Tell The Damn Story

This week, Alex and Chris are joined by Caseen Gaines on Facebook Live for the first time ever! And this time we're discussing how to tell the damn story through the prism of Caseen's upcoming new book FOOTNOTES .  We get deep into African-American entertainment history (spanning from Eubie Blake to August Wilson ), deep in to the ongoing struggle that people have to see each other as people,...

Today Alex and Chris talk about how writers and creators become writers and creators.  How does loving story or doodling evolve into creating the characters and heart wrenching stories that fill up so many of our lives? The answer is both unique and universal, and you may recognize yourself in the stories we tell.  Plus we talk briefly about Wanda Vision ! Plus plus, we announce the winn...

We still believe Plot Is Character, And Character Is Plot. This week, Alex and Chris talk about WandaVision episode five and then go deep on characterization, offering a wide array of techniques for developing your characters, with examples of exceptional characterization in lit and on screen. If you want to know how to build your characters, you came to the right place. Let us know what you think...

Stories & The Truth.  Fact In Fiction and Does It Really Matter This week Alex and Chris talk about very current stuff, very ancient, stuff and some universal all time life and story themes.  As they discuss how rewrites are going for Chris, update our views on Disney+‘s WandaVision (Alex finally saw episodes 1 to 3, Chris saw episode 4 - we talk about at all, sans spoilers).  ...

This episode we learn how Amanda Gorman made Chris cry and blubber and gosh with pride and praise and so much hope that Alex has it take control of the show for a while. After the river of tears ends we move on to discuss our new national poet laureate's impact on the inauguration, on our hearts, on our hopes, and in the textbooks of our children's future.  Then Chris gushed again, this time...

Good question, especially for writers tackling tough subjects.  This week Alex and Chris discuss almost everything under the sun! Some of it ripe with conflict and controversy. We start off with a follow up on Chris ' Rewrite' Ryan's editing antics, segue to a spoiler free discussion of Marvel's "WandaVision" on Disney+ .   Then we  segue to the second part of last weeks challenging...

The saying goes, Truth is Stranger Than Fiction .  This week Alex and Chris talk about what happened Wednesday (Jan. 6, 2021) in Washington, DC, through a wilder lens.  They explore the lingering questions surrounding that event as if they were holes in a fictional novel, or a journalism assignment.   Discussing Plot, Characters, Motivations, and Resolutions they examine destress po...

Today we, Alex and Chris , talk about exploring social media to ask what works for you?  But we start with a special guest star. Sometimes referred to as the goddess, she prefers Tina Ryan. Tina is now doing a podcast with Chris called "Spousing" , which is about staying married. They both speak about the podcast and about the Pixar movie "Soul" on Disney+ right now. The three of us discuss t...

Today on Tell The Damn Story, Chris speaks in defense of "WONDER WOMAN 1984," and Alex enthuses over "JINGLE JANGLE" and "SOULS." And then we look at our welcome goodbye to 2020, and a fond hello to 2021.  We discuss the good things, and there were actual good things, that came out of 2020, and we talk about our own plans, hopes and wishes for everybody in 2021.  We hope you enjoy the la...

Grab your flashlight, clues kit and, in this case, your reins and saddle.  This week Alex and Chris discuss the mane parts of murder and mystery when they interview equestrian mystery author, Janet Winters.   Ms Winters is the writer/creator of the Ivory Snow series, "Murder At Morgan House," and "Death At Heart's Desire," available on Amazon.   The conversation explores her inspira...

This week, Alex and Chris play "What If..." (No.  Not the Marvel comic book or TV show) with a bunch of the new projects coming from Disney/Marvel/Star Wars.  Then our improv-writing duo discuss how they'd reboot several well-known holiday live action and animated specials.  Why? Besides being fun, it's a great lesson in why creatives need to keep their imagination and braincells fl...

This TTDS episode is all about "THE RAZZLES, SORT OF," as Chris put it.  This week he and Alex deliver the verbal equivalent of Razzles ("First it's a candy, then it's a gum!") as they begin talking about modern classics redone or spun off in intriguing ways, and end up offering a "must read/see" or "must reread/rewatch" list that'll keep you busy the rest of 2020.  Have any comments or...

