Simmons Here And Now

Alex and Chris open this episode by saluting the power of legends especially in times of war. This week Russia invaded Ukraine and two legends stepped forward, the Ghost of Kiev and the Ukraine Reaper, to give Ukrainians hope when they are in dire need.  The rest of our episode is focused on how to do public appearances as a writer.  We use Chris's recent appearance on the Galactic Terrors horror reading series on YouTube, and both Alex's recent interview for goldenglobes.com and his featured panel at ReggieCon where in PhD's discussed his work.  Then we gave several rules of thumb for how to prepare and perform to your best abilities in public as a writer. (Link to Galactic Terrors: https://youtu.be/ba_gmxuqciU )  Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story https://bit.ly/TTDSWebSite #Blackjack #SecondBiteOfTheCobra #Reggiec

Today, as we prepare to see who are the heroes of this year's Super Bowl, Alex and Chris explore who our heroes are in 2022. Do the older heroes still hold up? Do we prefer anti-heroes? No heroes? Or do we need heroes now more than ever? We'll see on today's episode! Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story https://bit.ly/TTDSWebSite

This week, Alex and Chris tackle a subject that is unfortunately in the news once again.  As the banning of books again draws attention to people's fears and privilege in this country, what does it mean to the creative community? And what can we do about it? And how can it inspire our writing? Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story https://bit.ly/TTDSWebSite #newkid #jerrycraft #maus #bannedbooks #artspiegelman #thecolorpurple #thelordoftheflies #williamgolding #tonimorrison #thecolorpurple #alicewalker #tokillamockingbird #harperlee 

In this episode, Alex and Chris discuss the best methods for writers to do readings of their work, for themselves or an audience.   And they start with Chris' upcoming public reading on Galactic Terrors (YouTube 1/13 at 8 PM). They also review best practices on giving a public reading either live or remotely. Not to mention explaining how writers can benefit from reading their works out loud to themselves.  Emerging writers and, all writers for that matter, can benefit from these tips and insights. Plus click on this link and get a list of their Top 10 Tips For Writers Doing Readings. *For 10 free Tips on doing Public Readings Click Here.  Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section below or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story PAUSE ... SIDNEY POITIER (1928-2022) Blackboard Jungle The Defiant Ones A Raisin In The Sun Lillies of the Fields Duel At Diablo To Sir With L

There Be Heroes Here? 2021 brought with it wounds and wins, new challenges, heroes and villains, and questions about how to handle it all. In this Chris and Alex review the creative path through all of this.  From their real life and death hurdles, to favorite costume clad inspirations. And finally they ask -- Has what we've all been through made it hard for us to value human over superhuman? What do you think? Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section below or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story #amwriting, #writerslife, #authortips, #writingtips #creatives #writers_den #howtowrite #writercommunity #Hawkeye #Marvelcinematicuniverse #wandavision #Blackjack  

Young writers Caseen Gaines and Omar Holman are back!!!   Once again Chris and Alex are following these talented young authors on their writing and publishing journey.  Caseen talks about the making, publishing and promoting  of his new book FOOTNOTES.   And Omar shares his same experiences with, BLACK NERD PROBLEMS, co-written by him and Williams Evans.    Both books have received good reviews and recognition. But writing about black representation in media, as well as being released during a pandemic, came with numerous challenges, too.     So tune in and find out what, where, why and how they dealt with all of that, plus what lies ahead.   Have questions or comments for us?  Post in the comments section or ...  Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story

Ever wonder why your character scenes fall flat, even though you've nailed down their NAME, AGE, and maybe a few basic RELATIONSHIPS?   It could be the quality of the Dialog. Knowing what your characters say and how they say it is crucial.  And not only to advance the plot. Authentic engaging dialog helps establish the depth of the character, the tone and mood of your story. So listen as co. hosts and writers Alex and Chris discuss how they, and other pros, create genuine dialog for their characters, no matter age or era. Have questions or comments for us?  Post in the comments section below or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story #amwriting, #writerslife, #authortips, #writingtips #michaeluslan #batman #theboywholovedbatman #creatives #writers_den #howtowrite #writercommunity #Hawkeye #Marvelcinematicuniverse #wandavision #TeelJamesGlenn #Batman #Blackjack #12AngryMen 

How do you go from average college student to owning film rights to one of the most iconic multi-media fictional characters? How do you strive for success when year after year, after year, your passion project is rejected? How do you go from writing a book about a beloved chapter in your life, to seeing that life and book portrayed on a Broadway stage? Alex and Chris explore those question when they interview executive producer Michael Uslan, the man who owns the film right to BATMAN. Also the author of the semi-autobiography book, The Boy Who Loved Batman (soon to open on Broadway). Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section below or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story #amwriting, #writerslife, #authortips, #writingtips #michaeluslan #batman #theboywholovedbatman #creatives #writers_den #howtowrite #writercommunity #batmanfilms 

"I Love Assessing and Goal Setting This Time of Year!" Why?  And what good does it do? This week, Alex and Chris discuss how creatives should review what they've accomplished this year and use that to set goals for the coming year. So many of us get to the end of a year and say, "I didn't get anything done!"  However, if you go back month by month and review what you actually have created, very often you will be surprised by how much you've  accomplished.  Alex and Chris offer some ways (large and small) to see that objectively, to assess what work you did do objectively, and to use both to set your goals for 2022. Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section below or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story #amwriting, #writerslife, #authortips, #writingtips #writersblock #creatives #writers_den #howtowrite #writercommunity 

