Derailed Trains of Thought

If there's one thing everyone knows about the end of the world, it's that it's pretty cool to watch on the big screen. There's nothing like destruction, chaos, and extinction-level events to make us sit back and think, "Man, this is awesome." Guest Nathan Marchand joins hosts Nick Hayden and Timothy Deal to discuss this phenomenon. Then they join in the fun by adding giant monsters to classic books and movies in this episode's What If? They've been there and back again, but now it's time for Nick and Tim to get back to work on your premiere podcast on storytelling, Derailed Trains of Thought. Listen in. It would be a disaster if you didn't. Show Notes

It's here! IT'S HERE! EPISODE 100! After nearly 9 year and 99 episodes, we've finally arrived at episode 100. Triple digits, here we are! It's been quite a journey and, without spoiling much, so is this episode. Don't wait, press play, and join Timothy Deal and Nick Hayden for a very special edition of your premiere podcast on storytelling, Derailed Trains of Thought. We hope you enjoy the trip! Show Notes

IT'S HERE! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!? IT'S REALLY HERE! EPISODE 99 OF THE WORLD'S MOST AMAZINGLY AWESOME PODCAST ON STORYTELLING! IT'S THE GREATEST! IT'S STUPENDOUS! AFTER YOU LISTEN TO THIS, YOUR LIFE WILL BE COMPLETE! Now take a breath. This episode in Story School, Timothy and Nick examine how hype affects our view of stories. Then, after a Project Update, they revisit It Came From the Intrawebs! to subject themselves to fan-made trailers in search of some of that hype we so enjoy reveling in, with mixed results. No matter what ails you, this podcast--THIS PODCAST!--will totally blow you away and make you wish that you could listen to episode 100 RIGHT NOW! Oh, the agony of waiting! Show Notes

Of the many stories never mentioned on Derailed Trains of Thought (your premiere podcast on storytelling), one is The Monster at the End of This Book: Starring Lovable, Furry Old Grover, where Grover tries to prevent the appearance of the monster at the end of the book. He has a certain sense of foreboding (probably given him by the title of the book) that, perhaps, there might be a monster at the end of the book. If this isn't foreshadowing, we don't know what is. This episode Nick and Timothy discuss the use of foreshadowing in stories, while not discussing Grover or other puppet-like creatures. Then, in part 2, you get a double dose of fun! First, a short What If? and then a Disney-saturated It Came From the Intrawebs! Now that you have a sense of what's coming when you hit the play button, go ahead and see how it unfolds. Show Notes

While the entertainment world gives tons of coverage to movies, video games, and books, what about the stage? (And not just musicals?) Well, in today's Story School the play's the thing we discuss with special guest Lauren Nichols, Artistic Director for all for One Productions. Then, get ready, in the second half, Nick shares some of his favorite podcasts and Timothy finally (finally!) unloads his thoughts about the long-awaited Kingdom Hearts III. The curtain's going up, so settle in and enjoy the spectacle that is Derailed Trains of Thought. Show Notes

It might be a rant, a heartfelt reminiscence, a personal reflection, an exposition dump, or a rousing speech, but whatever it is, there's something special about one character taking a minute (or ten) to share what's on his mind. This episode, Nick and Timothy examine the types and uses of monologues in story. In the second half we introduce a new segment: "Challenge Accepted!" In it, Nick and Timothy challenge each other to NAME THAT MONOLOGUE! So, if you're in the mood to hear other people talk with no chance of engaging in a dialogue, hit the play button and enjoy episode 96 of your premiere podcast on storytelling, Derailed Trains of Thought. Show Notes

Story is good. We've said that before. But story can also take an out-sized and even, shall we say, idolatrous place in our media-soaked lives. Nick and Tim discuss the dangers of story for the creator and consuming in this episode's Story School. Then it's time for this year's Book Recap in Our Take on Tales, where we tackle exciting and humorous fantasies, philosophical mythology, mystical play practices, suspenseful deceits, war-torn rebellions, and Dickens. Listen in to this episode of your premiere podcast on storytelling, Derailed Trains of Thought. In its proper place, it's pretty darn entertaining. Show Notes

