Tell The Damn Story #112: From Curious Creative to Indy Publisher: Juan Espinosa is A Role Model for TTDS Listeners

Posted on November 10, 2019 by Alex Simmons Says

Juan Espinosa took his family to Alex’s Kids Comic Con at his workplace, Bronx Community College, wanting them to see Spidey and Bats. What he got was a book to read, pros to question, a podcast to listen to, and then, with the help of a loving and supportive family, he launched a comic that celebrates the every man as hero, portrays diversity as the fact of American life that it is, and shows us all that the dream is possible.

Episode #112 is a fun interview, a treasure trove of practical experience and advice for creatives, and an inspiration for Alex and Chris because one of ours is Telling The Damn Story for himself!

Click here to hear.

*Juan Espinosa’s comic book web site click here; Gordidon.*His comic book series is, “Adventures of A System Admin.”

PLEASE let us know your thoughts on this hot topic by leaving  your questions or comments in our Comments Section below.

Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com*

For “Art of Making Comics” by Alex Simmons click here and enjoy.

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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Tell The Damn Story Episode #111: FUNDAMENTALLY SPEAKING: A HOW-TO-PURSUE CREATIVE AGENTS, CONTACTS AND GIGS.

Posted on November 4, 2019 by Alex Simmons Says

It’s a A HOW-TO-APALOOZA this week, when Alex and Chris get down to basics.  They’re talking about how to find writing jobs, how to create a submission plan, the reality of getting gigs, how to keep going, how to deal with rejection, the idea of creativity being 1% inspiration and 99% getting your butt in the chair and doing the work, and how to make all of this happen in an extremely busy daily routine. This episode, number 111, is all about hope, folks, and all about telling the damn story.

Click here to hear.

And PLEASE let us know your thoughts on this hot topic by leaving  your questions or comments in our Comments Section below.Or write us at:

TTDSOnAir@gmail.com*

PS. As mentioned in this show, Alex’s FREE 3 video mini tips on writing mysteries can be found here.

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Tell The Damn Story #110: Marvel vs The Masters! To Be Or Not to Be Cinema, That is Question!

Posted on October 27, 2019 by Alex Simmons Says

This week, Alex and Chris jump into the biggest movie fracas of the year: the Masters of 70’s Cinema vs. theMarvel Cinematic Auteurs! Scorsese! Copolla! Foster! Favreau! RDJ! Iger! Gunn! Are Marvel movies cinema? Are they modern versions of the classic westerns of Ford and Leone? Or the gangster flicks of Scorsese and Copolla? Our TTDS crew explores all this in our 110th episode! (Exclamation points used in tribute to Stan Lee, who kind of started this whole rumble!)

Click here to hear.

And PLEASE let us know your thoughts on this hot topic by leaving your questions or comments in our Comments Section below.

Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com*

PS. As mentioned in this show, Alex’s FREE 3 video mini tips on writing mysteries can be found here.

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Tell The Damn Story # 109: Lean Into the Damn Story, Pt 1

Posted on October 20, 2019 by Alex Simmons Says

IT’S A PODCAST TEAM-UP! IT’S A CREATIVES CROSSOVER! IT’S A HELLUVA DEEP CONVERSATION!

Chris and Alex team up with the hosts of the Lean Into Art Cast, Jerzy Drozd and Rob Stenzinger, for a two-part discussion on writing, art, and finding your way through this challenging endeavor of creating for an audience.

Click here to hear!

Part 2 from this creative quartet airs on the upcoming episode of LEAN INTO ART, which drops Thursday, October 24, 2019. Be there. Aloha.

And as always, PLEASE leave your questions or comments in our Comments Section below.Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

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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Tell The Damn Story #108: TO FEED THE BEAST

Posted on October 13, 2019 by Alex Simmons Says

Every writer of any success will tell aspiring creatives to read constantly, so today Chris and Alex explore the ecstasy that is reading — with special guest … “the goddess” Tina Ryan!

Click here to hear!

