Your Questions

Q

Hi Bernard I read some months ago that you use ordnance survey maps when writing. Do you use 1:250,000 (or 1 inch to 4 miles), 1:25,000 (or 1 inch to 1 mile), or a smaller scale? Thanks. I've read all your books and I am looking forward to the new one. James

Submitted October 4, 2005

A

Use them all! Six inch, one inch and two and half inch maps (sorry, I'm old fashioned). Also use vintage ordnance survey maps. I have the whole of Britain on two DVDs (1:50,000). Use any maps. I have shelves of maps and a huge map wall - maps are a novelist's secret weapon. Every time I travel I come home with another bagful of the things.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell: I have another thought concerning the Starbuck Chronicles whenever you finally get back to them. I know this is a LONG way off, Nate hasn't even reached the midpoint of the war, but I think at some point, Starbuck should meet Abraham Lincoln. Perhaps an encounter with this truly great and good man will ease the bitterness of ultimately being on the losing side. Maybe you could weave a final Starbuck tale around Lincoln's assasination? Alan Kempner

Submitted October 2, 2005

A

The awful thing is that the next Starbuck is all researched and the basic story laid out and, strangely enough, Starbuck does meet Lincoln in it. Why don't I write it then? I think because I need to see a time period long enough to know I can write four or five Starbucks in succession, and that isn't now. But soon, I hope.

Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell, I was wondering if you are thinking about making a series about Finn McCool or the CÚCHULAINN tales or anything related to Irish mythololgy or history? If you did I'm dead sure your Irish fans will be gratefully thankful. Please consider it. And when is the book 'The Pale Horseman' coming out in the Republic Of Ireland? Breandan Jure

Submitted October 2, 2005

A

I'll consider it, but I truly think the job belongs to an Irish writer - and I'd love to read it when they've finished. But who knows? Never say never. Sorry, I don't know when the book is released in Ireland - maybe tomorrow?

Q

Mr. Cornwell, Thank you once again for taking the time to answer my last letter about the intricacies of Research and Rewriting. I was enlightened. This time around, since my brain is fried by my own writing this morning, I thought I'd take a break to write you a few typical fan questions/comments- 1. On Amazon UK, a posted review states that "The Pale Horseman is the second book in Bernard Cornwell's Grail Quest sequence" You might want to give them a ring to correct it as it may confuse newer readers. 2. Speaking of the Last Kingdom cycle, since you stated that you were almost finished the third book(of a projected 9 or 12), do you plan to write them straight through? Or are you going to break it up into sets of trilogies- with time off in between? 3. When are you going to find the time to write your Agincourt novel? It would seem like an irresistible topic for you. Unfortunately, Thomas of Hookton would be long dead, but maybe a descendant could carry his black bow, with the Yale emblazoned on it, to the wars just as Lassan carries Sharpe's old calvary sword. Something to think about? Robert Kulb

Hello Mr Cornwell, this is my third time contacting you and I would just like to say that I am eagerly awaiting the Pale Horsemen. I have only one question in which to bother you with this time. I have been wondering for some time if you will write a book about the battle of Agincourt?... I think that it could definitely be a very good book that would be just up your lane :). Thank you for your time in responding and keep up the good work. James Butler

Submitted October 2, 2005

A

1. Thank you!

2. I wish I knew. The one I've almost finished won't be published until October 2007 in the UK, so there's not much point in writing the 4th straightaway - I shall do another book next, then go back to Alfred - but on the whole I'd like to produce one Anglo-Saxon story a year for the foreseeable future.

3.I suspect the black bow wouldn't last that long! They got tired quite quickly. Agincourt? It's on the radar screen is all I can say, and I wouldn't mind writing it very soon. I'm partly inspired by a new book (being published next week in the UK) - Agincourt by Juliet Barker, which is terrific - a history of the campaign and the battle and beautifully done. So, having just finished reading it (the publisher was kind enough to send me an advance copy) I'm quite keen on Agincourt at the moment! Maybe it's the next book? Not sure.

