Page by Page: Writing the Book in Real Time

Maps, character art, insider information―all things that let our imaginations run wild as we try to figure out what might come next in the story or where the characters go after the book has ended.  In this episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell explains how, as an author, her goal is to allow readers to escape into new worlds filled with adventure. With the files full of notes that came f...

After a year-and-a-half of ups and downs, Megan has finally taken the first step into audiobooks! In this episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell shares how, after a lifetime as a performer, moving to the other side of the audition process was an interesting and eye opening experience.  From which platform had the easiest-to-find talent to what drove home her narrator pick, check out this e...

Speaking with special guest Lydia Srofe, Megan O'Russell explores using Wattpad as a starting point for the publishing journey, the joys of online book clubs, and the importance of venturing into audio.   If you're looking for a way to connect with other readers or trying to take the plunge into becoming a published author, don't miss the insights Lydia has to offer. Links for Lydia: The Book Witc...

Have you ever found a $20 bill in your pocket and said, "Wow! Thanks, past me!" In this episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell shares the tale of an author who sat down to write book three in a four-book series to find she'd already written a third of it. Spoiler: that author was her. Get full access to Page by Page Podcast Substack at meganorussell.substack.com/subscribe

It's time for world domination, which is going to take some serious girl power! In this episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell shares her top five picks for fictional females she'd want by her side as she fights to become the ultimate world ruler. Get full access to Page by Page Podcast Substack at meganorussell.substack.com/subscribe

From tiny seeds, worlds grow.  In this episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell gives details of how Ilbrea came to be and what readers have to look forward to in this expansive world. Haven't read any books from the world of Ilbrea? Follow this link to be taken to your favorite online bookstore to get your copy of Ember and Stone:  https://books2read.com/EmberandStone Want to see the "Wheel...

Being praised for your work is great! Criticism is sometimes more helpful! In this episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell discusses how to use criticism to push your work, both in writing and in life, to new levels. As mentioned in the episode, Feather and Flame comes out tomorrow, May 26th, 2020! Follow this link to order your copy now: https://books2read.com/FeatherandFlame/ Also mention...

In this episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan offers her quarantine reading list and recommendations on what novel you should pick up for your next bookish escape. From romance, to magic, to daring adventures, she's here to help you find a young adult novel to dive into! Get full access to Page by Page Podcast Substack at meganorussell.substack.com/subscribe

Art reflects life. We're all familiar with the phrase. But is that always what we need it to do? In this episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell discusses how the pandemic is affecting authors' publishing schedules for 2020, including her own concerns about publishing a series she's been planning for over a year. Get full access to Page by Page Podcast Substack at meganorussell.substack.com...

On today's special guest episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell is joined by Isabel Sterling, author of These Witches Don't Burn, who discusses her journey from studio music composer to Young Adult author and the importance of queer representation to teen lit readers. Find Isabel at: Website: http://www.isabelsterling.com/ Podcast: http://www.isabelsterling.com/pubexplained Twitter: @IsaSt...

What would happen if the Gryffindors were all confined to their tower because of a dragon pox outbreak? A bunch of rowdy teenagers with all that pent up magic... In this episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell shares her top five predictions for post-pandemic works of fiction. Get full access to Page by Page Podcast Substack at meganorussell.substack.com/subscribe

In today's special edition episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell is joined by Bethanie Finger of the Prince Kai Fan Pod. Tune in as they discuss Marissa Meyer, The Lunar Chronicles, and how the YA Fantasy genre retains such high readership amongst not-so-young adults. Find Bethanie and the Prince Kai Fan Pod at: https://princekaifanpod.wixsite.com/website https://www.patreon.com/princekai...

What do you do when your "Plan A" falls apart? On today's episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell discusses our penchant for beating ourselves up when everything doesn't go according to plan and how success is partly learning how to adapt, including changing our timelines and our goals. Get full access to Page by Page Podcast Substack at meganorussell.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell discusses how some unfortunate lines can make it through edits and right onto your TV screen. If you've ever felt bad about your contributions to art and life in general, this episode is for you. Warning: There will be comedy ahead. P.S. As mentioned at the top of the show, grab your free copy of When Worlds Begin by visiting https://books2rea...

In the age of COVID-19, is anyone else wondering how long it will be before their next haircut? In this episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell discusses the importance of hair changes, not only in everyday life, but also as a dramatic element within fiction and fantasy. Get full access to Page by Page Podcast Substack at meganorussell.substack.com/subscribe

Have you ever "just had to know" how a magic trick was done? Did you lose that sense of wonder when the veil was lifted? In this episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell discusses how, in writing and other art forms, understanding the magic behind the scenes can actually enhance the experience of the reader. Get full access to Page by Page Podcast Substack at meganorussell.substack.com/subsc...

Do you have a lot of unexpected time on your hands? Feeling the pressure to create art can add more stress than freedom. In this episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell discusses tips for creating in a stressful time. Tune in for the Facebook live chat on 3/25 for insight on turning the draft you create in isolation into a book. https://www.facebook.com/ORussellauthor/ Find Ember and Stone...

In this episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell discusses getting a character's age across through experience, knowledge, and even sexual know-how. Also a special notice! Ember and Stone, book one in the Ena of Ilbrea series, is only $0.99 for a limited time. Escape the madness of the world for a little bit. Escape into Adventure.  https://books2read.com/EmberandStone Get full access to Pag...

Don't judge a book by its cover. A great sentiment in theory...not so much in practice. In this episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell discusses the importance of cover art, including how changing the cover art of a series (Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lunar Chronicles) affects our reading experience. Links mentioned: Sleepy Fox Designs:  https://www.sleepyfoxstudio.net/ Cin...

Did you know some people don't have inner monologues? Some individuals go throughout life without a voice in their head constantly commenting on what's happening. In this episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell explores the world of fiction through characters' inner monologues, and imagines a world of writing in which no inner monologues exist. Prefer videos to audio only? Visit my Instagra...

Ever heard the phrase "write what you know"? Ever wonder if some of your favorite authors heeded that advice and to what extreme? In this episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell shares some of her favorite (sometimes ludicrous) real-life encounters and how she wove those moments into her stories, and wonders what would happen if we could ask big name authors about their real-world inspirati...

Have you ever watched someone read a book you've already read? You know they're about to get to a really upsetting part, and you just can't look away? You have to see what their reaction is going to be? In this spoiler free (as always) episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell confesses her love of watching readers do this exact thing (i.e. Book Six of Harry Potter, that scene in Mockingjay.....

"Grown-ups" LOVE YA books. From The Hunger Games and Maze Runner to Twilight and Harry Potter, the vast majority of YA books are bought by adults between the ages of 18 and 64 . On this episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell talks with guest Leah Stuhler, author of The Cupcake Bullies , about how Leah's love of YA books and podcasts culminated in her starting a podcast of her own YA Book C...

Did you ever crawl into a wardrobe in the hopes of reaching Narnia? Or dream of running head-first at the wall between platforms nine and ten at King's Cross Station? In this episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell discusses the fears of blurring the lines between fantasy and reality in the reader's mind―from broken noses to terrible tragedies with a special shout out to the horror of follo...

Before Harry Potter landed on bookstore shelves, entire scenes, entire story arcs were rewritten. Ever wonder what our favorite books would have been like in their original forms? In this episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell discusses what it's like as an author to "kill your darlings" in order to give readers the best journey possible. *As referenced in this week's podcast, the number o...