Brenda Stanley Inspires Readers Through Suspense, Secrets, And Emotional Connections
Photo: Brenda Stanley: Masterfully weaving mystery, history, and emotion, the acclaimed author captivates readers with unforgettable characters and gripping, suspenseful narratives.
The Power Of Family, History, And Humanity
Author Brenda Stanley shares her creative journey, blending suspense, emotional depth, and personal experiences to craft gripping novels and explore themes of family, secrets, and resilience with authenticity.
Brenda Stanley is, without question, a literary force to be reckoned with—a writer whose extraordinary talent defies boundaries and genres. With suspenseful plots that keep readers on edge and emotionally complex characters that leave lasting impressions, her novels are the kind of stories you carry with you long after the final page. Drawing inspiration from her dynamic life experiences—whether as a tenacious investigative journalist, an Idaho ranch owner, or a mother navigating the intricacies of a large family—Brenda seamlessly blends authenticity, depth, and intrigue into every book she writes.
Brenda Stanley, an author whose works reveal the profound humanity nestled within the darkest secrets and the resilience found in even the most fragile connections. As Brenda shares the fascinating journey behind her craft, including the inspiration for her upcoming novel It Happened in the Hollow, readers will gain insight into the boundless curiosity and heartfelt passion that make her stories resonate so deeply. Brenda Stanley is not just a storyteller; she’s an architect of emotion, and her ability to weave together mystery, history, and human connection is nothing short of remarkable. This interview is not to be missed.
What inspired you to start writing novels, and how did you develop your style of incorporating suspense and mystery?
I have always loved to read and that inspired my desire to write. My father worked in law enforcement and as an undercover agent for the DEA. This shaped my writing style by instilling a strong sense of suspense, attention to detail, and a fascination with the hidden motives behind people’s actions.
How has your background as a television news anchor and investigative reporter influenced your approach to storytelling?
My career as an investigative journalist taught me how to dig beneath the surface, ask the right questions, and tell compelling, fact-driven stories. That experience shaped my fiction by giving me a strong sense of pacing, character motivation, and how to weave suspense through real-world details that make a story feel authentic and urgent.
Can you share your experience of writing your first novel at the age of seventeen and how it shaped your journey as an author?
When I wrote my first novel, I was a teen mom. I was living in a very rural and isolated part of Utah, and reading and writing were what I did to escape the loneliness and uncertainty of that time. Writing became my refuge—a way to process everything I was going through and to imagine a world beyond my immediate reality.
What elements of life in Idaho and your small ranch inspire your settings and characters?
Many of my stories evolve from what I see and experience here in Idaho and on my own property. I love to ride horses in the mountains and hike in the woods. My stories often feature these elements. My most recent novel even incorporates fly fishing into the storyline.
How do you balance creating intriguing suspenseful plots with the emotional depth of your characters?
For me, the key to balancing suspense with emotional depth is making sure the plot serves the characters, not the other way around. I start with people—flawed, complex, and real—and let their fears, secrets, and desires drive the tension. Suspense isn’t just about what’s happening; it’s about why it matters to the characters, when readers care about who’s at the center of the storm, every twist and reveal hits that much harder.
What was the creative process like for your upcoming book, “It Happened in the Hollow,” and what inspired the story?
I wanted to tell this story from two perspectives—one grounded in the present, and one looking in from beyond the veil. That structure allowed me to weave together past and present, showing how long-buried truths still shape the lives unfolding now. I spent a considerable amount of time researching Idaho’s history, particularly the rivers and waterways that serve as the state’s lifeblood. It’s not just fiction—people have truly been killed over land and water rights. Fly fishing became the perfect vehicle to connect two generations with the river.
How do your personal experiences, such as being a mother of five and your connection to family, influence the themes in your novels?
Being a mother of five has deeply shaped the way I write about relationships, resilience, and the bonds that hold us together, even when they’re messy or strained. Family, in all its complexity, is at the heart of my stories. I’m especially drawn to the impact of family secrets—how what’s hidden or unspoken can echo through generations. My personal experience helps me write characters who love fiercely, fight hard, and carry both joy and pain with them, just like real families do, especially when the past refuses to stay buried.
What challenges do you face in maintaining uniqueness and creativity in your various novels?
One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that each story feels fresh while remaining true to my voice. I never want to repeat a plot or character arc just because it worked before. To keep things unique, I dig deeper into new themes, settings, or emotional truths I haven’t explored yet. It also helps to stay curious about people, history, and even my own fears. Creativity comes from simply asking, What if?
How do you approach weaving intricate and mysterious storylines without giving away too much too soon?
I approach it like a puzzle—revealing just enough pieces at a time to keep readers curious, but not so much that they can see the whole picture too early. I also write my endings first, so I know where my story is leading, and it helps me keep the complex twists from deviating from where I need them to go. It’s all about timing and perspective. I use character emotions, setting, and subtle clues to build tension, trusting the reader to pick up on what’s between the lines. Holding back just the right details creates that sense of unease and anticipation that makes a mystery compelling.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors who want to write compelling and emotionally resonant stories?
Write the story that scares you a little—the one that feels personal, vulnerable, or deeply honest. That’s where the emotional resonance lives. Don’t be afraid to dig into your own experiences and truths, because authenticity is what makes a story stick with readers. Also, spend time getting to know your characters; the more real they feel to you, the more real they’ll feel to others.
Editor’s Note
Brenda Stanley masterfully intertwines suspense and emotional depth in It Happened in the Hollow. This hauntingly beautiful novel explores grief, guilt, and the power of human connection as Landis and Benji navigate the secrets hidden within the Idaho woods. Stanley’s vivid descriptions bring the setting to life, while the dual perspectives of the living and the dead add an intriguing layer of complexity. With compelling characters and a gripping mystery, this story is both poignant and thrilling, leaving readers captivated until the very last page. A must-read for fans of soulful suspense.
