The Dawlish Trilogy: But, why?
It’s probably fair to say that much of the source material for the trilogy as a whole, came from nowhere. I can’t prove that, and it may sound implausible, but my memory insists there was no grand inciting incident. No lightning bolt, or accompanying scar. Just… a story that appeared and insisted on being written.
Still, there are a few details I can trace back to their origins.
Why Dawlish?
Dawlish is a town I know well and love deeply. It’s a tiny place on the South Devon coast, known mostly for two things: its black swans, and its railway line – the one that famously fell into the sea during a rough storm. It’s a lovely spot. Calm (outside of storms), if a little bleak in winter. Noisy and sugary-sweet in summer. Stereotypically lovely.
But Dawlish wasn’t the first choice for the series!
Originally, the setting was going to be Morecambe, specifically the view from somewhere near the Midland Hotel out over the bay. It felt right. Eric Morecambe loomed large in my mind as a comedic patron saint, whispering in my ear to create strange goings-on.
Then I discovered there was already a Morecambe Bay Trilogy. Damn you, Paul J. Teague! (Kidding – I’m sure both you and your work are the finest of the fine.)
So with that devastating twist and before too much pen had hit paper, I pivoted and good old Dawlish stepped in. And no, before anyone from the area writes in: there is not a shred of geographical accuracy in the book. The Strand is not on the seafront, and in the real world, a railway line slices neatly between any potential shop and the actual sea.
It is, regardless of everything, a place I very much love.
Why a trilogy?
Somewhere around the halfway point of Glitter Buckets & Spades, I realised I’d stumbled upon characters I really liked. People with voices, with stories, with enough spark to carry more than just a single outing.
From Oscar Ockham and his resilient but reticent charm, Pete “Cheeky” Raskill with his enviably upbeat attitude, all the way to Dot Argus and her calm, practical approach to side-taking – they all came alive more loudly and clearly than I’d expected.
It may sound odd, but… the characters made me do it.
Why magic and clown accessories?
Partly, it was destiny. There’s a real shop in Exeter called Loudmouth that sells everything from Juggling and Circus paraphernalia, to bongs, vapes, and other lung-limiting novelties. And then just down the street, there’s Chuckle Shoes – quite possibly the greatest shop name of all time despite being a misnomer in every way.
As a character, Oscar was always going to be a magician, even if it took him time to grow into the role. I’ve dabbled a little myself and let me tell you, I can do things with a coin that’ll make you… well, given that I’m not very good, I’d probably make you point at my other hand and say “It’s in that one.” And you’d be right, but it’s the journey that counts.
As a kid, I had the Paul Daniels Magic Set and loved it. Not a lot… but…
