Your Questions

Q

Hello again Mr Cornwell, I may be wrong, but having read the 'Your Questions' section over the last few months, I have not come across anyone asking you the following. You have stressed several times that Sharpe will continue for several more years, and possibly go on for as long as you do! However, when asked about your favourite characters and favourite self-penned novels, you never nominate Sharpe or the Sharpe series. Indeed, I think you said once that Sharpe does not appeal to your emotions like other characters you have written about. As a result I wondered what drove you on with the series. Is it purely because he remains your most popular character and you continue for the sake of the fans? As a huge Sharpe fan, I hope you never rest him of course, but I was interested in understanding why you personally want to push on with Sharpe's adventures. Thanks. Nick

Submitted June 17, 2005

A

I hope I never said Sharpe doesn't appeal to me. I adore the man and love the series, but I've always reckoned the Arthur trilogy are my favourite books - maybe because they were such a pleasure to write. But don't worry - I still take huge pleasure from Sharpe.

Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell. I recently finished Sharpe's Escape. Who would you bet in in a hand-to-hand-anything goes fight: Ferragus or Harper, and why? (a pity we never got to see that one). Alan Kempner

Submitted June 17, 2005

A

Never bet against the Irish. I'd back Harper.

Q

Just finished the Arthur books and I have to confess to getting a bit choked up at the end. How attached do you get to your characters? What was it like to finish off the last few pages of Excalibur? Was it just satisfying to bring the work to the right conclusion or do you get caught up with the characters in the same way that your readers do? Kind regards Gregory Spawton

Submitted June 17, 2005

A

I don't think the books would work unless I was caught up in the characters - so yes, I get totally caught up in them and they dominate my thoughts and even, sometimes, dreams. I constantly hear their conversations in my head - and finishing Excalibur was not a pleasant experience because I wanted those characters to go on and on and on. But once a book is done then I confess, like ghosts, they vanish fairly quickly.

Q

I would just like to say thankyou for all your books. They get me in a vice like grip that sometimes threatens my marriage (actually she likes it when I have a new Cornwell as she can go off doing girly things). My first Cornwell was Stonehenge and the historical detail was mesmerising.I have now read all the Sharpe, Arthur and Grail books and found them superb. Now I am eagerly looking forward to the new series about vikings and saxons I believe. I particularly like your sensitivity and understanding in depicting Welsh (and Scots and Irish) characters, giving a more balanced view of history rather than the anglo-centric concoction we are taught. Are there any plans for more television programmes like the real Shape? It was great having you visit the places and explain the history. Nathan Price-Saleh

Submitted June 15, 2005

A

No plans at the moment Nathan, but if any come up we'll be sure to post the information to the website. Thanks for your message!

Q

Mr. Cornwell: I know you get compliments like these every day, but I have to let you know that I have thoroughly enjoyed your books. I just now finished "Sharpe's Escape," and am always looking forward to the next one on the series. I today picked up "Gallows Thief" and look forward to being immersed in 19th century London! (sidenote: I just noticed that Rider Sandman and Richard Sharpe share the same initials, as well as a military background. Did you originally intend this to be another Sharpe novel?) I only discovered your books a few years ago, after having accidentally catching the "Sharpe" series on PBS. I have since devoured every book in the entire series, and introduced your work to all my family and friends. Since then, I've also finished the Starbuck books, and thoroughly enjoyed the Grail Quest novels. Do you plan more entries in either of these series? Finally, I'm curious if you plan to make a series out of your characters introduced in the American Revolution novel, "Redcoat." Keep up your excellent work. It should whet the appepite of anyone even vaguely interested in history. Rick Trice

Submitted June 15, 2005

A

No it was never intended to be a Sharpe novel; the characters are very different, I think, despite their shared background. I've always been fond of the name Sandman, which I once used as a nom-de-plume when I worked for the BBC and wasn't allowed to freelance for newspapers, so Sandman hid me, and I've used it in a couple of books now. Rider, I suspect, came from Rider Haggard.

I do plan to return to Starbuck someday, and perhaps another adventure for Thomas of Hookton - but not any time soon.

There won't be a series for the characters of Redcoat though perhaps there may be a further single Revolutionary War novel.

