I lack the skills to fully flesh out a story. Pitching is my sweet spot.
I feel you. I can write a HELL of out an outline, but when it comes to characters and dialogue... not so much.
I on the other hand can. I just don’t care to. I don’t really write fanfiction anymore.
But I could easily take that “2176” concept and make a movie or ten-part miniseries script out of that.
Anyways...
“Chapter Book” - In 1960s America, Benny Russell - recently release from psychiatric hospital - is asked by an aspiring writer how to get his sci-fi novel published. Russell, hesitant to help, reads the novel presented to him and realizes that it could function as a prequel to his works. He finds the main character named Archer a little rough around the edges, but otherwise likeable.
As Benny gets introduced to this author’s friends and abundances, the author points out that Mr. Stone does not approve of some of the more progressive theme in his novel, such as homosexuality and polyamory. Mr. Stone has it in his head that the author’s works are meant for children and won’t be taken seriously by adult. The author is considering changing it to meet his approval. Benny advises him not to and to stuck to his guns on it, as his vision for the future and general optimistic message was needed.
As Benny is homeless, he is allowed to stay over at the author’s home until he can get back n his feet. While staying over, he has a run in with Kevin Mulkahey, who has since fallen on hard times sine the last time they met. Kevin Mulkahey lost his job at the NYPD after being caught in a scandal involving fixing boxing fights and has become an alcoholic and gone bankrupt, his assets liquidated. The author was taking care of him after having sympathy, but threw him out after some disagreements with one of this close friends. While Benny struggles to forgive Mulkahey for the role he plays in the death of his friend, his misfortune inspires Benny to start writing again.
When Benny shows his new friend some of the stories, the author reveals he sold his story to Hollywood. When Benny asks if Hollywood would purchase his stories, the author shows skepticism, as he changed his story in order for it to be bought, disappointing Benny. The author tells him that all his characters will likely be renamed and is won’t really resemble his own works at all, as the country isn’t ready for some of it, though he’ll still get credit for it. Feeling betrayed, Benny storms out of the author's home, aiming to find a publisher for his works. The author never sees or hears from Benny Russell again.
In 1980s, the author finds Russell’s works while preparing to move out and gives some of his friends, who have since ended up in Hollywood behind the scenes in one way or another, a call. After much wrangling, they show an openmindedness to Benny’s work, but want to see it in novel form first, and they want it as a children’s novel. The novel does really well in sale and proves to be popular not just with children, but adults as well, and is considered very advanced for its time. The author’s friends consider making a few sci-fi series based off of Benny’s works.
Next episode –
“Becky”