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! Hi Reader, I've got another question for you... What makes a solid story structure? There are several answers to that question. But here is the one I live by, and I share it with my students. To start, a story structure is a framework. It's a way of telling a tale, and it can be personal, professional, or instructional. The same basic rules apply whether it’s a screenplay, novel, cartoon, or comic book. Every story has three basic components. B.M.E.; Beginning,...
Welcome to my newsletter! Why the hell should we keep trying? Can you answer that Reader? What do we do when we face writer's block and other creative challenges? Why should we keep writing or creating when we're worried that it won't be good enough? Why should we do it when we fear what other people might say? Why should we even write stories with comedic throughlines or happy endings when the world is going through so much hell in a handbasket? And if we are supposed to do that, how do we...
Welcome to my newsletter! One year, I determined to write a short story every month. I didn't promise to write a publishable short story, just a short story. Some people do this once a week, some every two weeks, and some every day. I challenged myself to write a short story once a month. With everything else I was working on, I would write one short story. How I set that up and met the challenge is another story. I'll tell you bits of it as we go along, but I now challenge you to write a...