Simmons Here And Now

He made it from Miami to New York. From local journalist to VP of Publishing. And he's a family man. In this episode Chris is surrounded by Alexes when the legendary Simmons is joined by Alex Segura, acclaimed, multi award-winning writer of novels, comic books, short stories, and podcasts.  The trio gets to talk about everything from Segura's Pete Fernandez mystery series to his experiences at DC, Archie, and now Oni Press. Their conversation does a deep dive on short story technique, promotion advice, and overall creative thoughts in a fun, funny, and most informative  interview. Have any comments or questions? Then please leave them in our comments section, Our Facebook page, (Tell The Damn Story)  Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. #writers #petefernadez #amlearning #amwriting #journalism #comics #writersblock #alexsegura #ArchieComics #DCComics 

He started out as a child on a farm in Mississippi, and eventually became one of the few Washington DC journalist with clearance to cover all three main governmental branch sessions. And he didn't stop there. This week Alex and Chris interview the multi talented Jesse J. Holland. Reaching out beyond his carrier with the Associated Press, Jesse also became a university professor. He's written two nonfiction books, "The Invisibles," and "Black Men Built The White House;" a Star Wars novel, as well as, "Who Is The Black Panthers." And finally he edited the recently released "Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda" anthology. And he hasn't stopped yet. Have any comments or questions? Then please leave them in our comments section, Our Facebook page, (Tell The Damn Story)  Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. #writers #theinvisibles #Blackmenbuiltthewhitehouse #blackpanthertalesofwakanda #amlearning #amwriting #journalism #ethics #writersblock #jessejholland 

We've been trapped in "our caves" for over a year.  Has that affected us creatively? This week Alex and Chris update us on some continuing creative project threads that have been evolving, for some time. Then they get to the main event: as the Covid lockdown is slowly lifted, how do creatives re-integrate ourselves with society, especially the kinds of crowds we might see at conferences and conventions? Each of us has changed over this year plus experience, and some are finding that as they re-emerge, there are our anxieties they did not expect. We discuss what those are and how we might overcome them to get back to our creative lives. Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them ... in our comments section,  Our Facebook page, (Tell The Damn Story)  Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. #writers #inisolation #lockdown #amlearning #amwriting #ammarketing #creatorsanxiety #writersblock

Today's episode starts with a righteous rejection of cohost Christopher Ryan.  In an email received right before recording the episode, divinationhollow.com was gracious and generous and educational in their rejection of a story Chris sent to them only two days ago.  Their reasoning was sound, and they could've stopped right there. But they didn't. They offered to further educate on the nuance of writing LGBTQ+ characters.  Chris and Alex were so impressed that they opened the show with discussing how he was introduced to them, their initial generosity, what he submitted, and their response.  All of this as a way to launch Alex and Chris' discussion of how creatives must learn with their eyes wide open.  And that's whether it is taking writing courses or marketing courses or any of a 1,000 current offers to help you sell your first billion copies of your book.  Plenty of advice and experience offered here. Give us a listen, please.  Have any comments or questions for this ep

Get ready for ready for nonsense that ... will surely make sense. Today Alex and Chris celebrate Mother's Day with a very special look at how fictional characters, especially superheroes, deal with this day. Bring flowers and a box of chocolate.  And trust the creative process. Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section. Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. #writersworld #creativearts #comics #blackpanther #wakanda #suestorm #fantasticfour #ironman #hulk #thejusticeleague #batman #superman #superparents #mothersday #captainamerica imaginativeplay #imagination #creativeexercises 

In today's episode, Alex and Chris interview Maureen Britt, who has lead a life of theater and corporate adventures and continued finding new outlets for her creativity throughout. We discuss her time sharing stages with ...  #ChristopherReeves #RichardChamberlain #FrankLangella #AustinPendleton #BlytheDanner #DwightSchultz (from #theATeam) and #Richard Dreyfus As well as her long friendship with our own #AlexSimmons, who she first met while he was playing Judas Iscariot in a production of #JesusChrisSuperstar.  Maureen has been an angel to the Kids Comic Con for years, and has recently taken the plunge into writing fiction as well. Fascinating stories, behind the scenes tales, and useful advice is spread throughout this fun episode. Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section. Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. #kidscomiccon #writersworld #creativearts #kidsart #comics #acting #creativearts

