Suspense, fiction and faith Collins trademarks

One of the many benefits of living in North Idaho is meeting very interesting people who live here. Many have national or worldwide reputations in their field and yet we are unaware that they are our neighbors. One of these is Brandilyn Collins, a prolific novelist with more than 30 books to her credit. My wife and I sat down with her over coffee and pastries to learn more about the amazing stories she has written.

Brandilyn, how did you get started writing? What was the motivation? How long did it take to publish your first novel?

In the 1980s, I was writing marketing materials such as brochures and annual reports for businesses. But I’d always wanted to write fiction. Just after our daughter was born at the end of 1989, I cut back on my clients to pursue that dream. For the next 10 years, around my first priority of husband and children, I worked to learn the craft of fiction. I wrote and wrote, read and read, delving deeply into story structure, the hero’s journey of storytelling, dialogue, characterization, symbolism, etc. Often, I would write all night. In those days there was no such thing as “indie publishing.” The only way to be published was to attract the attention and dollars of a publishing company. The odds of “breaking in” were 100 to 1.

First, I needed a good agent. For years I queried and heard “no, no, no,” until my craft was finally representable. In 1999, just as two of my novels were about to be bought by an editor at a major secular publishing house, God impressed upon me that He wanted me to write novels containing His truth woven into the stories. I asked my agent to withdraw those two books so I could rewrite them to be sold in the Christian market. That was a hard call to make. I was just about to see my dream of 10 years fulfilled. But I could not say “no” to God. Once the books were rewritten, my agent sold them into the Christian market. Many other sales quickly followed. My debut novel was released in 2001. To date, I’ve seen 31 books published.

Most of your books are suspense. How did that genre seem to fit your interest?

I love suspense due to its high-stakes drama. My trademarked brand is Seatbelt Suspense. These novels carry a four-point brand promise: Fast-paced, character-driven, myriad twists, with an interwoven thread of faith. It’s a demanding task to meet all four promises in every novel, but that’s what my readers have come to expect. The “fast-paced” aspect means that action starts in the first chapter and never lets up.

Obviously your books are coming from your beliefs as a Christian. That said, how does that affect your stories, characters and outcomes?

I don’t sit down to write a Christian novel. I sit down to write the best suspense I can. My job is not to preach; it’s to entertain. I want readers on the edge of their seats, flipping pages. So I focus on the plot and characters. As I’m writing the story, the Christian message — the “interwoven thread of faith” — becomes clear. This aspect of the novel then rises naturally from the main character — who she is and what she is facing. It is neither tacked on nor pounded in. It’s simply part of the protagonist’s characterization. For that reason, the Christian thread may be more subtle in some of my novels than others. Also, the suspense genre itself leads to questions about God. We’ve all heard the phrase, “There are no atheists in foxholes.” In my suspense, there’s always a “foxhole.” The protagonist’s life (and the lives of those dear to her) are at stake. It’s natural at such times to consider eternity — and what it takes to get there.

Not all of my readers are Christians. Some simply love suspense but are tired of reading coarse language and sex scenes. To them, my books are “clean reads.”

Have you written any novels set in the greater Coeur d’Alene area?

Yes. My “Kanner Lake Series” is set in a small fictional town in the Spirit Lake area. The downtown is loosely patterned after Sherman Avenue in Coeur d’Alene. In fact, I featured (with permission) a real store on Sherman at the time. The “Kanner Lake” books in order are: “Violet Dawn,” “Coral Moon,” “Crimson Eve” and “Amber Morn.” A more recent standalone novel, Plummet, is set in a small fictional town just north of Hayden.

You are also known as an instructor on becoming a writer. Can you fill us in on that part of your life? What is the book you have written about writing?

My how-to book on the craft of fiction is “Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors.” In college, I majored in theater and journalism. In the theater major I studied method acting, taught by the great Russian director Constantin Stanislavsky. Once I started writing fiction, I instinctively used the method acting techniques I’d learned, morphing them from use on the stage to use on the page. I soon realized my writing colleagues weren’t aware of these concepts and how effective they are for both characterization and story structure. Aha! I needed to write the book! So I chose seven of the most important techniques and adapted them for the novelist’s use. “Getting Into Character” was originally published by John Wiley and Sons. A few years ago I got the rights back, updated the book into a second edition, and republished it on my own. When I teach at writers conferences, often I’m instructing from GIC. The techniques are eye-opening for both the new novelist and the multi-published. Although the concepts are deep, my teaching style is conversational, with humor and high energy.

I also host an annual “Fantastic Fiction Retreat” in June, at which I teach these techniques. The retreat is limited to 12 students. They stay in a Coeur d’Alene hotel at a group rate. Classes are held in my home. It’s an intensive two days of teaching in a beautiful setting with a stunning view.

You’re also known as a speaker. Tell us about that.

I’ve served as a keynote speaker at many Christian writers conferences. I’m also available for women’s groups and retreats. I’m at home on the stage because of my theater background. (Plus, it gets me out of my cave once in a while.) I approach each invitation to speak with a lot of prayer. Who’s going to be there? What is God impressing upon me that He wants me to say? The “About” and “Invite To Speak” pages on my website can tell you more.

How did you end up in North Idaho?

Mark and I first drove through Coeur d’Alene in 1995. I instantly fell in love with the town. For six years, we would pull our boat over 900 miles to vacation here with our kids. In the sixth year, Mark and I happened to jog by an amazing piece of property for sale and investigated the house. Once again — instant love. We bought the house and are now so happy to live in Coeur d’Alene full time.

Where are your books available and how can they learn more about you (website).

Locally, my paperback novels can be bought or ordered through The Sower in Coeur d’Alene. My paperbacks, ebooks and audio books are available online through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christian Book Distributors, Lifeway, iTunes and Kobo. My website is: https://brandilyncollins.com. The first chapters of all my books are on my website, plus a contact form and info on my speaking/teaching. On Facebook I’m at: https://www.facebook.com/brandilyncollinsseatbeltsuspense

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Bob Shillingstad is a weekly contributor to The Press. Email: bjshill@mac.com