Tell The Damn Story

It's October, and a perfect time to return to the scary side of writer's vile.And so, TTDS returns to episode 368 of Tell The Damn Story, "Vampires, Culture and How Coogler."It's a multi-cultural trip into horror with guest writers Caseen Gaines and Steven Van Patten, along with Alex and Chris, discussing Ryan Coogler's "Sinner." Everyone has something they fear, but how we face it and represent it is telling.Enjoy the highlighted version of the larger episode. Grab Your Free "Turn Fear Into Fiction" Cheat SheetHave 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 Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations. Help us by supporting TTDS → ⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

“Because every writer deserves permission to tell their story.”This week on Tell The Damn Story, we tackle the fears that keep too many writers silent. From rejection to self-doubt, we’ll show you how to grant yourself the one thing every creative needs: permission to write. Join Alex and Chris as they share stories, strategies, and a few laughs on the road to writing beyond fear.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 Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stories change lives. They always have. 🌍 At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations. Keep the stories alive. Support TTDS → ⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

"Creative Rights, Risks, and Responsibilities in 2025"The dynamic duo of Chris and Alex dive headfirst into a topic that’s more relevant—and contentious—than ever: Is free speech ever really free? In a landscape where creative expression feels increasingly scrutinized and satire itself comes under scrutiny, our co-hosts examine the pressures and pitfalls artists and writers face when tackling polarizing issues.Drawing on decades of personal and professional experience, Chris and Alex examine how the right to speak one’s truth is shaped, restricted, and defended—sometimes all at once. The boys look back at pivotal moments in history, share stories from the worlds of late-night comedy, film, and literature, and unpack what’s at stake for storytellers today.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 Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stories change lives. They always have. 🌍At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for the next generation. Keep the stories alive. Support TTDS → Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons are at it again. This time, they sit down with the immensely talented Rebecca Cuthbert. In this engaging episode, they discuss the triumphs and trials of aspiring writers, delve into the nuances of creativity, and explore the vibrant world of poetry. Rebecca shares insights into her latest projects, including her upcoming book, 'The Hauntings Back Home,' and reveals how small press publishing allows unparalleled creative freedom. Whether you're an emerging writer or a seasoned author, this episode offers invaluable tips to navigate your writing journey. Check out Undertaker BooksHave 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 ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Writing Fiction, Monsters, and Industry Icons Can Be A Challenge!In this episode, co-hosts Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons welcome Jim Beard, a prolific writer known for his work in various genres, including horror, pop culture, and pulp fiction. Jim discusses his latest projects, including his soon-to-be-released novel 'Shutter Stories: Corpus Vile,' which explores pulp horror. They also delve into the influence and legacy of comic book legend Jack Kirby, celebrating his work through Jim's book 'Jack of All Comics.' Additionally, Jim shares insights on his creative process, collaboration experiences, and the importance of versatility in writing. Don't miss this jam-packed episode filled with valuable lessons and a deep dive into the world of writing and comics!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 ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠

It's How To Mash Horror, Noir Detectives, and Social Commentary from the Past About the Present. In this monstrous episode, co-hosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan welcome prolific storyteller Teal James Glenn for a wide-ranging conversation that explores his award-nominated book, Not Born of Woman. It's Teel's unique take on reimagining the classic Frankenstein’s monster as a private eye navigating the moral and social complexities of 1930s New York.Teal shares tales from his journey through mystery and horror conventions, the trials and triumphs of recovering from serious health challenges, his relentless pursuit of the next great story, and so much more. 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 ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠

How A Graphic Novel Can Tell A Tale of Wonder, Giant Guinea Pigs, And Immigration Flying solo this week, cohost Alex Simmons is joined by Angela Hsieh, a talented artist and writer whose lifelong love of drawing animals led to her debut graphic novel, Lu and Ren's Guide to Geozoology.Angela opens up about her winding path from a science-focused student to editorial illustration at NPR, all the way to landing a two-book deal with HarperCollins. She shares the real stories behind the scenes—creative breakthroughs, setbacks, the realities of working with agents, and the power of infusing your own heritage and experiences into your work.Whether you’re an aspiring writer or just curious about the making of a graphic novel, Angela’s insights and honest advice are sure to inspire. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about creativity, persistence, and telling the damn story that only you can tell.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 ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠

