Simmons Here And Now

CAN THE OLD TEACH YOU ANYTHING NEW?In this episode of "Tell The Damn Story," hosts Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons are joined by their friend and fellow pulp fiction enthusiast, writer/publisher Jim Beard. Together, they delve deep into the action-packed world of pulp fiction, exploring its roots, evolution, and relevance today. Jim shares insights from his experience as a writer, editor, and self-publisher. He co-founded Flinch Books and established his presence in the pulp fiction domain. The trio discusses the impact of pulp storytelling, its diverse genres, and how modern writers can draw from its style to craft compelling and engaging narratives. Whether you're interested in classic characters like Doc Savage or intrigued by the possibilities of new pulp adventures, this episode offers a rich journey into this action-mystery genre's distinctive and thrilling universe. Tune in and discover the enduring creative potential of pulp fiction for writers and readers alike.Have any questions, comme

In today's episode, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons dive into the challenges writers face in today's distracting and chaotic world. They introduce the concept of 'aggressive avoidance'—a strategy to stay focused on your creative work despite external turmoil. The discussion covers methods for managing distractions, the importance of storytelling, and the value of even non-political creative endeavors. Stay for tips on setting realistic writing goals and maintaining consistency in your artistic efforts. This is a must-watch for any writer feeling overwhelmed by our times!Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you're enjoying these episodes, please take a moment to help wet our whistle by clicking on the link to  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Hey there, storytellers! Or should we say, fellow procrastinators? Welcome to this episode of "Tell The Damn Story," where hosts Christopher Ryan and Alex Simmons, alongside the ever-charming John Beard, take on the playful yet pesky world of writing roadblocks like procrastination and self-doubt. In this fun and insightful chat, our trio humorously tackles the different shades of procrastination, from guilt to busywork, and how these can feed into fear and imposter syndrome. They share personal stories and practical tips on embracing your unique writing path, understanding your creative intentions, and why your first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. So, grab your favorite drink, sit back, and join us for a hearty laugh and some valuable advice on how to stop dawdling and start telling the damn story!Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Or Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comFollow us on ...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebo

THEY INVITED A PANEL OF NINE TALENTED CREATIVES!Chris and Alex are off for a brief rest. So this we're ...Returning to their third milestone for Tell the Damn Story, where they celebrated reaching their 300th episode!They flow from their humble beginnings discussing the craft of writing with guests, exploring the nuances of public speaking and meeting deadlines, to reflecting on significant achievements and sharing personal anecdotes. This episode is a testament to their dedication to storytelling. They reminisce with a magnificent panel of notable writers and artists who share their experiences and expertise, both good and bad. Join Chris and Alex as they offer listeners a treasure trove of creative inspiration, valuable tips, and heartfelt stories from the world of writing and beyond.Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The

The hosts are off for a brief rest. So this we're ...Returning to their second milestone for Tell the Damn Story, hosts Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons celebrate reaching their 200th episode by diving deep into their journey of creativity and storytelling over the years. They flow from their humble beginnings discussing the craft of writing with guests, exploring the nuances of public speaking and meeting deadlines, to reflecting on significant achievements and sharing personal anecdotes. This episode is a testament to their dedication to storytelling. They reminisce about notable guests, the impact of their work on budding writers, and the global reach of their insights. Join Chris and Alex as they reflect on their rich history of podcasting, offering listeners a treasure trove of creative inspiration, valuable tips, and heartfelt stories from the world of writing and beyond.Link to a FREE adventure tale, "BLACKJACK: RISE OF THE RED STAR."Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then please le

WHY TELL YOUR DAMN STORY?!Why is it important to write the stories that mean something to you? Whether for educational or entertainment purposes!Hey there, fans and fellow creatives, Tell The Damn Story will be on hiatus for the next 3 weeks. So, during that time, you'll have a chance to return to those thrilling days of our episodes 100, 200, and 300.    Here’s your chance to refresh your memories and notes on … “WHY TELLING THE DAMN STORY IS SO IMPORTANT.”“CELEBRATING THE TIPS, TECHNIQUES, AND TALES,”  that we've shared with you, and “CRAFTING A CAREER FROM THE WRITERS TABLE,” where we were joined by several of our favorite and multidisciplined writers. So enjoy and refresh your knowledge while we consider our views, plans, and aspirations. Peace. Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

How do you deal with your greatest challenge?Do you have a mentor?What writer or their works inspires you?In celebration of our 350th episode, hosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan are joined by an inspiring panel of guests, including Jeannine Acheson, Tom Sniegoski, and Rebecca Cuthbert.Together, they reflect on the essence of storytelling, the mentors who guided them, and the power of sharing knowledge within the writing community.Tune in as we explore personal anecdotes, lessons learned, and the universal struggles that unite all writers.Plus, enjoy some exciting plugs from our guests about their latest projects!Whether you're an aspiring writer or a seasoned author, this milestone episode promises insights and inspiration for your creative journey.Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Y

