Your Questions

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.

Hello Mr Cornwell, may I just start off by saying that you are the best historical writer of all time and should be knighted, although maybe you already are being a descendant of Uhtred :-) I was just wondering if you could answer a couple of questions for me if you have time. The Uhtred character is quite ruthless compared to Derfel, was it more enjoyable to write Uhtred given that you can have a lot more fun with him than Derfel?

My second question is that you always seem to have a very likable Irish character as a companion to your main character being a Dubliner born and bred I find this wonderful. I was just wondering if this has something to do with the time you spent in Ireland? Please keep up the fantastic work (counting the days to Sword Song) Gearoid Mciomhar

Dear Sir, Thank you for inspiring my search into the Napoleonic Wars, and the awe inspiring life of the Duke of Wellington. I believe that I read somewhere that Wellington was offered command of the British army in America in the War of 1812, but turned it down. That could have been a hell of a story, huh? Gregory K. Jones

I am reading the Saxon series and I have a question about an aspect of your style that intrigues me. I am wondering how you plot main characters and plot twists, so that every time I think I know where the story is going you either foreshadow a big change or surprise me completely. Never do your plot twists seem contrived to me, whereas I find most novels seem somewhat predictable or anticlimactic in a valiant effort to be original. This plot twisting is masterfully done in your Saxon books, and even though I have read some of the associated history you still lead me on a merry dance. I love it what tension, but poor Uhtred! Thank goodness we know he lives to a ripe old age. Anyway is this just instinctive or do you have some tricks up your sleeve, or both? Or in other words, if after you have read this convoluted question and by some miracle know what the hell I am getting at can you tell me how you do it!? Thanks John (in Canada).

Hi Richard, I really enjoyed 'Fury' and would put it up there with my favorites (of which there are many). I am currently reading the fascinating 'Redcoat' by Richard Holmes. A question regarding the tantalising issue of Sharpe's parentage. You once alluded in an interview that his father might have been French. Might we have come across him in any of the novels? Mitch, Liverpool

In Vagabond you describe the process of arrow making. Different people, different tasks, even different regions going into the assembly of the weapon. Are such technical descriptions a result of research or just creative ways to enhance the story? Thanks, Bill Potter

Hello again Bernard, I've got a very quick question for you: If you had a time machine that could only be used once (there and back) to view any event in history, which would you choose? and why?

Oh, and when you do the next Sharpe, do you think it will be a prequel involving everyone's favourite Sgt?...Hakeswill? Cheers, Nick