When the world feels overwhelming, it’s easy for writers to freeze up, shut down, or lose faith in their creative voice. In this episode of Tell The Damn Story, Alex and Chris talk honestly about how to push through writer’s block when fear, frustration, or negativity weigh heavy on your shoulders.We explore how writing can act as an emotional release, why creative expression matters most in troubling times, and the simple, practical steps you can take to keep putting words on the page—even when the world feels like it’s closing in.Whether you’re a novelist, screenwriter, or just someone trying to get your story out, this conversation is a reminder: your words matter, and the act of writing can be your strongest survival skill.Overcoming Writer's Block Guide (one-sheet)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 ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Here it is! Another fun-fact-tips-filled episode of Tell The Damn Story! Today, hosts Chris and Alex are joined by two of their favorite returning guests and accomplished writers, Tom Sniegoski and Jeannine Acheson. Together, they dive into the wild world of writing—spanning comics, graphic novels, and original fiction—and share candid insights on navigating creative collaborations, writing for established IPs like Vampirella and Hellboy, and the whirlwind that is San Diego Comic Con.Tom and Jeannine walk us through the ups and downs of tackling well-loved characters, overcoming the infamous imposter syndrome, and finding their voices in new spaces. They discuss the challenges and rewards of pitching, the realities of professional rejection, and the thrill (and intimidation) of adding their mark to iconic franchises.Plus, we get a first look at their original novella, Neera: A Constance Evermore Story, arriving this September, and hear some behind-the-scenes tales from their latest Comic Con adventure—networking, pitching, and navigating the overwhelming world of fandom.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 ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this Summer Short episode of Tell The Damn Story, co-hosts Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons dive into the triumphs and challenges that writers face—whether you’re just starting or struggling to cross the finish line. In this special Q&A installment, a summer tradition for the show, Chris and Alex tackle a lineup of real questions from aspiring and emerging writers, covering everything from transforming vague ideas into complete stories to finding your unique voice, balancing action with emotion, pacing your narrative, and knowing when your story is truly ready to share.Through personal anecdotes, sharp insights, and a healthy dose of encouragement (plus a few laughs along the way), Chris and Alex break down the writing process into actionable advice you can use right away. So whether you’re blocked, stuck in endless rewrites, or unsure what makes your work stand out, this episode’s got practical strategies and inspiration to help you, well… tell your own damn story. TTDS ep 298: Doug Manx InterviewHave 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 ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to this episode of Tell The Damn Story! Today, hosts Chris and Alex dive into a fundamental yet often overlooked writing technique: using the five senses to bring your stories to life. Drawing from their personal experiences—everything from train rides to memorable meals and travel adventures—they explore how incorporating sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch can immerse readers in your world and create deeper connections with your characters. Whether you’re crafting a short story, novel, screenplay, or play, Chris and Alex share practical tips and vivid examples to help you make your scenes feel real, your characters relatable, and your narrative unforgettable. Tune in as they remind all writers: don’t just tell your story—make your audience feel it! 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 ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Co-hosts Alex and Chris blend their signature wit, real-world writing experience, and a few sun-soaked vacation antics to tackle some of the most frequently asked questions from writers like you. Broadcasting poolside—Mai Tais not included—they dive into six of the biggest hurdles writers face: from crafting non-linear narratives and writing powerful scenes without dialogue, to building mysteries from a first-person perspective and portraying complex emotional states, even when you haven’t lived them yourself.This episode is a treasure trove of practical advice, classic and modern examples (think "Inception," "Memento," "Jojo Rabbit," "The Apartment," and more), and actionable tips you can use right away. Whether you’re struggling with making your romantic comedy both quirky and authentic, or you’re wrestling with telling tough stories from a child’s viewpoint, Alex and Chris have your back. Plus, stick around for some bonus downloadable resources!Tune in, get inspired, and—as always—tell the damn story.Bonus Study material: Q1: Jonathan Nolan - Memento Mori | PDF | Nature "PULP FICTION" -- by Quentin Tarantino & Roger Avary Inception.pdfQ2: Raiders of the Lost Ark.pdf Iron Man Script: Quotes, Characters, Ending and Screenplay PDF Q3:7 Great Crime Novels with First Person Narrators ‹ CrimeReads Q4: Dennis LeHane's Shutter Island, Robert Bloch's Psycho, and It's Been a Privilege by Chris Ryan. Q5:Steven Wright novel HaroldJoJo Rabbit Q6: When Harry Met Sally, Notting Hill, Silver Linings Playbook, The Big Sick, About Time, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Crazy, Stupid, Love, 500 Days of SummerAddendum:A copy of the script for THE APARTMENT 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 ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this lively installment, co-hosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan invite you to a sun-soaked, tropical "vacation" where the drinks are (supposedly) flowing and the conversation is all about the magic of comedy. But don’t let the tiki vibes fool you—today’s theme is comedy alchemy: turning tragedy into hilarity.Alex and Chris dive deep into the art of weaving humor into even the heaviest of stories, sharing their backgrounds in comedy and breaking down classic examples from screenwriting, television, and stand-up. They tackle common misconceptions about writing humor, reveal the importance of character-driven comedy, and discuss how some of the most serious subjects—such as grief, trauma, and social injustice—can be made more accessible through laughter.From the slapstick genius of Laurel and Hardy to the masterful storytelling of Richard Pryor, plus lessons from sitcoms like Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Family Ties, and Scrubs, this episode is packed with real-world advice for writers looking to bring light into the darkness. Whether you’re trying to find the funny in your own writing or want to understand the power of comedy better, get ready for a mix of practical tips, memorable examples, and a healthy dose of classic Chris-and-Alex banter.So put on your sunglasses, settle in, and discover how to turn pain into punchlines—because every great story could use a little laugh.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 ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tellthedamnstory 

