Dear Derek:

Just finished reading Secret of the Dragon’s Claw, the third book in the series.  Wow.  Great read.  Looking forward to Book 4.  Inquiry – How did you come up with the idea in the first place?  Jeff Parker – UK

I’ve actually been asked this question a number of times, so I thought I’d capture the story here in the blog.

When my son Ian was 8 years old, he came to me one day and said, “Dad, it’s not fair that I don’t get to read  your books.  Mom says they’re filled with adult themes, you know, sex, violence, that kind of stuff.”

I admit I laughed out loud, before replying, “You’re right.  I should write a series that you can read, until you’re old enough to handle those ‘adult themes’.  Would that be okay?”

He nodded enthusiastically.

I grabbed pen and legal notepad and said, “I’ll ask some questions, so I can get the basic outline together and go from there.”

“What kind of novel should it be?” I asked.

“Fantasy,” Ian replied.  “Historical fantasy.”

“Time period?”

“World War Two, in England.”

I smiled and nodded.  Right up my alley.

Ian barely took a breath.  “There should be kids my age, but teenagers, since I’ll be that old by the time you finish writing it.  It should have a dragon, because I love dragons.  Not a nasty dragon, but a silly, loveable, wise old dragon.”

This, of course, was the key.  This is how Thaddeus Osbert found me and I found him.  Such innocent statements often lead to windows of opportunity being flung open.

“Great.  This is enough to get started.  I’ll let you read it as soon as I’ve finished.”

Ian was greatly pleased and I must admit that I was enthusiastic.

Jump on Google.  I need a location.  Cornwall.  It just had to be.  My Cornish ancestors would approve.  I had been to Cornwall and loved it.  Of course, King Arthur was supposedly born in Boscastle!  Tintagel Castle!  I felt the surge of excitement, as the plot sprung into mind.  I need someplace unusual.

Crackington Haven.  Perfect.

Then began the research.  Start the story in 1940 and take it through to 1945.  Six books, one for each year of the war in England.  Yes, it started in 1939, but I think I’ll focus on the events once Hitler invaded France.

Who knew that I would be visited by this big red dragon several days later.  Thaddeus claims he was waiting for someone willing to tell his story.  I think he came to steal our sugar.