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.