"The only way to get through hell is to go through it."Co-hosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan have assembled a powerhouse panel of writers to dive deep into the fiery crucible where personal anguish meets creative expression. In this episode, the spotlight shines on the just-released "Soul Scream Anthology: Fear and Loathing." Every guest on today’s episode is a contributor to this potent collection of horror stories for a changed world.Join Chris, Alex, and an impressive lineup—including E.F. Deal, Teel James Glenn, Karen Renner, Daemon Manx, Charles Barouch (aka Oliver Bear), and Stephen Van Patten—as they wrestle with the big questions: How do turbulent times, personal pain, and societal fears become the raw material for compelling stories? How can writers transform rage, anxiety, and grief into powerful fiction that challenges, heals, and provokes reflection?From stories inspired by political turmoil and censorship, to tales born from lived experience with violence, abuse, and recovery, the panel reveals how today’s dark realities inform their most haunting—and hopeful—work. The conversation tackles the creative process, the emotional toll of writing through crisis, and the power of words to resist, connect, and transform.Whether you’re a seasoned author, an aspiring writer, or a reader looking for stories that speak to these challenging times, this episode offers hard-won wisdom, candid confessions, and an unflinching look at the intersection of art and resilience. So grab your notebook, settle in, and get ready for a raw, honest, and inspiring discussion about how to tell your own damn story—no matter what the world throws your way."Fear and Loathing" on AmazonHave 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 ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠

"Join us for a special episode of Tell The Damn Story! 🎙️ Dive into the world of children's literature with Williamsport, PA author Judi Jessick!  And then take a look at storytelling and the female experience in our second insightful dialogue with TTDS fan and archivist, Glorious. It's a must-listen for writers and readers alike. 💡👩‍💼 #FemaleVoices #AuthorInsights #TellTheDamnStory"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 ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tellthedamnstory 

