Tell The Damn Story

This week Alex and Chris sing the coronavirus blues, absolutely diss Agatha Christie, and discuss structuring a mystery, the value of red herrings, and why we need suspects, all accomplished between our usual chuckles.  We know you've got'em.  So leave your thoughts, tips, questions and comments right here in our Comments Section . Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com    #agatha...

Go in deep with Alex and Chris as they embrace the pain .  This week they're talking about the times when writing caused them pain or was painful or was inspired by pain of some kind - emotional spiritual, sleep deprivation, all sorts of stuff. As a matter of fact, Chris even reads from one of his novels. The idea is to encourage aspiring creatives to push past the pain sometimes encountered...

Alex and Chris talk about, well, almost everything in an attempt to explain the chicken-or-egg maze run of a creative finding voice and proper genre. From Chris' ongoing transitioning from pure Indie writer to traditionally published, to expectations for editors, to, in our ongoing Get Your Write On section, examining Alex's idea of strongest genre choices and how it helps creates, we exclude noth...

In this episode, Chris and Alex explore the next segment of their GET YOUR WRITE ON series. Rewriting -- how to seed what you need in your stories so  the climax to pays off.  They talk almost exclusively about the secret pleasures of rewriting. There's finishing your first draft, reading it, finding what your story needs, and then going back and seeding those plot points and character m...

This week, Alex and Chris pay tribute to Archie Comics legend Victor Gorelick , the oldest editor in comics, who has died this week. He was a sweet guy, a major fount of comic industry knowledge, and a good friend to Alex for over 15 years. Alex interviewed him IN 2015 and we honor his passing by sharing some of that discussion with you to let Victor relate how he told the damn story for 60 years....

 It might be Super Bowl Sunday for everyone else, but for Alex Simmons and Christopher Ryan, it is time to Tell The Damn Story. Today we talk about many topics including Morning Meditations by Alex "guru" Simmons, and, in our Get Your Write On segment, we discuss elaborate description versus minimal description and how it affects pacing. We also offer suggestions on how you can achieve both o...

It's Where, When, and How Much do you need to decide before writing a good story!  This week Alex and Chris discuss Rod Serling , tease an upcoming Twilight Zone TTDS episode,  a black out in the subway, and setting, setting, setting ! We go over purpose in using setting, when to worry about the impact of location, as well as how time of day and time of year can accentuate the tale you s...

This week Alex and I catch up on our separate creative projects, give a huge shout out to a truly fun podcast (besides this one, of course), and we use our "Get Your Write On" segment to respond to your comments about plot, character, and structure.  It's talks and tips and a whole lot more, so don't miss it!  Share your thoughts, questions and comments right here in our Comments Section...

After weeks of Alex fretting about the quality of the new film version of "Little Women" both he and Chris (and the goddess) went to see # LittleWomen and they discuss the film, earlier versions of it, and Louisa May Alcott's 1868 novel.  All of this is in the service of creativity and telling the damn story. They then discuss Getting Your Write On , part two , in which Chris and Alex explain...

Alex and Chris launch a new decade with a new feature, "Get Yer Write On" offering practical advice on a wide range of storytelling skills, this week including Motivation (two kinds!), Character, Conflict, and Creating a Character's Arc. And that's after discussing current events and personal news. All this and laughs! Don't miss it! Share your thoughts, questions and comments right here in our Co...

It's TELL YOUR OWN DAMN STORY about the teens as Alex and Chris tell theirs.  "We'll leave "Best ofs" and "Top Ten" lists for others to share, and we are grateful for their ideas as we look back to look forward.  This episode the cohosts we'll be talking of books and films and TV and music that fueled us, and ask you, what fueled your creativity over the past decade ?" If you have any po...

This week Alex and Chris say goodbye to a decade --goodbye twenty-teens --and prep for 2020 by talking to Creatives about how they can use the technological and social media revolution of the last decade to curate the best fuel for their creativity in the new decade. Through reflection and action, we can avoid being programmed, block trolls, and contribute positively to where we all go next. If yo...

Alex and Chris talk about fuel for creatives' holiday productivity, going through lots of Christmas music and movies and TV shows discussing the themes of redemption and renewal and reunion and how we can use any or all of this to fuel our own creativity. This episode offers a lot of fun and many suggestions for both your holiday entertainment and for creative nourishment during this busy time of...

