320 episodes

This is where we interview and discuss the challenges and successes of writing books, comics, films, and other creative arts and pop culture topics.

Tell The Damn Story Alex Simmons & Chris Ryan

    • Arts

This is where we interview and discuss the challenges and successes of writing books, comics, films, and other creative arts and pop culture topics.

    Tell The Damn Story, 317: Crafting Compelling Characters & Authentic Dialogue, Answering Your Writing Questions with Alex and Chris

    Tell The Damn Story, 317: Crafting Compelling Characters & Authentic Dialogue, Answering Your Writing Questions with Alex and Chris

    Welcome to another episode of "Tell The Damn Story" with your hosts, Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan. Today, we’re dedicating time and thought to tackling your top questions about crafting compelling characters and authentic dialogue.

    We’ll discuss the importance of understanding the "why" behind your story, the influence of your personal creativity on storytelling, and the art of avoiding stereotypes.

    Join us as we highlight the evolving nature of language, the importance of character intentions and obstacles, and the impact of rewriting or refining your narrative.

    We'll share insights from our own experiences and explore how some novelists and songwriters brought depth to their stories. Packed with practical advice for writers, this episode will help you enrich your characters and dialogue.

    Grab your notebook, get comfortable, and let's tell the damn story!



    Have any questions or comments?

    Then please leave them in the Comments Section.

    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

    If you're enjoying these episodes, take a moment to help wet our whistle and just... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠

    • 1 hr 7 min
    Tell The Damn Story, ep 316: Father-Daughter Duo Discuss Writing About Comics, Myths, and Environmental Education

    Tell The Damn Story, ep 316: Father-Daughter Duo Discuss Writing About Comics, Myths, and Environmental Education

    Here we go with another exciting episode of "Tell The Damn Story"! 

    Today, Alex and Chris return to the fascinating world of comic book creation with special guests Juan Espinosa and his daughter, Grace. 

    Juan is the writer/creator of the comic book series "Adventures of A System Admin."

    Juan shares how he utilized Alex's book, "The Art of Making Comics," to develop his own comics.

    We also get a sneak peek into Grace's upcoming first-edition comic, perfectly timed for late August's comic book convention season. 

    The episode also highlights Grace's first comic book story. Scheduled to debut this fall.

    We also discuss her voiceover debut in a new environmental project, "Coki Wiki," inspired by the coqui frog of Puerto Rico.  Grace had the opportunity to take part in the intricate process of working with a talented team of artists worldwide. This included voice actors like Leslie Carrera-Rudolph, known for her character Lolly Lardpott. 

    Dad (Juan) shares insight into the intriguing folklore and mythology-inspired story "El Gallipote" and discusses the social commentaries embedded in his work. 

    As we explore these dynamic stories and creative processes, we also touch on the family dynamics and collaborative spirit that fuel Juan and Grace's projects. Perfect topics for a Father’s Day episode.



    Links:

    Bearded Man Comics

    Art Of Making Comics

    COKI'S WORLD Website



    Have any questions or comments?

    Then please leave them in the Comments Section.

    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

    If you're enjoying these episodes, take a moment to help wet our whistle and just... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!

    • 45 min
    Tell The Damn Story, 315: Author Brandon Easton Talks Real About Writing, Comics, TV, and Black Representation.

    Tell The Damn Story, 315: Author Brandon Easton Talks Real About Writing, Comics, TV, and Black Representation.

    Co-hosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan are joined by a remarkable guest, writer Brandon Easton.

    Brandon's path from New York City's classrooms to Hollywood's creative hubs is a powerful testament to perseverance and passion. Raised in Baltimore, Brandon shares his experiences—from the harsh realities of teaching in the Bronx to his insights on the significant underrepresentation of people of color in the entertainment industry. His work includes writing for comics, TV, animation, and his documentary "Brave New Soul." 

    This conversation delves deep into the importance of resilience, authenticity, and the unyielding pursuit of one's dreams, no matter the obstacles.



    Where to find more on Brandon Easton:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandon_M._Easton

    https://brandonverse.com/ https://x.com/brandoneaston

    Have any questions or comments?

    Then please leave them in the Comments Section.
    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

    If you're enjoying these episodes, take a moment to help wet our whistle and just... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    • 1 hr 4 min
    Tell The Damn Story, ep 314: A Writer's Journey - Celebrating 932 Years of Creativity with Alex Simmons

    Tell The Damn Story, ep 314: A Writer's Journey - Celebrating 932 Years of Creativity with Alex Simmons

    "Lessons Learned Being a Writing Hero"

    ("Those are Chris' words, not mine." - Alex -)

    Today, Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan celebrate Alex's birthday by exploring his life as a creative so that we can discuss the ups and downs, the challenges and solutions that we experience as creative writers in hopes of inspiring and energizing creativity for you.

    We discuss Alex's artistic roots from childhood imagination to his early training, his experiences with Marvel, DC, and Archie comics, as well as the Hardy Boys and the Bobbsey Twins, all leading up to his creation and experiences with "Arron Blackjack Day."

    Enjoy lots of laughs and lots of learning in today's episode.



    Have any questions or comments?

    Then please leave them in the Comments Section.
    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

    If you're enjoying these episodes, take a moment to help wet our whistle and just... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    • 1 hr 17 min
    Tell The Damn Story 313: Compact Creativity_The Trends and Techniques of Short Story Fictions

    Tell The Damn Story 313: Compact Creativity_The Trends and Techniques of Short Story Fictions

    Join writers Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan as they dive into the world of short story fiction.

    In this episode, they explore the history and resurgence of shorter works, discussing their experiences, pitfalls to avoid, and the key elements for crafting compelling narratives.

    From character bibles to pacing, from writing muscle variations to marketing strategies, Alex and Chris provide valuable insights and practical advice for writers looking to make their mark in the ever-evolving literary landscape.

    Join us as we dissect the art of storytelling in its concise and impactful form. Remember to stay until the end for more writing tips and engaging discussions.



    Have any questions or comments?

    Then please leave them in the Comments Section.
    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

    If you're enjoying these episodes, take a moment to help wet our whistle and just... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    • 47 min
    Tell The Damn Story 312: How Important Is Choosing A Genre or Naming Your Characters?

    Tell The Damn Story 312: How Important Is Choosing A Genre or Naming Your Characters?

    Welcome to another episode of "Tell The Damn Story," where hosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan explore the intricacies of storytelling. 

    In today's episode, they dive into writing across genres, the importance of character naming, and the unpredictable nature of reader reception.

    Both hosts emphasize the necessity of submitting work broadly and share insights on balancing originality with commercial demands.

    They also offer valuable advice for aspiring writers, stressing the importance of creative flexibility and experimentation.

    Join Alex and Chris as they share a wealth of knowledge, personal anecdotes, and practical tips for enhancing your storytelling craft.

    Don't forget to like and subscribe, and enjoy this episode filled with inspiration and expertise.



    Have any questions or comments?

    Then please leave them in the Comments Section.
    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

    Want to support us so we can help you?
    Then just... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    • 46 min

Top Podcasts In Arts

Glad We Had This Chat with Caroline Hirons
Wall to Wall Media
IELTS
Minh Nguyen
Чтение
Радио Маяк
Об истории и искусстве. Проект YaAndArt.
Andreeva Ekaterina
Мрачные сказки
Терменвокс
В одно ухо
Karina Litvinko