*During the show I sent out a note to folks asking what they like to read. Below are some of the replies:

Genre: Science Fiction, fantasy and urban fantasy, mystery, historical fiction, horror, modern detectives (Lehane), comics, and non fiction.

Authors: Christopher Moore-Fool, Lamb, Sacre Bleu, Ladit, Lawrence Block, Loren Estleman, JIm Butcher, Kelly McCullough, Eliot Pattison, Lois McMaster Bujold, Jennifer Robertson …

Titles: Moby Dick, New Stan Lee Biography

Want to add some?

PLEASE leave your questions or comments in our Comments Section below. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

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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Tell The Damn Story #107: Heroic Journeys … Identity, Discovery, Damage, Recovery

Posted on October 9, 2019 by Alex Simmons Says

While attending the 2019 New York Comic Con, Alex had an opportunity to conduct a group interview with four, intelligent, creative, and caring people … Tamara Robertson (chemical & biomolecular engineer and co-host of Mythbusters Jr.) , Dr. Travis Langley (author/senior editor/psychologist), Dr. Janine Scarlet (psychologist/author), and Dustin McGuinnis (musician/podcaster).

And though Chris was not able to be there, and though there were some sound issues, we ask that you bear with us because the insight, experiences and information shared is well worth it.

Click here to hear.

And as usual, PLEASE leave your questions or comments in our Comments Section below. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com We especially want to hear your thoughts on this one.
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Tell The Damn Story #106: Deadly Ink Roundup, The Rookies

Posted on September 29, 2019 by Alex Simmons Says

Chris finds Alex in the grip of a horrible villain (especially for podcasters) and must recruit a trio of authors from the Deadly Ink Writers Conference, conducting first-time interviews with each. He finds the scribes sincere and interesting and worth working past all audio challenges. Give them a chance; they have great stories to tell…. and they saved Alex this week!

Click here to hear.

Please leave your questions or comments in our Comments Section below. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

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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Tell The Damn Story #105: Out of the Darkness … Demons, An Interview With Author David F. Walker

Posted on September 22, 2019 by Alex Simmons Says

Alex and Chris Skype across America for a brave and inspiring conversation with the great author, David F. Walker (Luke Cage, Shaft, CyBorg, Bitter Roots, etc.).  While we start with his early work on Luke Cage and Iron Fist progressing to his new projects like Bitter Roots, this episode mostly focuses on David’s harrowing battle with crushing depression and methods he uses to claw his way out of the abyss. Don’t miss this one, folks.Please leave your questions or comments in our Comments Section below. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comPS: During the episode I couldn’t remember the name of a certain comic strip. It was “For Better, Or For Worse.” Why’d that subject come up? Listen and you will see.

Click here to hear.

Comments Section below. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

PS: During the episode I couldn’t remember the name of a certain comic strip. It was “For Better, Or For Worse.” Why’d that subject come up? Listen and you will see.

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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Tell The Damn Story #104: Goin’ Deep, From Creative Heart to Business Head

Posted on September 15, 2019 by Alex Simmons Says

Alex and Chris take a break from the  Deadly Ink Mystery Conference interviews this week to delve deep into that treacherous path that takes us from being a creative to a business person. They discuss the self-knowledge one needs to deal with editors and producers and publishers who say they “get it” and but may not and explore the importance knowing the difference between being editorially flexible so you can sell the work and committing the sin of selling out the work.  

Click here to hear.

Please leave your questions or comments in our Comments Section below. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

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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Tell The Damn Story #103: It’s the Quiet Ones You Have To Watch Out For

Posted on September 8, 2019 by Alex Simmons Says

Alex and Chris talk about how creatives’ personality and early influences shaped them into writers you might not expect from hearing them, like the gentle-voiced Victoria Weisfeld who has seen her inventive, precise mysteries published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, among other places. Our interview with Victoria (Vicky) is the highlight of this episode, and she offers great insight into her process and tips for aspiring writers. Enjoy!

Click here to hear.


Please leave your questions or comments in our Comments Section below. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

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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