Tell The Damn Story

Welcome to the mega-celebration that is episode 251 of T ell The Damn Story , featuring Caseen Gaines! That's right, Alex and Chris get to speak with pop culture author Caseen Gaines about his new paperback, "When Broadway Was Black," and about presenting, marketing, and choosing a title. Learn how designing a cover became a committee affair, and how getting out in public, connecting...

These writers share the inside story, from comics to TV, from season pro to a few years in the biz and counting.  This week Alex and Chris (whose cold does make Chris sound like Barry White) enjoy the return of Tom Sniegoski and Jeanine Acheson. Who's latest writing adventures bring us to exciting new levels of conversation about the creative process. A lot of fun and a lot of great info, whi...

This week, Alex and Chris continue to pull back the curtain on getting published. Whether you're new to the field or you've been at it for a few years or more, the effort to get your work out into the world is a maze of challenging moves. Independently publishing has its challenges, but traditional path publishing. They have even more. Either way, this is no land for the meek of heart. Come on in...

AND IS THERE A NEW WAY TO SERVE UP TALES OF HORROR? Find out ... if you dare. Welcome, this week Tell The Damn Story offers a sneak peek behind the scenes as Alex interviews Chris about his latest project, the Soul Scream Antholozine .  What is it, conceptually, thematically, and culturally?  Who appears on those pages?  What decision-making had to be done as editor and publisher?&n...

This week on Tell The Damn Story, Alex and Chris discuss topics to inspire and assist emerging artists along their creative path. We discuss whether or not one must stay married to one's genre, or can/should we experiment in other arenas. We also discuss the onset of The Doubts , and how to defend against that part of the creative process. We issue you a challenge to help you prepare to defend aga...

Quote : "You knew the job was dangerous when you took it, Fred." -- Super Chicken, 1967 --  Question : Did the leader of the Mission Impossible Force (IMF) ever turn down a mission? And what do either of these have to do with this latest episode of TTDS? Well, this week Alex and Chris continue their efforts to help you tell the damn story ... even if you wish you didn't have to. Alex shares h...

"And why the answer is YES." This week Alex and Chris help you tell your damn story by choosing to challenge certain limiting philosophies.   To start, Alex states his thoughts about the absurdity and responsibilities of writers "staying in your own lane."   And Chris explores, how you can, "to thy own self be true."  We also have some challenges for you and some useful things for y...

Sometimes, a project has you on the ropes, and you feel like throwing in the towel.  So what do you do? This week Alex and Chris have all new ways to help you tell your own damn story.  Alex shares how as a writer he faced the challenge of fighting in the heavyweight class when you feel like a middleweight contender.  It is a tale of how to take on challenges that feel just a little...

Yeah, how much about yourself do you dare reveal in your work? This week, Alex talks about turning personal experience into fiction, and Chris talks about self-care, ensuring that your health supports your creative endeavors.  You can certainly pull from your own life for story ideas.  But there are other sources too.  So we also discussed being inspired by school teachers and a boo...

It's the further adventures of our NEW FORMAT!!!  This week, Alex and Chris talk about their creative challenges.  One, avoiding creating all types of stereotypes.  And Two, maintaining focus and separating macro from micro thinking.  We issue an audience challenge with a chance to win a copy of a Blackjack adventure autographed by Alex and Chris. We also talk about things that...

Or, "These Papas Got A Brand New Bag!"  That's right. In this episode, Alex and Chris start 2023 off by rebooting, renewing, and refueling TTDS with a new format!  Every week (yes, we are back to weekly!) Alex and Chris will discuss creative challenges, suggesting ways to overcome obstacles to telling your story. We'll offer you a challenge and your answers earn you a chance to win a Blackjack adv...

Tell The Damn Story takes a look back at 2022.  In this episode, Alex and Chris assess 2022, the successes and failures, the things both learned from their experiences, and what it means for emerging writers to do the same.  It's a lighthearted reflection, done with a few laughs, a couple of pats on the back, and some plans for the future. The perfect topic for December 2022!  Come...

