Before she wrote suspense novels, Brenda Stanley spent years covering real stories as a television news anchor and investigative reporter. In this episode of Unscripted with Jorge Mena, we explore how journalism, crime reporting, and small-town dynamics shaped her approach to storytelling.

Brenda discusses the transition from reporting facts to creating fiction, the psychology behind suspense, and why ordinary people placed in extraordinary situations continue to fascinate her as a writer. We also talk about Idaho as both backdrop and influence, balancing writing with career and family life, and the thematic threads connecting her work.

A conversation about truth, tension, human behavior, and the secrets people try to keep buried. 

Brenda Stanley’s book site:

http://www.brendastanleybooks.com/

JMenaMedia, LLC 

Journalist, filmmaker, and storyteller Jorge Mena introduces Unscripted, a podcast devoted to honest, unscripted conversations with writers, creators, and people whose stories illuminate the human experience.

Drawing on decades of work in journalism, film, and television—and on his Family Chronicles project—Jorge explores the value of listening, remembering, and preserving the stories that shape our lives.

JMenaMedia, LLC