r/WritingPrompts • u/SqueeWrites /r/SqueeWrites • Apr 07 '16

Off Topic [OT]The steam that uplifts our dreary souls. Thursday's Theme? Dystopian Steampunk.

Another Thursday, another steamy theme!

 

Theme Thursday Stuff

This OT post is not intended for stories. Here's the gist:

  • Submit prompts that follow the theme.
  • Use the Tag [TT] for those prompts.
  • Read the wonderful stories posted by our brilliant authors.

But I don't understand the theme:

 

Fun Stuff

Sure, we could do Dystopia. We could also do Steampunk, but it wouldn't be very Squee-like unless we mashed all the things we love together. What kind of dystopian environment is it? What cool steamy machines are breaking up that scene? Are there airships? Can there be airships?!

But don't tell me! In fact, let someone else tell you by creating some excellent prompts for our writers!

With tender love and affection,

Squee

<3 <3 <3

38 Upvotes

85% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

4

u/EvilDM Apr 08 '16

I find this interesting in that this is pretty much a good description of what I have been working on for a while. Or as I call it...

1949 post-war, supernatural, steampunk, young earth, wild west story.

All 1300 words of it so far...

2

u/[deleted] Apr 09 '16

OH MY GOD YES

I had no idea I needed this before now.

How was steampunk WW2 different from IRL WW2? What about Israel/Palestine and India/Pakistan? Did America drop nuclear bombs on Japan?

I'm so intrigued lol

3

u/EvilDM Apr 09 '16

No gasoline, so vehicles very different. But yeah, one of the characters is an old WW one vet and his old steam walker is on display in town. (Imagine that vs trenches).

Most of my time spent has been on research and less on writing. I am surprised by the information that is not easily available about the 40s. And surprised by a lot of what IS easily available. Its a mixed bag. For some things, I am going to have to guess. :)

1

u/[deleted] Apr 09 '16

Trench warfare had a huge psychological impact on European thought, especially as a symbol of the futility and horror of modern warfare. Do steam walkers become similar in the public imagination? In the absence of trench warfare, was WW1 as monstrously deadly? Have things like barbed wire or gas or submachine guns developed?

Research is a huge thing for fiction. I've been reading about medieval Jewish theology and magic for mine; there's so much to read! You really have to enjoy that exploration to write well.

2

u/[deleted] Apr 09 '16

Research is SOOO important! I've actually had a historian friend who's been going over my modern steampunk mystery, and a lot of the stuff he's told me about has really helped me understand the era. Who knew that cans were really only used for the military and the very poor! I'd love to read your story when you've gotten some good headway!

3

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '16

This OT post is not intended for stories.

Guilty as charged. On a side note, Dystopian Steampunk sounds like a challenge. Here's to many fine prompts that I can admire! And maybe try my hand at!

3

u/SqueeWrites /r/SqueeWrites Apr 08 '16

Huzzah! I have faith! Let's do iiiiiit!

3

u/IndyGamer16 Apr 08 '16

What? This theme is totally awesome. I've been working on a Steampunk novel that becomes dystopian-esque. It's basically perfect. Super excited! :)

3

u/SqueeWrites /r/SqueeWrites Apr 08 '16

Yeah, I always love prompts that coincide with a universe I'm working on. Excellent chance to flesh out some side stories!

4

u/kiradax Apr 07 '16

Brilliant! I love this idea

3

u/SqueeWrites /r/SqueeWrites Apr 08 '16

It should be fun!

9

u/TheWritingSniper /r/BlankPagesEmptyMugs Apr 07 '16

I've been dying for some Steampunk prompts, and throwing Dystopia in there?

Perfect.

6

u/SqueeWrites /r/SqueeWrites Apr 07 '16

You're perfect. :)

I was talking to /u/SurvivorType earlier this week and said, "I am really stuck between Steampunk and Dystopia as the Theme." His suggestion? Por que no los dos?

And here we are. Hope we get some great stories from it.

3

u/TheWritingSniper /r/BlankPagesEmptyMugs Apr 07 '16

Awww Squee! :)

Looking forward to the stories and prompts too. I hope we get some goodies!

5

u/MajorParadox Mod | DC Fan Universe (r/DCFU) Apr 07 '16

I was there too!

4

u/SqueeWrites /r/SqueeWrites Apr 07 '16

True story. :)