As I know with my poems, there is nothing like the power of words. Ian explains how his own experiences led to this trilogy.
Write Your Own Story
Long and difficult car journeys with children are often experiences that parents would typically rather avoid or forget. But for proud father Ian Buckingham, suddenly being forced into a lot more and longer car journeys with the children ignited a spark that led him to diversify from writing books on brand management to penning a trilogy of children’s books.
The birth of their second child unfortunately coincided with a series of unexpected pressure points beyond their control. This resulted in the family tragically splitting up.. One of the consequences was that this meant that Ian was faced with driving hundreds of thousands of miles over the years to maintain his treasured parenting relationship with their children.
“There was never any doubt in my mind about whether I would find a solution to the challenges I now faced as a father. But it was an incredibly difficult time. With young children and a multitude of pressures, I had to think long and hard about how to make this work.
We’ve always been a creative family. Music and art and writing and performing have long been a part of what we do together. As a writer, I also had some unfulfilled creative business as, according to family members, despite writing business books, I have always intended to write books for children.
So, in order to turn a challenge into an opportunity, on several trips to Cornwall, we somehow invented the story relay”
Basically, Ian, his partner, the children and friends (basically whoever was travelling with them), would pick a theme and one person to start the story. Then off they would go. Each person in turn would unpack the next stage of the story linked to the common thread and introduce characters, twists and plot milestones as they saw fit.
“Sounds odd, I know. But it was a great way to entertain ourselves and while away the miles together in between listening to music and just catching up on the events of the last week. Eventually, characters and patterns recurred as we drove through forests, hills and sea-scapes and we started being “visited” by familiar friends.”
So, how did those conversations with little ones in the back seat of the car translate into a trilogy of novels?
One rare rainy day in Coverack, Cornwall, Ian and his elder daughter discussed capturing the stories they had created together. They worked through the scraps of notes they had made and sketched out the story on an A3 sheet of paper.
Years later, Ian took it out of a drawer and with the help of flip charts, used these notes and drawings to create the story arc that formed the roadmap and basis for the Changeling trilogy.
The first book. Legend of the Lost was published a couple years ago. It has been very well received, earning five- star reviews.
So what is the story about?
“I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, but coincidentally it’s about a family re-discovering loved ones they didn’t know existed and in the process battling a global pandemic of dark magic that threatens everything they hold dear (sound familiar?).
As you would expect, the family is filled with fascinating characters who discover abilities, powers, characteristics and assets that help them along the way, gathering strength and wisdom as they travel the globe.”
Who is it aimed at?
Originally it was intended for 7-11 year olds and young adults. But the best feedback is that whole families are sharing it, reviewers saying things like:
“Three generations of us have read this wonderful and positive book which started as a bed-time read and has been passed between us all We’re all eager for the next instalment.”
Grandparents in particular have taken to the books, perhaps as they deliberately have a sort of CS Lewis/Blyton feel to them,
“I’ve recently been reading the Never Forgotten, the excellent book of poetry produced by grandparents who are estranged from or have been deliberately alienated from their grandchildren.
The poems are deeply touching.
This project proves how powerful art can be both as a way of expressing everlasting love, relieving pain by sharing it and hopefully building bridges leading to reconciliation. Separation, especially right now given how dark times are, really is so unnecessary and damaging, especially for the children.
A lot of children’s literature ironically does feature missing parents and adults creating the room for children to express, explore and grow. Think about The Railway Children, Narnia, Harry Potter or Enchanted Wood series. Our Changeling Saga does have all the same themes. But it was co-created by two generations, appeals to boys and girls and it’s filled with positive messages like working together and healthy family values. These are all the more powerful as it was the children who chose those themes.
I hope that by sharing this series we wont just entertain children, parents and grandparents but we’ll help bring them hope in the darkest of times.”
The second edition of Legend of the Lost, set in glorious Cornwall and Ashridge Forest, has just been published by Green Cat Books and is available in hard and soft formats now.
Ian does have some copies of the first edition left which he’ll gladly sign and dedicate with a message to loved ones as a special present, if you contact him via the website.
The sequel in the Changeling saga, The Ends of the Earth, will be out in time for Christmas.
