Simmons Here And Now

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!  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

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!  Share your thoughts, questions and comments right here in our Comments Section. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com Click here for a 20 Question Character Bio guide  #DefendersDialogue #ChristopherGolden #BrianKeene #plot #character #structure #godzilla #marvel 

After weeks of Alex fretting about the quality of the new film version of "Little Women" both he and Chris (and the goddess) went to see #LittleWomen and they discuss the film, earlier versions of it, and Louisa May Alcott's 1868 novel.  All of this is in the service of creativity and telling the damn story. They then discuss Getting Your Write On, part two, in which Chris and Alex explain subtext, avoiding stereotypes, the usefulness of second bananas, and interior versus exterior dialogue, using the film/book and other works as examples to support each topic.  Come for the film, stay for the learning, and then go tell your own damn story!  Share your thoughts, questions and comments right here in our Comments Section. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com #LittleWomen, #saoirseronan #EmmaWatson #FlorencePugh #ElizaScanlen #LauraDern #TimotheeChalamet #TracyLetts #BobOdenkirk #JamesNorton #ChrisCooper #MerylStreep #AmWriting #WritingSubText #AvoidingStereotypes #secondbananas #Dialogue

Alex and Chris launch a new decade with a new feature, "Get Yer Write On" offering practical advice on a wide range of storytelling skills, this week including Motivation (two kinds!), Character, Conflict, and Creating a Character's Arc. And that's after discussing current events and personal news. All this and laughs! Don't miss it! Share your thoughts, questions and comments right here in our Comments Section below. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com Click here for the TTDS's 20 Character Bio Questions Guide. Read BLACKJACK: Trial By Fire, Trial By Ice (written by Alex and Chris) on Amazon. #littlewomen #starwarstheriseofskywalker #themandalorian #getyourwriteon #writersmotivation #Thefugitive #Theequalizer #shotgunhoney #blackjacktrialbyfire #blackjacktrialbyice

It's TELL YOUR OWN DAMN STORY about the teens as Alex and Chris tell theirs.  "We'll leave "Best ofs" and "Top Ten" lists for others to share, and we are grateful for their ideas as we look back to look forward.  This episode the cohosts we'll be talking of books and films and TV and music that fueled us, and ask you, what fueled your creativity over the past decade?" If you have any positive or inspirational tips to share, drop them (along with your questions) in our Comments Section below. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

This week Alex and Chris say goodbye to a decade --goodbye twenty-teens --and prep for 2020 by talking to Creatives about how they can use the technological and social media revolution of the last decade to curate the best fuel for their creativity in the new decade. Through reflection and action, we can avoid being programmed, block trolls, and contribute positively to where we all go next. If you have any positive or inspirational tips to share, drop them (along with your questions) in our Comments Section below. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

Alex and Chris talk about fuel for creatives' holiday productivity, going through lots of Christmas music and movies and TV shows discussing the themes of redemption and renewal and reunion and how we can use any or all of this to fuel our own creativity. This episode offers a lot of fun and many suggestions for both your holiday entertainment and for creative nourishment during this busy time of year. Peace. And if there were any songs, TV shows, or movies we left out, add them along with your questions in our Comments Section below. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

With holiday shopping on our minds, Alex and Chris visit with Jorge Rodriguez, owner of the legendary comics and collectibles shop in The Bronx (known center of the multiverse), to discuss comics, collectibles, independents,  movie boosts to business, being creative in business, and who seems more together these days, DC or Marvel. Come on into The Lair, hang out, and enjoy this fascinating conversation. Should want to know more about The Lair, click here. Let us know your thoughts on this topic by leaving  your questions or comments in our Comments Section below. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

Alex and Chris talk about giving thanks during a time of division, about being dedicated to gratitude in a time where for some gratitude is difficult, and for others it may be cause for stress, and/or rebellion.  Our co-hosts go deep as they discuss how creatives must overcome these and so many other challenges to get the word out on their creative output.  Especially when that could include being surprise blocked from posting Facebook ads due to alleged racial insensitivity when none exists in their ads! So Alex and Chris discuss all sorts of algorithm shenanigans that creatives have to deal with to tell their damn story! 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 * During the episode we mentioned a free Blackjack novel.  Click here for your free copy of  "Blackjack: Rise of the Red Star."    Or copy and past this link: http://bit.ly/JoinArronAdventures 

This week Alex and Chris prepare you for your Thanksgiving, be it heaven or a horror! Whether you are dreading the holiday or just certain relatives or trying to get your mind right for celebration, we've got what you need. With humor and tongue in cheek and memories both hilariously dark and warmly bittersweet, Alex and Chris prepare you for your Thanksgiving feast by discussing how to use your experiences to fuel the damn stories you tell. Enjoy and have a great holiday, no matter what! 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

Alex and Chris discuss the plight of one of Alex's students who discovered a story he was working on was very similar to a story already out there. What is a creative to do when influences show, or an original idea has been thunk by others, too. The answers, including examples from film, television, and music, and some very crucial advise, is offered this week, all as part of what it takes to TELL THE DAMN STORY. * Episodes referenced in this episode:  #84, #86, #90, #105, #108 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

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! *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.

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. 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.  Alex's has 3 FREE mini video tips on writing mysteries. So click here and enjoy.

This week, Alex and Chris jump into the biggest movie fracas of the year: the Masters of 70's Cinema vs. the Marvel 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!) 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.

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. Part 2 from this creative quartet airs on the upcoming episode of LEAN INTO ART, which drops Thursday, October 24, 2019. Meanwhile, PLEASE leave your questions or comments in our Comments Section below. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com 

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

While attending the 2019 New York Comic Con, Alex had an opportunity to conduct a group interview with four, intelligent, creative, and caring people.  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.  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.

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

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