A good question for all us creative entrepreneurs. So in this episode, Alex and Chris assess 2022, the successes and failures.  They take a look at the things both learned from their experiences, and what it means for emerging writers to do the same.  It's a lighthearted reflection, done with a few laughs, a couple of pats on the back, and some plans for the future. The perfect topic for...

What Are The Perils of An Indie Filmmaker In The Movie Making World While Chris is on the road performing readings of his works, Alex holds down the fort. Alex interviews KAI KALDRO , an ex screenwriting student of his, now a young indie filmmaker, The topic?  The path Kai has traveled from film fan to film maker.  Dealing with classes, coaching, writing, directing and producing his own...

In this episode, Alex and Chris focus on something all emerging filmmakers should decide before they produce their films. What do you want to do with them?  What theme, audience, and reaction are you targeting? Chris and Alex discuss why – Why you want to know why did you make that film, and what did you hope to do with it.  That decision will help determine a direction for your producti...

PART TWO of the Interview Are you in it for instant success, or the long run?" That's one of the hard questions creatives should be asking themselves regularly.  Because the answer has a major impact of your efforts, mindset, and outcome. David LaRosa has been an Indy filmmaker for a long time, and has the scars and accolades to prove it. Alex and Chris continue their look into at getting int...

"Are you in it for instant success, or the long run?" That's one of the hard questions creatives should be asking themselves regularly.  Because the answer has a major impact of your efforts, mindset, and outcome. David LaRosa has been an Indy filmmaker for a long time, and has the scars and accolades to prove it.  Alex and Chris continue their look into at getting into films as they spe...

Part 2 of our, "How to Get Into The Movies!" episode. Today, Alex and Chris explore ways people can educate themselves right into the film industry. They go through online options, as well as local, community, state, and top of the line/private sources of education that can prepare you to enter the field of your passions. They also advise on what works and what to be aware of. And, of course, they...

No. We're not talking about buying butter popcorn.  What does it cost creatives we realize making movies is where we wanna' be? This week, Alex and Chris go where no Alex and Chris have gone before!  Kind of ...  For the next several episodes it's going to be: Tell The Damn Story Goes to the Movies!  All of us Creatives get hit with a thunderbolt, that moment when we read or he...

*" Enter freely and of your own will! ” Alex and Chris hang out with punk horror author Carol Gyzander , and catch up with her many exciting projects. From writing to editing multiple short horror fiction, to scaring us with podcast readings and more, for the rest of the summer, Carol really has it going on! (See below.)  It's how-to-and-why-to fascinating conversation with a fascinating pers...

This week Alex and Chris discuss how streaming services have obliterated time in space for us all.   How with our powerful remotes we can go anywhere in the entertainment verse.  And for creatives, any win and the impact of that, is well worth noting.  How is that useful to emerging writers, you might ask? Books, plays, songs and films reflect the society in which they are crea...

The HEROES just keep on coming. This week Chris and Alex do a time honored summer activities; talking about the movies they've seen this summer. And they are deep into the MCU Phase 4 film cavalcade, and what it may or may not prove to be.  The boys share a few hot takes, interesting debates, and some overall fun.  So dive on in folks. PS. I know we've been MIA for a few weeks.  Sor...

Greetings Listeners:  In this episode Alex, Chris, and special guest Elizabeth Sheehan take you on a more personal creative journey. Sometimes we learn the lasting lessons from our parents, teachers, or friends.  Sometimes from a heralded master of the craft. And sometimes we learn how to be better creatives, from a talent who quietly gave their best to the world. Gave of their knowledge...

While Chris Ryan was on the road at a major writer’s conference, cohost Alex Simmons interviewed writer/creator Beau Smith . Beau has written for DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Image Comics, Eclipse Comics, Dreamwave Studios, Dark Horse Comics and many others.  He’s written for major video game companies, and Beau’s the creator and owner of the hit TV series Wynonna Earp (as well as  Parts Un...

This week Alex and Chris talk to promoter/activist, Beck Lee who is helping the Origin Theatre Company to bring the play "A Kid Like Rishi" to New York City.  The play, written by Netherland's playwright, Kees Roorda, is a docudrama using court records to re-create the case of a controversial shooting of an unarmed 17-year-old black youth at the Hague Holland Spoor Station. Just like too many...