Natalie welcomes renowned British writer Simon Brett, known for his mystery and crime thrillers, including the humorous whodunit "Bones Under the Beach Hut." Simon shares insights into his writing process, the inspiration behind his characters, and his own experiences as a beach hut owner in Littlehampton. The conversation explores the quirks of beach hut communities, the challenges of writing, and the joy of creating engaging characters. Simon also discusses his latest book, "A Messy Murder," which explores themes of decluttering and personal struggles. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Background of Simon Brett: Simon Brett is a prolific British author known for his mystery and crime thrillers, having published over a hundred books since 1975. He has also written humorous works and was awarded an OBE for his contributions to literature.

2. Inspiration for "Bones Under the Beach Hut": The book was inspired by the beach hut community in Littlehampton, where the author became a beach hut owner after writing the novel. The setting allowed for a humorous exploration of the quirks and dynamics within beach hut associations.

3. Character Development: The characters Carol and Jude in the Feathering series reflect different aspects of the author's personality. Carol is portrayed as self-conscious and anxious, while Jude is more laid-back and adventurous, creating ongoing conflict and depth in their interactions.

4. Writing Process: The author emphasises the psychological challenges of writing, including feelings of self-doubt and the struggle to maintain momentum. He likens the writing process to carpentry or Lego, where structuring the plot is essential before allowing characters to take over.

5. Latest Work - "A Messy Murder": This book features a declutterer as the main character and addresses more serious themes such as mental illness and bereavement. The inspiration came from a real-life declutterer who shared intriguing stories, leading to the creation of a new series.

BEST MOMENTS

"I thought, oh, that'd be a really good background for... a crime novel about a beach hut."

"It sounded like a body in the library or somebody, you know, decluttering and accidentally stumbling upon a body."

"I mean, the prices of beach huts are just amazing... If you're shrewd, it's a good way of investing."

EPISODE RESOURCES

A Messy Murder (The Decluttering mysteries Book 4) - Kindle edition by Brett, Simon. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Bones Under the Beach Hut (Fethering Village Mysteries Book 12) eBook : Brett, Simon: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

About | Simon Brett (zscaler.com)

My Top 10 Favourite Beach Hut –Bonkers About Beach Huts – Apple Podcasts

HOST BIO

My name is Natalie Young. I bought a beach hut to bring joy into my life after escaping an abusive relationship and a difficult divorce.  Based in Christchurch, Dorset, my beach hut is affectionally called the Salty Seagull and is located on Friars Cliff beach with sea views to the Needles on the Isle of White. It is my slice of heaven. 

Owning and hiring a beach hut is more complicated than I realised and I am on a constant mission to discover the best ways to manage and care for your hut. I have researched the pros and cons of renting and the best ways to market and host.

The beach, the sights and the sounds of the sea bring me huge joy. I hope this podcast will bring you smiles, laughter and joy too!

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PODCAST DESCRIPTION

Welcome to the Bonkers about Beach Huts podcast, the show that's all about beach huts!

Whether you are thinking of buying a beach hut and don’t know where to begin or if you have had a beach hut in your family for generations this podcast is for you.

As I travel across the UK exploring these coastal retreats and sharing personal stories of how the humble beach hut has shaped lives, I will also be creating the UK's first beach hut map. I will give tips on where and how to buy a beach hut. And share everything you need to know about beach hut maintenance plus advice on hiring a beach hut.

We will be chatting with special guests from estate agents to lock specialists, beach hut associations to beach hut builders, and artists to interior designers. 

If you don’t know what all the fuss is about, join us every week and you too will become a little bit Bonkers Bbout Beach Huts.