Derailed Trains of Thought

Ah, Halloween. This is that festive time of year when such cuddly, creepy, heart-warming, bone-chilling creatures as evil witches, blood-slurping vampires, rotting zombies, and gory chainsaw-wielding psychopaths grace the forefront of our popular culture. Why do people enjoy being scared? And what role does fear have in storytelling? Nick and Tim are joined by frequent-contributor Brian Scherschel to tackle these questions and more. In this topsy-turvy episode, we begin with a Cinema Selections look at a classic 1955 thriller, and then move to discuss the appeal of the horror genre, the merits of suspense over surprise, and try to figure out what's the deal with this zombie craze anyway. Whether you're a horror addict or someone who hides behind the couch at the appearance of a menacing trash can, you're sure to find today's discussion intriguing. Take a listen! Show Notes

Having recovered from their EPIC anniversary episode, Tim and Nick set out to discover new realms of exploration. Along the way they realize, "Hey, it's pretty cool to keep finding new lands and creatures and characters and stuff." So they decided to discuss the art of discovery in fiction. Joined by scholar and writer John Bahler, they delve into mysteries, gaze into unattainable vistas, and ponder the combining of two of their favorite subjects. It's a new era for your favorite storytelling podcast, Derailed Trains of Thought. Show Notes

In honor of the podcast's first anniversary, we've sent our previous episode descriptions through the blender and come up with this: Hello, there! Have we got an original for you! The perfect cure to your sterotypical, connect-the-dots podcast! This episode we turn to the always faithful supplier of conversation--Derailed Trains of Thought, which, coincidentally, is exactly the topic of this episode’s Story School. Join us for a meaty discussion for the both creator and the audience that the San Francisco Herald-Tribune-Gazette calls, "Relentless. Ruthless. And all that brouhaha. Your intrepid and intriguing hosts, Timothy Deal and Nick Hayden, spawn their own subculture.” Along the way, fanfiction writer Laura Fischer, resident YA book expert Natasha Hayden, Nathan Marchand, author of Pandora's Box, and Brian Scherschel jump in. Don't miss it! We promised, we delivered this extra-long, wide-ranging episode of Derailed Trains of Thought! It's not just a podcast, it's Podcast 20! Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace20').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_020.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

In honor of the podcast's first anniversary, we've sent our previous episode descriptions through the blender and come up with this: Hello, there! Have we got an original for you! The perfect cure to your sterotypical, connect-the-dots podcast! This episode we turn to the always faithful supplier of conversation--Derailed Trains of Thought, which, coincidentally, is exactly the topic of this episode’s Story School. Join us for a meaty discussion for the both creator and the audience that the San Francisco Herald-Tribune-Gazette calls, "Relentless. Ruthless. And all that brouhaha. Your intrepid and intriguing hosts, Timothy Deal and Nick Hayden, spawn their own subculture.” Along the way, fanfiction writer Laura Fischer, resident YA book expert Natasha Hayden, Nathan Marchand, author of Pandora's Box, and Brian Scherschel jump in. Don't miss it! We promised, we delivered this extra-long, wide-ranging episode of Derailed Trains of Thought! It's not just a podcast, it's Podcast 20! Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace20').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_020.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

In honor of the podcast's first anniversary, we've sent our previous episode descriptions through the blender and come up with this: Hello, there! Have we got an original for you! The perfect cure to your sterotypical, connect-the-dots podcast! This episode we turn to the always faithful supplier of conversation--Derailed Trains of Thought, which, coincidentally, is exactly the topic of this episode’s Story School. Join us for a meaty discussion for the both creator and the audience that the San Francisco Herald-Tribune-Gazette calls, "Relentless. Ruthless. And all that brouhaha. Your intrepid and intriguing hosts, Timothy Deal and Nick Hayden, spawn their own subculture.” Along the way, fanfiction writer Laura Fischer, resident YA book expert Natasha Hayden, Nathan Marchand, author of Pandora's Box, and Brian Scherschel jump in. Don't miss it! We promised, we delivered this extra-long, wide-ranging episode of Derailed Trains of Thought! It's not just a podcast, it's Podcast 20! Show Notes

Everyone's a comedian...or are they? In the latest episode of Derailed Trains of Thought (your one and only (please?) storytelling podcast), Tim and Nick tackle the hard work of dissecting what makes the audience laugh. (It's a function of the lungs and/or stomach in 86.15% of cases.) In the second half, we examine the science fiction German silent film "Metropolis" in Cinema Selections, proving that 80-year-old movies are still cool. So take a listen and learn that the mediator between the head and the hands is the funny bone!* *Obtuse joke to be found funny only after listening to the entire podcast. Maybe. Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace19').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_019_Wocka_Wocka_Wocka.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

Everyone's a comedian...or are they? In the latest episode of Derailed Trains of Thought (your one and only (please?) storytelling podcast), Tim and Nick tackle the hard work of dissecting what makes the audience laugh. (It's a function of the lungs and/or stomach in 86.15% of cases.) In the second half, we examine the science fiction German silent film "Metropolis" in Cinema Selections, proving that 80-year-old movies are still cool. So take a listen and learn that the mediator between the head and the hands is the funny bone!* *Obtuse joke to be found funny only after listening to the entire podcast. Maybe. Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace19').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_019_Wocka_Wocka_Wocka.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

