There are many different types of logic in the world. Logic states that 1+1=2. It also states that your ability to survive a cataclysmic disaster exponentially increases if you are a well-loved furry animal. In other words, some logic is, well, logical, w
Read MoreIt’s Christmastime, the time when families gather to celebrate the holidays, watch their favorite Christmas movies together, and read the Nativity story out loud to the kids. What better time to examine how we experience stories together! So that’s just w
Read MorePeople say there are only nine basic plots. They say stories can be broken down into tropes and stereotypes and MacGuffins. Well, Tim and Nick say, “That sounds like a good episode topic!” So listen in as they discuss the skeleton of a story, the primal p
Read MoreMusic is called the universal language; therefore, it would be remiss to discuss storytelling without discussing the way music undergirds so much of modern multimedia art. And Nick and Tim would never dare be remiss. SO! This is an episode about how music
Read More“Show, don’t tell.” It’s a rule pounded into storytellers…but are there times when telling is better? After all, you can’t show everything, can you? Exposition is an essential part of storytelling, and your hosts Tim and Nick examine the good, the bad,
Read MoreLook–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
Read More‘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
Read MoreWe 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
Read MoreWe’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
Read MoreThis episode we discuss colorful language, and we’re not talking purple prose. (And unless you’re Sergeant Snorkel from “Beetle Bailey,” @!&%#$! probably isn’t going to cut it.) So, while Nick tries to avoid swearing like a sailor, we come to the question
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