Tell The Damn Story

... Two New Super Natural Series On The Way! In this episode, your hosts, Chris Ryan, and Alex Simmons, are joined by the incredible New York Times bestselling author Tom Sniegoski and his extremely talented writing partner, Jeannine Acheson. Together, they dive into a treasure trove of fascinating insights, methods, and tips.  Their writings range from creating new tales for the VAMPIRELLA legacy...

This time, host Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan will explore the art and craft, the power and purpose, of the opening scene, one of the most critical aspects of any narrative. Chris, a seasoned journalist and published author, advocates for dropping readers right into the action, while Alex, an award-winning writer, underscores the power of setting mood and atmosphere from the very first words. Togeth...

Hey folks, this episode features a flashback to a 2021 discussion in which hosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan explore the challenges and learning processes that writers face. They recount Chris's visit to a writer's conference where he heard Neil Gaiman and Amy Tan , among others, discuss their creative processes. Key topics include dealing with imposter syndrome, sources of inspiration, th...

Hosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan welcome the award-winning author and editor, James Aquilone . Prepare to dive deep into the world of graphic novels, zombie detectives, and the art of successful Kickstarter campaigns. James Aquilone takes us on a journey from the unexpected success of his nearly 200-page color hardcover graphic novel, which garnered accolades such as the Stoker Awards and the Ima...

"Or Is It Stealing Work From Other People?"  In today's episode, hosts Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons tackle the pressing question: "Can Writers Ethically Use AI For Marketing?"   Alex shares his experience using AI as a virtual assistant to set prices and analyze course materials.  In contrast, both hosts voice their concerns about using AI to create books without genuine eff...

Today's episode will focus on monsters, mysteries, and money. And how the stories that influenced us dropped us into the middle of all three. This time, your hosts, Alex Simmons, and Chris Ryan, delve deep into what inspires them to become writers, touching on the creative journeys that many aspiring writers have taken. They explore books such as "The Outsiders" by S. E. Hinton and J...

How do you write fascinating mystery tales without dry plots, disappointing characters, and dull backdrops? Here’s where you’ll find out. Welcome to another exciting episode of "Tell The Damn Story"! In today's episode, cohosts Chris and Alex sit down with the incredibly talented Felicity Green, a master of paranormal cozy mysteries. Felicity's journey from a translator for indie...

Today, cohost Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan talk with renowned visual Afrofuturist and graphic novelist Tim Fielder and the distinguished author, historian, and economist Walter Greason. Together, they explore the fascinating process behind creating their 92-page graphic novel, The Graphic History of Hip Hop .   Celebrating its 50th anniversary , this ambitious project captures the essence and evolu...

Welcome to another episode of "Tell The Damn Story" with your hosts, Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan. Today, we’re dedicating time and thought to tackling your top questions about crafting compelling characters and authentic dialogue. We’ll discuss the importance of understanding the "why" behind your story, the influence of your personal creativity on storytelling, and the art of...

Here we go with another exciting episode of "Tell The Damn Story"!  Today, Alex and Chris return to the fascinating world of comic book creation with special guests Juan Espinosa and his daughter, Grace .  Juan is the writer/creator of the comic book series "Adventures of A System Admin." Juan shares how he utilized Alex's book, "The Art of Making Comics," to deve...

Co-hosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan are joined by a remarkable guest, writer Brandon Easton. Brandon's path from New York City's classrooms to Hollywood's creative hubs is a powerful testament to perseverance and passion. Raised in Baltimore, Brandon shares his experiences—from the harsh realities of teaching in the Bronx to his insights on the significant underrepresentation of peopl...

"Lessons Learned Being a Writing Hero" (" Those are Chris' words, not mine. " - Alex -) Today, Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan celebrate Alex's birthday by exploring his life as a creative so that we can discuss the ups and downs, the challenges and solutions that we experience as creative writers in hopes of inspiring and energizing creativity for you. We discuss Alex'...

