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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! "The Clue Was Right There, But I Didn't..." So, Reader, The killer was always able to come up on its victim. Men, women—it didn’t seem to matter. Big, strong, average, petite. Five people, every one of them taken out by this extremely effective murderer, and the police didn’t have a clue. But the writer had placed clues in the story from the beginning to the end. Subtle clues. The question was: Could readers really spot them? A great mystery is not a game of...
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...