It's Christmas, and while that means food and festivities, hopefully it also means moments of silence and thoughtfulness. This episode, Nick and Tim muse over the use and flavors of silence in stories. In the second half, they present a special holiday collage of original fiction designed to highlight the meditative nature of Christmas and the reason for the season. Find a quiet spot where you can drink some hot chocolate and watch the snow falling on the fields outside and listen in to your premiere podcast on storytelling, Derailed Trains of Thought. Show Notes

It's Thanksgiving, and while the commercial world is rushing on to Black Friday, Timothy and Nick want to pause a moment and give thanks for stories. So, in Story School, we list the ways stories benefit our lives. Then in What If? we shoehorn the oft-neglected Thanksgiving special into a variety of popular franchises. So, before the tryptophan kicks in, grab an extra helping of mashed potatoes, gather the family, and listen in to your premiere podcast on storytelling, Derailed Trains of Thought. Show Notes

The Hero's Journey is essential to a good story, right? How about an epic climax? Five acts? Three? A witty sidekick? What does a story need and what do we modern Westerns think it needs? Many of our conventions of story telling are just that, conventions. This episode, Timothy and Nick discuss story conventions past, present, and elsewhere in Story School. In the second half, we take on another Take on Tales (literary edition) and return to an old topic in a Previously On... segment. You know the drill--listen in, enjoy, tell all your friends. This is your premiere podcast on storytelling, Derailed Trains of Thought. Show Notes

THE INTERNET - Podcasters Timothy Deal and Nicholas Hayden interviewed freelance newswriter Laura Finch for Episode 91 of the Derailed Trains of Thought podcast. Finch, who writes for World Magazine, explained how newswriting is like storytelling, how audio reporting differs from written reporting, and how to let facts speak for themselves. The interview, which was broadcast during the initial portion of the podcast called Story School, was followed by Deal and Hayden discussing summer blockbusters. Derailed Trains of Thought claims to be its listeners' premiere podcast on storytelling. Show Notes

Sound. It's all around us--and it plays an important, if often overlooked, role in many of our stories. So Timothy and Nick decide to give sound its due. Then, because it's our 90th episode, we share a aurally-enhanced Bit of Story and step into a especially calming corner of Youtube in a scalp-tingling It Came from the Intrawebs. Shut out the world for a few moments, put on your headphones, and soak in the ear candy of your premiere podcast on storytelling, Derailed Trains of Thought. Show Notes

You have a story. Now you have a choice. Will you tell it visually, aurally, or textually? Is it long form or short? Does it lean into the constraints of the form or against it? And why does it matter? This episode, Timothy and Nick examine the relationship between message and medium, between style and story. Then, because it just fits, we follow up with a What If? about, you guessed it, taking a story and drastically changing the medium. (Sorry, Jane Austen.) So, basically, this is exactly the sort of episode you've come to expect from your premiere hour-long (give or take) audio discussion on storytelling, Derailed Trains of Thought. Show Notes

So, you've created something. Great job. Don't you know that someone else has already done it better and that you're a sorry excuse for an artist and that you'll never compare with the greats out there? Truth is "creatives" always compare themselves to others. Timothy and Nick discuss this aspect of the artist's life in this month's Story School. Then, back by "popular" demand, it's Pun Times!, followed by a new dose of It Came From the Intrawebs. Listen in to episode 88 of Derailed Trains of Thought. We might not be on the iTunes front page, but we think you might enjoy anyway. Show Notes

Whether it's through a portal, across the sea, among the stars, or deep into the earth, we all dream of going on an adventure. That's why so many stories are concerned with adventures, and why Timothy and Nick tackle the genre--along with guest Greg Meyer. Then in part two, we take a look at the world of comics, in the floppies, on TV, and on the big screen. So, wherever you're off to, take us along with you--Derailed Trains of Thought, your premiere podcast on storytelling!