Tell The Damn Story #154: The Dignity of Chadwick Boseman, The Healing Grace of Creativity

Posted on August 30, 2020 by Alex Simmons Says

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 performed or written.  It’s sadness lifted by the arts once again.
“…Not all human beings are made up of the worst of our traits, habits, and instincts. We are a product of what we believe, what we practice, and what we do…”
Got a few questions of your own?  Send them in, or drop them in the comments.
Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

Alex Simmons, writer/speaker, consultant with his InkPot Award.
Chris Ryan,
Author of mysteries, children’s books, screenplays and novels

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Tell The Damn Story #153: Seven Plus Top Tips For Besting The Beast of Writing

Posted on August 23, 2020 by Alex Simmons Says

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.

Click here to hear.

By the way, in the spirit of a writer’s community, how do you tackle some of these writing challenges?  What works for you that might work for others?

Got a few questions of your own?  Send them in, or drop them in the comments.

Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

Alex Simmons, writer/speaker, consultant with his InkPot Award.
Chris Ryan,
Author of mysteries, children’s books, screenplays and novels

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Tell The Damn Story #152: Can You Survive Night of the Living Contracts?

Posted on August 16, 2020 by Alex Simmons Says

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 notes.  Because whether your goals are aimed at the independents or main stream publishers, you’ll face them. It will be a time when you’ll need to know how much of your rights they’ll want, and what you’re willing to give up, or lose.
Send in your questions and suggestions regarding this topics.  We’ll discuss them on our next show. Or respond in our social media.
Want to see samples of simple basic Agreements?  Email us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com and we’ll send along a sample or two.

Alex Simmons, writer/speaker, consultant with his InkPot Award.
Chris Ryan,
Author of mysteries, children’s books, screenplays and novels

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Tell The Damn Story #149 – 151: MIA

Posted on August 10, 2020 by Alex Simmons Says

Greetings!

To all of you who may have been wondering why I haven’t posted the last three episodes of this podcast series … well, it’s because I couldn’t.

For some a yet unexplained reason, the new BLOCK EDIT feature went “rogue” on me. It kept (and still is) displaying error messages when I’ve tried to input, upload, or save anything.  The message does not explain the error. It gives no path for exploring, reporting, or fixing.

Since I can save or display any part of the problem or message, I’ve been unable to have someone look into it. This has been going on now for 3 weeks.

So, I’m using this classic form to write this explanation, and I’m asking for any advise you might be able to offer.

Thank you in advance.

Sincerely,
Alex Simmons

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Tell The Damn Story #147: HOW TO TELL THE DAMN STORY SUMMER SERIES (Part 2) – Getting The Work Done

Posted on July 12, 2020 by Alex Simmons Says

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 series takes up episodes 146, 147, 148, and 149, creating an opportunity for us to use episode 150 as StoryFest (the three-sectioned, weekend long interview clips package). That would be a cool way to celebrate this milestone.

Click here to hear.

Want to be more a part of this?  Send in your methods for nurturing inspiration.  Where do you find it?  What do you do with it?

Have any questions, or suggestions for episode topics?Leave your thoughts in our comments section.  Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

Alex Simmons, writer/speaker, consultant with his InkPot Award. Chris Ryan, Author of mysteries, children’s books, screenplays and novels
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Tell The Damn Story #146: How To Tell The Damn Story Summer Writing Series – Part One

Posted on July 5, 2020 by Alex Simmons Says

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 it comes from, how to work with it, respect it, and keep it flowing so you can Tell Your Damn Story! 

Click here to hear.

By the way, this series takes up episodes 146, 147, 148, and 149, creating an opportunity for us to use episode 150 as StoryFest (the three-sectioned, weekend long interview clips package). That would be a cool way to celebrate this milestone. What do you think?

Leave your thoughts in our comments section. Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

* Want to be more a part of this? Send in your methods for nurturing inspiration. Where do you find it? What do you do with it?

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Tell The Damn Story #145: TTDS PRESENTS “BLACKJACK: ONLY SECONDS LEFT TO LIVE” and More …

Posted on June 28, 2020 by Alex Simmons Says

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 story. We tell its backstory, and then we present Blackjack: Only Seconds Left to Live as an unrehearsed audio experience.

The tie-in to present day will be obvious, and our discussion afterwards connects many elements that convinced us that now is the time to share this tale. And we have much more coming.

Click here to hear.

And don’t forget to leave your thoughts in our comments section. Or write to us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

Tim Fielder
Alex Simmons, writer/speaker, consultant with his InkPot Award. Chris Ryan, Author of mysteries, children’s books, screenplays and novels

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Tell The Damn Story #144: WHAT “IFFING” TWILIGHT ZONE SEASON TWO

Posted on June 21, 2020 by Alex Simmons Says
Looks like it’s … Day of the Bearded Men.

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 prompts. 

Come share some big fun, a wide range of topics, some good laughs, and an occasional deep thought, all aimed at psyching fans up for Season Two of THE TWILIGHT ZONE. (Cue the eerie music.)

Click here to hear.

Have a thought about this episode? Sure you do. So leave a message in our Comments section.

Or send an email to:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

Alex Simmons, writer/speaker, consultant with his InkPot Award. Chris Ryan, Author of mysteries, children’s books, screenplays and novels
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Tell The Damn Story #143: HOW TO TAKE OLD WORLD THEMES & CREATE PRESENT DAY MOVIE and TV GOLD!

Posted on June 14, 2020 by Alex Simmons Says

For filmmakers and novelist what’s old is new again, and again, and again!  

It always has been! And Alex & Chris do a Bill and Ted by going back in time to prove it

First, remember long time DC author/editor legend Denny O’Neill, who passed on June 11th.  

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 Peele, creatives are encouraged to look at classic form and ask “What If” as a means to tell the damn story reflecting modern sensibilities.  

So listen as our hosts discuss the creative and thought-provoking process behind it all.

Click here to hear.

Do you agree or disagree with our POV?  Leave a message in our Comments section.  Or send an email to:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

Alex Simmons, writer/speaker, consultant with his InkPot Award. Chris Ryan, Author of mysteries, children’s books, screenplays and novels
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Tell The Damn Story #142: REFLECTING LIFE THROUGH ART, OR THE UNCOMFORTABLE ROAD TO PROGRESS CAN INSPIRE

Posted on June 7, 2020 by Alex Simmons Says

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, music and more for years to come.

So our hosts explore their thoughts and some uncomfortable questions, all in pursuit of finding avenues for creativity, progress, dignity, and humanity. Always staying true to how they tell the story.

Click here to hear.

What has inspired your creativity recently?

Share it in our comments section. Or send an email to: TTTDSOnAir@gmail.com

Thank you.

Alex Simmons, writer/speaker, consultant with his InkPot Award. Chris Ryan, Author of mysteries, children’s books, screenplays and novels
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