DEFINING ELEMENTS OF A STEAMPUNK NOVEL?

[Lia Keyes]

Many books have been declared Steampunk recently that one could argue would more comfortably fit into other speculative fiction genres. So what do you think are the elements that define a truly Steampunk novel?

[Mike Bailey]

oooooohhhhhhh can't wait to hear everyone's thoughts on this!!!

[D. L. Major]

Not the only defining characteristic, but here's one that gives a steampunk novel some extra heft in my eyes...

There needs to be some consideration of a dislocation or tension between humans and their environment, and this dislocation must be addressed in some way by technology. So, the air is bad? Your character wears a pressure suit, or mask, the more unwieldy the better. Goggles, to stop the zombie dust from fucking up your eyes and infecting you. Communicating over distance? A clunky, oversized, clockwork-powered radio. Want to write something down? A pen that requires several actions just to get started, preferably with some hissing of gas-powered components.

So, the relationship between humans and their world becomes a complex field in itself, in which all manner of technology-based solutions and experiments can knock themselves out.

Cherie Priest's Boneshaker, even though I couldn't finish it because of the writers' style, had plenty of this idea of how technology fits in. Gail Carriger's Soulless had less of it (but it was still there to some extent) -- Soulless was more a story of vampires, golems, and general (and glorious) Jane Austenesque excesses, and it was so well written that whether it was classic steampunk was beside the point. Soulless could be described as 'parasolpunk', I think...

The Halfmade World, which I've just finished, was totally based on this idea of tech vs environment, and it was done brilliantly. Probably the best steampunk novel I've read so far. Great characters, solid writing, and a relentless plot. The Gun and the Line, both brilliantly portrayed by the author, were, for me, pure nasty steampunk themes. Go Liv, kick their asses... I can't recommend The Halfmade World strongly enough.

[Gail Gray]

David, I agree with your concept of the tension and dislocation between humans and their environment, but as an author who may fall more into the area of "parasolpunk," (I really like your term), I do feature technology in my work, but focus more on how characters react to the use of the technology and it's effects when in unethical hands. I may be considered one of those writers who use the "trappings of the technology" to elaborate on character interaction, so my work doesn't really fit into the Sc Fi approach. In my personal reading, I prefer a less intensive look at the mechanics. I've purchased too many books where I got bogged down in the mechanical descriptions.
On a separate note, I'd be curious to see how the group looks at the overuse and detailed descriptions of violence. As the editor of Fissure magazine, a venue for experimental writing, I received an overabundance of submissions where the writers considered extreme violence to be their experimental angle. This was not only disturbing, but I also saw it as a way of the writer's bailing out on using their imagination. That's why I turned to steampunk. There are so many imaginative ways to treat the genre. Recently, in a few of the novels I've purchased, the violent descriptions overtook the plot line and technology. Yes, there should be room for everyone's tastes, but in the lack of reviews on many steampunk books. I'd love to see more see more "categories" so we purchase the books we enjoy reading, as opposed to those we put down early in the story.
In my personal steampunk writing, I am more influenced by the darker psychological side of tales set in the Victorian era, such as Daphne Du Maurier's, as opposed to the more scientific approach, yet I don't consider myself a romance writer. (I continuously check with my writer's critique group to assure I don't go there.) I've previously written dark urban fantasy and magical realism and I'm sure some of that bleeds over into my work. So I'd like to see the genre stay open to interpretation and leave room for readers and authors of all inclinations.
I'd love to hear more about authors on the Steampunk Writers Guild as to their ideas on this subject, since at this time, it all seems so wide open.

[Ryan Black]

i get what you're saying about wanting to know what to expect from a book but the last thing steampunk needs is sub-classification.  that's one thing that has driven me away from new music.  over classification would kill this relatively young literary movement.

[Paul Marlowe]

There's a natural tendency to want to pin down things into exact categories that can be defined by certain characteristics, but I think that's more useful for publishers' marketing committees (and for literary critics) than it is for writers. Writers start with ideas that excite and interest them, and then later might attach labels to what they've created. Broadly speaking, I think Steampunk is speculative fiction connected to the era dominated by steam technology, and that should include many things: alternate history, science fiction, fantasy, the paranormal, and so on. But it needn't concentrate on steam technology. The Steampunk label was invented to describe Victorian-set fiction written by people with a taste for Victorian literature who created stories that had an off-beat, non-realistic angle to them, making them not really historical fiction. Since then, it has gone on to include other things too. To say that any particular theme needs to be present in a story in order for it to qualify as Steampunk would, I think, be unnecessarily restrictive.

[Cass Morris]

Broadly speaking, I think Steampunk is speculative fiction connected to the era dominated by steam technology, and that should include many things: alternate history, science fiction, fantasy, the paranormal, and so on.

I like this definition. It's nice and inclusive, rather than trying to make one kind of steampunk "better" or "truer" or "more authentic" or "worthier" than other kinds.

