SWRT 142 | Steampunk with Leeland Artra
January 30, 2020

Alida & Kathryn welcome Leeland Artra to the Round Table to explore the vast expanses of Steampunk societies, replete with steam engines, gears, corsets, walking sticks, & of course dirigible airships. What is the steampunk genre? Elements & archetypes of steampunk, steampunk’s literary roots, adventure, fashion, & romance, & Leeland’s 85-novella steampunk series!

 

 

VIDEO

 

 

AUDIO

 

 

SHOW NOTES

What is the Steampunk genre? How real does your science need to be? And does it have to be set in the Victorian era, and in Victorian society? What sort of plot goals should a Steampunk novel have? And what archetypes do you need in order for it to feel Steampunk? Leeland gives us his tips on the perfect mixture to make a Steampunk novel, and how to get started if you are interested in writing one!

Visit Leeland Artra at lartra.com

What we talked about:

What is Steampunk? (1:50)

How real does your science need to be in Steampunk? (4:10)

Is Steampunk always Victorian? (4:40)

What are the archetypes that make Steampunk recognizable? (7:15)

What sort of plot goals do Steampunk novels have? (9:51)

When did Steampunk first emerge? And why are we renewing those Victorian ideals? (11:54)

The necessity of Victorian Ideals in Steampunk. (16:05)

Why did Leeland decide to write a Steampunk story? (21:30)

Why are people interested in Steampunk today? (25:35)

Leeland’s tips for those who want to dive into Steampunk genre. (30:40)

 

 

LINKS

Things we mentioned:

Jules Verne 
HG Wells 
The Golden Compass 
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley 
Wild Wild West 
The Watchmakers Daughter C.J. Archer 
The Watchmaker on Filigree Street Natasha Pulley 

Have thoughts, questions, other examples? Join the conversation at the Story Works Writers Facebook group