Everyone's a comedian...or are they? In the latest episode of Derailed Trains of Thought (your one and only (please?) storytelling podcast), Tim and Nick tackle the hard work of dissecting what makes the audience laugh. (It's a function of the lungs and/or stomach in 86.15% of cases.) In the second half, we examine the science fiction German silent film "Metropolis" in Cinema Selections, proving that 80-year-old movies are still cool. So take a listen and learn that the mediator between the head and the hands is the funny bone!* *Obtuse joke to be found funny only after listening to the entire podcast. Maybe. Show Notes

Ever had one of those days? Your father's been murdered by your uncle and you just don't know what to do. Your best friend's fallen down the stairs, broken his leg, gotten bone marrow in his blood, and died. And your crazy neighbor's crazy girlfriend just plummeted to her death because she saw a nun. (That's right, a nun.) Life's a tragedy, isn't it? Death, disasters, and hollow victories focus this episode's discussion of the art of the tragedy. What makes a good "bad ending"? Is it more literary to make the audience depressed? What's the meaning of it all? Listen as Tim and Nick wrangle with these intriguing questions, as well as review the summer blockbusters, in the latest episode of Derailed Trains of Thought. Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace18').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_018_Epic_Fail_Like_The_Greats.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

Ever had one of those days? Your father's been murdered by your uncle and you just don't know what to do. Your best friend's fallen down the stairs, broken his leg, gotten bone marrow in his blood, and died. And your crazy neighbor's crazy girlfriend just plummeted to her death because she saw a nun. (That's right, a nun.) Life's a tragedy, isn't it? Death, disasters, and hollow victories focus this episode's discussion of the art of the tragedy. What makes a good "bad ending"? Is it more literary to make the audience depressed? What's the meaning of it all? Listen as Tim and Nick wrangle with these intriguing questions, as well as review the summer blockbusters, in the latest episode of Derailed Trains of Thought. Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace18').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_018_Epic_Fail_Like_The_Greats.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

Ever had one of those days? Your father's been murdered by your uncle and you just don't know what to do. Your best friend's fallen down the stairs, broken his leg, gotten bone marrow in his blood, and died. And your crazy neighbor's crazy girlfriend just plummeted to her death because she saw a nun. (That's right, a nun.) Life's a tragedy, isn't it? Death, disasters, and hollow victories focus this episode's discussion of the art of the tragedy. What makes a good "bad ending"? Is it more literary to make the audience depressed? What's the meaning of it all? Listen as Tim and Nick wrangle with these intriguing questions, as well as review the summer blockbusters, in the latest episode of Derailed Trains of Thought. Show Notes

Witches, wizards, and warlocks--oh my! This episode Tim and Nick discuss whether the use of magic in fiction is the downfall of modern society. Join us for a meaty discussion of the pitfalls and potential of spells, enchantments, and Turkish Delight for the both creator and the audience. Also, stay tuned for the premiere reading of Destroyer, a novella written by Nathan Marchand, Timothy Deal, and Natasha Hayden, all Derailed Trains contributors! It's another sensational hour of the podcast devoted to conversations on the art of storytelling. Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace17').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_017_Magic_Muggles_and_Morals.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

Witches, wizards, and warlocks--oh my! This episode Tim and Nick discuss whether the use of magic in fiction is the downfall of modern society. Join us for a meaty discussion of the pitfalls and potential of spells, enchantments, and Turkish Delight for the both creator and the audience. Also, stay tuned for the premiere reading of Destroyer, a novella written by Nathan Marchand, Timothy Deal, and Natasha Hayden, all Derailed Trains contributors! It's another sensational hour of the podcast devoted to conversations on the art of storytelling. Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace17').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_017_Magic_Muggles_and_Morals.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

Witches, wizards, and warlocks--oh my! This episode Tim and Nick discuss whether the use of magic in fiction is the downfall of modern society. Join us for a meaty discussion of the pitfalls and potential of spells, enchantments, and Turkish Delight for the both creator and the audience. Also, stay tuned for the premiere reading of Destroyer, a novella written by Nathan Marchand, Timothy Deal, and Natasha Hayden, all Derailed Trains contributors! It's another sensational hour of the podcast devoted to conversations on the art of storytelling. Show Notes

Admit it. Sometimes when you're reading a book, you wish you could jump in and spend some time in that world. This episode, Tim and Nick discuss formats in which you ARE the main character of a story—Choose Your Own Adventures, video games, and other forms of interactive fiction! Also this episode, a very special Cinema Selections. Let's just say this: '80s fantasy meets German expressionism in a film Tim has been long overdue in experiencing. Was it worth the wait? Find out in this extra-long, wide-ranging episode of Derailed Trains of Thought! Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace16').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_016_Come_Play_A_Story.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });