Simmons Here And Now

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 Vicki Weisfeld who has seen her inventive, precise mysteries published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, among other places. Our interview with Vicki is the highlight of this episode, and she offers great insight into her process and tips for aspiring writers. Enjoy!   Please leave your questions or comments in our Comments Section below. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

Alex and Chris offer a little of their good buddy banter before they present another interview Chris recorded at the Deadly Ink Conference.  This time it's with Eileen Watkins & Peggy Earhart, two authors of a special genre known as Cozy Mysteries.  And though it may sound tame, it does beg the title question, how cozy can murder be?  Please leave your questions or comments in our Comments Section below. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

Alex and Chris introduce another interview from the Deadly Ink Mystery Writers Conference. Today we hear from not one but two local presidents of the national Sisters in Crime mystery writers organization, New Jersey President Linda Rawlins and Delaware Valley President Jane Kelly, discussing the resources and benefits and support SinC offers members (open to sisters and brothers) and their own writing challenges and goals. We're all facing similar struggles and having the support of an organization really helps.  Please leave your questions or comments in our Comments Section below. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

No one said it couldn't be done ... So we did it anyway!!! Alex and Chris (a few listeners) review, revere, recount and revisit their journey of interviews, doubts, tips, issues, and revelations on the way to 100 episodes of TTDS!  Please leave your questions or comments in our Comments Section below.  Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com 

For the first half hour, Alex and Chris spend some quality time talking about bringing their work to the next level and Chris discusses the Deadly Ink Mystery Conference, he attended two weeks ago, in all it's glory.   From cat cozies to pulp to the traditional mystery, there's a little something for everybody, Including Dimesleuth, a creative Instagram and Twitter page celebrating the noir crime genre.  And in the second half of the show, we  share Chris' interview with the man behind, DimeSleuth, who comes at the topic of story-telling from a slightly different angle.  Please leave your questions or comments in our Comments Section below.  Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com 

Chris is on a solo mission at the DEADLY INK WRITERS' CONFERENCE meeting and learning from writers of many genres.  And of course Chris is also interviewing as many of these creatives as he can.  So in this episode Chris sits with Carol Gyzander (sci-fi, mystery, etc.), Joe Kennedy (fiction author), Teel James Glenn (writer of pulp, adventures, etc.), as they discuss the pros and cons of finding and being part of a writers' group. Please leave your questions or comments in our Comments Section below.  Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com 

Chris is back from the wilds of creative career contemplation, and Alex has returned from panels and presentations at the San Diego Comic Con!  They're here to share some insight on the challenges of pursuing your goals and dreams. and they're not alone. They've brought with them Michael Uslan, the executive producer of every Batman movie since 1989.   Actually, it's a recording of his presentation to a packed auditorium at Comic Con International. Micheal's pursuit of his goals and dreams will resonate with anyone who has ever imagined achieving what seemed to be impossible.  (*Because the recording was on a small handheld device, the sound is not at the quality we would prefer. But the message is well worth the occasional bleeps, or peaks.) Have comments or questions for us?  Leave them in our comments section. Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com 

With Alex attending the the biggest comic con on the west coast, and Chris watching social media report and respond to it from the east coast, the boys offer their own insight into the verbiage and views of commentators, comics and crowds. Have comments or questions for us?  Leave them in our comments section. Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com  [*Sorry we were late with this one. Sometimes globe-hopping and tech can be a serious challenge.]

Many, many students ask the same question, sometimes with subtle variations.  How can I come up with a new idea?  Why bother, mine won't be as good? Will anybody even read my story? How can I make mine better? And so it goes on. In this episode, Alex Simmons explores 5 ways to address these questions and the process. Click here for a Story Pool List Guide. Click here to get a list of 20 Character Bio Questions to help you create yours. Have comments or questions for us?  Leave them in our comments section. Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com 

Writers often talk about character motivations. Basically why do they do what they do? Though that is a major question, another equally important one is, Why Do We, the Writers Do What We Do?  Alex explores that question because the answer often impacts and empowers our choices for topics, plots, characters, genres, and audience.  Sometimes, more than we suspect. Have comments or questions for us?  Leave them in our comments section. Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com 

There are so many things that influence our storytelling. If we only scratch the surface we wind up repeating what's gone before, in almost the same "voice." But diving deeper into our own thoughts, feelings, and experiences helps separate imitation from innovation. In this episode, Alex shares the  process that's lead to him writing some of the most iconic characters in fiction. Click here for a Story Pool List Guide. Have comments or questions for us?  Leave them in our comments section. Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com 