Life is art, and art is life. This week Alex and Chris interview Juan Espinoza, creator of the comic book series, "Adventures Of A Systems Admin."  Written by Juan Espinosa, with art by El Santa, and colors by Candella Grizutti. The series follows the lives of a diverse IT team as they deal with, old school parents, up tight fellow employees, and some serious hacker threats.  "I created the series because I didn't see comics with people like this," said Espinosa, "... all kinds of people."  "This comic shows that life is a great adventure every day," according to El Santo. "...And you should be the lead character of your own adventure..." So if you are a creative or not; if you're not sure when you can or should create something, this episode will turn your No into a Yes. Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section. Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. #kidscomiccon #writersworld #creativearts #kidsart #comics #AdventuresOfASys

That's how we tell the damn story this week, when Alex and Chris discuss episode five of the Falcon and the Winter Soldier, without spoilers, (Yes we are the only people left in the world who do not spoil these shows).  We yack about the importance of the show and what it is saying on so many levels, and then we use that to spring into our main topic: how Alex Simmons gets young people to create, or unleash their creativity.  Listen, and you will learn some of that Alex Simmons magic, the power of positive reinforcement, and how to phrase editorial comment in a way that it's positive for the child and encouraging of their creativity. All this celebrates this Months Kids Comic Con (online event) which you and your young ones can attend. Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section. Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. #falconandthewintersoldier #kidscomiccon #spokenword #writersworld #creativearts #kidsart #comics 

While participating in a creative arts program to support and inspire young men of color, Chris and Alex talk with two pros they've interviewed before. Once again TTDS welcomes authors, Caseen Gaines and Omar Holman to the show. Both were Chris' students in high school.  Now they have books coming out that, as Chris put it, "... are significant enough to become required reading..." In very different ways Caseen's "FOOTNOTES," and Omar's "BLACK NERD PROBLEMS," explore and comment on media, pop culture, race in America, and defining identity.  Whether it be a culture's, a community's, -- or one's own. *This interview is excerpt from a project done in cooperation with Young Men's Initiative, City of New York. Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section. Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. #caseengaines #Footnotes #Omarholman #Blacknerdproblems #shufflealong #blackpanther #spokenword #slampoetry #wedon'tneednoroads #peewee'splayhouse

This week, Alex and Chris talk everything pop culture, covering the first three episodes of Marvel's "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier", plus those hilarious trailers for The Suicide Squad by the amazing James Gunn. And they smack around a rumor about DC Comics and take its lunch money.  And finally, Alex and Chris open themselves up for Audience Q&A, focusing on how to write both establish and independent characters, when to pitch big companies, and more. Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section. Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. #Marvel #thewritersjourney #amwriting#writingtips #authortips #howtostructurestories #thefalconandthewintersoldier #pitchingstories #DCComics #suicidesquad #writersquestions 

With Alex in the hospital, and with Chris recovering from a royal butt-kicking courtesy of his second Moderna vaccination, we discuss: how honesty is a key skill for the creative; the blessing of supportive people(and pets); the need to invest in your creativity via hiring editors, and how THE FALCON ON THE WINTER SOLDIER might be the most important statement the MCU has ever made.

This week, Alex and Chris discuss the value of story structure, and offer tips on how to go about gaining a good foundation, internalizing it, and then applying and adjusting the "rules" to create your own original story. We also discuss ways to open your story and offer several examples from famous books and movies for you to check out. Oh, and Chris has a battle with Aaron Sorkin that Sorkin will never know about.  Editor's Notes: Here are links to ...  The book, The Writer's Journey  Info on the movie ... The Courier ...  Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section. Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. #storystructure #openingscene #Faulkner #Marvel #Seven #Lethal Weapon #ShaneBlack #jeffreyboam #JosephCampbell #HerosJourney #ChistopherVolger #thewritersjourney #astrangercomestotown #amwriting#writingtips #authortips #howtostructurestories #howtowriteopeningscenes #aaronsorkin

Today Alex must heroically persevere through Chris's awful Irish brogue and endless tributes to Roddy Doyle and Tim Fielder to discuss lingering questions about WandaVision and what it's like to write heroic characters.  A hero is usually someone who does “the right thing, at a precarious time.”  Or they face something life threatening for the sake of others. They save lives, invent cures, sacrifice themselves in some outstanding manner in a just cause or selfless act. So how do you write about such characters?  Is it simple and easy, or ... could it have a more complicated side? Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section. Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com.``` Editor's notes:  1) The word Chris cannot remember this episode is "agency". 2) we apologize that our feature "Alex Simmons' Time Machine" did not appear this episode - Alex was too busy being FREAKING AWESOME! #roddydoyle #love #paddyclarkehahaha #thecommitment

