Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, First let me thank you for all the pleasure that reading your books has given me. I find your notes at the back very interesting. (The last, Gallows Thief, I read in NZ and passed it on to a Kiwi friend fascinated by English history!) I was interested in your notes in this book, about the almost carnival atmosphere at a public hanging. My late mother left me a collection of lace bobbins; the shaft of one is decorated with the name 'W Worsley hung 1868'. She found that he was William Worsley but I haven't found out anything more about him. Do you know whether commemorative bobbins like this one would have been made to peddle at hangings? Or might this have been an occasional thing, for relatives of the victim perhaps? I'd be interested to hear what you might know - many thanks, Juliet Lewis

Submitted February 2, 2004

A

I've never heard of it (doesn't mean it didn't happen) and William Worsley would not have been publicly hanged in 1868 because by then executions had long been transferred to the inside of prisons, so there would probably have been far fewer souvenirs made. I suspect, and this is only a guess, that poor William was a weaver and the bobbin belonged to him and his family carved it as a memento - but that's only a guess.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, please could you tell me the inspiration for the name "Sharpe" in your marvellous novels. Many thanks, Sue Winch

Submitted February 2, 2004

A

He is named after Richard Sharp the great rugby player - all I did was add an 'e'.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a long-time fan of your work (esp. the Sharpe series-alas , I have no valuable 1st editions as I am too frugal-alright cheap to buy hardcovers). I was gratified to see a new 'Sharpe' is on the horizon. I just finished "Gallows Thief". It was a great read and Rider Sandman looks like a character with great potential. How was it received and do you plan on continuing Sandman's adventures? Thanks from a historical junkie Michael Ruskey

Submitted February 2, 2004

A

There's a good chance of another adventure for Sandman, but I'm not sure when I'll get to it.

Q

Hello. Just a quick note to say that I first read your books when I was at boarding school. It was a grim time sometimes but I do remember finding a battered copy of Sharpe's Gold in the school library, hurray! I spent many a dull weekend following Sharpe and Harper all over Spain and India. I even managed to convert some of my mates who also read the books, and my copy of Sharpe's Trafalgar was well read by about 20 people and is heavily re-inforced with cellotape! Anyhow, I've read the bulletin board and I've noticed that there is a glimmer of hope in rousing Sharpe from Lucille's Farm after Sharpe's Escape is there a possibility in Sharpe strapping on the sword belt for one last time? James Walkerdine

Submitted February 2, 2004

A

It's possible - always possible, but likely? Don't know. It's something for a few years away.

Q

By my reckoning, Richard Sharpe would be76 by 1853, not to old for a British general in those days. Was he involved in the Crimean War at all? William W. Gill

Submitted February 2, 2004

A

Give the man a break! I know Blucher was fighting away in his 70's, but I don't think Sharpe was. Still, never say never.

Q

Mr Cornwell, by dumb luck I found a used Sharpe's Rifles in a half priced bookstore many years ago and have purchased all your novels since. I eagerly await each new book. I too waited, as others to read about Starbuck at Appomattox. I also looked everywhere for a sequel to the great Redcoat novel. It seemed such an obvious choice for a series. Why no sequel? You ended the story in midstream. Would you please continue the series for Redcoat? Gary Elliott

I finished reading your book, "Redcoat" this afternoon and wanted to let you know how very much I enjoyed it. I have read many of your other novels and enjoyed them all. My question is, why in all the FAQ's was there never any mention of "Redcoat"? And, I was disappointed to find no reference of any further books about the redcoat, Sam Gilpin. I would highly recommend this book and only wish you had continued the story in another book or two. It had such possibilities for Sam, Caroline and Mrs. Crowl. Keep writing and thank you for some most enjoyable reads! Joline

Submitted February 2, 2004

A

Maybe, perhaps, not sure. I think the book comes to its proper end, but I'll have another look and think about it. Thanks

Q

Reading your advice for writing stories was very interesting, but I wanted to ask you how you go about writing and planning your characters. I'm a big fan of the Arthur books and Stonehenge, and have been amazed at how many characters you introduce without them feeling anything but convincingly alive. Do you sit down and analyze them psychologically at the story-planning stage, and work out what character-changing or revealing stories can happen to them individually, or do you deal with them in more detail as bigger situations come up? I wondered, with all the hundreds of characters you've created by now, how you see those characters.. whether they are each a conscious list of traits and flaws, or people you don't completely know but learn more about by writing them in a way that keeps you convinced in them?

