Tell The Damn Story

In this episode Alex and Chris talk about loss and gain, and carrying on.  First they they take a moment to eulogize the loss of acting artistry with the passing of Chadwick Boseman (portrayed Black Panther, Jackie Robinson, and more).   Then they answer more questions about about all things dealing with the challenges of creative writing.  It's the power of words, whether perf...

Hey, hey, Hey!  This episode Alex and Chris dip into our new email Q-Bag (Q = Questions ) and answer a few of the the questions you listeners sent in. They range from tackling writer's block to getting trapped in the "mushy middle" of a daunting storyline.  So grab something to write with and write on, then sit, click, and listen. By the way, in the spirit of a writer's community, how do...

This week on TTDS, Alex and Chris explore the creatures called Contracts , including how to tell confident agreements from the ones that eat your brain and your rights .   They share how to handle contract elements that make you uncomfortable; why anger, frustration, sarcasm, attitude, and ultimatums don't work, and calm professionalism is always better, even if you lose the gig. So take...

Or, BUILDING A BETTER TTDS and ME So many of people would rather hunker down, block off and shut out change , when growth and communication are at the very core of Life’s adventures. This episode Alex and Chris discuss teaching and learning and being the student even while being the teacher or writer or creative .  It’s a dialog about inspiration and mentors and how that path runs both ways....

It's a TTDS WRITER-PALOOZA!   We're celebrating a 150 Episodes!   Alex And Chris host a tribute to Corona-cancelled (and we don't mean beer) genre conferences #MurderInk and #PulpFest with four great interviews featuring @writerjimbeard, @lindarawlins, @janekellytrinity, @arttaylorwriter, and @joerlansdale.  Listen as writers of mystery and adventure fiction share their experiences...

It's episode four, so we added TIPS galore! That's right week 4 is here and so are Alex and Chris with the final component of their month-long creative writing workshop, “HOW TO TELL THE DAMN STORY SUMMER SERIES.”    Once again, Pop culture king Caseen Gaines and spoken word poet and children’s book creator Toney Jackson have returned. So did slam poet winning, co-founder of BlackNe...

The Boys Are Back -- With Back Up! It's the THIRD WEEK , And Alex and Chris are back with Part 3 of their month-long supersize workshop, the “HOW TO TELL THE DAMN STORY SUMMER SERIES.”   Pop culture king Caseen Gaines and spoken word poet and children’s book creator Toney Jackson have returned. This time we added on some slam poet winning, co-founder of BlackNerdProblems, and author...

The Boys Are Back in Town! This week, Alex and Chris are back with Part 2 of their month-long workshop, the “HOW TO TELL THE DAMN STORY SUMMER SERIES.”    Pop culture king Caseen Gaines and spoken word poet and children’s book creator Toney Jackson have returned.  This time they'll discuss getting the BUTTS in the SEATS!  How to get down and get the work done. Remember this ser...

This week, Alex and Chris launch a month-long workshop, the “HOW TO TELL THE DAMN STORY SUMMER SERIES.”  Each week in July, we will join with special guests to focus on a different aspect of the creative process.  This episode features non-fiction pop culture king Caseen Gaines and spoken word poet and children’s book creator Toney Jackson to explore inspiration.  We'll discus where...

This week, Alex and Chris present a Blackjack story created by Tim Fielder in the furious wake of Charlottesville , back in 2017.  Fate worked against us publishing it at the time, and during each subsequent horrific racist tragedy.   But George Floyd changed that. We can no longer let Tim's tale remain just among us.  So we came up with a way to share this emotional, daring st...

And no, we're not PC cursing in the title.   Alex and Chris enjoy a fun and intriguing episode of Tell The Damn Story with special guest pop culture author, Caseen Gaines ( @caseengaines ), speculating about the upcoming season 2 of #twilghtzone . We show and use our respect for @jordanpeele as a springboard to play “what if” about themes, issues and storylines using episode titles as pr...

For filmmakers and novelist what's old is new again, and again, and again!  It always has been! First, Alex and Chris remember DC author/editor legend Denny O'Neill, who passed on June 11.  Then they jump back-and-forth through time to explore classic tropes (story themes) that are being updated and renewed in clever and creative ways.  From Kevin Smith to Greta Gerwig to Jordan Pee...

