Tell The Damn Story

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...

Alex and Chris are joined by .... to celebrate our 300th episode with a great discussion of all things creative! What a show! That's right, and we have an amazing lineup of guests joining us. We have Teel James Glenn, Tim Fielder, Carol Gyzander, and Rebecca Cuthbert , to name a few, who'll be sharing their insights and experiences from the trenches of storytelling. Whether it's findin...

This Is The One Before The Big One In this episode, Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan discuss whether society shapes the artist's creativity or whether the artist helps to shape society. Expect to hear reflections on historical events, like World War II and the atomic bombs, and their profound influence on narratives across different eras. Alex and I exchange thoughts on how fears and the quest for cont...

What doesn't break you makes you stronger. In this episode of Tell The Damn Story, host Chris Ryan (rolling solo) interviews Daemon Manx, an author with a remarkable journey from bass player to prison inmate to best-selling writer. Daemon shares how he found solace in storytelling during his time in prison and discusses his published works, including "Abigail," "Piece By Piece,&...

An Interview with Rebbeca Cuthbert on her new how-to-c craft Horror book, CREEP THIS WAY. On today's episode of Tell The Damn Story, our hosts, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons, are joined by the amazing author Rebecca Cuthbert. Together, they dive into Rebecca's writing journey and her latest projects. From discussing the genesis of their collaborative book to Rebecca's upcoming releases a...

Welcome to Tell The Damn Story , where we delve into the challenges of storytelling and the creative process with our guests. In today's episode, cohosts Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons are happy to have returning the esteemed author Teel James Glenn .  With over 470 manuscripts to his credit, Teel takes us on a fascinating journey through the realm of writing what you know, feel, and love. Especi...

We're back. You're back. They're back! And with some candid insight on how fear, risk, and respect factor in collaborative writing. In this episode, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons engage in an enriching conversation with guest authors Jeannine Acheson and Tom Sniegoski. They delve into the intricacies of character development and the emotional rollercoaster of collaboration in the creativ...

Welcome back to Tell The Damn Story! In this episode, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons interview Shannon Symonds, author of cozy mystery novels. Shannon shares her unique writing process using the "save the cat" method and Scrivener while discussing the importance of character development and the difficult personal challenges that influence her storytelling. Join us as we explore Shannon'...

For a Healthy, Productive 2024- This week, Alex Simmons and Christopher Ryan discuss physical, mental, and emotional health for creatives, especially writers. Why? To help them put their bodies and minds in the best position to succeed in 2024. No matter what age, it is necessary for each of us to take care of our bodies, our minds, and our emotions to be able to produce the stories and the art th...

As we round out this adventurous year, veteran authors Christopher Ryan and Alex Simmons discuss their favorite works of 2023 in novels, music, TV, and film and discuss the future of Marvel’s MCU . Tune in as they discuss the impact of political history, the art of recasting iconic characters, the future of Black Panther, and Marvel's storytelling strategies. Get ready for engaging discussions...

And What Does Your Favorite Holiday Films Have To Do With It? This week, veteran authors Alex Simmons and Christopher Ryan find themselves smack dab amid the SCROOGE WARS ! They go through a March Madness-style bracket filled with Scrooge/A Christmas Carol films, choosing their favorites and making their cases for their merits. Play along and see who would win your own Scrooge War! Then, the scrib...