Category Archives: pop culture

I’ve Been Away Awhile, Rebuilding

I haven’t posted since mid-summer when I gushed about U2. Been rebuilding. This blog now appears on my new website, http://www.chrisryanwrites.com. Worth a look, if I do say so myself. Been rebuilding my social media presence, too. Much more Instagram, … Continue reading

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U2 Uses Mysterious Brush With Death to Defend the Idea of America 

My wife, known here and on my social media as the goddess, has saved my life yet again; she took me to the U2 Innocence and Experience Tour 2018 five times. Yeah, five concerts, same band, same show. Five times … Continue reading

Posted in America, Music, politics, pop culture, Spirituality, U2, U2 Innocence and Experience Tour 2018, writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Writing podcast – new episode

I do a podcast with Blackjack creator Alex Simmons about writing and related topics. This episode is about finding the time to write even when your schedule is exhausting. I hope this is helpful. Tell The Damn Story Unplugged: Finding … Continue reading

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Do the Accusations Against Junot Díaz Negate His Work or Prove the Extent of His Trauma?

Junot Díaz, who, in a recent issue of the New Yorker, wrote openly for the first time about the ongoing effects of his being raped twice when he was eight, has now been reportedly accused by women of sexual aggression. … Continue reading

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We discuss the NYT’s “Black Artist, Black Panther”

Posted in #reading, America, Black Panther, comics, Marvel, Marvel Cinematic Universe, pop culture, super-heroes, writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

What are you doing during this snow day? Read!

While I am grateful that those who read this blog come from all over, my information on where the majority live suggests that most will experience some part of today’s serious snow storm. In hopes of helping you through your … Continue reading

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Is Indy Publishing in Peril?

Blackjack creator Alex Simmons and I are back with another episode of our podcast TELL THE DAMN STORY. Today we discuss the shifting landscape of marketing Indy books, and how level playing fields seem to be shrinking ….

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Black Panther Pregaming, Part II

With four days until The Black Panther leaps into theatres, here’s a look at T’Challa’s first appearance, in Fastastic Four numbers 52 and 53, published in July and August, 1966. I was four at that time, so I didn’t experience … Continue reading

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Black Panther Pregaming!

Black Panther Pregaming Podcast TELL THE DAMN STORY Unplugged Alexander Simmons and Christopher Ryan discuss the roots of the Black Panther, creative contributions that are reflected in the new movie, and why we may need the Panther now more than … Continue reading

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New Year’s Eve Epiphany

“It’s the final countdown…” The was the song playing when I got bagels this morning. Hard not to smirk. Harder to dismiss in this, the era of American divisiveness. But we haven’t lost all hope, not yet. At least that’s … Continue reading

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