Join Rachel Redd as she chats with Megan Lally, a New York Times bestselling author whose books delve into dark human psychology, intense survival stories, and unexpected plot twists. Megan shares her journey from reluctant reader to thriller author, her creative process, and how personal experiences inspire her gripping narratives.
Key Topics: * Megan’s unconventional start in writing after a family challenge * The influence of Twilight and true crime on her work * The evolution from fantasy/horror to YA thrillers * The importance of character depth in plot-driven stories * Planning vs. organic storytelling: Megan’s outlining process * Strategies for crafting chapters that hook readers * Balancing emotional fears and physical dangers in storytelling * The thrill of writing twists and misdirection in young adult fiction * The behind-the-scenes research for realistic survival scenarios * Navigating the stress and excitement of publication success * Megan’s upcoming projects and her passion for horror and thrillers
Timestamps: 00:00 - Megan’s journey from reluctant reader to bestselling author 02:10 - The impact of Twilight and true crime on her writing 04:14 - Starting with vampire stories and evolving into thrillers 08:49 - Using extensive outlines to shape tight, twisty plots 13:24 - How her publisher deal influenced her writing schedule 16:06 - The importance of character development in suspense stories 20:17 - The emotional fears that drive her characters’ decisions 22:44 - How her recent book, "What We Did to Survive," was inspired by real adventures 45:27 - The research process for creating realistic survival scenarios 54:49 - Tips for balancing plot and emotional depth in YA thrillers 61:56 - Megan’s future writing plans, including new genres and themes 65:43 - Words of encouragement for aspiring writers
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