Derailed Trains Of Thought

Remember back in January when you made that resolution? Yeah, that one. How's that going for you? If you're like most people, you've either given up on it or decided not to make one at all. Still, most of us would like to make goals that we follow through on, so Tim and Nick talk with Zach Hayden, our local productivity guru, on ways to help us follow through on the changes we want to make. Afterward we indulge in a long overdo Bit of Story, some Project Update, and perhaps another short yet ridiculous segment. So, put us on your To Do list and resolve to improve your day with another episode of your premiere podcast on storytelling, Derailed Trains of Thought! Show Notes

You may have noticed that political discussions are a thing on the Internet. This is not one of those. However, politics show up in stories as well. Why? Do we really want to spend an hour watching people debate each other? Is this another tale of trade route taxation and blockades? Does walking through hallways while talking policy make everything more exciting? Tim and Nick look at what politics can add to a story that another round of fisticuffs can't. Then in "What If?" we throw various fictional races into the same world and see how they manage to navigate their differences. So, whether you want to join the Wookie-Fraggle-Noldor Alliance or prefer the rule of the Nazi-Hutts, I'm sure you'll want to get off social media and enjoy the wit and wisdom that is Episode 73 of your premier podcast on storytelling, Derailed Trains of Thought. Show Notes

Sneaking in at the end of 2016, here's a two-part Side Track. The first half consists of a discussion on some of our favorite stories of the year, cut from Episode 72, after we discussed "Five Strangers in Search of an Exit" with the Children of the Wells crew. The second half includes Tim and Nick's thoughts on Rogue One--because we like to talk Star Wars from time to time. Enjoy and Happy New Year!

It'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 what Tim and Nick do. Then, to put theory into action, we invite our Children of the Wells co-authors to watch and respond to a Christmas episode of The Twilight Zone. Strange? Yes, but completely in line with this podcast. So, round up your loved ones, cue up your premiere podcast on storytelling, and enjoy a festive listen to episode 72 of Derailed Trains of Thought. Show Notes

We read all sorts of things everyday--tweets, emails, menus, Cracked articles, etc. But not all reading is equal. This episode Nick and Tim discuss "deep reading," the act of engaging in a text (or, similarly, in a visual story) in a real and immersive way. They ponder the why's and how's of such in-depth interaction. And, despite this episode's title, they do not once mention LOST. Then, in the second half, they "read" the experimental interactive fiction "Aisle" and its far less serious cousin, "Pick Up the Phone Booth and Aisle." So, unplug from distraction, put on your headphones, and zone in to your premier podcast on storytelling, Derailed Trains of Thought. Show Notes

"You probably thought you saw something up in the sky other than Venus, but I assure you, it was Venus." -"Jose Chung's From Outer Space," The X-Files Perhaps you aren't a true believer like Mulder, but even you must admit that aliens of all shapes and sizes have invaded our books, living rooms, and movie screens for decades. This episode, Tim and Nick examine how the idea of the alien works itself out in the stories around us. Then, because it's EPISODE 70, and the SIXTH ANNIVERSARY of your premier podcast on storytelling, we have a special segment--Our Take on a Bit of Live Crackpot Pun Project Brainstorming from the Intrawebs If It Was Selected For Cinema! It's just as awesome as it sounds. And it involves werewolves. So, seriously, it's Halloween, it's a new episode, we discuss aliens and werewolves...why haven't you listened yet? Show Notes

Books and movies are not merely entertainment. At their best (and too rarely), they draw us out of ourselves and touch us in deep places, sometimes in a way almost spiritual. Your faithful hosts, Tim and Nick, have decided to take some time to examine this special work that stories can do. Then they have an end-of-big-projects Project Update and their annual summer movie recap in Our Take on Tales. Add a bit of Beethoven and their regular wit, and you have the makings of a truly extraordinary episode of your premiere podcast on storytelling, Derailed Trains of Thought. Show Notes

Today we're excited to bring you a special interview with Christopher Getman, also known as Mazedude, a musician and remixer (and creator of many of Nick's favorite OCRemix songs). We talk the creative process and his new Kickstarter album American Pixels, a tribute to American video game composers. Then--because how do you follow up an interview with Mazedude?--we play Name That Tune, Mazedude Edition. Then, to cap it all off, Nick finally gets to play his long-requested- but always-denied seven-minute Soundtrack, "Glow Worm Jim." So, basically, here's the TL:DR version -- Listen to the podcast, support American Pixels! Show Notes

Foretold by prophecy and brought forth from its pleasant village in the Woods of Tranquility to liberate the Intrawebs from the forces of evil memes, Episode 67 is here! To guide it upon its hero's journey, guides Nick and Tim train it in the ways of the Chosen One, so that through their wise instruction it might prevail and not fall prey to bad storytelling. Then, since the journey is long, Tim and Nick spend the evenings regaling it with their Take on Tales from the world of video games, including a Kingdom Hearts game and two classics, Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross, which result in a rant so intricate, Episode 67 could scarce comprehend. But that is why he has been granted wise sages from the Fates. Long live Episode 67! Show Notes

