Ripple Library: Author Chat With...Bre Coleman

 

How do you get inspired to write?

 

I usually get inspired by things I encounter, conversations I overhear, or quotes that stick with me. From there, I just start putting words together and let the story lead me.

 

How do you deal with writer’s block?

 

When I hit writer’s block, I step away, read something, watch TV, or go people-watching while wine tasting. Overhearing tipsy wine conversations is always entertaining. It helps me reset and relax so I can come back to the page with fresh ideas.

 

What mystery in your own life could be a plot for a book?

 

Is my baby daddy alive or dead? To me, he’s gone. To the world… 🤷🏾‍♀️

 

Slightly more mysterious lol.

 

The world thinks he’s still out there. I know better, because I buried him in my mind long ago.

 

What are you currently working on?

 

I’m working on another thriller. The working title is The Brother, however that’s subject to change.

 

Family should have your back. But what if the one person you trust most is quietly pulling the ground from under you?

 

Dr. Morghan Reid is living the life she’s worked for, prestigious new role, a man who loves her, and a future she can finally claim. But at home, her brother Detrick’s constant dependence threatens to pull her back into old patterns.

 

As tension builds between the two men in her life, loyalty, resentment, and buried history collide and Morghan learns the hardest battles are the ones fought behind closed doors.

 

Let's talk a bit about process?  Outline or seat of your pants?   What's your basic strategy for plotting, character, major inciting or turning points?

 

When I first started, I went in completely blind. I’ve been writing most of my life, but I was still fairly new to actually putting all the pieces together and finishing a full story. What’s helped me most is starting with a loose outline of how I want the story to flow. I don’t get too detailed at first. For characters, I jot down the personality traits I want each one to have, then build their actions and arcs from there. I also make sure I know the big moments, those twists or turning points, so I can write toward them while letting the rest of the story evolve naturally.

 

What kind of research did you do for this novel?

 

Both observation and research shaped The Sixth Couple. I explored the social dynamics of wealthy neighborhoods, how gated communities and HOA rules present a polished front while concealing much more. I studied group psychology, missing persons cases, and how investigations shift when the suspect is close to the victim. To keep it realistic, I layered in true-to-life details from wine tastings, neighborhood gatherings, and everyday moments that turn unsettling once you see what’s beneath.

 

In general, what emotions do you usually wish to elicit with your writing? 

 

I love creating fun, short suspenseful stories.

 

I want readers to feel intrigued, unsettled, and eager to turn the next page, never quite sure who to trust or what’s coming.

 

What is the weirdest/wildest topic or fact that you’ve had to research or uncovered in your research?

 

For The Sixth Couple, the most interesting research was diving into the world of swinging. I wanted to understand not just the surface-level facts, but the unspoken rules, social dynamics, and how those relationships blur the lines between trust, desire, and control.

 

Can you tell us a two-sentence horror story?

 

I woke to a text from my baby daddy: I’m outside… come open the door.

 

The problem? He’s been buried in my back yard for years.

 

What else would you want readers to know about you? Where can readers find you online?

 

I’m a thriller author who loves blending suspense with a touch of seduction… and a good glass of wine. When I’m not writing, I’m usually people-watching, reading, or catching my next story idea in an everyday conversation. I love connecting with readers and hearing their thoughts about my books. Find me on TikTok @authorbrecoleman or visit authorbrecoleman.com.