• Q&A With WriteByNight Coach Alex Myers

     

    Alex Myers (Exeter, NH) is Director of the Mountain School of Milton Academy. A graduate of Harvard University, Alex earned degrees in Near Eastern Languages and Religious Studies before gravitating towards writing. His essays have been published in a variety of places, including The Guardian, Newsweek, and Slate. He has had three essays named as “notable” in Best American Essays. Alex also writes fiction, with four novels published: Revolutionary, Continental Divide, The Story of Silence and The Symmetry of Stars.

     

    Where are you from?

    Paris, Maine (aka, the middle of nowhere. And nothing like the “other” Paris).

     

    Where did you study?

    Harvard for undergrad, MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts.

     

    How did you get your start as a writer?

    I got started because I was teaching writing to high school students… and thinking a lot about how certain traditions and expectations around writing had formed for high school students. I worked on redesigning my curriculum and ended up getting engaged in writing my own essays and stories.

      

    What is the hardest part of writing for you?

    Knowing when to give up on a project… when to admit it has a fatal flaw.

     

    What is your favorite word and why?

    I have always liked the word “indeed.” It seems pleasantly weighty and, depending on the tone in which it is delivered, has a real range of meanings.

     

    Interested in working with Alex? Request a free consult now

     

    “[My meeting with Alex] was tremendous — immensely valuable. I have already incorporated nearly all of his suggested improvements, and will do more in coming days and weeks. The book will be much better for all this input.”

    — Jim D.

     

    “I found his experience as an instructor valuable in addition to his experience as an established writer — he explained concepts in narrative development very succinctly in a way that I’ll be able to apply.”

    — Shelley E.

     

    “The discussion with Alex went well. I appreciated getting his interpretation of my writing. I consider it to be a valuable experience.”

    — Julie T.

     

    “Alex is personable and bright. I believe I will learn a lot from him, which will result in a better manuscript. I feel very comfortable in continuing my work with him.”
    — Jessica L.

     

    “Alex helped me see bumps in my book I was blind to with insightful, flat out good coaching. I was able to rework my book and get it ready to submit.”

    — Lisa C.