Simmons Here And Now

We're back. You're back. They're back! And with some candid insight on how fear, risk, and respect factor in collaborative writing. In this episode, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons engage in an enriching conversation with guest authors Jeannine Acheson and Tom Sniegoski. They delve into the intricacies of character development and the emotional rollercoaster of collaboration in the creative process. From trimming down a 500-page novella to exploring the depths of personal emotions, the hosts and guests share candid insights into their writing journeys. Discover how these seasoned authors navigate the challenges of streamlining their narratives while tapping into raw emotions to craft compelling stories. Join us for an insightful discussion that celebrates the art of storytelling and the complexities of creative collaboration. Click here for Tom's website. Books by Jeannine and Tom. Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow u

Welcome back to Tell The Damn Story! In this episode, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons interview Shannon Symonds, author of cozy mystery novels. Shannon shares her unique writing process using the "save the cat" method and Scrivener while discussing the importance of character development and the difficult personal challenges that influence her storytelling. Join us as we explore Shannon's journey from an advocate for victims of abuse to a successful author and her insights into the world of cozy mystery writing. Enjoy her books plus: Booked for Murder: A Balefire Bay Cozy Mystery https://www.cozymysteriesbythesea.com Shannonsymondsauthor@gmail.com Shannon's books on Amazon @shannonsymondsauthor @cozymysteriesbythesea on Instagram 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

For a Healthy, Productive 2024- This week, Alex Simmons and Christopher Ryan discuss physical, mental, and emotional health for creatives, especially writers. Why? To help them put their bodies and minds in the best position to succeed in 2024. No matter what age, it is necessary for each of us to take care of our bodies, our minds, and our emotions to be able to produce the stories and the art that so many others are looking for. Be good to yourself so you can be good for others. 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

As we round out this adventurous year, veteran authors Christopher Ryan and Alex Simmons discuss their favorite works of 2023 in novels, music, TV, and film and discuss the future of Marvel’s MCU. Tune in as they discuss the impact of political history, the art of recasting iconic characters, the future of Black Panther, and Marvel's storytelling strategies. Get ready for engaging discussions on old and new musical discoveries, captivating TV moments, and the power of self-reflection. Dive into the lessons from their favorites. Plus, enjoy lots of laughs, great art, and good cheer for you to share as we prep for 2024! PS. And boy, do we have some plans for you in the coming new year! 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

And What Does Your Favorite Holiday Films Have To Do With It? This week, veteran authors Alex Simmons and Christopher Ryan find themselves smack dab amid the SCROOGE WARS! They go through a March Madness-style bracket filled with Scrooge/A Christmas Carol films, choosing their favorites and making their cases for their merits. Play along and see who would win your own Scrooge War! Then, the scribes turn the show over to the audience, commenting on their favorite version of A Christmas Carol and their favorite holiday movies. Don’t miss all the fun as you prep for your holiday! 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

Welcome to Tell The Damn Story, where we dive into the world of storytelling and writing. In this episode, host Alex Simmons takes the solo seat to tackle listener questions and provide a rain-day-style episode. Join us as we explore the writing process, including the importance of setting consistent writing time, staying focused on uninspiring assignments, and the importance of understanding character motives. Get ready to be inspired and empowered in your writing journey. Let's dive in and Tell The Damn Story! 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

This week, Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan answer questions from our audience on all things related to writing. We cover salaries and finances, acquiring artists, getting published, first drafts, and oh so much more. This includes a humiliating story about one of us writing a sex scene for grad school! Oh what we do and share to help you on your writing journey. So don't miss it. 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

It's not impossible, but it's a hell of a ride! This week, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons delve into the nitty-gritty of independent publishing, exploring the challenges and triumphs of bringing books to life outside of traditional publishing avenues. Chris shares his personal journey from writer to publisher, discussing the meticulous process of curating stories for anthology collections while juggling budget constraints and administrative decisions. From navigating the horror community to overcoming logistical hurdles, this episode offers a raw and insightful look at the world of independent publishing. Join us as we uncover the decision and steps required of an independent publisher and discover how to avoid insanity... kind of. 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

The Authors Tour Continues! In this episode of Tell The Damn Story, titled "Soul Scream Authors' Tour 4," hosts Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons are joined by special guests Rebecca Cuthbert, Jonathan Gensler, Kathleen Scheiner, and Steven Van Patten. Listen as these prolific writers delve into various topics ripe for horror tales. The discussion goes from the responsibilities of cultural sensitivity in storytelling to the clash between big tech and agriculture.  With readings from their captivating stories and insightful talks, this episode is sure to leave you inspired and eager to tell your own damn story.  So grab a cup of tea or coffee, sit back, and enjoy this enriching conversation with our talented guests. 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

All Stories Come From Within - It's Part 3 of the Soul Scream Atholozine Author Tour. In this episode, Alex and Chris speak with Long Island horror writer John Collins about the origins of his story "The Lovers" and his  the origins of his call to create,  Also, John gets very candid about the emotional inspirations for his fiction, providing a powerful insight into how creatives function. 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

Once again, we're exploring the creative minds behind the stories that captivate us. In this episode, hosts Chris and Alex are joined by writers Teel James Glenn, Bobby Nash, and Randee Dawn. The conversation delves into the depths of horror, the intertwining of entertainment and reality, and the responsibilities of writing licensed characters. From tales of North Africa to the 1990s music scene in Boston, the guests share insights into their writing processes and the challenges and thrill of reimagining iconic characters. Join us for a journey through the creative minds of these talented authors and their contributions to the captivating Soul Scream Antholazine. Check out these authors and their works at: Randee Dawn www.randeedawn.com Book - "Tune In Tomorrow" Teel James Glenn Bobby Nash www.bobbynash.com www.ben-books.com 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

