Your Questions

Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell, I doubt you remember me so if you dont object please let me give you background on myself. I am a high school student who wishes to write a novel about Bull Run. I have some questions to ask you if you dont mind: (1) In many of your novels you have parts of your books where you show characters from the other side. Example Adam from starbuck or various French officers. How do you keep the balance with those characters and your lead characters? And how does a writer know when its best to show the other viewpoint?

(2) When you depict real people like Wellington and Gen. R.E. Lee how much of those descriptions would you say are taken from historical research and how much is fiction? I remember in Sharpes Escape there was a commander, who rode up wearing night coat and nightcap. Do things like that come eyewitness account or your brilliant imagination?

(3) Have you heard of the book, Battle at Bull Run by William C Davies? I was thinking of buying at help with my novel on Bull Run and was wondering what you thought of it. Or can you think of any other good books about the (1st) battle of Bull Run?

(4) I would like to know where you got the idea for Starbuck in the first place? I wont even bother to ask you to finish. Wait I just did didnt I? Thanks for your time. PS: Please tell your Personal Assistant thank you for the link to the 95ths web page. I really helped. Good luck with your next novel whatever it may be. Adam Azzalino

A

I hope I don't keep a balance! Those characters will be introduced (or the story told from their viewpoint) solely to advance the plot . . . . and if they or those scenes don't do that, they won't be there. Which is the best I can do to answer your question! The hard work (awwwww) of writing a book is getting the plot right, and knowing just how much information to give the reader at any one time, and those characters work to that purpose! So it's plot driven! I hope that makes sense!

I try to work as far as possible from original sources . . and to get, say, the physical description right (as well as, obviously, the events of the life). But you can't restrict yourself to what is only available from such sources, so the essential trick is to try and project the character into fictional scenes, but staying true to what you know about him or her. Wellington and Lee are both quite easy, because both are strong characters, and we have many recollections by people who knew them, and so it's fairly easy to get a good picture of what they were like. I fear I don't remember the nightcap episode - whether that was imagination or an eyewitness account.

William Davies's book is terrific. You can' go wrong with that. There may well be something more recent, but I fear I haven't kept up with the literature since I wrote that first Starbuck, so not sure I can be really helpful, other than to say that Davies is very good. Try putting Bull Run into Amazon's search engine . . . you should come up with anything more recent.

Honestly have no idea! Certainly living in the US made me interested in the Civil War, so I began reading about it, and the idea must have come from that reading. I remember visiting Nantucket and being struck by the name Starbuck (a Nantucket family) - this was just before a coffee lover was also struck by the name. This all happened twenty or more years ago, and the genesis is lost in the mists of my head.


Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I love your Saxon novels and just finished reading Gallow's Thief. What are the chances of you witing a story about Jack Hood, the Highwayman? Thank you! Wendy

A

The highwaymen are a good subject, but it's not in my plans at the moment.


Q

I have thoroughly enjoyed your writing, for example the Sharpe series, and would like to read a book or two from the author or authors that inspired your writing in order to further enhance my appreciation of your novels. Could you give me some names? Many thanks, Ivor

A

The inspiration for the Sharpe series came from reading C. S. Forester's Hornblower series as a child. If you haven't read them, I recommend you do!


Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell. I just finished your third book in the Saxon Tales; I read all three within a week and it's been a while since I've been that drawn to a fictional series and much thanks for the pleasure you provided. One question though; did you ever serve in the military? You seem to be speaking (or writing) from direct experience. Craig M.

A

Never. I tried to get in when I was 17 or 18, but I'm blind as a bat (short-sighted) and they'd only offer me a job in the Pay Corps - which is very honourable, but I wanted to be slaughtering Frogs so I turned it down. Ah well.


