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