Today, we dive deep into the trials, triumphs, and unique nuances of writing iconic characters. Co-hosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan as they share their incredible experiences and insights from penning legendary figures like Batman, Scooby Doo, Tarzan, and even contemporary historical characters such as Barack Obama. From the essential do's and don'ts of maintaining the essence of these beloved icons to injecting them with fresh, modern twists, Alex and Chris provide invaluable advice for aspiring and seasoned writers. Discover how they navigated the editorial demands and remained faithful to the characters while still making their mark with personal and socially relevant storytelling. Whether crafting short stories for anthology tributes or tackling full-fledged adventures in popular comic strips, the co-hosts discuss the importance of homework, practice runs, and respecting the rich history of these multifaceted characters. So, stick around if you've ever dreamed of writing your iconic charac

Today’s episode is brimming with essential advice to boost your writing journey.  Cohosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan tackle pressing questions from our listeners, covering topics such as meeting deadlines, staying inspired, understanding plot structures, and managing different genres.  We also touch on deeper questions about your identity as a writer and dealing with rejections. Stick around for bonus insights that many writers grapple with.  Tune in, and let’s ignite your creative spark and elevate your writing game together! Have any questions, comments, or suggestions? Then please leave them in the Comments Section. Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.TellTheDamnStory.com www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you're enjoying these episodes, take a moment to help wet our whistle and click on the link to ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠

How Many Creative Ways Do You Know to Promote Your Writing? How can we be our own promotion and sales department?  In this episode, Alex Simmons and co-host Chris Ryan ask that question of Rebecca Cuthbert (author, editor, professor). The three creatives get into an informative conversation that will help you jump-start your promotional strategies and get you on the path to author success.  In this episode, Alex, Chris, and Rebecca explore many best practices that aspiring and established writers can leverage without spending much money.  They also highlight how uncertainty and negative self-image can sabotage your promotional efforts. From the crucial importance of having a promotion plan to building a supportive community to the nuances of social media engagement and participating in events, Rebecca generously shares her wealth of experience.  So, whether you're just starting your writing journey or want to boost your promotional efforts, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice

How To Hook Into Your Audiences' Emotions. In this compelling and illuminating episode, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons delve into the intricate world of flawed heroes and captivating villains by deeply analyzing classic and modern narratives.  They look at how a character’s actions, flaws, and backstory trigger emotions in your audience. Buckle up as they unveil the storytelling secrets behind such iconic characters as Doc Savage, Captain Ahab, and Frohdo, to name a few.  The boys explore the moral and emotional evolution of the characters' complexity over the decades. Have any questions, comments, or suggestions? Then please leave them in the Comments Section. Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.TellTheDamnStory.com www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you're enjoying these episodes, take a moment to help wet our whistle and click on the link to ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Co

In this episode of 'Tell the Damn Story,' hosts Alex Simmons and Christopher Ryan discuss the evolving landscape for writers in 2025, focusing on how to approach global and domestic changes creatively. They explore how writers can address deep-seated emotions such as 'heart hurt,' fear, frustration, and rebellion through their work while avoiding legal issues when critiquing public figures. The discussion touches on using metaphors, similes, and creative world-building, providing historical and literary examples from the past to argue that art often stems from personal and societal challenges. Emphasizing the importance of hope and positive direction amidst adversity, the hosts encourage writers to harness their experiences to produce impactful art. Have any questions, comments, or suggestions? Then please leave them in the Comments Section. Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.TellTheDamnStory.com www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What Inspired Might Inspire You. In this episode, cohosts Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons discuss what, how, and why certain stories inspired them this year. They dive into the creative moments and inspirations that shaped our year. Listen as they discuss the invaluable role of feedback in writing, the importance of respecting source material, and memorable stories that have captured our imaginations. Chris shares his admiration for Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" and Teal James Glenn's new take on that classic character in, "Not Born of Woman." You’ll also hear about Chris's venture into crime horror poetry, which was inspired by Sarah Tam's reading on the Chicago World's Fair serial killer. His upcoming collection, "It's Been a Privilege," is set for release in early 2025. Alex reminisces about revisiting classic films like Lady and the Tramp and reflecting on their cultural impact. He also recounts watching the Netflix series The Penguin and attending the inspiring Broadway show Message in a Bottle, which was