Q

Hello, Let me start by saying your Warlord Trilogy is some of the finest reading I've ever encountered!I am currently reading your Saxon Stories and they're shaping up to be another favorite of mine!I was wondering if you could tell me when The Lords Of the North will be released in trade paperback( in the US?) Regards, David Watts

A

HarperCollins, US hasn't set a publication date for the paperback (as far as I know), but generally it comes out one year after the hardback, so I would look for it around Christmas time.


Q

Hi, I live in Utley near Keighley West Yorkshire and I believe that the Sharpe books are based on someone who is buried in the cemetary at Utley. Please could you tell me his name as I would like to go there. Many thanks Paula

A

Sorry, but Sharpe is utterly fictional - and comes only from my imagination.


Q

I love your books!!! I am currently reading the 3rd book of the Saxon stories (after re-reading the 1st 2). I am wondering when you will continue The Grail Quest series!!! Please, don't leave us dangling!!! Also, are you going to write another book about the Revolutionary War, a continuation of Redcoat? What about a continuation of The Starbuck Chronicles? I loved all the books I have read written by you!!! You are an fantastic author, that provides such wonderful reading!!! I do wish you would go further in The Arthur Books series as well! Please let me know when you will be writing another book on The Grail Quest!!! I am almost finished reading The Saxon Stories and really hate the idea that there isn't another book out there waiting for me to read!!! Jane Barry

A

There will be a new Saxon book in the near future. No plans to continue the Arthur books or the Grail Quest series - both are finished. Starbuck will happen, but not for awhile. And there will be another (I think) during the time of the American Revolution, but it won't be a continuation of Redcoat. Thanks for your kind words.


Q

Reading through the archive of emails on your site, a couple of thoughts popped to mind. For Tony April 20, 2007. I suggest he get a copy of "The Traditional Bowyers Bible, Volume One", Allely, et al, C 1992 Bois d'Arc Press. It will answer his questions regarding wood selection and goes into specifics about the Yew Longbow. The other thought regarding a letter of April 12 2007 asked the question about Sharpes whereabouts between Copenhagen & Corunna. In "Sharpes Rifles" he indicates he fought at Rolica & Vimiero. Will you ever cover what our heroic quartermaster did there? Thanks again or all your wonderful books. Skal, Sven

A

Thanks for the recommendation.

Vimerio/Rolica are not in my plans at the moment, but it's possible they'll feature in one or more short stories some time in the future.


Q

Hi, I am an avid reader of your books as are so many who write to you. Unusually, after reading so many books with a masculine hero, I recently read one of your early books, A Crowning Mercy which I thoroughly enjoyed. The thing that coming to my mind was a what a fantastic television drama it would make in conjunction with the masters of drama the BBC - has this ever been a consideration? Thanks.
Nigel Corbin

A

Thanks, but I don't think it has.


Q

Dear Bernard, In regards to your Viking novels is there any chance of Alfred becoming a bit more likable? He come across as such an ungrateful person (Uthred lost his son because of him and Alfred seems to react as though it was not more than Uthred losing piece of furniture) and seems hard to imagine him ever earning the title "the great".

btw ever any chance of Uhtred ever getting to North America and the Viking settlements there? There was a film out recently of Vikings fighting American Indians (cannot remember name)and it must of happened, any chance Uthred getting involved???

And in regards to Sharpe between the books Sword and Enemy the Siege of Burgos happened which could be called Wellington's (And Sharpe's as well????) one real defeat in Spain, I wondered if you were tempted to get Major Dulong there and give Sharpe some payback for what happened in Havoc??????? Anyway regards Geraint

A

No one earns the title 'the Great' by being nice, but by being effective, and he was. And I'm sure Alfred was extremely nice to those he lied (especially if they shared his religion), but part of the point of the stories is that he and Uhtred don't get along - they're just lumbered with each other.

No chance whatsoever! Sorry! But the underlying story of Uhtred is the making of England as a nation, and sending him off to Vinland is one voyage too far!

Who knows? I haven't got there yet (in the second Sharpe series) so Sharpe might well end up there. I honestly don't know!