Hello Stage 32. Every so often, Fate picks up the "opportunity stick", and beats you silly with it. Here is a short version of what happened to me today.
One of my Co-Workers recently told me of a discovery she had made years ago when she moved into her home. In the attic, hidden away inside the frames, were at the very least, 100 letters, written to lets call her "Genie", from "Sam".
My Co-worker brought the letters in, packaged neatly and carefully, in a binder, preserved in protective sleeves. She gave it to me, to share the stories contained therein. In the faded handwritten pages, were the progressive story of "Sam" and his best friend "Genie"...from childhood, through adolescence. I read about four pages, then had to stop. The content was powerful and moving...and their lives jumped off the pages, in a time of innocence, set through the 1960's through 1970's Virginia Beach, VA.
There is a story there, and one I am compelled to write. I am more of a science-fiction/fantasy genre dreamer...this is quite out of my element. Nevertheless, I am need to write it. It is so moving that I will write it in screenplay format, and decide thereafter whether or not to simply post it to stage 32, in increments.
I am considering writing the entire thing, registering it, then post in parts to you all...and maybe someone will be able to help with the development. This may be me once more dreaming...but I need to share "Genie" and "Sam's" Story.
Thanks all for letting me rant.
That sounds so nice...but...are you sure that you shouldn't instead investigate who these people are, look for them and see if they agree in sharing their story? It's a part of their life, I would feel an intruder in that situation...they might be the ones who ask you to write a screenplay...just a thought...
Hi Martina, actually there has been an extensive search underway for at least 20 years; my co-worker was obsessed since finding the letters. i do plan to search myself, and of course if I do find them...get their permissions first. All indications however point to a not so happy ending for both characters....thanks for the comment though
That sounds heartbreaking...In that case, you would be doing a great thing by writing their story...good luck with that!
Thanks Martina and John....all protocols will be honored
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Just a thought... This would work well as a novel, or as a biography of some form, yeah? Maybe? I dunno. Whatever happens, I hope it works out for you, Abdur. Best of luck!
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Thanks Beth...actually, I was reconsidering my initial approach, and with the material, a novel may be more appropriate....thanks for the nudge; I just needed to hear (or read) someone say it. Best to you...
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Oh, good! I hoped that would be helpful. ;)
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Beth's suggestion of a novel instead makes sense. After all, 100 letters gives you an awful lot of source material, maybe enough for a sequel?
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Just publish all the letters into a book.
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If those letters were from the 60s and 70s they belong to someone else that could still be a live and belong to them. If I was thinking about producing anything someone got from a 100 or so letters I would want proof of rights to the material. Maybe that is just me but I hate dealing with lawyers.
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It sounds like you would be able to track down the letter writers. However perhaps be prepared for the letter writers, or whoever (family?) that may claim ownership, to wish for privacy. Perhaps your co-worker who found them in her new home can legally claim ownership? Which could be the case... My loose understanding is when you purchase property whatever the previous owners have left behind is now legally yours. Still, ethically speaking, it would be respectful to get the letter writers approval -- as well as prudent. As others have suggested, you probably should run it by a lawyer. Again, best of luck, Abdur!
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Thanks Dan and Beth, and all...prior to any writing effort, I plan to get some form of closure to a search for relatives of the letter owners...as mentioned, the search has been on going for 20 years, albeit not an aggressive one. I plan to close any loose ends, and ensure I can both ethically and leagally write a story.
As always, thank you all for the advice...I will of course keep you all updated...
Best
Oh, I totally forgot to mention....the letters are like a jigsaw puzzle...that is trying to find last names, schools, places, events...people...all which when put together points to other clues to find the persons....all we have to go on are estimated time, first names, possible last names, events that happened that may or may not be in local news....it's almost as if a story can be written about the search itself....anyways, just wanted to share.
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And thank you for sharing. Sounds interesting—a lot of detective work! ;)
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It is....the detective work by itself is an adventure
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Maybe you should write a fictional screenplay based on finding the letters and trying to find the people that wrote them instead of using the letters themselves.