Story Basics

Episode 52 – “…And I’ll Tell You Exactly How He Did It!”

“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,

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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 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

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Episode 32 – Another World Awaits You

Wardrobes, Deloreans, looking-glasses, ter’angreal, blue phone boxes, linking books…if you want to enter a new realm, there are ways. But, of course, someone has to make the world first. Hence, world-building. We start this episode with an interview wit

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Episode 30 – The Droids You’re Looking For

C-3PO. Short Round. Dr. Watson. That funny guy from National Treasure. Just because a character isn’t the focus of a story, it doesn’t mean he can’t make an impression. So, Timothy Deal, with sidekick Nick (or is it Nick Hayden, with sidekick Tim?) take a

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Episode 11 – Hate the Sin, Love the Villain

Relentless. Ruthless. Witty retorts. A rockin’ theme song. Villains often captivate us with their acts of savagery and urbane smiles. Why do we love a good villain? In this episode, Tim and Nick explore the lure of villainy, the idea of justice for antago

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Episode 10 – I Need a Hero!

Strong. Noble. Honest. The hero grips sword in hand, righteous and determined, and sets upon his quest to right the wrongs of the world. Will he succeed? And why do we care? In our milestone 10th podcast, Tim and Nick discuss what makes a hero heroic, com

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Episode 5 – A Time and A Pace for Everything

Is this really it? The fifth episode of Derailed Trains of Thought? Yes, it is! We apologize for the delay, but we were thrown off our posting rhythm, which, coincidentally, is exactly the topic of this episode’s Story School. We discuss plot pacing, dram

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Episode 1 – Beginning at the End

This is it – the first official Derailed Trains of Thought podcast! Featuring your intrepid and intriguing hosts Timothy Deal and Nick Hayden, we delve into the end of all things, or at least, the end of a few things. Along the way, we touch upon a long u

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