Tell The Damn Story, ep 424: Gods, Apes, And Why Some Story Ideas Take Decades to Get Right.
Every writer has that one story.
The one that refuses to cooperate.
The one that sits in a drawer for years.
Sometimes... decades.
This week on Tell The Damn Story, Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan welcome returning guests Tom Sniegoski and Jeannine Acheson to celebrate the release of their new graphic novel Nothing Can Stop the Ape.
But this isn't simply a book launch.
It's a conversation about perseverance, collaboration, editors, pitching publishers, Comic-Con, and what happens when a project you've carried for more than thirty years finally becomes real.
Whether you're writing novels, comics, screenplays, or short stories, you'll discover valuable lessons about finishing the work—and surviving the publishing process.
Topics include:
• Why some stories need years to mature
• Working with editors without losing your voice
• Learning to rewrite without resentment
• How one Comic-Con pitch changed everything
• What publishers really expect
• Why promoting your own work matters
"Every story has its own journey."
What's the oldest creative project you've never given up on?
Tell us below.
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00:00 Wearing matching outfits
09:23 Cartoon style inspiration for story
16:36 Rules for the Young Readers Division
17:49 Adopting a nostalgic cartoon style
22:21 Panic over script changes
28:23 Balancing multiple projects
36:08 Finding the right art approach
39:50 Creating compelling reluctant heroes
49:04 Promoting your own work
52:38 Promoting books and engaging readers
56:30 Importance of reader interaction
01:01:32 Dedication to a Passion Project
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