Where do story Ideas come from and do you grow them? That's a question both Chris I have heard countless times over many years. Because writing is very much a personal experience, there are many ways to answer that it.  So in this episode, we decided not only to tell how, but also to show how.  We us a few writing exercises to spur positive creativity.  And we're hoping it will do t...

This week, Alex and Chris discuss changes. Business changes for DC comics, potential changes in the comic book industry, and changes creatively in who we write, draw, and read about, and who we enjoy…  Yes, we are talking about diversity. What the industry is doing with diversity, where we can see business diversity opportunities and where we can see creative diversity opportunities.  As...

 This week, Alex and Chris discuss the opportunity that creatives have to end 2020 on a positive note in whatever we are working on. We cover a lot of ground this episode, dropping names and titles of books and films and TV shows (and Alex leaves mysteries for us to solve), and all of it is in the service of trying to inspire you to put those positive moments in your work, to create the world...

Today on Tell The Damn Story, Chris and Alex discuss the dramatic changes defining 2020 and how they can inspire creative to do the kind of work we need to be putting out there these days. A bit of friction ensues as the two old friends discuss the election, ongoing deeply-rooted problems in America, and how all of that actually provides great opportunities for creatives tell the kind of tales we...

In this energized episode Alex and Chris discuss a full range of how creators are working through the limitations and obstacles Covid presents and urge creators to find a way to tell their own damn story.  Have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section .  Or write to us at:   TTDSOnAir@gmail.com #TheMandalo...

This week, Alex and Chris prepare for Halloween by celebrating fiction and film moments that scared them and then discussing the techniques and/or elements that made those moments work. With excerpts read and film moments recounted from: Salems Lot, The Shinning, Stephen King, Richard Matheson, I Am Legend, "Under Her Black Wings: Women of Horror Anthology," Burnt Offering, Grave of the Vampire, "...

 In this episode, Alex and Chris confront Chris' out of control addiction ... Covid books.   We get to see how his delicious affliction has resulted in a formidable list of suggestions for spooky Halloween fun. The list goes from classic horror to supernatural tales of multi cultural genders and ages.   If we can't go out physically to parties, we might as well send our minds out fo...

Despite upset stomach and looming deadlines, once again co-hosts Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons take time to answer some of the questions writers are wrestling with most.  Listen in to see if they answer one of yours.  And if they don't leave it in the comments and they'll get to it next time. Have any questions, or suggestions for episode topics? Leave your thoughts in our comments section...

This episode Alex and Chris discuss how music can help inform and develop and evolve your characters in interesting ways. From pre-writing character playlists to novel theme playlists to scene playlists, the music you choose for your characters and situations help you think about those characters and situations more deeply and help bring your novel to life. Alex and Chris also discuss what they wr...

It's time to talk about the BUSINESS OF WRITING .   So follow our intrepid co-hosts, Alex and Chris , as they discuss practical --sometimes hard won -- lessons from the business side of publishing.  Most experiences are fair, some are funny, and others are tough but necessary to learn.  One such lesson is how to act professionally in the face of challenging or disappointing cir...

Hey Folks: There's a saying that goes, " Life does happen. "  Another suggests, " God laughs while man is making plans ." They both speak to, "You can't control everything."  So things came up preventing Chris & me from getting together to record Ep. 157.  So we grabbed another strong episode (ep. #69) to stand in for us this week.  Episode 69 was recorded in January of 201...

Chris and me (spunky Alex Simmons) discuss the how old tropes and lazy gimmicks are not the best source for bring a new angle to an old character.  So many series, reboots, and new projects struggle to make plots more appealing.  Today's audiences are different, and many long time fans wants something new.  Lame and formulaic approaches are a popular go to resource, but even they're...

TELL THE DAMN STORY podcast inspired by #chadwickboseman and is devoted to telling stories that touch us deeply.  Stories in books, films and TV shows can simply entertain.  But quite often one story can get to us, and stay with us forever. This episode co-host Alex Simmons, guest Omar Holman and I discuss stories that have stayed with us.   We also share a slew of written comments by #WaltSimonso...