Q

Dear Bernard, First let me say I like the new look of the forum it looks really good. Second in regards to the Hundred Years war there has always been a lot of discussion on Joan of Arc and whether she was a military genuis or a mad woman that got lucky before she was burned. I wondered what your opinion was?. Third In a previous post you mention about writing another Novel on The American Revolution I was curious about what part it would be set in and whether it would have any of the British Riflemen/Leaders like Tarleton or Simcoe. The Queens Rangers did have a reputation as the best fighting unit on either side and do you think Sharpe would have got on well in them??? btw Have you read Mark Boatners Encylopedia on that war. Its a little bit old but pretty much an A-Z on the conflict if not I can recommend it. Yours sincerely, Geraint

Submitted October 2, 2005

A

I think she was a necessary inspiration - put backbone into a spineless lot. Mind you, I suspect the French were fairly glad when the fire was lit.

If it happens - and it got held up by other things - it won't feature any rifle units. I'm not saying what it will be about, because I don't want to give away an ignored and amazing tale. I'm sure Sharpe would have got on wonderfully well with the Queen's Rangers - or with Morgan's Riflemen on the other side - I spent last weekend exploring the battlefield at Saratoga where Morgan fought so brilliantly.

I have it, and use it! Thanks!

Q

Mr Cornwell I am a big fan of your books, especially The Warlords Chronicles. My question is will there be another release in hardcover of this trilogy, in the near future? Thank you. Frank Cester

Submitted October 2, 2005

A

Hardcover? No I don't believe so.

Q

Hello again, Mr Cornwell! Have read Ken Follet's 'Pillars of the Earth', and if so would you recommend it? I bear in mind your advice over Conn's books! Why is it that Penguin published your Warlord series, while Harper Collins has Sharpe and Thomas, among others? Also, I must ask what your favourite/most desired automobile might be! Thanks very much for your work! Stuart

Submitted September 29, 2005

A

I haven't read it, sorry. I did read William Golding's The Spire, which is a wonderful tale, and seems to have been an inspiration for Follet.

Mainly because my editor at HarperCollins moved for a time to Michael Joseph (which is part of Penguin) and I followed her, and then followed her back to HarperCollins when they had the good sense to bring her back. I suspect that for most authors their primary loyalty is not to the publishing company, but to their editor in that company, and I've had the same editor for over 25 years and don't intend to lose her!

I already own it. She's a 1948 MG TC, cream body with burgundy fenders. A creature of transcendent beauty. She runs well, but never goes out in the rain or when the roads are wet. She's undergoing restoration - not that she needs much, but I put back her original 19" wire wheels (she had 15's when I bought her) and last winter had the scuttle (firewall) replaced - a huge job. This winter she'll get a paint job (I think), and I need to strip the dash back to raw wood and re-varnish, send the instruments away to be rebuilt, and replace all the previous owner's Philips screws. She has a totally inauthentic leather strap over the bonnet, and equally inauthentic louvres on the top of the bonnet (not just on the sides), but I'll keep those features because I like them.

Q

Dear Mr. Bernard Cornwell, I am a big fan of your books and I have read all Portuguese publications. The stories are fantastic and the history details are fantastic. The way you describe the battles makes us feel like if we were participating in them. But sometimes I have difficulty trying to viewing the battles. It would be helpful if, when you were describing a battle, there were a map showing the soldiers positions and directions. Sometimes there are maps in the beginning of the book, but when we arrive to battles descriptions if there were a map it would send us right to the location. Unfortunately, my English is good for technical documents but not good enough to read and appreciate your books in English, so I have to wait for the translated versions. Please, do not take my words as a critic but as an idea. Thanks for the numerous hours of pleasure reading your books. Best regards DBB - Portugal

Submitted September 29, 2005

A

I think it's a very good idea! The difficulty is persuading the publisher to go to the extra expense of another map or maps that have to be bound into the book - but I'll mention it to them - again - and thank you!

Q

Have just been enthralled by Fallen Angels - any chance of any more books along this line? best wishes - Jennifer

Submitted September 29, 2005

A

No plans for it at the moment, but who knows....?

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Thank you for the many hours of entertainment that you have given us. We enjoy your books and look forward to what's next. I'm a school teacher and a Local Historian and I have a few brief questions. Do you research a particular event in history and then (decide to) place your characters there? or the other way around? Do you travel to those locations and then get your ideas? Just interesting to know. Thank you again, John

Submitted September 29, 2005

A

Not sure what the answer to that is - I suppose I decide on a period of history that interests me, otherwise the novel wouldn't be any fun to write, so I suppose the period comes first. The ideas start coming right from the start, but I do always travel to the place where the action is set - not so much for ideas, but to make sure I get the setting accurate.