 day job and raising twins, a tough duty indeed. Your stories have also provided, in their own way, a large degree of motivation for me. You are probably wondering when this lad is going to ask a question! Well, I won't prolong any possible agony any further: How well do you feel military history fiction is received by the publishing world and how does this reception compare with what you feel is the actual readership interest in such stories? Once more, thank you for coming to America and taking up the pen ... I mean the keyboard. Best regards, Paul Leicht Elk Grove Village, IL

Mr. Cornwell. I'm a senior in high school and have been reading your books for about half of my life in school. I must say that I am a huge fan. A couple of years ago I noticed some parallels between Patrick Lassan from your Starbuck Chronicles and Richard Sharpe. I am sure you have already been asked about this but I just wanted to take the time to inquire about it?

In addition I would also like to ask about your plans for future books. What new subjects are you thinking of tackling? Is there any chance that you will leave your historical niche and turn to the histories of Africa or Asia etc? Thanks for the years of fabulous entertainment (and education)and I am looking forward to much more! - Glenn Razafindrainibe, Washington DC

Hi again Mr. Cornwell. When you write your Agincourt novel, are you going to just tell the straight story, or will there be some extra-historical plot line like in the Grail Quest? Also, will it be told from the viewpoint of a longbowman, or from that of someone else? Alan Kempner

Bernard, Can't find the answer to my question in the FAQs or bulletin board, though it may well have been answered before. I listen to most of your books on audio CD or cassette. Half the readers pronounce your first name in the British style with the stress on the first syllable, the same as "Bernard Manning". The other half put the stress on the second syllable and lengthen it so it sounds like "Bernardo" without the "o". What pronunciation do you prefer? Best, Neil

I love the Sharpe books. I started to read them after I saw Sean Bean on Masterpiece Theater. I enjoyed them as well. My question is in a different area. You did some writing set during the civil war and I would like to know if you are a fan of Bruce Catton or Shelby Foote? I think they are outstanding writers and have learned much about the civil war reading their books. My great-grand father was a member of the 6th Wisconsin volunteers of the Iron Brigade. We still have the rifle that he carried during the war. Will keep reading your books, you have a life long fan. Thank you. Glen.

Hi Bernard, I'm called Marcus and I'm a 19 year old student of Sanskrit. I've been reading your books (especially Sharpe) from a young age, and I still re-read them regularly. I just discovered Sharpe's Skirmish and I think it's brilliant! like a low-fat bare bones version of a normal Sharpe. I read your little note saying that you can't read ideas for stories, but please read this very very brief one (barely more than a title). After all, if I did sue you, you have a written disclaimer from me right here. I understand that in this age of over restriction trust is restricted too. ok, so the story is to be called Sharpe's Son. Unsurprisingly, the protagonist is to be Sharpe's son, Patrick. When thinking about the plot I did some reading on the Victorian era. I'd forgotten how boring it was! Robert Peel, penny stamps, Dickens and stern vicars. You can't imagine it being sunny in Victorian Britain (well, maybe on the Isle of White). no wonder they all buggered off to...the colonies. And that is where Patrick Sharpe should go. To the India which his father first tried to tame, but which remains untamed, simmering and erupting with energy. India has treasure, tigers, beautiful women and cruel magic, djinns and strange tongues. Please, I beg you, send Patrick Sharpe to India. If you haven't got the energy to write a full-length book (I pray that you do) then maybe a little pamphlet one, Sharpe's Skirmish style. Anyway, let me know what you think. Hope all's well, Marcus. p.s. I've been meaning to ask you - does Sharpe hate lawyers, or do you? think about that...

Hi Mr Cornwell, You have kindly taken the time to reply to a couple of questions of mine recently concerning one of my favourite historical characters Banastre Tarleton. As no-one else seems to have an interest in writing a novel about him I've decided to have a go myself, but would be grateful for a few pieces of advice. Firstly I want to humanise a character that has mostly had bad press, at least in the States, and like you I think he was a superb cavalry soldier and agree with your thoughts that the Americans disliked him because he was as enterprising as them. However although I feel he was probably a humorous and colourful man, a bit of an all round party animal etc, the bit I feel I'm going to struggle with is his staunch defence of slavery! It goes without saying this was a deplorable trade, and I suspect much of the reason he supported it was the wealth of his home city of Liverpool was built upon the money involved, as was some of the wealth of his family. My dilemma is how to portray him as an affable chap which in many ways he seems to have been, without whitewashing out this darker side to his political views? Any ideas?

Secondly, I want to write in a kind of first person perspective, as if he is looking back on his life. His own memoirs are a useful tool, but by God they are a dry old read! I was thinking of making my work more humorous and want to write in a similar style to one of my favourite authors George MacDonald Fraser, but am aware of the fact that I don't want it to become a carbon copy in style in the Flashman novels ( please don't think I am saying it would be as good, it would take some writer to ever match Mr Fraser! ) The trouble is we all have our writing influences and it must be difficult not to drift into using certain styles without realising. How can this be avoided, and how do you develop your own style? Does it just kinda happen naturally? I suppose nothing is totally original but a kind of marriage of lots of different influences, fair comment? Appreciate your help on these questions. Kindest Regards, N.Pearce.