Tell The Damn Story 132: Turn Left At “The Grind!”

Posted on March 29, 2020 by Alex Simmons Says

And BATTLING THE GRIND This week Alex and Chris dive deep into the struggle that we’re all facing; the war against boredom. While outlining some of the challenges they suggest ways to keep yourself occupied and your spirits up, inside the house, outside the house, with the social distancing, and online. Do not despair. Do not give in. There is hope. There is life. There are literary and cinematic distractions. And … there is really interesting trivia on your favorite artists — past and present — somewhere on the Internet!

So listen tight and take notes.  🙂

Click here to hear.

*In response to a comment Chris made in the show, I mentioned an old Terry Thomas movie. Here’s a link to it on YouTube. “A MATTER OF WHO.”

We’ve enjoyed hearing from you! So please leave your questions comments right here in our Comments Section.

Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

#amwriting #writingtips #authortips #terrythomas #severtiesmusic #U2 #koolandthegang

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Tell The Damn Story #130: How Do You Tell This Story? Dance, Sing, Draw, Write!

Posted on March 13, 2020 by Alex Simmons Says

We’re two days early! Yes we are!

In light of the quickly escalating coronavirus, Alex and Chris discuss social distancing and the hardships and blessings that presents to creatives. Ideas and opinions abound and we are interested in what you think about these unprecedented times. Give us a listen and then tell us what is on your mind.
Reach out and leave your thoughts, tips, questions and comments right here in our Comments Section.
Or write 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 #129: WITH SUSPECTS AND RED HERRINGS, WHICH ONE TO CHOOSE? IT’S A MYSTERY!

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Alex Simmons Says

Red Herrings and Other Suspects

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.

Click here to hear.

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

#agathachristie #amwriting #authortips #writingtips #amwriting #amwritingmysteries #mysterywritersofamerica #redherrings #suspects

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 #128: How To Face The Fears of Telling A Damn Story

Posted on March 1, 2020 by Alex Simmons Says

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 while creating and also to be aware and judicious about using personal pain in your creativity.

Click here to hear.

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

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 #127: A Story By Any Other Name. Or Finding Yourself, Your Voice, And Your Genre.

Posted on February 23, 2020 by Alex Simmons Says

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 nothing in our goal to offer a portrait of the many considerations we must embrace to further our creative dreams.

Click here to hear.

Agree or disagree?  Did we leave out any genre or sub genres? Let us know.

Leave your thoughts, questions and comments right here in our Comments Section. Or write 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 #126: Are ReWrites An Author’s Path To Heaven or Hell?

Posted on February 16, 2020 by Alex Simmons Says

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 moments and foreshadowing, etc. that will make your story sing. Come for the jokes, stay for the rewrites!

As authors, how your book, play or movie ends is the last chance to leave your audience feeling satisfied. They want to look back over the experience and feel you faithfully lead them on the journey, and that the ending made sense.  Rewriting is your opportunity to get the cuts, clues, and characters just right.

Click here to hear.

Agree or disagree?

Have any rewriting tips you want to share?

Then leave your thoughts, questions and comments right here in our Comments Section.

Or write 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 # 125: VICTOR, A PAUSE TO PAY TRIBUTE

Posted on February 10, 2020 by Alex Simmons Says

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.

Peace.

Click here to hear.

Did you know Victor? Or are you an Archie fan?

If so share your thoughts, questions and comments right here in our Comments Section.

Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

#Archie #Comics #cartoon #highschoolofindustrialarts #veronica #Betty #brooklyn #1950s #jughead #writers #michaeluslan

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 #124: A WRITER’S SUPER BRAWL – HOW TO PLAY IN THE BIG GAME OF GETTING YOUR STORY RIGHT

Posted on February 2, 2020 by Alex Simmons Says

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 of those by doing the work to get out of your own way and become more objective about your own writing.

Along the way, we mention #BrianKeene, #sidneylumet, #marisatomei, #philipseymourhoffman, #albertfinney, all in the film #beforethedevilknowsyouredead, #thegodfather, #atomichabits, by James Clear, #Themiraclemorning, by #halelrod and many other pop culture references aimed at helping you Tell The Damn Story.

Click here to hear.

Share your thoughts, questions and comments right here in our Comments Section.Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

#amwriting #writingtips #author #christopherpike

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 #123: HOW TO GET YOUR WRITE ON #3 – READY, SETTING, GO!

Posted on January 26, 2020 by Alex Simmons Says

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 spin. 

So it’s about time you listened to Tell The Damn Story! 

Click here to hear.

Have you watched the Twilight Zone series (old or new)? If so, which do you prefer? And tell us your favorite episode.

Share your thoughts, questions and comments right here in our Comments Section. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

#rodserling #twilightzone #amwriting #amediting #setting #amrewriting #writing

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 #122: What Is A Writers’ Toughest Challenge? Or Tales From The Comments

Posted on January 19, 2020 by Alex Simmons Says

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!

Click here to hear.

Click here to get a free copy of our 20 Questions Character Bio Guide.

Share your thoughts, questions and comments right here in our Comments Section.

Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

#DefendersDialogue #ChristopherGolden #BrianKeene #plot #character #structure #godzilla #marvel

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