jackmattyhope4art

[jackmattyhope4art]

The Power Of Give And Get

“May the circle be unbroken…” This line from an old hymn carries meaning on a universal level.  This evening was one example.  I was part of a panel of creative artists who spoke on Afrofuturism at an event sponsored by GROUNDSWELL, an organization that “…brings together youth, artists, and community organizations to use art as a tool for social change, for a more just and equitable…

[jackmattyhope4art]

What Are the Main Elements of A Mystery Story.

Well … there are mystery stories, and then there are good mystery stories. I’ll focus on what I consider the good ones, the Who Done Its. They consist of ,,, Who? (Victim(s) and Criminal(s)) With what? (Method) Why? (Motive) How? (How was it done?) If the writer is playing fair with this format, then there will be … Motives (The reasons) Red Herrings (Other suspects) Clues (proper…

[jackmattyhope4art]

SIMMONS SAYS

WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES. It’s true. Writers are human, contrary to popular beliefs and legends … in our own minds. And this time it was an incident with one of my clients that prompted the topic in this newsletter. While editing the client’s scripts I noticed something that I’ve come across in other scripts by some of my writing students. It’s a mistake that emerging writers make, as well as some…

[jackmattyhope4art]

Call Me Obi-Wan Simmons

“…. there is hope for the future. I have met them and they work.” Oh, what a fortunate man am I. The road from where I come to where I’m going has been ripe with as many ruts and stones and potholes, and crevices.  But it’s also, at times, been as smooth as glass, and as scenic as the grand canyon or the shores of a far way island. What the heck am I talking about? Perhaps I’m taking a moment…

[jackmattyhope4art]

SIMMONS SAYS

All stories start with a writer or a teller of tales.  It has been this way for countless centuries. A million stories have been told over thousands of years.   This makes the challenge for most writers to try diligently to answer the question … What is your voice? When you write your stories, How do you tell those tales?  What genre do you favor? What is the rhythm of your writing? What…

[jackmattyhope4art]

Dedication To Inspiration

Empty…or Filled with unseen possibilities? Where does inspiration come from?.  It can come from something you see. Something you hear.  Something you experience something you remember.  Something you imagine.  Something you never dreamed possible.  My Inspirations come from so many different places.  My childhood.  My family and present. My friends my teachers, my business cow hurts…

[jackmattyhope4art]

"Inciting Incident: The Match That Lights The Story Fuse!"

“Inciting Incident: The Match That Lights The Story Fuse!”

Why’d you do it? What happened? How could you? What the heck am I talking about? These are a few possible replies to an Inciting Incident. What’s an Inciting Incident, you ask? Well, here are a few film examples … The final verdict will lead a young teen to freedom or execution, so when one out of 11 jurors votes not guilty, the life and death debate begins. A young child plays merrily on…

[jackmattyhope4art]

WHAT'S YOUR MOST POWERFUL NATURAL TOOL?

WHAT’S YOUR MOST POWERFUL NATURAL TOOL?

Being raised by a single parent, in a one room apartment, on public assistance didn’t inhibit my ability to imagine that anything was possible. Perhaps it even intensified the ability. Certainly that ability lead me into my first career as a performer, and later as a writer. In both arenas I found my creative skills were often influenced by my life experiences and choices. It’s inescapable. Our…

[jackmattyhope4art]

In the world of the arts we're all citizens and we can learn so much from each other. @modeenbritt @yvetteevypz @beardedmancomics @jerrycraft @ellesaurarts @nstevenharris @jerzydrozd @areasontosmilebooks @battlelinesrdrawn @stephaniebrandford @damiand2duffy @akinseyeart @mwaters2943 @illmasterone @alex.kunin @dubkovke https://www.instagram.com/p/COPP5fLBgwX/?igshid=1q7omo6pv1772

[jackmattyhope4art]

Will be talking about creative writing, editing, publishing, distribution, marketing, and so much more! Bound to be something in there that will serve you, so join us! @bshmuseum @londonindienne @chrisryanwrites @freeinthejungle @akinseyeart @brownelegz @naiccon_ea @barasawafula @iamjordanbaylor @docv_thegeek @davidf.walker @jsricca1001 @beahmelijah @theofficialheruary @dr_katie_monnin @inkerscott https://www.instagram.com/p/CNh6x-yhFIm/?igshid=14h7p5jovb01i

[jackmattyhope4art]

Character is plot and Plot is Character!⁠ ⁠ Your audience must become engaged with the story, and a writer's best hook is the personality, conflict and journey of the characters.⁠ ⁠ The more genuine the character, the more engaged the audience becomes.⁠ ------------ ⁠ @chrisryanwrites @dieselfunk @johnjenningsart @charles.kochman @londonindienne @dubkovke @lancetooks (at New York City, N.Y.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJpsqgFh7wz/?igshid=13mxhuxqgvp6o

[jackmattyhope4art]

As artists, what we know, see, hear, and feel influences what we create. Learn to tap into that inner resource and you will find your inspiration and creativity flow far more freely. During my years as an actor I found that tapping into my recall, either memory or emotions, truly aided me in building a more genuine character on the stage. Faking anger, fear, or love for someone or something always translates a little shallow. But endowing the other performer or the object with your feelings about someone or something that is real to you, adds depth to your portrayal. And that death adds dimension to any character you create. @stallworthdionne @dionis_o_studio @dubkovke @djg360 @londonindienne @alexsimmonsday2knight @johnjenningsart @iamjordanbaylor (at New York, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CI7NIB2haH1/?igshid=6rmupdso7r23

[jackmattyhope4art]

Let's see ... I've written about, Sherlock Holmes, Batman, Denzel Washington, Scooby Doo, Blackjack and Black Panther, Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys, Archie, Harriet Tubman, Tarzan, kid detectives, and more. Have I got a lot of techniques, tricks, and tales to teach? Click the link and find out. Http://bit.ly/WTCDigDeep2 (at New York, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIkKiAbhSh8/?igshid=1wmtnpp1abpgg

[jackmattyhope4art]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alex Simmons, Writer, Coach, Consultant, Speaker (@alexsimmonssays)

That compels your audience to stick with you through the end of your story. You thought I was going to tell you that didn't you. Get even more tips by following this like, Http://Bit.ly/WTCDigDeep2 https://www.instagram.com/reel/CIhOvcDhvgf/?igshid=dessx4l42g5n

[jackmattyhope4art]

“This is a great opportunity to inspire the love of learning and creativity,” said KCC creator and founder Alex Simmons, writer for Archie, Scooby-Doo, and Tarzan, among others comics, novels and plays. “Our not- for-profit initiative was designed to engage children's imagination and creativity through the medium of comic books, drawing, puppetry, storytelling and other creative arts-in-educational models.  We wanted to let young people know that people care about them and believe in their ability to do positive things, not only in their communities, but also in the world. Inherent in this is the educational aspect of literacy - helping kids both read, write, and imagine their future possibilities.”  We're deeply thankful to everyone of our artists, volunteers, educators and supporters who have  helped make this possible. @chrisryanwrites @beardedmancomics @noelmacneal @lollylardpop @theveronicat @dubkovke (at Bronx, NY) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIXHJaxhObJ/?igshid=1kr1a0xjd6htn

[jackmattyhope4art]

Worth repeating. Worth remembering. (at New York, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CITDj2MBINE/?igshid=10f0v3c3n4wd7

[jackmattyhope4art]

Spent most of the holiday weekend getring back into my sketching and doodling. Creativity doesnt always flow from the same source, or down the same path. Listen. Feel. Play. (at New York, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIM7pUEBKRO/?igshid=1qbdz0pk6f4ol