In this thrilling episode of "Tell The Damn Story"! We have two incredible guests joining our hosts, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons. First, we have the multi-talented Teel James Glenn, writer, actor, stuntman and more.  Next is the talented actor, writer, teacher, and storyteller Marc Abbott. Both authors share their creative experiences and portions of the short stories they contributed to Chris’ new publication, Soul Scream Antholozine.  Along with our hosts, these authors delve into the importance of characters, strong plots, and telling tales that range from exploring social norms to elder abuse through horror. 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

The Art of Collaborating for Success This week, Alex Simmons and Christopher Ryan speak to TTDS friends Tom Sniegoski and Jeannine Acheson, writing partners on Vampirella and other projects, about all aspects of attending Cons as professionals.  We discuss how to avoid becoming overwhelmed at major comics cons and conferences, how to work the room, and how to approach professionals such as Christopher Gold and Mike Mignola.  And we also dive deep into the evolving writing partnership of these two dynamic storytellers. Come on in and enjoy some pretty fascinating insights and experiences. 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

Welcome to another exciting episode of "Tell The Damn Story!" This week, while cohost Chris Ryan is on another case, Alex Simmons interviews special guest Shannon Symonds.  The two writers delve into her fascinating world of raising a family of six, working with the police, fighting against human trafficking, and writing cozy mysteries.   Shannon shares her experiences and insights writing her By The Sea Cozy Mystery series and her upcoming book, "Booked for Murder, A Balefire Bay Cozy Mystery," set to be released in November.  We also explore the importance of authenticity and relatable characters in storytelling and valuable tips and techniques for aspiring and struggling writers. So grab a cup of your favorite beverage, sit back, and get ready to dive into the captivating world of storytelling on today's episode with our guest, Shannon Symonds.  Let's dive in! Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ...

Welcome to a slightly different episode of Tell The Damn Story, the podcast where we delve into the depths of storytelling and creativity. I This week, your host, Alex Simmons, is going semi-solo and the episode is a mashup, combining the great piece of insight from episode 191 of TTDS. In this episode, we'll be exploring the complexities of personal pride, the challenges of self-promotion as a writer, the impact of rejection, and the pursuit of creative dreams. So join us as we share personal anecdotes, discuss influences that shaped us as writers, and explore the power of storytelling in our lives. So grab a pen and paper, and get ready to Tell The Damn Story! 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

In this episode, Chris and Alex dive deep into two topics. The first is about the challenges writers face and the superpowers that sometimes get them out of it. The boys share stories of passion, resilience, and finding one's voice. They highlight that while a fat bank account might have its appeal, genuine satisfaction, and rewards come from helping young people find their voice and succeed. They discuss the importance of instilling belief in others, encouraging them to pursue their dreams, and ultimately, positively impacting the world. True. 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

On this episode, hosts Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons continue their interview with author Jessica Thompson. They delve into Jessica's experience as a self-starter and how she created her own opportunities in the writing industry. Jessica shares her journey of starting her own book tour agency, Bittersweet Book Tours, and the challenges she faced in marketing her own work. She also discusses the services she offers and how authors can get in touch with her. Tune in to gain valuable insights on creating your own success in the writing world. Stay tuned because this episode is short but packed with great advice. Now, dive in! ⁠Jessica Thompson's website.⁠ ⁠Get her books on Amazon!⁠ "A Caterer's Guide to Love and Murder," "A Caterer's Guide to Valentines and Violence," "A Caterer's Guide to Holidays and Homicide," "Shoot, Shovel, and Shut Up." Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And fo

Or, What's A Culinary Cozy Mysteries? In this exciting episode of Tell The Damn Story co-host, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons are joined by the talented author and mystery enthusiast Jessica Thompson.  We learn how she overcame self-doubt and found the unique niche of writing culinary cozy crime in the writing market.  So, grab your detective hat and get ready to hear the damn story behind Jessica Thompson's fascinating journey as a mystery writer. Let's dive in! Jessica Thompson's website. Get her books on Amazon! "A Caterer's Guide to Love and Murder," "A Caterer's Guide to Valentines and Violence," "A Caterer's Guide to Holidays and Homicide," "Shoot, Shovel, and Shut Up." 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

Welcome back, folks! In today's episode, Alex and Chris have some excitement in store for you as they dive into the world of Batman. After all, it is Batman week, weekend, month ... who cares? It's Batman!! Get ready for a Batman celebration with an amazing guest, Michael Uslan. Michael is a writer, entrepreneur, and the executive producer of Batman films in both animation and live-action. Actually, we're returning to a previous interview with the great man. Michael's connection to Batman goes back to his youth, and he has taken advantage of opportunities to build a truly remarkable and lucrative series of projects. His love of the characters when he was a child. But his career moves started when he was barely 20 and made the most impossible deal of a lifetime. Listen and find out when, where, why, and how! 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 ⁠Youtu

... with Client Expectations. Adventures in Editing This week, Alex Simmons and Christopher Ryan discuss the kinds of feedback you can expect to get from editors when working on a writing project. The gents talk about constructive criticism, how to embrace it how to learn from it. We discuss when editors have to help. Insert required points in a genre story, and we discuss when editing gets dark. They sandwich all of this insight within Alex's experience of plotting over 60 mystery stories for other writers and editors. Come on in. Learn from our experience so yours is more enjoyable. And share your thoughts in the comments section. 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