nickhayden

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

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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’

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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 importa

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Episode 39 – That Was Easy…a Little TOO Easy

We all love our ah-ha! moments. We like plot twists and seeing set-ups pay off. That medallion of his dead wife he wears under his shirt? Yep, blocks a bullet in the final battle. But when do these drama conventions become too convenient? And how to avoid

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Episode 40 – Of Making Many Books There Is No End

‘Tis the season, and if you’re like us, you’ll end up with books and movies beneath your tree. But in a media-saturated culture, how do you navigate among the millions of choices for entertainment and art? Well, lucky for you, Tim and Nick have decided to

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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 t

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Episode 42 – Why We (Don’t) Create

It’s no secret Tim and Nick like to create. I mean, they’ve recorded more than 40 podcasts discussing the art of storytelling! But every creative person has a reason they create. And every creative person has multitudes of excuses for why they don’t actua

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Episode 43 – The Child Within

Not everything’s War and Peace. Thankfully. Some stories don’t require a PhD. Sometimes we just want a good, simple story. So, Nick and Tim dive into the world of kidlit and kids’ movies–bastion (we hope) of innocence and wonder. Why do stories aimed at

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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

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Episode 45 – The One Certain Thing (Not Taxes)

Everyone knows if you’re wearing a red shirt, you’re going to die. And if you run out of flashbacks, you’re going to die. And if you’re someone’s mentor, you’re going to die. And if you’re in a Shakespearean tragedy, you and everyone dear to you is going

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