Join writers Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan as they dive into the world of short story fiction. In this episode, they explore the history and resurgence of shorter works, discussing their experiences, pitfalls to avoid, and the key elements for crafting compelling narratives. From character bibles to pacing, from writing muscle variations to marketing strategies, Alex and Chris provide valuable insig...

Welcome to another episode of " Tell The Damn Story, " where hosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan explore the intricacies of storytelling.  In today's episode, they dive into writing across genres, the importance of character naming , and the unpredictable nature of reader reception. Both hosts emphasize the necessity of submitting work broadly and share insights on balancing originalit...

In this exciting and in-depth installment, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons dive deep into the storytelling waters of the iconic film "Jaws." From the comedic yet ominous build-up to the multi-layered character dynamics, we'll analyze how each scene masterfully serves the story through suspense, conflict, and character development. Join us as we explore the introduction of memorable chara...

In this exciting episode, Alex and Chris dive deep into the art of storytelling through multiple mediums. The boys explore the subtle complexities of storytelling in classic films, novels, and comics. The stimulating discussion starts with the iconic 1957 film 12 Angry Men. It examines the intense jury deliberations and how the characters' actions convey deeper themes, such as racial prejudice...

How do you come up with a series concept?  How do you write it?  How do you pitch it to publishers?  In this episode, Chris and Alex dive deep into the intricate world of getting a book series mainstream published. Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan are joined by acclaimed writers Tom Sniegoski and Jeannine Acheson, whose diverse projects, including Vampirella, Dark Reflections, and Soultaker, have captu...

Welcome to another exciting episode of "Tell The Damn Story," where Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan dive deep into the art of character creation and hero introductions. In this episode, they're peeling back the layers of iconic characters, revealing three distinct ways to bring a hero into the spotlight. Have you ever wondered what makes a dangerous character become a beloved hero? Chris...

Or, "The Case of the Anxious Author!" This week, Alex Simmons and Christopher Ryan discuss the abyss of imposter syndrome and its often paralyzing effect.   In this episode, we explore how imposter syndrome can hinder making live appearances and attending conventions. Chris divulges his personal battles with self-doubt, especially resonant during a foray among horror genre titans. At the...

"And What’s New In the Vampirella Universe?" Welcome to another exciting episode of "Tell The Damn Story." We have a fascinating lineup for today. Joining hosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan are two exceptional guests—renowned writers Tom Sniegoski and the insightful Jeannine Acheson. Join us as we dive headfirst into a recent and surprising development that could change the very...

How do you create a video game from scratch? Welcome back to "Tell The Damn Story," where today's episode is a fascinating journey with Rob Stenzinger , an indie game designer who demonstrates that the union of passion and profession is the ultimate game-changer. In our dialogue, Rob recounts his quest, from starting a fledging game creation studio with friends years ago to pivoting...

"Did you choose your interest in crime, or did crime choose you?" Welcome to another episode of Tell The Damn Story, where your hosts, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons, unravel the art of spinning a tale based on insight, experience and heart. At least, that's part of our goal. On today's show, we sit down with the illustrious Tom Coffey—a former journalist turned crime novelist with...

How do you take a classic story or character from the past into the present-day entertainment media? Your favorite narrative dissection duo, Chris and Alex, are back to stir the pot of creativity with this latest episode, which is ripe with controversy, adaptation, and the evolution of some of the most iconic characters in history. Get ready because Episode 303 is a journey through the capes, cowl...

This week, Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan discuss Oscar Award winners . We've sifted through 54 years, chiseled that number down to 30 significant winners, and plucked out some of the most educational gems for our discussion today. These films received acclaim for Best Screenplay and Best Picture . They stand as exemplars of what every aspiring writer should be studying. We do not predict Sunday...

Hello, storytellers and lovers! Welcome to the 301 episode of "Tell The Damn Story" with your dynamic duo, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons. Today, we're riding high off our 300th celebration and ready to dive into the grit of the writing life. Join us as we explore the successes and strategies, the multifaceted role of today's writers in self-promotion, and the impact of Amazon's...