(ps:I really think I enjoyed the Arthur trilogy much more for the slow beginning you've commented on - I found it helped build up the reality of what came later, especially in making some of Derfel's early life a bit quieter, and also giving some sense of the albeit limited peace and history that the Saxons were starting to encroach on. Julian

Submitted January 30, 2004

A

I fear I do none of the sensible things above, I just sit down and write! I know that ain't helpful, but if the characters don't emerge through the story then they probably won't work. I know that when I sit down and try to work them out psychologically, or give them a 'back story' that things are desperate and it's time to look for another job.

Q

Hi Bernie! (Or is it Bernard ?) Are you working on the next book in the Grail series? When do you expect the next one to be available? Will you have Sharpe have any more adventures after the war? I know there may come a time when you are simply out of battles for him to win in the Peninsular War, and I am sure after he and his Irish friend returned from South America they weren't done wreaking their own brand of havoc on the British Empire and Europe. That Sharpe fellow is much to anxious to ever really settle down.There must be loads of opportunity for mischief for those two to get into. Thanks for replying. Joe

Submitted January 30, 2004

A

I feel the Grail Quest series is done - at least for now. More mischief for Sharpe and Harper after the war? There probably is - but whether I'll do it? No plans at present, but who knows? I like writing Sharpe so if I run out of Napoleonic enemies I might have to find others for him.

Q

Dear Bernard First off all I read recently with pleasure that there was a memorial service recently given to the British war dead on the Corunna campaign. A truly horrific campaign if ever there was one. Second inregards to the Starbuck chronicals may I ask what first started off your interest in the U.S Civil war if you do not mind me asking and why put the main charachter on the losing side (though it is a nice contrast to Sharpe whose on the winning side)? Lassan said his Nephew wanted to join the fighting will we see Sharpe's Grandson in action. Will Starbuck ever find out that it was Delenay not Ridley who had Sally raped and beaten and of course his attempt to kill him in Copperhead? And will he get back with Sally (Julia Gordorn was not as interesting in JMO). Chickamauga (aptly named river of death) was a slaughter yet had some of the best soldiers on both sides there (Longstreet,D.Hill,Hood,Cleburne and Forrest for the South and Roscerans,Thomas and Sheridan for the North) will Starbuck get to there and Knoxville with Longstreet's Corps. Or will he be with the disasters at Bristoe,Rapphanock station and Kellys Ford against Meade? 3) Lonsgreet considered Lee to be great defensive general but that he would lose his head on the offensive (There does seem some truth to this even though he was villlified for uttering it) what's your opinion on Lee abilities tactically and strategicaly? Geraint

Submitted January 30, 2004

A

What got me interested in the US Civil War? Living in the US. And why put Starbuck on the losing side? Because it's more interesting - by the end the north is a behemoth, and the south is struggling, and he probably knows he's on the wrong side, but that makes it all the more interesting and, of course, as you say, it's a contrast to Sharpe. I won't know the answers to all the rest of your questions regarding Starbuck until I get there - sorry!

Q

MR.CORNWELL - I LOVED YOUR AUTHOR SERIES AND HAVE ONE QUICK QUESTION FOR YOU....WHAT HAPPENS TO DERFEL?? :) THANK YOU! SARAH H.

Submitted January 30, 2004

A

He writes three books, then gets killed by the Sais. Poor sod. In real life he was probably a warrior of Arthur's who is reputed to have founded a church, still there, in west Wales (Llanderfel).