People 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 pieces that shock a story to life. In the second half, they debut a new segment that should be pun times for all, and revisit Live Brainstorming! It's episode 66 of your premiere podcast on storytelling, full of the silliness, sidetracks, LOST references, and occasional wisdom that are the foundation of a hour you'll enjoy for long after you listen (and never get back). Enjoy! Show Notes

"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?) Show Notes

Music 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 guides, lifts, and imbues story with meaning and power. Because we like music. And so do you. But after so much music, we head into "It Came from the Interwebs!" for a break. For, surely, there's no music on the Internet...or is there? Settle in, tune your eardrums, and enjoy episode 63 of your premier podcast on storytelling, Derailed Trains of Thought. Show Notes

If you've ever listened to Derailed Trains of Thought, you know that Tim and Nick mention Star Wars almost every episode. If you're not living in a cave, you know that a new Star Wars movie just came out. I'll give you three guesses what this Side Track discussion is about. The first two guesses don't count. Joining Nick and Tim is Weekly Hijack contributor and fellow Star Wars fan Zach Hayden. SPOILER WARNING! Do NOT listen to this if you haven't seen the movie.

It's that time of year, the time we've been waiting for for months. Yep, that's right, it's finally Christmas! (Also: Star Wars opening!) As you settle down to watch your favorite Christmas movie (also: space opera), one thing you'll notice right away--the setting. You know, the lights and carols and snow and roast beast. (Also: the cool spaceships and laser-swords and aliens and mysterious masked villains.) This episode Tim and Nick examine the various ways setting affects story, both consciously and unconsciously. They follow up with a lightning round review of recent movies and TV shows, and finally end with some observations on how a certain science-fiction pop culture touchstone has infected everything in the entire world. Except our podcast, obviously. Merry Christmas! (Also: May the Force be with you!) Show Notes

There are many ways to promote yourself and your work in this modern connection economy. The first step is to NOT do what the title of this podcast says. Don't be that guy. Seriously. The next step is to listen in as Tim and Nick stumble into author Nathan Marchand in this week's podcast. Because, miracle of miracles, we discuss exactly this topic! Then we give Nathan a chance to talk about his new book, Ninjas and Talking Trees, a comedy fantasy. I mean, what would a podcast about promotion be without a little promotion? Tell your friends! Re-tweet us! Give us five-star reviews and purchase our stock! This is your premier podcast on storytelling--Derailed Trains of Thought. Show Notes

You may have noticed, if you're especially perceptive, that there are a lot of story franchises and long-running shows around. For instance, there's some sort of space opera coming out with its seventh episode this December. Seven episodes? Seriously? Isn't it time to end the thing already? Thankfully, we have Nick and Tim here to give us the answers we need. When is it time to end a long series or franchise? They ponder this question in their fifth anniversary episode. Then, because they know no bounds in their efforts to inform and entertain, they share yet another Bit of Story and resurrect Crackpot's Corner. And the answer is--no. Keep making Star Wars. Forever. Show Notes

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 Show Notes

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 i

Art communicates truth. That's a given. But we all know stories *cough* FernGully *cough* that shove the meaning down our throats. They have an agenda--and you shall comply! Or at least feel angry and/or guilty when you leave the theater. But where is that line? When does the message of the story overtake the story itself? When does the agenda destroy the art? Into the deep jungles of such questions dive our intrepid explorers Tim and Nick. Then in "Our Take on Takes" we emerge from the last rain forest to journey to The Sound and the Fury and Big Trouble in Little China as well as a few places in between. Once upon a time there was a little boy who didn't listen to Derailed Trains of Thought. And his brain turned to mush and he spent his entire life licking postage stamps for a faceless megacorp in post-alien invasion L.A. Moral of the story--listen in to your premier podcast about storytelling. Now. Before it's too late. It's almost too late all ready.... Show Notes

Can you believe people actually watch bonnet movies? You know, those semi-romantic historical dramas with female protagonists? Blech! Don't they know their artistic sensibilities are morally inferior and seriously stunted? I mean, if you're not watching Orange Is The New Black, who are you really? Or...perhaps, we all have different tastes in what stories we enjoy. Is that possible? And if so, what does it mean? This episode, Tim and Nick discuss the role of tastes in how we interact with stories and how being aware of our own tastes can broaden our view of art. Then we dive into the strange world that is Homestuck as part of It Came From the Intrawebs! We may or may make sense of it. Listen in! No matter your tastes, I'm sure you'll find something enjoyable in episode 56 of Derailed Trains of Thought. If not, you're obviously an uneducated lout. Show Notes