In this episode Alex identifies and underlines the 7 important sources writers explore for stories. From an item on your desk to a tragic moment in life, artist must look to the inner and outer world, in order to reflect it.  Click here for a free lis of these 7 Top Sources. Have comments or questions for us?  Leave them in our comments section.  Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com 

Alex and Chris celebrate Father's Day talking about the influence of fathers (and mothers!) present or not, being fathers, and the impact of fictional fathers on us, as well as infamous fictional sons and daughters, including Batman, 4 Robins, Batgirl, Spider-Man, This Is Us (yep!), Odin, Blackjack, Captain America, Raven, and Black Panther. Whew!  Happy Father's Day, everybody. Have comments or questions for us?  Leave them in our comments section. Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com 

Alex and Chris discuss what Chris calls the "come down" from being heavily engaged in the creative process; the time when we're not quite out of our creative world and not quite in our every day world. The results can be challenging, hilarious, and sometimes a little confusing. Alex recorded this episode during his own come down from his latest creative efforts, adding an interesting twist to this episode.  Have comments or questions for us?  Leave them in our comments section. Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

Based on a few things that happened this past week,  on Alex's Facebook Live webinar, and on Chris attending a major writers' conference, as well as  questions from their respective students, Chris and Alex explore, "How do you learn to write a good story?"  "Where do  ideas come from?"  And facing those challenges. "How do we continue to do what we do?"  Have comments or questions for us?  Leave them in our comments section. Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

For the Memorial Day weekend, Alex & Chris take a look at creative demons and angels in an unusual way.  First Chris shares some honest and painful insight into his own struggles with doubt and fears, while trying to build his career.  Then it's a look at Alex's creative battles, but through his being interviewed by Jerzy and Rob, co-hosts of the podcast LEAN INTO ART.   It's another of TTDS' revealing experiments in artistic transparency, but from an additional point of view.   Click here for Alex's interview on the podcast, Lean Into Art. Please leave your comments and questions in our comments section. Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com Join Alex for the 1st of his summer Write Right Webinars, May 30, 2019, 7 PM EST, on Facebook Live.  Get a head start on his free writing tips by click here, WRITE RIGHT: COMPELLING CHARACTERS.

Returning tired and inspired from a weekend comic con in Philadelphia, co-host Alex Simmons goes solo for this episode.  His time at the East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention left him with many thoughts about artists, choices, life and death, and what we lose and gain for our art.  Leave your comments and questions for us in our comments section. Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

In this week's episode, Alex and Chris discuss why care who you write for, yourself or an audience.  Does it make a difference as long as you tell the story in your head? Does knowing who you're trying to reach affect what you write and how you accomplish that task?  Does making that decision ahead of time affect the quality of your work, the topics you'll tackle, or the genre you'll use?  They'll share their knowledges and experiences.  Will you? If so, drop a comment in our Comments Section. Have questions for us?  Then post them too ... Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

Part 2: Alex and Chris continue their analysis of Avengers: Endgame from the perspective of older fans and writers/creators. The result is a two-part extravaganza celebrating the writing/producer/directing/acting/behind the camera efforts to create this epic conclusion to an unprecedented 22-film tapestry of a story. Our opinions differ at times from other podcasters and YouTubers coming at this from a younger perspective (or, in one case, a Hawkeye hating POV), and we alternate between being fans of a certain age and longtime creators offering insight, but, ultimately, we hope you enjoy  our take on a masterful example of creatives all working together to Tell The Damn Story. Have questions or comments for us, and I hope you do?  Then post them in the comments section below ... Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

Alex and Chris offer a spoiler-rich analysis of Avengers: Endgame from the perspective of older fans and writers/creators. The result is a two-part extravaganza celebrating the writing/producer/directing/acting/behind the camera efforts to create this epic conclusion to an unprecedented 22-film tapestry of a story. Our opinions differ at times from other podcasters and YouTubers coming at this from a younger perspective (or, in one case, a Hawkeye hating POV), and we alternate between being fans of a certain age and longtime creators offering insight, but, ultimately, we hope you enjoy  our take on a masterful example of creatives all working together to Tell The Damn Story. Have questions or comments for us, and I hope you do?  Then post them in the comments section below ... Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com