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.
YES, IT WAS A MISTAKE (Simmons Says #177 A)
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Simmons Says
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! “Building Better Mystery Characters—Without Overthinking It" Holy excitement, Batman! Uh, Reader, A mystery lives or dies on its characters. Not the twist.Not the reveal.Not even the crime itself. If we don’t believe the people involved—if we don’t understand what they want, what they’re hiding, and what they’re afraid to lose—then the mystery becomes a puzzle instead of a story. And puzzles don’t bleed. Better mystery characters aren’t created by adding...
Welcome to my newsletter! “To be persuasive, we must be believable; to be believable, we must be credible; to be credible, we must be truthful.” —Edward R. Murrow-- Hey, Reader, There’s something I think about a lot—and maybe you do too—especially if you’re a writer or storyteller of any kind. It’s the question of ethics. Because being a writer, in any form, requires us to make conscious, ethical decisions about what we put into the world. Whether we’re writing for the entertainment world,...
Welcome to my newsletter! "Why They Do What They Do Matters." Hey,Reader, This time, I feel the need to talk about one of my favorite parts of storytelling: creating characters. A strong plot is important, but if your characters feel awkward, unbelievable, or just “off,” the story falls apart. And often the missing piece is one simple question: 👉 Why are they doing what they’re doing? In other words, what’s their motive? Motives are what drive characters to act — to betray friends, seek...