Simmons Here And Now

This week, Alex and Chris jump into the biggest movie fracas of the year: the Masters of 70's Cinema vs. the Marvel Cinematic Auteurs! Scorsese! Copolla! Foster! Favreau! RDJ! Iger! Gunn! Are Marvel movies cinema? Are they modern versions of the classic westerns of Ford and Leone? Or the gangster flicks of Scorsese and Copolla? Our TTDS crew explores all this in our 110th episode! (Exclamation points used in tribute to Stan Lee, who kind of started this whole rumble!) And PLEASE let us know your thoughts on this hot topic by leaving  your questions or comments in our Comments Section below.  Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com * PS. As mentioned in this show, Alex's FREE 3 video mini tips on writing mysteries can be found here.

IT'S A PODCAST TEAM-UP! IT'S A CREATIVES CROSSOVER! IT'S A HELLUVA DEEP CONVERSATION! Chris and Alex team up with the hosts of the Lean Into Art Cast, Jerzy Drozd and Rob Stenzinger, for a two-part discussion on writing, art, and finding your way through this challenging endeavor of creating for an audience. Part 2 from this creative quartet airs on the upcoming episode of LEAN INTO ART, which drops Thursday, October 24, 2019. Meanwhile, PLEASE leave your questions or comments in our Comments Section below. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com 

Every writer of any success will tell aspiring creatives to read constantly, so today Chris and Alex explore the ecstasy that is reading -- with special guest ... "the goddess" Tina Ryan! *During the show I sent out a note to folks asking what they like to read. Below are some of the replies: Genre: Science Fiction, fantasy and urban fantasy, mystery, historical fiction, horror, modern detectives (Lehane), comics, and non fiction. Authors: Christopher Moore-Fool, Lamb, Sacre Bleu, Ladit, Lawrence Block, Loren Estleman, JIm Butcher, Kelly McCullough, Eliot Pattison, Lois McMaster Bujold, Jennifer Robertson … Titles: Moby Dick, New Stan Lee Biography Want to add some? PLEASE leave your questions or comments in our Comments Section below.  Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com  * During the show I sent out a note to folks asking what they like to read.  Below are some of the replies:

While attending the 2019 New York Comic Con, Alex had an opportunity to conduct a group interview with four, intelligent, creative, and caring people.  And though Chris was not able to be there, and though there were some sound issues, we ask that you bear with us because the insight, experiences and information shared is well worth it.  And as usual, PLEASE leave your questions or comments in our Comments Section below. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com We especially want to hear your thoughts on this one.

Chris finds Alex in the grip of a horrible villain (especially for podcasters) and must recruit a trio of authors from the Deadly Ink Writers Conference, conducting first-time interviews with each. He finds the scribes sincere and interesting and worth working past all audio challenges. Give them a chance; they have great stories to tell.... and they saved Alex this week! Please leave your questions or comments in our Comments Section below. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

Alex and Chris Skype across America for a brave and inspiring conversation with the great author, David F. Walker (Luke Cage, Shaft, CyBorg, Bitter Roots, etc.).  While we start with his early work on Luke Cage and Iron Fist progressing to his new projects like Bitter Roots, this episode mostly focuses on David's harrowing battle with crushing depression and methods he uses to claw his way out of the abyss. Don't miss this one, folks. Please leave your questions or comments in our Comments Section below. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com PS:  During the episode I couldn't remember the name of a certain comic strip.  It was "For Better, Or For Worse."  Why'd that subject come up? Listen and you will see. 

Alex and Chris take a break from the  Deadly Ink Mystery Conference interviews this week to delve deep into that treacherous path that takes us from being a creative to a business person. They discuss the self-knowledge one needs to deal with editors and producers and publishers who say they "get it" and but may not and explore the importance knowing the difference between being editorially flexible so you can sell the work and committing the sin of selling out the work.   Please leave your questions or comments in our Comments Section below. Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

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