Or "Vaccinations, WandaVision, and Author Rights, Oh My!"  This episode, Alex and Chris get wacky celebrating the fact that Alex was getting vaccinated!  Of course, while Chris got vaccinated at CVS at 3:30 PM, Alex had to get his at Yankee Stadium at one in the morning! Always an adventure with that guy!  Being writers, we discuss possible side effects Alex could have, covering everything from the Spider-Man's six arms to the super soldier serum to Morbius the Living Vampire! And we celebrate the final episode of WandaVision in glorious, spoil free fashion!  And then Chris gets on his high horse about ridiculous Twitter posts suggesting writers don't have rights to their creations once they die. He takes no prisoners and Alex, well he comes out with both Colts blazing. It's a fun, goofy, and sometimes serious episode not to be missed! (It's in honor of Stan Lee!) Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section. Or write to us at: &nbs

It's a jam-packed episode of TV shows, international animation, and the value of writer's groups. Today Alex and Chris talk about getting vaccinated, WandaVision episode seven and eight and how that show is offering master classes to creatives.  Alex talks about spending the week on panels to promote the upcoming Tales of Wakanda anthology that he is a part of.  He also mentions appearing virtually at the Jamaica Animation Con, while also teaching his usual load of screen writing classes, including a class consisting of students from all across Africa (told you he was a globetrotting adventurer).  During our segment called "Alex Simmons' Time Machine", Alex issues Chris a challenge to watch any four episodes from season one of the old Perry Mason show now on Netflix.  Then Chris is supposed to watch the eight episode Perry Mason reboot on HBO Max for discussion next week. (Challenge accepted. Come join in!)  Finally, we discuss in detail the pros and cons of leaving a writers group, t

This week, Alex and Chris are joined by Caseen Gaines on Facebook Live for the first time ever! And this time we're discussing how to tell the damn story through the prism of Caseen's upcoming new book FOOTNOTES.  We get deep into African-American entertainment history (spanning from Eubie Blake to August Wilson), deep in to the ongoing struggle that people have to see each other as people, not prey. Don't let that fool you, we have a lot of fun, a lot of laughs, and a lot of audience participation.  You can listen to us here. And you can check out the recorded video too.  Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section.  Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. #caseengaines #Footnote #ShuffleAlong #amwriting #writers #screenwriting #novelists #politicalthriller #Capitol #journalism #americandream #creatingcharacters #motivations #timfielder #infinitum #allthewayhome #writingcoach #valueoftruth #factchecking #gowriteforit #rober

Today Alex and Chris talk about how writers and creators become writers and creators.  How does loving story or doodling evolve into creating the characters and heart wrenching stories that fill up so many of our lives? The answer is both unique and universal, and you may recognize yourself in the stories we tell.  Plus we talk briefly about Wanda Vision! Plus plus, we announce the winner of Alex's story idea competition. Plus plus plus, we have way too much fun for a Sunday morning and you get to reap the benefits. Come on along and further your journey on the creative path. NEWS BLASTS Join us Sunday, Feb. 21st for our TTDS Facebook Live Special. And we'll be joined by special guest author Caseen Gaines. Keep an eye on our TTDS Facebook page for more information. Click here to join Alex on a second Writer's Way Webinar on Friday, Feb. 19th at 7 PM eastern standard time. Click here for info on, "Now's The Time To Write The Crime" boot camp. Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? T

We still believe Plot Is Character, And Character Is Plot. This week, Alex and Chris talk about WandaVision episode five and then go deep on characterization, offering a wide array of techniques for developing your characters, with examples of exceptional characterization in lit and on screen. If you want to know how to build your characters, you came to the right place. Let us know what you think and we'll mention it on our next show. Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section.  Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. #WandaVision #MarvelStudios #MarvelComics #Disney #amwriting #writers #screenwriting #novelists #politicalthriller #Capitol #journalism #americandream #creatingcharacters #motivations #timfielder #infinitum #allthewayhome #writingcoach #valueoftruth #factchecking #gowriteforit

Stories & The Truth.  Fact In Fiction and Does It Really Matter This week Alex and Chris talk about very current stuff, very ancient, stuff and some universal all time life and story themes.  As they discuss how rewrites are going for Chris, update our views on Disney+‘s WandaVision (Alex finally saw episodes 1 to 3, Chris saw episode 4 - we talk about at all, sans spoilers).   We also do a commercial for co-founder Tim Fielder’s INFINITUM, and then get down to business.  We talk about the late 50s early 60s short film “All The Way Home“ which is about a black family potentially buying a house in a white neighborhood.  Needless to say we reflect, sadly, how much has not changed, and how much has.  We go deep, ladies and gents, so strap in and come along for the ride. And it all leads to an even deeper discussion of why we need to learn how to write and how to write well.  Harder still, why we need to see our writing as others see it and do the research to get our storie