Have you ever wondered: What are effective ways to incorporate hope and positivity into stories influenced by dark or unsettling real-world events? How can I stay true to my creative voice when dealing with emotionally charged or divisive topics? Well, in today's episode, cohosts Alex and Chris Ryan try to answer those questions and a few more. They dive into the multifaceted journey of being a writer during times of great societal change. They discuss the responsibilities and emotional challenges of writing, how to creatively process reality into fiction, and share personal anecdotes about finding positivity and hope amidst turmoil. From the influence of disastrous events like 9/11 and COVID-19 to staying true to one's creative voice.  This episode is packed with insights for both aspiring and seasoned writers. Don't miss it! Have any questions, comments, or suggestions? Then please leave them in the Comments Section. Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we're diving deep into the craft of comedy writing. Today's episode, "Hope I'm Funny: The Hidden Secrets of Comedy Writing," explores the intricate art of making people laugh through storytelling. We'll break down the holiday film "Red One," starring Chris Evans and The Rock, which cleverly blends Santa myths with humor and action. We’ll discuss the iterative process of writing comedy, from character development to the essential rewrites that refine the humor. You'll also learn about historical comedy greats like Bill Murray, Tim Allen, and Jerry Seinfeld. You'll also explore how different tones can turn similar premises into serious dramas or laugh-out-loud comedies. Prepare for a jam-packed episode filled with tips, techniques, and personal anecdotes on finding humor in your writing. Whether it's the absurdity of a Monty Python sketch or the collaborative spirit of a writer's room, we’re covering it all. We'll highlight a festive read, "Come All Ye Faithless," that adds a humorous twist t

This week, we're exploring the art and power of words and how they shape our stories and bring our characters to life. Cohosts Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons have been writing for over 30 years, and today, they're sharing insights on everything from detective tales to sci-fi adventures. We’ll discuss the meticulous process of crafting dialogue and ensuring each character has a unique voice, inspired by the greats like Joss Whedon. We also share valuable editing tips from the renowned Art Taylor and humorous anecdotes—like a mishap with macaroni and cheese—that remind us all of the spice that life—and words—bring to our storytelling. Join us as we walk through the essential stages of drafting, from getting that rough first draft done to polishing your fourth draft for publication. We’ll explore the importance of avoiding word repetition, making the most of sensory details, and drawing from real-life experiences to enrich your narratives. Whether you are an aspiring writer or a seasoned storyteller, this epis

Yes, Creative Are Allowed To Nerd Out And Still be Professionals! Here's a special holiday episode from us to you. In this gathering of creatives, cohosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan explore the holiday classic "March of the Wooden Soldier," which has remained a Thanksgiving tradition for many. It's a 90-year-old film that found its intergenerational following, especially around the New York tri-state area. Joining us is our good friend, Caseen Gaines, a pop culture historian and author who brings his knowledge and unbridled enthusiasm. Together, we'll explore the timeless charm of "March of the Wooden Soldiers," starring the legendary comedic duo Laurel and Hardy, from their nuanced character portrayals to the film's comedic brilliance and heartwarming narrative.  We're unpacking how the film's commitment to character-driven storytelling has kept it fresh and beloved over the years. Have any questions, comments, or suggestions? Then please leave them in the Comments Section. Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com An

In today’s installment, we explore how to reimagine a classic character and combine the compelling world of horror and mystery. Our special guest writer is Teel James Glenn. Join hosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan as they explore Glenn's new book "Not Born of Woman" and his daring reinvention of the classic Frankenstein narrative. This time, the creature's tale is set against the rich historical backdrop of 1939 New York, where we meet Adam Paradise—a private investigator with a mysterious origin, a giant in stature and intellect, navigating humanity's complexities while concealing his true nature. Teel shares his journey from TV series concepts to crafting a trilogy deal, blending personal influences, historical precision, and the challenges of faithfully portraying an outsider’s perspective. This episode is a treasure trove for aspiring writers and fans of gothic horror. It offers invaluable insights into character creation, world-building, and the art of merging reality with the fantastical. Have any

Welcome to another compelling episode of "Tell The Damn Story," where we explore the remarkable journeys and challenges faced by writers and creatives. In today's episode, Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan sit down with multifaceted British writer/creator Steve Garratt to delve into his inspiring career path.  From his early days working on the crew of Miss Saigon at the Bristol Hippodrome in England to becoming a creative director at a video production house, Steve's narrative is a testament to resilience and innovation. We'll uncover how Steve transitioned from theater work to founding his own company, Giggle Group, navigating both personal and professional challenges along the way. Yet continuing to pursue his love of writing and telling stories. Discover how he balances the heart of a writer with the responsibilities of a producer, all while fostering new ideas and evolving his craft. Hear about his creative projects like "Fist Pump," "Bobby and Carol," and "Ink," as well as his philosophy on nurturing multiple

"We share our creative journies to make yours a little easier." In this episode, cohosts Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons tackle a profound subject: expressing and reflecting on challenging times through storytelling. Some stories can predict or record troubling times, past or present.  By reading from their works, Chris and Alex share emotionally charged excerpts that capture the essence of racial tension, loss, and resilience.  Chris shares a gripping segment from his book, "A Simple Rebellion," in which we follow Bob Murphy as he navigates the crushing solitude and grief following his wife's tragic death. Bob's story of despair and fleeting moments of hope mirrors the personal turmoil so many face in trying times. Next, Alex brings us into the world of *Arron Day, known as Blackjack, from his story "Blackjack Sins of the Father." Set against the backdrop of racial tension and brutality, we witness Arron's fierce determination to avenge his friends and protect his family in a segregated America.  This tale highl