Dear Mr. Cornwell. Please talk a little bit about the process by which you come to formulate a new Sharpe novel. In particular, what comes first, the plot or the historical setting? Do you say “I want to have Sharpe go up against an elite French anti-partisan unit, what Peninsular battle or siege will facilitate that?” Or do you say “I want Sharpe at the battle of Albuera, what sort of plot can I get him into in and around that battle?” Alan Kempner