Q

Dear Bernard, I am a great fan of all your books, particularly the Sharpe books. You have probably been asked this a thousand times!, Possibly a million Times!! are there any further sharpe stories in the pipeline? Post Sharpe's Devil. Just to say thankyou for your books it has inspired me to write a thriller, although it may take 10 years to complete as I don't seem to have enough time!. Many thanks and Regards, Gary Barrowcliffe

simple question really, when is the next Sharpe book..?? love them..
Andrew Letherbarrow

Dear. Mr. Cornwell will you be writing any other Sharpe books? I have read all the others and they are the best. Joey

Submitted June 15, 2005

A

Nothing post Sharpe's Devil. The next Sharpe book will follow Sharpe's Escape - but it won't be out, most likely, until 2007.

Q

I just wanted to say a quick thank you for the update on the Sharpe film currently in the works. However, I was wondering if you could let us know if you would be helping with the writing of the film or if you have been asked for any ideas on what it could be about? A new Sharpe book and film to come, not a bad way to end the day! I'll also like to say thanks on taking the time to answer people's questions, not every writer does this. Dan Price

Submitted June 15, 2005

A

I'm not a screenwriter - my role is strictly cheerleading. As far as I know, it will be an adaptation of Sharpe's Tiger and Sharpe's Fortress.

Q

Hi there. Partly as a result of recommendations by yourself and others in this forum, I've just finished reading Conn Iggulden's 3 'Emperor' books about Caesar, and am eagerly awaiting the last. Having also read, and become a huge fan of the Warlord Trilogy, I was wondering if you - or anyone else - had noticed the similarity between Arthur and Caesar? Clearly Caesar's not mythical, but, in 'Emperor', he's every bit as idealistic and ambitious as Arthur. Both men know that they are the only ones with the willpower and force to do what is needed. Or is it just me? Also, when is the next Uhtred book coming out? And how did your head-to-head with George MacDonald Fraser go - did he reveal to you when (if) Flashman in the American Civil War is going to happen? Adam

Submitted June 15, 2005

A

I don't know if it's just you - but perhaps heroes share certain characteristics? Certainly willpower is one, and surely applies to both. Idealistic? Arthur certainly, I'm not sure the real Caesar was, but I'm sure Conn knows better than me!

The second book of Uhtred, The Pale Horseman, will be out in the UK in October of this year and out in the US in January of next year. Click on the 'What's Coming' link to read an excerpt of the book.

It wasn't a head-to-head, more an arm-in-arm, and went terrifically well. I certainly enjoyed it, and I think George did. I did ask him about the Civil War and he confessed that it is not his favourite period of the 19th Century, allowed that he had rather trapped himself by saying in other novels that Flashman was there, didn't think he really wanted to write it, thought he might do all the same, but pointed out that he is now 80 and you can pick the bones out of all that!

Q

Fantastic books! Is there going to be more on the lines of Stonehenge and A Crowning Mercy and Fallen Angels? I have read all and now am enjoying the Last Kingdom and waiting impatiently for more! Joanne

Submitted June 15, 2005

A

There will be more Alfred books - the second book of the series, The Pale Horseman, will be out in the UK in October and I am now working on the third book of that series (no title yet).

Q

Dear Bernard, you are someone with an obvious love and talent for story-telling. I was curious as to how you cook up ideas/characters/plots. Is it a measured process, whereby you will deliberately sit and think? Perhaps in a special place? Or do the stories come to you unbidden, when you least expect or even welcome them, whilst driving the car, etc? I am fascinated by the thought process of authors. Do you stand on a mountainside or battlefield and find inspiration? Does it come just as readily when you are buying orange juice at the supermarket? How does it work for you? Do share. Paul Reid Republic of Ireland

Submitted June 15, 2005

A

I tend to sit down and work, which is usually the best place for ideas. If they come to you in the shower, or in the supermarket, they're generally a nuisance because you can't write them down immediately. I'm sure all authors are different, but for me it's an evolving process which takes place mainly at the desk by writing and writing, and seeing what develops. That said it's true that once a book is under way it becomes the over-riding obsession, and you think about it fairly constantly, but I never try to kick-start the process by sitting down and deliberately sketching a character or a story that might be useful. When a character comes along I let them develop as they want, and likewise the story. I'm on Chapter Three of the 3rd Alfred book at the moment and genuinely don't have a clue how this chapter will end, or what will happen in the rest of the book. To me writing a book is like climbing a mountain - you get a quarter of the way up, turn round and see a much better route, at which point I start again, using the new route, and that provides impetus to get halfway up, or a third of the way up, when you repeat the process. The most important thing, though, is that telling stories is intensely enjoyable - whatever way you do it.