This week Alex and Chris celebrate horror, punk, sci-fi, and pulp with Horror Writers Association -NY co-coordinators James Chambers and Carol Gyzander. We discuss how to write stories in these suspenseful genres, dealing with rejection, becoming part of the surprisingly warm and supportive horror community, and their superb "Galactic Terrors" YouTube series featuring live readings from horror authors around the world. No tricks here, folks; it's all treats!  Have questions or comments for us? Post them in the comments section below or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story #jameschambers #carolgyzander #HWA #horrorfiction #horror #Halloween #pulp #punkfiction #cyberpunk #thekinginyellow #theyellowsign #undertwinsuns #robertwchambers #onthehierophantroad #rawdogscreamingpress #greenhornet #thespider #moonstonpress #kolchak #kolchakthenightstalker #kolchakandthenightstalkers #darrinmcgavin #teeljamesgl

For writers what's the greatest monster in the closet? This week Alex and Chris go in to find out when they talk about how lack of confidence can freeze us in our tracks.  They also talk about how it can be dealt with and even inspire your creativity.  And they finally shine a light on how your experiences in life can fuel your art. Lots of good advice here to help writers step out into their creativity light. Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section below or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story #amwriting, #writerslife, #authortips, #writingtips #writersblock #creatives 

This episode brings you an interview with Teel J. Glenn, actor, stuntman, weapons master, actor, fight choreographer, director, producer, and, most of all, writer.  With over 500 stories including 40 novels ranging from action-adventure to horror and sword & sorcery.   But in September and October he experienced a flurry of activity that can truly inspire us. We talked to Teel to explore what he writes, but not as much as why he writes, and why we should keep writing. Whew! Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story #WeirdTales #MysteryWeekly #PulpAdventures #Spinetingler #SciFan #Mad #BlackBelt #FantasyTales #SherlockHolmesMystery #SemperOccultus #QuestUntold #ChroniclesOfTheSkullMask #ACowboyinCarpathia 

We're running a little longer than 30 minutes today because in this episode Alex and Chris gets to interview the extremely talented artist, Julie Bell.   "A world renowned, award winning fantasy artist and wildlife painter. Julie has won two Chelsea Awards and was the designer of the popular and award-winning Dragons of Destiny series..."   Artist do not only create cover art for stories, they also create stories within their art. Such has been Julie Bell's career from Heavy Metal magazine to major publishers and corporations.  How she managed that is what we'll discuss that and more this episode. Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ...   Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ...  @Tell The Damn Story  www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story

This week Alex and Chris gave a concise, detailed "how to" for writers who have short stories they believe are ready to send out, but are not sure where to send them. Chock full of useful information, it's a must for emerging writers of any level.    So, while you're putting together that list of agents, publishers, and online zines, give a listen here!   Some places to go:  In the Facebook Search box type: Open Call and the genre you're interested in, i.e.:  OPEN CALL MYSTERY DuoTrope:  http://www.DuoTrope.com Shot Gun Honey: https://www.shotgunhoney.com/  Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section below or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story #amwriting, #writerslife, #authortips, #writingtips

Welcome to TELL THE DAMN STORY, Season 5 with veteran award winning authors Alex Simmons and Christopher Ryan.   It's a whole new season for tell the damn story!  And as we enter it we have some major news and changes to tell you about. So listen in as we share the promises of things to come starting this fall. Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section below or ...  Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ...  @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story

In joining with the quiet acknowledgement of the passing of Chadwick Bosman (1 year ago this month) this summer hiatus episode contains the interview with Don McGregor.   Chris and I thought we were prepared to interview storyteller extraordinaire DON McGREGOR.  I'd known him since the 70s.  And Chris had read his books and researched his other interviews.  Yep, we thought we were ready for him.  We weren't.  Listen as Don candidly speaks about his creative, professional, and personal life -- good, bad and amazing! Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section below or on ... Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com #blackpanther #chadwickbosman #donmcgregor #panthersrage #marvelcomics #detectivesincorporated #jamesbond #comicbookwriting

During our over 200 episodes TTDS has had the good fortune of exploring the creative process locally, nationally, and internationally. This episode originally aired in June of 2018.  And it involves my preparation to speak to young artists at the international Balkans Festival of Young Comics Creators, in Serbia. The festival’s purpose is to bring together a war torn area of the Balkans, and give support to young creators. The festival began in 1998 and is the oldest in the region. Since they didn't have one in 1999, because of bombings, this is their 20th anniversary. Hope you enjoy. Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section below or on ... Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

Co-Hosts Chris Ryan & Alex Simmons are on summer hiatus. So in this flashback episode we're going to revisit some Marvel magic. Chris and Alex discuss the creative, risk taking experiment that was WANDA VISION. Post in the comments section below ... Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

He's the author of over 45 crime, sci-fi, western and suspense novels, novellas and comics! With a tv show based on one of his series.  How does he do it? Back in 2018 cohost Chris Ryan attended PULPFEST in Pittsburg, PA. Chris managed to interview a number of writers, creators, illustrators, and others and Joe R. Lansdale was one of them. Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section below ... Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com #joerlansdale #hapandleonard #crimenovels #pulpfest 

Chris and me are on hiatus so this is the first of their Summer Flashbacks visits of earlier episodes.   This week, Chris and Alex discuss some of the many ways artists learn not only how to create, but also how to deal with some of those negative mindsets.  Just back from a writers' conference with Neil Gaiman, Amy Tan and others, Chris shares some of their thoughts on, "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 any comments or questions? Then please leave them in our comments section here, Our Facebook page, (Tell The Damn Story)  Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. Or @TellTheDamnStory