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Hi, Alex Simmons here. I've taught 100s of aspiring and struggling writers how to overcome their fears and frustrations and create compelling plots, characters, and stories that appeal to a broader audience. Over the years, I've been honored to be a professional author (award-winner), writing coach/teacher, and consultant. I’ve written for many mainstream publishers, Marvel/DC/Archie Comics, and penned plays, interactive games, and video and animation scripts. And I’ve been a global speaker on empowering people through the arts. I have much to share, starting with my Simmons Says Newsletter.
Welcome to my newsletter! "In crime, the shortest distance isn't always a straight line." Let me show you what I mean, Reader. Here's a situation. On a simple weekly shopping trip, three senior citizens get kidnapped. Their captors demand $300,000 for their return within the next 24 hours. Okay. That sounds pretty basic. They kidnap some people, and obviously the family or whoever is going to come up with $300,000 to get them back. Maybe $100,000 apiece, right? Except there's a problem. The...
Welcome to my newsletter! "Every Sleuth Isn't Right for Every Case" Reader, Did you know one of the biggest mistakes mystery writers make isn't creating the wrong villain? It isn't choosing the wrong victim. It isn't even hiding the clues too well. It's choosing the wrong detective. When people hear the word mystery, they often think of car chases, explosions, shootouts, or someone racing against time to stop a bomb. Those stories can certainly be exciting, but they're usually thrillers. A...
Welcome to my newsletter! "How do you interrogate a writer's mind?" Come on, Reader.You know it's true. Every mystery writer has been there. You come up with an idea, and it grabs you. You can see scenes. You can hear dialogue. You know who some of the characters are. You're excited. Then, somewhere along the way, you find yourself running down a dark alley with no way out. The story stalls. The plot flops. The characters freeze in place like grotesque statues. And months later, that...