With holiday shopping on our minds, Alex and Chris visit with Jorge Rodriguez , owner of the legendary comics and collectibles shop in The Bronx (known center of the multiverse), to discuss comics, collectibles, independents,  movie boosts to business, being creative in business, and who seems more together these days, DC or Marvel. Come on into The Lair , hang out, and enjoy this fascinating...

Alex and Chris talk about giving thanks during a time of division, about being dedicated to gratitude in a time where for some gratitude is difficult, and for others it may be cause for stress, and/or rebellion.  Our co-hosts go deep as they discuss how creatives must overcome these and so many other challenges to get the word out on their creative output.  Especially when that could inc...

This week Alex and Chris prepare you for your Thanksgiving, be it heaven or a horror! Whether you are dreading the holiday or just certain relatives or trying to get your mind right for celebration, we've got what you need. With humor and tongue in cheek and memories both hilariously dark and warmly bittersweet, Alex and Chris prepare you for your Thanksgiving feast by discussing how to use your e...

Alex and Chris discuss the plight of one of Alex's students who discovered a story he was working on was very similar to a story already out there. What is a creative to do when influences show, or an original idea has been thunk by others, too. The answers, including examples from film, television, and music, and some very crucial advise, is offered this week, all as part of what it takes to TELL...

Juan Espinosa took his family to Alex's Kids Comic Con at his workplace, Bronx Community College , wanting them to see Spidey and Bats. What he got was a book to read, pros to question, a podcast to listen to, and then, with the help of a loving and supportive family, he launched a comic that celebrates the every man as hero, portrays diversity as the fact of American life that it is, and shows us...

It's a A HOW-TO-APALOOZA this week, when Alex and Chris get down to basics.  They're talking about how to find writing jobs, how to create a submission plan, the reality of getting gigs, how to keep going, how to deal with rejection, the idea of creativity being 1% inspiration and 99% getting your butt in the chair and doing the work, and how to make all of this happen in an extremely busy da...

This week, Alex and Chris jump into the biggest movie fracas of the year: the Masters of 70's Cinema vs. the Marvel Cinematic Auteurs ! Scorsese! Copolla! Foster! Favreau! RDJ! Iger! Gunn! Are Marvel movies cinema? Are they modern versions of the classic westerns of Ford and Leone? Or the gangster flicks of Scorsese and Copolla? Our TTDS crew explores all this in our 110th episode! (Exclamation po...

IT'S A PODCAST TEAM-UP! IT'S A CREATIVES CROSSOVER! IT'S A HELLUVA DEEP CONVERSATION! Chris and Alex team up with the hosts of the Lean Into Art Cast, Jerzy Drozd and Rob Stenzinger, for a two-part discussion on writing, art, and finding your way through this challenging endeavor of creating for an audience. Part 2 from this creative quartet airs on the upcoming episode of LEAN INTO ART , which dr...

Every writer of any success will tell aspiring creatives to read constantly, so today Chris and Alex explore the ecstasy that is reading -- with special guest ... "the goddess" Tina Ryan! * During the show I sent out a note to folks asking what they like to read. Below are some of the replies: Genre : Science Fiction, fantasy and urban fantasy, mystery, historical fiction, horror, modern detective...

While attending the 2019 New York Comic Con, Alex had an opportunity to conduct a group interview with four, intelligent, creative, and caring people.  And though Chris was not able to be there, and though there were some sound issues, we ask that you bear with us because the insight, experiences and information shared is well worth it.  And as usual, PLEASE leave your questions or comme...

Chris finds Alex in the grip of a horrible villain (especially for podcasters) and must recruit a trio of authors from the Deadly Ink Writers Conference, conducting first-time interviews with each. He finds the scribes sincere and interesting and worth working past all audio challenges. Give them a chance; they have great stories to tell.... and they saved Alex this week! Please leave your questio...

Alex and Chris Skype across America for a brave and inspiring conversation with the great author, David F. Walker (Luke Cage, Shaft, CyBorg, Bitter Roots, etc.).  While we start with his early work on Luke Cage and Iron Fist progressing to his new projects like Bitter Roots, this episode mostly focuses on David's harrowing battle with crushing depression and methods he uses to claw his way ou...