This Easter, I (Jyoti) had the privilege of catching up with my friend and writing partner Davis Bunn at his home in England.
Two generations of writers in conversation at Blenheim Palace about Davis’s new book, Shell Beach (Miramar Bay book #7).
Here are some of the questions I asked Davis and his responses…
Jyoti: What challenges did you face writing Shell Beach?
Davis: The story has two new elements that I’ve never written about before. Huge research was required in both cases. Starting from scratch on both, and in the same book, took a lot more time than I expected.
How does this book fit into the overall series?
In several ways. First, the theme of rekindling a lost hope, being granted a second chance at whatever is most important in life, remains at the heart of all these stories. Second, each story builds upon the threads at the heart of the last two or three. In Shell Beach, the Christmas story’s main characters played a huge role.
Miramar Bay books can be read in any order.
Miramar now comprises seven books. Eight, if you include The Christmas Hummingbird. Is this the longest series you’ve ever written?
It is the longest I’ve ever done by myself. Janette [Oke] and I did a series containing ten books. I’m now completing the sequel to Shell Beach, and have been asked to write another Christmas story. Which will bring this level. After that…
What was it like returning to the same ‘world’ so many times, with different characters? Are there plans for more? Will Miramar Bay ever get old for you?
Because the central characters, and their primary story lines, are different each time, I can definitely say the series has remained a wonderful and truly satisfying experience. If or when I leave, it will not be because I’ve grown tired of Miramar Bay. I simply have so many other stories I want to write.
How has your writing evolved over the course of the Miramar Bay series, and what have you learned from writing these books?
Every book teaches vital lessons. So long as I continue to grow as a writer, as long as I am hungry to do better, each represents a new challenge. I hope I can meet each new one in turn.
What inspired the premise?
There are two main premises to Shell Beach, as there are to all of the other Miramar Bay stories. I will only deal with one here.
I began working as a dockhand when I was twelve years old. I grew up around the water, loved sailing, was passionate about boats. Most of my experience was around smaller inland-water vessels, while Shell Beach has at its heart a destroyed yacht, one that represented the state of the main character’s life. In rebuilding the boat, he came to a new healing in his overall world.
Like I said, a lot of research.
What inspired the characters?
My wife and I had someone very close to us who went through the sort of rough time represented by this story. Watching this person rebuild their world, the strength of heart and will, the energy, it humbled us. So I took the core values we found in this experience, and built the characters you find in Shell Beach.
Do you have a favorite scene or moment from “Shell Beach”? If so, can you share it with us?
Well, finding the hidden treasure certainly gave me a kick.
Set in the picturesque coastal town of Miramar Bay, Shell Beach tells the story of two people who have lost everything they thought they wanted, only to discover that what they truly need is each other. It’s a story that is close to my heart, and I can’t wait for you to read it.
— Davis Bunn, April 2023
Bestselling writer JYOTI GUPTARA has helped leaders on five continents use business storytelling to experience more success with less stress.