In this episode, cohosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan highlight the importance of community through attending events like Stoker Con, sharing personal experiences overcoming imposter syndrome, and emphasizing the value of putting your work out there. Alex introduces his plan to release six new Blackjack stories starting in July. Our cohosts also discuss creating and publishing works like Chris's It's Been a Privilege and Alex's Sherlock Holmes and the Hands of Othello, stressing the importance of revisions and letting stories passionately evolve. They wrap it up with insight on creating and publishing new short fiction, like Alex's upcoming Blackjack serialized action adventure series.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 ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠

CoHosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan have a bloody good episode for you this time!The boys dive into Ryan Coogler’s ‘Sinners’—a film blending horror, history, and heart. To help them on the hunt, they've invited pop-culture-spoken-word-guru and writer-commentator Omar Holmon, horror writer, and TV production pro, Steven Van Patton. Together, the panel explores the film's depiction of Jim Crow-era America, vampiric appropriation, music as resistance, and Michael B. Jordan's layers of performance. They celebrate the film’s refusal to be boxed in by genre and its commitment to authenticity, cultural nuance, and emotional storytelling.It's a complex, yet poetic look at America's mosaic roots, through a wide and bloody lens.Where To Find Them:Omar Holman:   - @OmarHolman (https://www.instagram.com/omarholman) on all platforms, including TikTokSteven Van Patten:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephen.vanpatten (the only Black one, as he jokes)  - Instagram: @svp_thinks    - Website: http://www.laughingblackvampire.comChris Ryan:  - Social: @ChrisRyanWrites    - Website: https://chrisryanwrites.wordpress.com Alex Simmons:    - Instagram: @AlexSimmonsSays    - Newsletter: “Simmons Says”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 ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Chris and Alex discuss one of the greatest challenges writers face and how to overcome it.They emphasize the importance of allowing one's imagination to run free and ask 'what if,' using historical examples from Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and Mary Shelley to illustrate how these iconic writers created groundbreaking stories without the modern conveniences we have today. They also explore the relevance of classic storytelling techniques in contemporary writing and encourage aspiring writers to continue telling their stories despite obstacles, offering practical advice and motivational insights.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 ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ambition can serve self and others.In this episode, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons talk with screenwriter and producer Victoria Male about her bold, heartfelt journey through Hollywood. From working with Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters films, etc.) to launching her latest project, Whatever Happened to Baby J—a playful, nostalgic, and purpose-driven live stage reading set in the world of 90s boy bands—Victoria shares what it means to chase your dreams while making a difference. That difference is that this event benefits the AIDS Resource Foundation for Children, a cause her family has championed for over 30 years. Tune in for a conversation filled with laughter, truth, and the power of stories to inspire change.To obtain tickets to this fundraising event, click on Victoria's links below:Ticket link: bit.ly/BabyJTicketsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/whateverhappenedtobabyjreading/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 ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Here we go again!In today's episode, co-hosts Alex Simmons and Christopher Ryan are joined by acclaimed comic book artist Eric Battle for an in-depth, wide-ranging conversation brimming with heart, honesty, and humor.From Eric’s earliest memories of being transfixed by comics on the spinner rack as a six-year-old, to the pressures and passions of telling powerful, real-world stories on the page, this interview is both a roadmap for aspiring artists and a celebration of where creativity and impact intersect. You’ll hear about Eric’s battles (pun intended!) to find his voice in industries slow to accept comics as art, his leap from illustrating for newspapers to making his mark at DC, the emotional toll of tackling the graphic novel about Emmett Till, and how balance comes from everything from bike rides to—yes—baking epic cookies.Along the way, there are throwbacks to Eric and Alex’s Tarzan/Blackjack crossover, deep dives into hidden chapters of American history, and tributes to the inspirational giants upon whose shoulders they stand. Whether you’re a writer, artist, or passionate about storytelling, this episode offers hard-won wisdom, vulnerability, and plenty of laughter.So settle in for a moving, motivating, and mouthwatering conversation—we’re talking cookies after all! This is one creative journey you won’t want to miss.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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TTDSonYouTubeIf you're enjoying these episodes, take a moment to help wet our whistle and click on the link to ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