[Meg Winikates]

I essentially ended up sliding sideways into the world of steampunk from the world of historical fantasy (Naomi Novik's Temeraire series, Susannah Clarke's books, Sorcery and Cecilia, etc.) so it's distinctly likely that those kinds of books have influenced my preferences where steampunk stories are concerned. I find that the elements which really categorize the idea of steampunk for me include 1) an underlying sense of optimism in the ingenuity of humanity to solve problems even in what may seem a dystopic society 2) good old-fashioned 'adventure' 3) unusual, not to say anachronistic technology 4) some kind of kinship with (despite departure from) Earth's actual history. I like best the sorts of stories which incorporate recognizable historic figures or events and then take an interesting tangent off what we know.

(That said, one of my current projects is a steampunk Sleeping Beauty, so clearly I'm not into restricting the genre either. *wry grin*)

[Andrew P. Mayer]

InsertPunk Genres generally are, I think, punk because of the DIY aesthetic. Looking at Cyberpunk for example, it's about what happens when powerful technology falls into the hands of the masses. It's not just what it *is*, it's what you *do* with it.

In the case of Steampunk in particular that's driven it's an idealized "never was" world, where we take elements of the past and filter them through our own cultural perceptions. IE, we are putting our methods of production into the hands of the people of a previous world. (More or less, depending on the author.)

One other thing I'm trying hard to get into my books is what I call "the quest for authenticity". If you look at the maker apsects (costumes and craft projects) you'll see that a great deal of what makes Steampunk resonate for people is the idea of something handcrafted and personal in a world of mass-produced items. It also has an obsession with materials that are far less easier to manipulate and craft than plastic such as brass, leather, and steel.

[Gail Gray]

Steampunk Sleeping Beauty - that sounds interesting!



Meg Winikates said:

I essentially ended up sliding sideways into the world of steampunk from the world of historical fantasy (Naomi Novik's Temeraire series, Susannah Clarke's books, Sorcery and Cecilia, etc.) so it's distinctly likely that those kinds of books have influenced my preferences where steampunk stories are concerned. I find that the elements which really categorize the idea of steampunk for me include 1) an underlying sense of optimism in the ingenuity of humanity to solve problems even in what may seem a dystopic society 2) good old-fashioned 'adventure' 3) unusual, not to say anachronistic technology 4) some kind of kinship with (despite departure from) Earth's actual history. I like best the sorts of stories which incorporate recognizable historic figures or events and then take an interesting tangent off what we know.

(That said, one of my current projects is a steampunk Sleeping Beauty, so clearly I'm not into restricting the genre either. *wry grin*)

[Gail Gray]

"Authenticity" Andrew, that's the word I've been looking for and it hasn't come to mind, despite my 20 year long study of Carl Jung. I've been asked to write an article on the psychology of steampunk, and after a few drafts am getting close, but I kept missing something, could see a void, but couldn't figure out what it was. I needed a word that encapsuled the human need thta drives us to such things as steampunk - and that's it. Thanks! I use the word often with my writing group and in facilitating at an adult head injury program, but hadn't applied it to steampunk for some goofy reason. Thanks
Your book sound very interesting. is there a place on the web we can get more info?
By the way, are you a Jungian? -

Andrew P. Mayer said:

InsertPunk Genres generally are, I think, punk because of the DIY aesthetic. Looking at Cyberpunk for example, it's about what happens when powerful technology falls into the hands of the masses. It's not just what it *is*, it's what you *do* with it.

In the case of Steampunk in particular that's driven it's an idealized "never was" world, where we take elements of the past and filter them through our own cultural perceptions. IE, we are putting our methods of production into the hands of the people of a previous world. (More or less, depending on the author.)

One other thing I'm trying hard to get into my books is what I call "the quest for authenticity". If you look at the maker apsects (costumes and craft projects) you'll see that a great deal of what makes Steampunk resonate for people is the idea of something handcrafted and personal in a world of mass-produced items. It also has an obsession with materials that are far less easier to manipulate and craft than plastic such as brass, leather, and steel.

[Karen L. Syed]

I am so new to this genre that my head is spinning from all of the ins and outs. I have always loved the Victorian era, its my favorite, in fact. I love the whole idea of gadgets and things. What confuses me is the base of characters.

Nearly all the books I have read lately in the Steampunk genre have had one thing in common, actually many; vampires, werewolves, zombies. Are these beings pre-requisites to get the readers or can a Steampunk novel be done well without some form of the undead or likewaise?

I love learning about the technology and all, but the vampires and zombies are not my thing. Will this hinder me in my ability to find a market?

I just finished reading THE AFFINITY BRIDGE by George Mann and I simply adored it! It did have zombies, but there seemed to be more of a reason. They did not bother me as much most.

It is all quite confusing.

[Andrew P. Mayer]

Gail:

I'm not a Jungian per se, although I've studied him, and he's part of my intellectual/spiritual background.

Glad that the phrase helped complete the puzzle. I keep planning to write some larger posts on the underpinnings of the genre, but it's always a battle between time spent writing about Steampunk, and actually writing the next volume of the book!

The novel itself has just been put up for pre-order, but there isn't much description available yet. It blends Superheroes and Steampunk in 1880 New York City, and tells the story of nineteen year old girl and a mechanical man as they try to uncover the mysteries behind the murder of the world's greatest scientific genius.