I only just stumbled across this genre a few months ago. Shocking, I know. But before then I had no idea it existed.

Needless to say, it has captured my attention. I want to delve into it. I want to explore it. I want to read it. I want to /write/ it.

I have no clue where to start!

Help me?


(And I've been told that it's often times a sci/fi thing, so I almost posted this in the sci/fi forum. But I've also heard that it can be used with Fantasy, and being a Fantasy person, that's probably what I'd do, so I'm posting it here.)

I'd definitely say it's important to read a lot of it before you start writing. That's all I can give though.

*grumble*
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=steampunk+reading+list
Or, if you want movies. . .
http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=steampunk+movies+list


I really don't know much about steampunk personally. I've seen Treasure Planet, and that's it.

To me, steampunk is as much of a style as it is a genre. Certain things just have that steampunk feel. I think you can apply a steampunk tone to any sort of story. The tone mostly comes from your aesthetics - technology, costume, and overall feel of your world.

Classic steampunk is often depicted as a Victorian setting with sci-fi technology developments. Many times, anything with a grungy, organic, or historical setting but advanced technology also carries the same feel. Cogs, wheels, and steam engines (hence the name) are common, but in my opinion they aren't required.

My favorite example of steampunk is City of Ember. The movie, especially, has such a lovely steampunk styling. It mixes ragtag clothes with a Victorian-esque city, embellished with rust, grime, dripping pipes. Notice the color schemes and the overall tone. Think grunge, beautiful grunge! Rusted metal. Broken brick. Etc. The deteriorated earth in WALL-E also has a bit of a steampunk flavor. I highly recommend both movies.

Well, it is more of a style than a genre. I've found that the setting is generally vaguely Victorian-esque, and often in England. Technological changes are often happening, such as the Industrial Revolution. Instead of gasoline, steam is generally used. Characters are often times aviators for dirigibles, eccentric scientists, or sometimes clockwork machines.

Technology is implausible in our world, but works in their world. It's also grimy, gritty, and rebellious.

I would suggest talking to Melody since she's also very interested in steampunk. She is writing a steampunk novel?, I believe.

Well, Philli already said most of what I could say. XD

Yes, I am actually writing two steampunk stories; one is steampunk fantasy and the other is 'hard' steampunk (steampunk sci-fi).

I actually don't know a lot of solid details. In fact, my conclusion from my research is that there are no hard & fast rules of steampunk.

My research also suggests that many steampunk stories have some strong elements of ingenuity, inventiveness, and creativity.

I have yet to find a story that is solely steampunk. Most are mixed with something else. For example, City of Ember and Wall-E are both more dystopian than steampunk.

A Series of Unfortunate Events is semi-steampunk. (film more than books, IMO, but the books have a strong steampunk flavor to them as well)

For steampunk fantasy, well, I read part of a webcomic once that combined magic and elves with clockworks and steam-powered robots and goggles. If it weren't for the objectional content, it was rather cool.

I hear that the Miyazuki (sp?) film Castle in the Sky is steampunk fantasy. It has magic as well as airships and goggles. (Haven't seen it though, just heard about it.)

The manga +Anima (this is not a recommendation because I haven't read a real English printing) has a slight steampunk flavor at times because the main character has goggles. XD It's not really steampunk fantasy though because most of the story is spent in major fantasy land. (Near the end, however, it starts getting more scientific as there is a scientific explanation for some previously thought to be magical occurances and some mad scientist experiments going on...)

Someday I will find a clean steampunk manga. When I do, I'll be sure to post it. XD

The bottom line is: everyone views steampunk a little differently and that's great.

Brilliantly put!

Absolutely spiffinly brilliant old chap! There's also generally quite a few eccentric characters, accents, and anti-imperialist messages, as well as some racism against non British people.

XD

This thread is making me want to write a steampunk short story just to have fun. . .

It's quite a fun genre to write.