Vicious Whispers with Mark Tullius

Wrapping up the next short story collection with only a few stories left to write. Sharing my favorite response to Brightside is generally from people who normally don't read. Plans for the holiday. 9:00 Chapter 8 of Brightside 49:15 Recap of Chapter 8. Discussing how I learned about death, if I fear it, and how much I think about it. How changing perspective on pain, happiness, and other emotions makes such a difference. And a confession on how and why I was a cutter.

Early praise for Ain't No Messiah, the first book in the Tales of the Blessed and Broken series. An update on the next short story collection, closing in on 30 stories. Getting fat and lazy just in time for the holidays. 10:30 Chapter 7 of Brightside 35:00 Recap of Chapter 7 and why there always seems to be a bar scene in my writing.

Mark talks about his family’s recent trip to Rhode Island and visiting Mat Santos’ Team Santos Academy and Tri-Force MMA for jiujitsu. Also discusses getting books on Google Play and printing paperbacks through Amazon’s KDP. 8:25 Chapter 6 of Brightside audiobook. 41:30 Recap of Chapter 6 along with a discussion of childhood and how easily kids can be influenced. Also a bit on fishing, football, and fighting.

Mark talks about the stem cell therapy he did for his shoulder, announces the preorder for Ain't No Messiah and how to get a free advance copy, gives an update on cannabis usage, lists some of the completed stories for the next collection. 11:25 Chapter 5 of Brightside audiobook. 33:15 Recap of Chapter 5 along with a discussion of being forced to go to church and a look at the animation for the upcoming Try Not to Die: In Brightside.

Mark's special guest is his good friend, yogi, bjj training partner, and USMC veteran, Anthony Johnson. They are co-authoring the novella Try Not to Die: In Iraq and are both pleased with the results4:20 Why Mark writes and what the process is giving Anthony who claims it is drastically reducing the anxiety-causing dreams and night terrors that have haunted him. Mark attributes the success to Tom Spanbauer's Dangerous Writing techniques.24:45 WHy they both appreciate yoga and encourage more men and athletes to give it a shot.28:25 Brightside Chapter 4.55:45 Recap of chapter 4 talking about the dog scene, the struggle with being a salesman, and how we hide our emotions from others and ourselves.

Mark goes deeper into his break from cannabis and how it's affecting his writing and productivity. He goes through several of the new short stories he's working on for a possible collection, and talks about why he prefers writing in 1st person versus 3rd. 14:10 - Chapter 3 of Brightside 31:45 - Chapter 3 recap where Mark talks about the dog scene, how he's struggled being a salesman, and speculates on how long you'll be remembered, taking into account whether or not you're a jerk.

Mark discusses where he's at with yoga, jiujitsu, intermittent fasting, and his injuries. Also talking about the break from cannabis and how it's affecting his writing. An update on the nearly finished Try Not to Die: In Brightside with a run down on the death scenes. 17:20 - Chapter 2 of Brightside 44:25 - Chapter 2 recap where Mark talks about suicide and his past struggle with those tendencies. 

Mark Tullius returns for a new season focused on his first novel Brightside. Mark listens along to the chapter to help him as he finishes writing Try Not to Die: In Brightside and Beyond Brightside, both books scheduled for release in 2019. In this episode, Mark talks about why he took the break from podcasting and discusses where the idea for Brightside began. 10:30 - Chapter 1 40:55 - Chapter 1 recap where Mark discusses how music influenced this book and how he uses it in his writing. 

In this week's episode Mark talks about wrapping up Ain't No Messiah, his new nonfiction project about concussions, and discusses chapter 4 and 5 of Unlocking the Cage where he visited FAA, NESF, ATT CT, Xtreme Couture and a few other schools. (06:40) This episode he answers the question: How do you write about past events that you can no longer clearly remember? (12:30) Mark breaks down chapters 4 and 5 of Unlocking the Cage.

In this week's episode Mark shares the Unlocking the Cage prologue and discusses the first three chapters of the book where he visited Tri-Force MMA, Lauzon MMA, and South Shore Sportsfighting, competed in a NAGA event, and  (07:40) This episode he answers the question: Do you try to be more original or deliver what the readers want? (11:50) More on the release of the Thought Thief mind reading app. (15:30) Mark shares the prologue from Unlocking the Cage which fans of MMA should appreciate.

In this week's short story the narrator is a teenage girl about to witness her first live fight. Mark discusses how tough most males think they are, whether a trained female could eat an untrained male, why he's going to be watching Combat Jiu Jitsu Worlds, what jiu jitsu has given him and his family. (07:40) This episode he answers the Goodreads question: "Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?" and goes into why he spent over five years creating Unlocking the Cage: Exploring the Motivations of MMA Fighters. (17:40) Mark shares his story "Mutual Understanding" taken from his Somber Stroll audiobook which will appeal to fans of dark fiction, horror, jiu jitsu, and MMA.

In this week's short story the narrator is a DJ presenting a young girl's last wish. Mark shares his experience as a guest DJ on Ozzy's Boneyard, discusses the randomness of death and how he deals with that fear, and why everyone should have a realistic wish-list. (07:00) This episode he answers the Goodreads question: "Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?"  (14:35) Mark shares his story "Ultimate Wish" taken from his Somber Stroll audiobook which will appeal to fans of dark fiction and horror.

Having played 7 years of high school and college football combined with a ton of concussions from boxing and MMA has left Mark with a questionable memory. In this episode he talks a bit about the fear of dementia and what he does trying to postpone it. (00:02) This episode he answers the Goodreads questions: "What are you currently working on?" and "How do you get inspired to write?" (00:20) Mark shares his story "Crossing the Line" taken from his Somber Stroll audiobook which will appeal to fans of dark fiction and horror.

Mark goes into his biggest fear, talks about parenting, balancing work with being a stay-at-home-dad, writing first person present tense, cannabis use, and why he doesn't spank his children.  (00:07) This episode he answers the Goodreads question: "What's your advice for aspiring writers?" (00:22) Mark shares his story, "Safety First," taken from his Somber Stroll audiobook which will appeal to fans of dark fiction and horror.

Mark discusses who he is, what he writes, what it's like being an independent author, and what the podcast is all about. The 10th Planet jiu jitsu purple belt talks about his latest release and first nonfiction, Unlocking the Cage: Exploring the Motivations of MMA Fighters, and the sociological study he's still working on.  (00:30) Every episode Mark answers at least one question from Goodreads. This episode he answers "What is the Best thing about being a writer?" (00:41) Mark also shares his most personal story, "Going Dark," and plays a fun game of Truth or Bullshit. This short story, taken from his Somber Stroll audiobook will appeal to fans of dark fiction and horror.