Simmons Here And Now

*"Enter freely and of your own will!” Alex and Chris hang out with punk horror author Carol Gyzander, and catch up with her many exciting projects. From writing to editing multiple short horror fiction, to scaring us with podcast readings and more, for the rest of the summer, Carol really has it going on! (See below.)  It's how-to-and-why-to fascinating conversation with a fascinating person. 1) Forget Me Not is a cryptid novella, published by Systema Paradoxa as part of their series. Each is a stand alone story about a different, somewhat obscure cryptid. Mine is about Bessie, the Lake Erie monster, Basically the story of teenage twins in 1969 Niagara Falls area and their connection to family in 1939 regarding  something in the water... more info in the blurb at the Zon: 2) Even in the Grave is a ghost story anthology that I co-edited with James Chambers. Different locations and time periods, but all are ghost stories! One thing to know -- while many of our friends from HWA NY Chapter are in the a

This week Alex and Chris discuss how streaming services have obliterated time in space for us all.   How with our powerful remotes we can go anywhere in the entertainment verse.  And for creatives, any win and the impact of that, is well worth noting.  How is that useful to emerging writers, you might ask? Books, plays, songs and films reflect the society in which they are created, decade by decade.  Culture by culture. So come on into our a blue telephone booth and let's go flying around the entertainment verse, across platforms and through several decades! 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 https://bit.ly/TTDSWebSite

The HEROES just keep on coming. This week Chris and Alex do a time honored summer activities; talking about the movies they've seen this summer. And they are deep into the MCU Phase 4 film cavalcade, and what it may or may not prove to be.  The boys share a few hot takes, interesting debates, and some overall fun.  So dive on in folks. PS. I know we've been MIA for a few weeks.  Sorry. I'll explain that in an upcoming episode. 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 https://bit.ly/TTDSWebSite #theeternals #spidermannowayhome #drstrangeandthemultiverseofmadness #shangchi #msmarvel #wandavision #falconandthewintersoldier #captainamerica #captaincarter #loki 

Greetings Listeners:  In this episode Alex, Chris, and special guest Elizabeth Sheehan take you on a more personal creative journey. Sometimes we learn the lasting lessons from our parents, teachers, or friends.  Sometimes from a heralded master of the craft. And sometimes we learn how to be better creatives, from a talent who quietly gave their best to the world. Gave of their knowledge, experience, and friendship. That was the writer, editor known as, William "Mr. Bill" McCay. He wrote for major publishers, crafting stories about Young Indiana Jones, Zorro, and Star Trek, to name a few. He worked for Sesame Street publications, on material for young readers everywhere.  And in between the many books and editing tasks, he gave freely of his great store house of historical and literary information, to anyone who needed it. This episode is a celebration of that man we were privileged to call friend. Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

While Chris Ryan was on the road at a major writer’s conference, cohost Alex Simmons interviewed writer/creator Beau Smith. Beau has written for DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Image Comics, Eclipse Comics, Dreamwave Studios, Dark Horse Comics and many others.  He’s written for major video game companies, and Beau’s the creator and owner of the hit TV series Wynonna Earp (as well as  Parts Unknown, and The Black Terror and Cobb.). Learn how Beau went from an unknown writing editorial fan letters, to a comic industry legend.   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 https://bit.ly/TTDSWebSite  #wynonnaearp #DCComics # TheBlackTerror #DreamwaveStudios #DarkHorseComics #SYFY #CTVSci-FiChannel

This week Alex and Chris talk to promoter/activist, Beck Lee who is helping the Origin Theatre Company to bring the play "A Kid Like Rishi" to New York City.  The play, written by Netherland's playwright, Kees Roorda, is a docudrama using court records to re-create the case of a controversial shooting of an unarmed 17-year-old black youth at the Hague Holland Spoor Station. Just like too many racial killings in America, this case created controversy when the white police officer who shot Rishi was acquitted.  We talk to Beck Lee about the history of this fascinating play, his efforts to bring it to New York, when the play will be performed, and where people can go and see this well respected theater piece. Go here for tkts. and info https://www.origintheatre.org/ 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 https://bit.ly/TT

Or How a Young Filmmaker Produced A Western During A Pandemic. Alex and Chris speak with one of Alex's former screenwriting students, Breck Cuddy.  Together our cohost explore the young filmmaker's first short film “Saving Grayson,” a multi character western he wrote and produced during the first year of Covid.  Their discussion also cover his first music video, the challenges of creating during a pandemic, and of getting creative work done, while trying to figure out your place in the world. 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 https://bit.ly/TTDSWebSite #westerns #screenwriting. #screenplays #writingcoach #breckcuddy #savingrayson  #newyorkfilmacademy

Alex and Chris remember a powerhouse artist and activist for the arts after the sad passing of Neal Adams.  "Neal was an American comic book artist. He was the co-founder of the graphic design studio Continuity Associates; and was a creators-rights advocate who helped secure a pension and recognition for Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. During his career, Adams co-created the characters Ra's al Ghul, Man-Bat, and John Stewart for DC Comics." -- Wikipedia -- 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 https://bit.ly/TTDSWebSite #nealaddams #denyoneil #batman #greenarrow #greenlantern #deadman #DCcomics #marvelcomics #continuitystudios #buckyohare #joesiegel #jerryshuster #johnstewart #Ra'AlGhul 

This week Alex and Chris talk about some of life's dark moments, scares, losses, and how we see them through our five senses. And then we discuss the importance of using those five senses when we create. And those with an acute sixth sense, tell us how you use that in your creative arts process. 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 https://bit.ly/TTDSWebSite #writers @quiryletters #literaryagents #pitch #rewrites #independentpublishing #plotting #settings #moods #observation 

Or, The One Where Chris' Quest Teaches Author Lessons In Tenacity In this episode, Alex gets Chris to talk about his long journey as an independent author trudging towards the best work he can possibly produce.  No writer knows what their best is; part of the joy of the journey is discovering ways to get better.  Listen as Chris reflects on the lessons he's learned, including the tough love of independent publishing.  And how he and other writers have to, "... find what your standard is, working to reach your definition of professional, and learning to express yourself after the choices."  This episode has a lot to offer aspiring and emerging writers. 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 https://bit.ly/TTDSWebSite #writers @quiryletters #literaryagents #pitch #rewrites #independentpublishing 

In this episode, Alex and Chris discuss Oscar nominated films as a way to improve your writing. We take close looks at Belfast and Coda and even mention King Richard to show how they demonstrate the concept of "a good story well told."  Close looks at these movies can teach storytelling, foreshadowing, theme, originality, using personal experience to tell a bigger tale, the power of characterization, and how small details become universal. Come check out all you can learn from watching great films.  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 https://bit.ly/TTDSWebSite #belfast #coda #kennethbranagh #judidench #marleematlin #sianheder #kingrichard #screenplays #writers #storytellers #servethestory 

This week, Alex and Chris dive deep into Matt Reeves' new film "The Batman" from the perspective of creatives and creative writing.  The cohost discuss the 80 plus year history that contributes to this iteration of the character.   They also explore the elements of storytelling, soundtrack, cinematography, acting, and directing that work together to give us so much to appreciate from this particular film.  Whether you are an aspiring screenwriter, director, writer, or actor, this episode is for you. 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 https://bit.ly/TTDSWebSite #mattreeves #thebatman #michaeluslan #batmantheanimatedseries #theboywholovedbatman #batman #Batmanbegins #nealadams #dennisoneil #seven #jeffreywright #zoekravitz #pauldano #robertpattinson 

THE BATMAN film has arrived.  THE DETECTIVE is Back! Following a long line of live and animated successes, the newest Batman movie landed on March 4, 2022. So Chris and Alex decided this would be a good time to repeat their interview with the Executive Producer, Michael Uslan.  If you didn't hear it before, here's episode #214 of Tell The Damn Story. Sit back and hear how Michael bought the film rights decades ago, and then faced multiple rejections for years.  How did he keep going? How he turn a book about his childhood love for the character into a forth coming Broadway play? Alex and Chris explore those question and more with the man, and The Boy Who Loved Batman. 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 https://bit.ly/TTDSWebSite #Blackjack #thebatman #michaeluslan #batmantheanimatedseries #theboywholovedbatman #batman #Bat

Alex and Chris open this episode by saluting the power of legends especially in times of war. This week Russia invaded Ukraine and two legends stepped forward, the Ghost of Kiev and the Ukraine Reaper, to give Ukrainians hope when they are in dire need.  The rest of our episode is focused on how to do public appearances as a writer.  We use Chris's recent appearance on the Galactic Terrors horror reading series on YouTube, and both Alex's recent interview for goldenglobes.com and his featured panel at ReggieCon where in PhD's discussed his work.  Then we gave several rules of thumb for how to prepare and perform to your best abilities in public as a writer. (Link to Galactic Terrors: https://youtu.be/ba_gmxuqciU )  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 https://bit.ly/TTDSWebSite #Blackjack #SecondBiteOfTheCobra #Reggiec

Today, as we prepare to see who are the heroes of this year's Super Bowl, Alex and Chris explore who our heroes are in 2022. Do the older heroes still hold up? Do we prefer anti-heroes? No heroes? Or do we need heroes now more than ever? We'll see on today's episode! 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 https://bit.ly/TTDSWebSite

This week, Alex and Chris tackle a subject that is unfortunately in the news once again.  As the banning of books again draws attention to people's fears and privilege in this country, what does it mean to the creative community? And what can we do about it? And how can it inspire our writing? 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 https://bit.ly/TTDSWebSite #newkid #jerrycraft #maus #bannedbooks #artspiegelman #thecolorpurple #thelordoftheflies #williamgolding #tonimorrison #thecolorpurple #alicewalker #tokillamockingbird #harperlee 

In this episode, Alex and Chris discuss the best methods for writers to do readings of their work, for themselves or an audience.   And they start with Chris' upcoming public reading on Galactic Terrors (YouTube 1/13 at 8 PM). They also review best practices on giving a public reading either live or remotely. Not to mention explaining how writers can benefit from reading their works out loud to themselves.  Emerging writers and, all writers for that matter, can benefit from these tips and insights. Plus click on this link and get a list of their Top 10 Tips For Writers Doing Readings. *For 10 free Tips on doing Public Readings Click Here.  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 Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story PAUSE ... SIDNEY POITIER (1928-2022) Blackboard Jungle The Defiant Ones A Raisin In The Sun Lillies of the Fields Duel At Diablo To Sir With L

There Be Heroes Here? 2021 brought with it wounds and wins, new challenges, heroes and villains, and questions about how to handle it all. In this Chris and Alex review the creative path through all of this.  From their real life and death hurdles, to favorite costume clad inspirations. And finally they ask -- Has what we've all been through made it hard for us to value human over superhuman? What do you think? 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 Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story #amwriting, #writerslife, #authortips, #writingtips #creatives #writers_den #howtowrite #writercommunity #Hawkeye #Marvelcinematicuniverse #wandavision #Blackjack  

Young writers Caseen Gaines and Omar Holman are back!!!   Once again Chris and Alex are following these talented young authors on their writing and publishing journey.  Caseen talks about the making, publishing and promoting  of his new book FOOTNOTES.   And Omar shares his same experiences with, BLACK NERD PROBLEMS, co-written by him and Williams Evans.    Both books have received good reviews and recognition. But writing about black representation in media, as well as being released during a pandemic, came with numerous challenges, too.     So tune in and find out what, where, why and how they dealt with all of that, plus what lies ahead.   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

Ever wonder why your character scenes fall flat, even though you've nailed down their NAME, AGE, and maybe a few basic RELATIONSHIPS?   It could be the quality of the Dialog. Knowing what your characters say and how they say it is crucial.  And not only to advance the plot. Authentic engaging dialog helps establish the depth of the character, the tone and mood of your story. So listen as co. hosts and writers Alex and Chris discuss how they, and other pros, create genuine dialog for their characters, no matter age or era. 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 Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story #amwriting, #writerslife, #authortips, #writingtips #michaeluslan #batman #theboywholovedbatman #creatives #writers_den #howtowrite #writercommunity #Hawkeye #Marvelcinematicuniverse #wandavision #TeelJamesGlenn #Batman #Blackjack #12AngryMen