Videos

"...to Build Characters Who Last." What do you do with a monster who's been alive for 160 years, speaks a dozen languages, and sees the moral essence of every human being in colors and shapes — but j...

Hey, Storytellers! This week, Alex Simmonss and Chris Ryan are getting real about something every creative struggles with at some point—confidence. They’re sharing stories about their own writing ...

In a world filled with chaos, negativity, and nonstop bad news… why should writers create stories with hope? In this solo episode of Tell The Damn Story, Alex Simmons explores what it really means to...

How do you create sympathy for a character when all the basic ways appear impossible? Alex and Chris explore the art of crafting believable, relatable characters and explain the power of nuance in st...

What does it really take to break into comics, animation, and film—and stay there? In this episode of Tell The Damn Story, Alex and sit down with screenwriter Brandon Easton to talk about the grind b...

"... Aspiring and Emerging Writers" In this episode, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons take a candid, often humorous look at the journey of building a writing discipline, especially for emerging authors. ...

... The Art of Backstory Exploration" Today, Alex Simmonss and Chris Ryan enthusiastically discuss the craft of building unforgettable characters, taking inspiration from none other than Michael B. J...

Welcome to a brand new episode of Tell The Damn Story! This time, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons head straight to the heart of what makes storytelling possible for so many writers—the trusty index card...

"What's Trickier? Writing The Stories, Or Getting Out To Meet The Public?" In this week’s installment, hosts Alex and Chris are joined once again by acclaimed writers Tom Sniegoski and Jeannine Aches...

Welcome to a brand new episode of "Tell The Damn Story," where the journey of writing is as real as it gets! In this episode, co-hosts Alex Simmonss and Chris Ryan are joined by returning favorites ...

How does writing help us survive? In this episode, Alex and Chris explore how storytelling becomes more than craft — it becomes sanctuary. From college awakenings to Stephen King’s recovery after tr...

On this episode of Tell The Damn Story, Alex and Chris dive headfirst into an age-old creative conundrum: do writers need permission to be weird? With their signature blend of humor and insight, they ...