Episode 64 - Nudge, Nudge, Wink, Wink

"Show, don't tell." It's a rule pounded into storytellers, and for good reason. Many great stories are marked by the raised eyebrow and the evocative phrase, the shimmer of recognition in the hero's eyes and the tantalizing hint of a dark past. In other words, what a character (or creator) implies can speak volumes. And that, not to put too fine a point on it, is Tim and Nick's topic this episode.

In the second half they review some of their recent reads, including books from well-known franchises/series.

So, if you happen to find yourself with a bit of extra time, perhaps you'd enjoy tuning your auditory organs to the sound of locomotive synaptic process violently running off its tracks. (Wink, wink, know what I mean?)

Download

Show Notes

Loading the player ...

Episode 59 - Creativity is Nine-Tenths of the Law

Once upon a time, a young man found a story in the woods. He fed it and raised it and, when it had grown, he let it out into the wild. Later, a band of merchants tamed the story and took it with them on their tour of the world. Boys and girls everywhere loved the story and dreamed of the story and began, in their own way, to look after the story, until it grew into a legend. Two intrepid podcasters then heard of the story and asked each other, "Okay, but who owns it?"

And that, dear listeners, is how Tim and Nick came upon this episode's Story School. Scout's honor.

Afterwards they tackle their annual "Take on Tales: Summer Movie Edition," so you can bathe in the last remembrances of summer days before fall. So whether your enjoying an early pumpkin spice latte or still desperately trying to sunbathe, this is our podcast, and you'd best listen to it.

© 2015 Loco-Notion Productions

Download

Show Notes

Loading the player ...

Episode 58 - The End of the World as You Know It

Everyone loves zombies. Why? Because they're the disgusting, shuffling, brain-eating, undying corpses of your friends and family.

Wait--what? Let's start again.

Everyone loves an apocalypse. Why? Because the foundations of society crumple and instead of working at a ho-hum but decent job and raising a nice, mostly put-together family, you're forced to survive hostile terrain, insane machines, cataclysmic weather, incurable diseases, and unfathomably repulsive aliens.

Wait--again? Seriously, guys. Zombies? Invasions? Disaster? Why do we enjoy this stuff?

Let Nick and Tim help answer your questions as they analyze the appeal of post-apocalyptic stories in this episode of Derailed Trains of Thought. Then, because the world can't get enough death and destruction, they decide to brainstorm a few of their own "end of the world" scenarios for your enjoyment.

But don't be afraid. As long as you can jury-rig a car battery to operate your iPod so you can listen to your favorite podcast on storytelling, who cares if the world burns. Am I right?

Download

Show Notes

Loading the player ...

Episode 55 - Why Don't You Just Write Already?

Writer's Block. You've had it. I've had it. Everyone's had it, except possibly Isaac Asimov. The solution, of course, is to just start writing, but that's like saying the best way to find patience is to wait for it. So, can podcast hosts Timothy Deal and Nick Hayden help out? Who knows? But, gosh darn it, they'll try.

Then for the second half of the show they delve into the weird and wonderful world of What If? This episode they smash together movie titles to see if the resulting mess is a viable product on its own. Unfortunately, the podcast was recorded just a bit too early to tackle Avengers: Unfriended.

So, whether you're hoping to procrastinate on your latest project or are just horribly bored, why don't you listen in to your premiere podcast on storytelling, Derailed Trains of Thought!

Download

Show Notes

Loading the player ...

Episode 50 - Guest Starring...Everybody!

This is it, the show you've been waiting for--the 50th episode extravaganza! Join Tim and Nick and a boatload of guest stars as they lead you through a double-length whirlwind tour of the many segments, past and present, that make up the one, the only, the incomparable Derailed Trains of Thought!

What are you waiting for? There's too much to tease, so jump right in! There's something for everyone! And if you hear a slight echo, it's only because there's so much awesomeness contained within the file, even the microphones couldn't handle it.

Enjoy!


Download

Show Notes

Loading the player ...

Side Track 6 - Children of the Wells Round Table

It's been awhile since our last Side Track (like 2011!), so when the Children of the Wells gang got together recently, we thought we'd have a round table discussion of what makes us tick as creators.

You know Tim and Nick, of course, but here's also Greg Meyer, Laura Fischer, Nathan Marchand, and Aaron Brosman, to share their thoughts on what makes a good story, as well as ponder other, less serious, questions.

Our next regular podcast should be out early August, since Nick is MIA for the rest of July. (Sorry!)

Download

Loading the player ...

Episode 44 - Whose Outline Is It Anyway?

