Posted by Andy Clayton on September 26, 2012 at 13:36:20 user cousin_jack.
In Reply to: Real Callums posted by Peter Ceresole on September 26, 2012 at 09:18:22:
With the other characters, I think they were developed from children he knew or had known, including his former self. He shaped and developed, the reality that existed. With the Callums, he was on to his fourth book and was looking for a new angle, so he created the 'strangers' to give the fresh perspective. I don't think there were any prototypes for Dick and Dorothea, but he obviously borrowed characteristics to flesh out and give life to the newcomers. It has already been remarked on that he lifted Titty's literary aspirations to give to Dot, and gave Dick his own interest in science and ornithology.