Whatever genre we choose the stories we tell past, present or future, benefit from what we see, experience, and learn.   For all artists time is the canvas and living the brush.   This week Alex and Chris record a sequel of sorts; checking in on humanity's progress both national and global and human .  The world is generating material that will influence articles, books, films, musi...

This episode Alex and Chris "tell the story" of creatives dealing with racial conflict in America in their lives, past and present.   What does that have to do with writing and creative art?   Everything . How it has influenced, as well as been reflected and revealed by whites and artists of color is key to present and future mindsets.  What do our hosts have to say about it? ...

 This week Alex and Chris explore a multitude of answers to the question, Is All Art Political ? And, Are All Artist Obligated to Create Political Art ?  Using examples from the #MCU #MarkTwain, #DCComics, #AynRand, #GeorgeOrwell and many other works (including their own) Alex and Chris discuss in detail the Creatives ultimate obligation to her or his or their art.  What motivates a...

Today Alex and Chris celebrate Creativity long past and brand new!  We discuss the documentary "Raiders" ( NetFlix ) which is all about a group of 11-year-olds who decided to re-create "Raiders of the Lost Ark" shot for shot,  the seven years it took them to get it done, and then re-uniting years later to do one last scene.  And we discuss their actual film "Raiders of the Lost Ark-...

The Boys Are Back In Town! And it is a Family Reunion when Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan catch up with TTDS co-founder Tim Fielder.  Alex, Chris and Tim created this show 138 episodes ago to discuss the wide range of media they called home.  And creative and conversational pandemonium abounds as they discuss dealing with the pandemic in terms of teachers, creatives, and where we are going...

  This week Alex and Chris go against the collective wisdom of writers and authors everywhere!  Many creatives have suggested people not to write about the Covid "because everybody's going to be writing about the pandemic."  Well Alex and I  discuss a very different view. We explore how the tried and true "seven basic plots" could be used to write about one of the biggest globa...

Chris and Alex tackle a different story this time -- a kids story .  Chris interviews Alex about his efforts to keep COVID-19 from completely canceling the 14th annual Kids Comic Con .  When social distancing prevents families from going to fun events what can creatives do? Learn how writers , illustrators and performers came together to make a one day event global and evergreen.  W...

This week Alex and Chris talk about coronavirus head on; what's happening to us.  They discuss the effect all aspects of this disease are having on us, and how too many creators are struggling to create in its shadow .  We talk about the importance of commiserating with each other on social media or through texting, zoom, FaceTime, or whatever it takes. We are all craving human connectio...

Submitted for your approval ladies and gentlemen, we have all entered the twilight zone.   In this episode Alex and Chris, and special guest, pop culture expert and author Caseen Gaines , get together on this super extravaganza of a podcast episode to discuss classic and new twilight zone episodes to tantalize and intrigue and give you something else to search out and watch as we continue to...

Today, Alex and Chris turn to veteran actor Edward James Olmos for wisdom and guidance when it comes to contributing to story. At least they do in the second half of this episode.  In Part One , they talk about what is going on and how they are dealing it all.  They also suggest how others may deal, and Chris goes on a mini rant rejecting the term " new normal " for our current challenge...

And BATTLING THE GRIND This week Alex and Chris dive deep into the struggle that we're all facing; the war against boredom. While outlining some of the challenges they suggest ways to keep yourself occupied and your spirits up, inside the house, outside the house, with the social distancing, and online. Do not despair. Do not give in. There is hope. There is life. There are literary and cinematic...

Today on Tell The Damn Story, Alex and Chris role model how to create a new story out of mid air.  By pitching each other genres and themes they create three story sketches and explain how they would then develop those into full stories. This is to encourage all those aspiring writers in quarantine.   That's right. Take advantage of the lockdown to unlock your own creativity!   Reme...

We're two days early!  Yes we are! In light of the quickly escalating coronavirus, Alex and Chris discuss social distancing and the hardships and blessings that presents to creatives. Ideas and opinions abound and we are interested in what you think about these unprecedented times. Give us a listen and then tell us what is on your mind. Reach out to leave your thoughts, tips, questions and co...