NO! that is NOT the basic premise of steampunk. (Whoever wrote that is woefully unread in the genre) The premise of steampunk is an argument with the science fiction of earlier eras. It's about using Victoriana to make statements about our current time and place.
Use the Victorian racism to make statements about our own racism. Have strong female characters, but make them exceptional and having to fight the whole of society, including friends and family.
If you just want to write ooo, shiny/corsets/bustles/brass gadgetry and frockcoats without exploring the punk side, you're doing Edisonades or Gaslight Romance. (Nothing wrong with the latter, written a couple) But calling it Steampunk, when there is no punk is a disservice to the genre and your own work.
Your bunny is rather dieselpunk, but I say do the homework and go for it.
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carisma_sensei
no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 02:19 pm (UTC)NO! that is NOT the basic premise of steampunk. (Whoever wrote that is woefully unread in the genre)
The premise of steampunk is an argument with the science fiction of earlier eras. It's about using Victoriana to make statements about our current time and place.
Use the Victorian racism to make statements about our own racism. Have strong female characters, but make them exceptional and having to fight the whole of society, including friends and family.
If you just want to write ooo, shiny/corsets/bustles/brass gadgetry and frockcoats without exploring the punk side, you're doing Edisonades or Gaslight Romance. (Nothing wrong with the latter, written a couple) But calling it Steampunk, when there is no punk is a disservice to the genre and your own work.
Your bunny is rather dieselpunk, but I say do the homework and go for it.