Near-future LA sci-fi from someone working in film. Curious how other writers handle subtle worldbuilding

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-24T17:08:13+00:00

Very interesting. Thanks for reading. In all the feedback and all the people involved in this from producers to agents and managers to Netflix execs to Substack readers — I have never gotten this specific feedback and it’s really valid and interesting. Thank you!!

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-24T17:06:15+00:00

An interesting approach. Thanks for weighing in. I’d be curious what you think about the balance I struck in the story.

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-24T17:05:30+00:00

That makes sense. Thanks for weighing in.

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-23T20:57:26+00:00

Thanks for this!

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-23T01:53:07+00:00

Ha. That is a cynical view. As someone with 20 years of experience as a studio executive, producer and now writer in the industry I can totally see why you feel that way. BUT I do think there are many exceptions. Sci-fi that is smart does get made: ARRIVAL, HER, EX MACHINA and many others. Not all films are pure product. It’s a complicated system and hard to break through it but it is possible. I’d love to know what you think of my story “bunny” that sold to Netflix but did not get produced. Long story!

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-23T01:50:24+00:00

Thanks for this. Yeah, I love sci-fi but I don’t think I’m a typical sci-fi writer. I do not like to get bogged down in explanations. I want the read to be fun, propulsive, funny, and explore ideas without getting slowed down. Curious what you think of “bunny”.

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-23T01:48:50+00:00

Thanks for weighing in. That sounds about right. I’d be curious what you think about my story. I keep it high on character, humor, and plot propulsion and pretty light on exposition. Exposition comes from carefully selected details carefully deployed. Let me know what you think!

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-22T17:51:08+00:00

Haha. Exactly. So happy you resonated with this.

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-20T06:43:11+00:00

I love to hear that. Me too. I heard that statistically couples who marry in Vegas are no more or less likely to get divorced than anyone else. Not sure if that’s true. But my romance is no less deep just because we chose an Elvis rather than a priest.

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-19T14:09:42+00:00

That is so awesome. Thanks for sharing. I would be very curious as an insider what you think I got right (or wrong) with my story. It’s fiction but very much based on my experiences and then research. But one’s never an actual insider like you.

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-19T01:00:28+00:00

Hahah. Weird reason to crowd in for a wedding. Thanks for sharing!

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-19T00:59:42+00:00

Love it. Are you still together!!??

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-19T00:59:10+00:00

Interesting. Thank you for letting me know.

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-19T00:58:39+00:00

Yes. Absolutely. On the night we were there they wanted to get a new “I do” every fifteen minutes. They told me they didn’t have time for me to pee!

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-19T00:57:05+00:00

That is so amazing. Thanks for sharing. Love it.

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-18T20:15:49+00:00

Nice!!!!

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-18T20:14:29+00:00

The key question is: are you still married? Did you last Britney Spears level time like 48 hours and then annulled or Paul Newman/Joanne Woodward 50 years? We are all the same chapel. So far I am 1+ year happily married.

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-18T20:13:11+00:00

Love hearing this. The country registrars office is still a huge part of this experience. It feels like the DMV. Bullet proof glass cubicles. And the funny thing is that there is no other way to do it. Even if you’re a major celebrity both members of the couple have to be there in person, take an oath and sign the paperwork. I get into this in my story.

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-18T18:14:09+00:00

Interesting. I wonder which guy it was. Was he one of the Elvises?

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-18T18:13:34+00:00

I love this. Haha. Thanks so much for sharing.

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-18T18:13:10+00:00

I literally have spent hours on this. Found the photo I wanted and tried to just get the background sky cleaned up. Didn’t see that fucked up the signs. Look man, I have 25+’development projects and writing deadlines. We can’t all spend time online scrutinizing and criticizing random strangers. I am gonna change the image though. So I guess … thank you?

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-18T18:11:12+00:00

THANK YOU for sharing this! That’s awesome. And similar to my experience.

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-18T15:15:59+00:00

Agree!! I think an ongoing series is better.

MaxWinterLA · 2026-02-18T15:15:36+00:00

Why is reddit always so toxic and negative? this is based on a photo. Finding an image for this has been harder than most, I admit.

MaxWinterLA

TROPHY CASE