Derailed Trains of Thought

We promised, we delivered! Here it is, the full Hitchcock interview with Brian Scherschel. We cut A LOT from the initial interview to fit into the regular podcast, so here's all 50 minutes of our discussion on Hitchcock, his methods, and his films, Notorious in particular. (Which, if you haven't watched yet, shame on you!) So, delve into film history and get to know the one and only Hitchcock! Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspaceST4').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Side_Tracks_004_Hitchcock.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

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 antagonists, and what it means to have compassion for those characters we love to hate. Time to ambush the villain's hideout. Sneak in and take a listen to a new (and long delayed) installment of Derailed Trains of Thought. Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace11').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_011_Love_the_Villain.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

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 antagonists, and what it means to have compassion for those characters we love to hate. Time to ambush the villain's hideout. Sneak in and take a listen to a new (and long delayed) installment of Derailed Trains of Thought. Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace11').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_011_Love_the_Villain.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

YA! Why are we so excited? Because everyone loves YA (young adult) books, and we have resident YA book expert Natasha Hayden with us this episode to discuss YA trends, explain why she enjoys YA books more than regular adult fiction, and give us her reading recommendations. We're also excited because after MUCH DELAY, we're back! Take a break from your work-a-day world and listen in on discussions of movies foreign and domestic, listener responses on book/movie differences, and much more! Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace12').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_012_YA_A_New_Episode.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

YA! Why are we so excited? Because everyone loves YA (young adult) books, and we have resident YA book expert Natasha Hayden with us this episode to discuss YA trends, explain why she enjoys YA books more than regular adult fiction, and give us her reading recommendations. We're also excited because after MUCH DELAY, we're back! Take a break from your work-a-day world and listen in on discussions of movies foreign and domestic, listener responses on book/movie differences, and much more! Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace12').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_012_YA_A_New_Episode.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

Trekkies, MSTies, Browncoats, Twi-hards, Gleeks, Whovians, Deleteheads.... How does a story spawn its own subculture? Fanfiction writer Laura Fischer joins us to discuss what drives fans to create new fiction, art, and communities about their favorite story universes. Then stay tuned for a sample of Laura's fanfiction, Nick and Tim pitching one of their nerdiest ideas yet, and some sweet fandom-related music, of both the rocking and poignant variety. It's all here in the latest episode of Derailed Trains of Thought. Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace14').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_014.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

Trekkies, MSTies, Browncoats, Twi-hards, Gleeks, Whovians, Deleteheads.... How does a story spawn its own subculture? Fanfiction writer Laura Fischer joins us to discuss what drives fans to create new fiction, art, and communities about their favorite story universes. Then stay tuned for a sample of Laura's fanfiction, Nick and Tim pitching one of their nerdiest ideas yet, and some sweet fandom-related music, of both the rocking and poignant variety. It's all here in the latest episode of Derailed Trains of Thought. Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace14').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_014.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

Dr. Suess says you can read with your eyes shut, but we're not so sure. This episode we take a reader's viewpoint to discover what it takes to fully engage a story. Along the way, Tim shows off his film school terminology, Nick pulls out his "I've read Russian novels" card, and we attempt a defense of much-maligned movies. Also, Brian Scherschel joins us again to introduce us to director John Ford and his western The Searchers. So, come on, give us a chance. Maybe you'll give that crazy foreign film a second look as well. Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_013_How_to_Read_A_Story.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

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 unfinished novel; LOST; The Jazz Singer; why Aang is Luke Skywalker; a guy named Wallace P. Fitzgerald; town-wide “Movie Sign!”; intergalactic, trans-dimensional car races; alternate endings for films; and various other sundry topics. You probably see why we call it Derailed Trains of Thought. We’re glad you’re with us at the bitter end. Welcome to a new beginning! Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_001_Beginning_at_the_End.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

Trekkies, MSTies, Browncoats, Twi-hards, Gleeks, Whovians, Deleteheads.... How does a story spawn its own subculture? Fanfiction writer Laura Fischer joins us to discuss what drives fans to create new fiction, art, and communities about their favorite story universes. Then stay tuned for a sample of Laura's fanfiction, Nick and Tim pitching one of their nerdiest ideas yet, and some sweet fandom-related music, of both the rocking and poignant variety. It's all here in the latest episode of Derailed Trains of Thought. Show Notes

Dr. Suess says you can read with your eyes shut, but we're not so sure. This episode we take a reader's viewpoint to discover what it takes to fully engage a story. Along the way, Tim shows off his film school terminology, Nick pulls out his "I've read Russian novels" card, and we attempt a defense of much-maligned movies. Also, Brian Scherschel joins us again to introduce us to director John Ford and his western The Searchers. So, come on, give us a chance. Maybe you'll give that crazy foreign film a second look as well. Show Notes

YA! Why are we so excited? Because everyone loves YA (young adult) books, and we have resident YA book expert Natasha Hayden with us this episode to discuss YA trends, explain why she enjoys YA books more than regular adult fiction, and give us her reading recommendations. We're also excited because after MUCH DELAY, we're back! Take a break from your work-a-day world and listen in on discussions of movies foreign and domestic, listener responses on book/movie differences, and much more! Show Notes

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 antagonists, and what it means to have compassion for those characters we love to hate. Time to ambush the villain's hideout. Sneak in and take a listen to a new (and long delayed) installment of Derailed Trains of Thought. Show Notes

We promised, we delivered! Here it is, the full Hitchcock interview with Brian Scherschel. We cut A LOT from the initial interview to fit into the regular podcast, so here's all 50 minutes of our discussion on Hitchcock, his methods, and his films, Notorious in particular. (Which, if you haven't watched yet, shame on you!) So, delve into film history and get to know the one and only Hitchcock! Show Notes

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, compare "perfect" and "flawed" heroes, allude numerous times to comic books and The Lord of the Rings, and discover some possible heroic pitfalls. So, sheath your sword, grab some mead, and settle in for a new foray into Derailed Trains of Thought. Show Notes