Look--it's a fact. Not everyone can make diabolically elaborate plans go off without a hitch like the Joker or those guys from Ocean's Eleven. That's why some people use copious outlines while writing, and others...not so much. This episode, Nick and Tim explore the continuum between outliner and pantser, between those who plan everything and those who plan nothing, and what advantages each style holds.

In the second half, we enjoy a hearty Take on Tales that examines Brandon Sanderson, Jack Kirby, Person of Interest, and Captain America.

So, how about planning to listen in on the 44th episode of your favorite podcast about storytelling? Or would you prefer to spontaneously decide to listen? Either way works for us. Enjoy!

Download

Show Notes

Loading the player ...

Episode 41 - Can't See No Forest For All These Trees

We all have our little pet scenes and characters. You know, that one line you'll watch again and again or that minor villain you write long fan fictions about because he's just SO COOL. Then there's costumes design of the palace guards (which is just so tacky) and the euphoric emotionality of their sordid romance and that shadows--see, it really is a munchkin hanging himself! And wait, what? You mean Orlando Bloom isn't the star of The Hobbit?

Let's just say we sometimes get caught up in the spectacle, in the moment, in the inessential details and bunny trails, and miss what the story is really all about--and that's what this episode is all about.

Then in the second half, Nick and Tim perform a live dramatic reading of a section of The Unremarkable Squire, Nick's latest fantasy novel.

Serious discussion, obligatory LOST references, long analyses of Frozen, and ridiculous accents--that's what you can expect from Episode 41 of your premiere podcast about storytelling! Listen in!

Download

Show Notes

Loading the player ...

Episode 38 - If Not I, Nor He, Then You?

In the words of the famous (read: unknown) poem from Alice in Wonderland:

He sent them word I had not gone
(We know it to be true):
If she should push the matter on,
What would become of you?

And what does this mean? No idea. But, it introduces an important point--understanding the perspective from which a story is told is vital to understanding the story. So, is first person perspective best or third person? Why would you use second person? How can tweaking the narrator's perspective change the entire warp and woof of the story? Believe it or not, Nick and Tim manage to discuss such things for half an hour. And it's interesting!

Then, just so you don't think our random Wonderland quote is too random (is anything too random for Wonderland?), we spend the second half of the episode discussing fall TV, including one show involving a white rabbit.

So buckle up. It's that time once again. You know he said it (and I mean it, too): "It's time to listen in on the 38th episode of Derailed Trains of Thought!" (Original live recording available here.)

Download

Show Notes

Loading the player ...

Episode 37 - DEEEEEEP Hurting

Ever had one of those days when you wake up late, spill hot coffee on yourself, accidentally sever your hand in the car door, and then witness the utter destruction of everything you know and love by a trans-dimensional blitzkrieg?

Me, either. But if you're a fictional character, it's not outside the realm of possibility. So why do creators put their characters through such torture? Does a character ever suffer too much? And why are we attracted to suffering in TV and books we would be happy to avoid in real life?

If those questions are too much for you, skip to the second half to hear Tim and Nick talk about perfume.

So enjoy the always surprising, possibly fascinating, 37th episode of Derailed Trains of Thought. (Original live recording available here. No sandstorms were used in the recording of this episode.)

Download

Show Notes

Loading the player ...

Episode 36 - Real "Steel"?

We're back! Again! After an extended hiatus to reflect and retool the podcast, Nick and Tim return with a new, live format for Derailed Trains of Thought! This episode was originally streamed live last week at mixlr.com, which allowed us to interact with our listener while recording as well as drastically reduce our editing time. We had a few technical snafus (early on, you'll hear music playing before we intended it to), but overall it was a fun and mostly successful first broadcast!

But what, pray tell, did we talk about? Realism in fantasy, a topic inspired by the end of the summer movie season and controversy over Man of Steel in particular. How do storytellers help audiences suspend disbelief? And how does one make a story believable while maintaining the essence of the fantastic? Tim and Nick wrestle with these questions, review some of this summer's movies, babble about their current projects, and more in the long-awaited return of Derailed Trains of Thought!

Download

Show Notes

Loading the player ...

Episode 35 - Now The Page Was Formless and Void

A new year brings new beginnings...like a new podcast about beginnings!

That's right, after starting with endings way back in Episode 1, Nick and Tim come full circle to the beginning of things.

Whether it's how best to start a story or why audiences like origins so much, your premiere storytelling podcast has you covered. And don't miss as Tim and Nick give their obligatory two cents about who should direct Star Wars in What IF? and share a very important Project Update.

So, hang up your new cat calendar, sign up for that gym membership, and listen in to the latest episode of Derailed Trains of Thought. After two years, we're just getting started.

Download

Show Notes

Loading the player ...