Inkstains

Host John Urbancik takes a stance in the war between Quantity and Quality. A listener asks about his first celebrity crush. The readings include a story about locks of love (something of a fairy tale), legends about the cellars of old houses, and a storyteller telling stories about a storyteller.

Host John Urbancik reveals the origin of his InkStains project and answers writerly questions about characters. A new InkStains challenge that anyone can do. And in the three readings: flowers grow in a garden, a magician shows a kid a new magic trick, and second-hand ghosts!

Host John Urbancik talks about Writer's Block and Artist's Block, and tells you how to deal with it effectively and definitively. This week's InkStains challenge will help you plan for the next time it attacks. Also: three readings: stories to sell, the parallel universe version of me, and what's in the shoebox in the secret room in the attic?

Host John Urbancik returns from a convention where he's been re-energized and exhausted, and offers words of encouragement to you and everyone. Then he challenges you to do the same. Readings include stories channeled from his inner Ray Bradbury, a story about when to start a story, and jury duty.

Host John Urbancik explores living a creative life, then tackles the dark night of the soul. A new InkStains challenge is issued. Readings include a story inspired by Van Gogh, a nearly completely true story about a carnival in a hotel room, and paper folding in the wind.

Host John Urbancik tackles fostering creativity, something we have to do on our own in modern society. A new InkStains challenge issued, and then John gets serious. Readings include requirements for being a writer and adventurer, a brief history of the host, and a challenge against the night.

Host John Urbancik discusses travel and adventure, airlines and interstates, and asks for dinner invitations. Readings include mountains, mountains, and carousels.

Host John Urbancik describes how a one-day InkStains story became a novel. Reading include a story about trains, the Zen of Lawn Work, and a fairy tale.

Join Host John Urbancik as he discusses what happens after the end of those big projects. Readings include ramblings about the blank page, a job offer from Ms. Friday, and the ghost collector's prized possession.

Join host John Urbancik for a special episode in which he meanders through the long story COLETTE AND THE TIGER. All structure and formatting is abandoned as he reads just this one story.

Host John Urbancik claims to be an Adventurer (as well as writer and photographer), and tries to define it. Three new readings: night falls, Monday and Sunday in court, and a grandmother bakes cookies in a war zone.

Host John Urbancik discusses talks about the tools of the trade -- sometimes, art doesn't come cheaply. Three new readings: a ghost story, pie, and paper moons.

Host John Urbancik discusses recurrent themes in his work, and in yours, and assigns a new InkStains challenge. Three new readings, including a young storm, a birthday, and The Book of Lost Fates.

Host John Urbancik goes deep into Revisions and assigns you a new InkStains challenge. Three new readings, including the one with the clock tower.

Host John Urbancik talks about Atmosphere in your art and give you a new InkStains challenge. Three new readings, including the Parliament of Ushers.

Host John Urbancik discusses Music and how it can influence other forms of art -- and give you a new 3-day InkStains challenge. Featuring three readings.

Host John Urbancik discusses Romance -- and issues a challenge. Featuring three readings.

Host John Urbancik explores the concept of Inspiration, and how it differs from ideas and motivation. Featuring three readings, and the evolution of a novella.

Host John Urbancik attacks the question: What is Creativity? Featuring a brief history of Creativity, an exploration of where artists get their ideas, and three readings.

Host John Urbancik provides you with an introduction to InkStains, including readings from three separate InkStains projects and advice on how to start your own projects, recorded as thunderstorms and tornadoes raged outside.