Genre: Steampunk

This week's genre post is by Victoria Howell.

And here it is what she has to say about the Steampunk genre:

Steampunk is quite an unusual genre and a relatively new one as opposed to genres such as fantasy which have been around for centuries. This one surfaced during the 1950s, but didn’t start gaining popularity until 1987. It is a subgenre of fantasy and science fiction. In the steampunk genre electricity hasn’t been discovered or if it is around it’s very rudimentary, meaning no computers or television. It circles around the Victorian era or the American Wild West and the rise of the Industrial Revolution. Some popular media of the steampunk genre are Riese: Kingdom Falling, Castle in the Sky, and the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. It is even incorporated in some episodes of Doctor Who!

When writing it, think technology invented back in the 1800s and early 1900s that was discovered far before it should be such as time machines and robots. Unlike most high fantasy, steampunk usually has guns, newspapers, and steam-powered vehicles, but no holograms, laser guns, and wrist-comms like science fiction. Steampunk is the happy medium between the two, a step up from fantasy and a step down from science fiction. The focal point is the level of technology the world has. Go too much either way and you’ll stray into another genre.

But don’t be afraid to have some elements from the two main genres. Some things from science fiction and fantasy can be included in steampunk within the parameters. Castle in the Sky includes magic with Sheeta’s crystal amulet, and in the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Dr. Jekyl’s experiments to make Mr. Hyde have science fiction elements. In my work in progress Red Hood, I include both magic and scientific elements. Play around and have fun with it.

In recent years there has been a rise in steampunk fashion. Gears, clocks, and Victorian vintage-style clothing and jewelry are often worn to allude to the genre, but steampunk isn’t all about clocks and gears. The costumes of steampunk are very unique with the fashion ranging from roughly the 1850s to the early 1900s.

Many times steampunk characters have rustic, automaton-like prosthetics, visors, wings, gasmasks, goggles, or tricked-out weapons. Leather, brass, and clockwork are classic steampunk costume elements. But don’t be afraid to diverge from the norm and try something new or not include any of these. These are just staple elements, but they can vary as the writer sees fit. I’ve seen medieval elements included such as in Riese: Kingdom Falling. I’ve adopted this for Red Hood too.

The last thing I’ll talk about are the settings. Trademark steampunk settings usually include a lot of cities. Brass, stone, and factories all with a dirty feel are common. Some steampunk is more moderate with mostly Victorian era or Wild West buildings with some steampunk technology peppered here and there, while other cities can be entirely overwhelmed with factories and progressing technology. In the end it’s your discretion, but I wanted to give you enough to get your juices flowing.

That was a basic overview of steampunk and I hope it makes this obscure genre a little clearer for you. Thank you, Melody, for inviting me to guest post!

What do you think of steampunk? Have you ever written or watched any? Do you have any further questions about it?