What is Steampunk? (A Basic Definition)

[Shaun]

Due to a lot of confusion over what Steampunk is, I am going to provide a very basic definition. You are free to do further research on your own if you feel that you need a deeper look.

Things you need to know:
--We are interested in ALL forms of Steampunk. They may be explicitly fantasy, or they may be inherently realist. Literary, pulpy, poetic, silly, fun, whatever! We want to have a wide range of Steampunk stories, so while Steampunk as a genre tends to be fantastic, we are more than open to stories that treat the genre in a more realistic light (realistic in the sense that the focus isn't on whatever strange things are going on in the Steampunk world, but on characters simply living in a world where steam power exists in a significant way, either explicitly or implicitly)
--There is such as thing as future Steampunk. I've never seen it, but if you can pull it off and think that far ahead, more power to you.

What it is:
The basic premise of Steampunk is that steam power has somehow become either the dominant OR a major source of power in the world. It is, in one sense, alternate history, and also, in another sense, a little fantasy and science fiction. But, Steampunk does not have to contain magic or extensive use of steam-gadgets or airships; it is entirely possible to write a realist Steampunk story, so long as some aspect of the Steampunk aesthetic is upheld.

Required features of Steampunk:
--Steam power (either explicitly or implicitly shown). It is not a requirement for a Steampunk story to discuss steam industries, or for such things to even be present. A gadget is more than enough. A really bad example of Steampunk is the movie Wild Wild West. It has both the gadgets (remember Gordon with all his little toys?) and what would be steam power, except that, if I recall correctly, it's coal (which could be producing steam based on the heat, but it's never really shown). But, Steampunk does not have to be about the fantastic; it can certainly be about other things, as I've said before, simply set in a world where steam power is a reality.

Typical features of Steampunk (these are not required features):
--Airships (dirigibles, specifically)
--Victorian aesthetics (the time period tends to be in the Victorian era and, thus, the characters tend to wear Victorian garb and the world tends to have a Victorian feel despite the presence of steam power)
--Light magic (no wizards with fireballs, but certainly other forms of magic)

Notable examples of Steampunk:
--Full Metal Alchemist (medium; lots of magic, and only a little in terms of Steampunk aesthetics)
--Jules Verne (light; generally when the fantastic is at play in Verne's work, it isn't in the form of magic so much as something long-though-dead (or non-existent) turns out to be the opposite)
--The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (medium; mostly aesthetically Steampunk, though there are some obvious examples of steam-tech at work).

External links:
--An excellent basic guide to Steampunk from Tor (http://www.tor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=blog&id=58009).
--Some useful quotes about Steampunk (http://etheremporium.pbworks.com/What+is+Steampunk).
--My five part series on punk literature and Cyberpunk (from which Steampunk arises). It may not be directly relevant, but it can help for anyone interested in taking the "punk" in Steampunk seriously: Part One (http://wisb.blogspot.com/2009/08/punking-everything-in-sff-present-part.html), Part Two (http://wisb.blogspot.com/2009/09/punking-everything-in-sff-past-punk.html), Part Three (http://wisb.blogspot.com/2009/09/punking-everything-in-sff-closer-past.html), Part Four (http://wisb.blogspot.com/2009/09/punking-everything-in-sff-part-three.html), Part Five (http://wisb.blogspot.com/2009/09/punking-everything-in-sff-part-four.html).

Hopefully this gives you all something to work with or think about in terms of what Steampunk is and how you can use it to suit your personal styles.

[Rouge]

Much thanks. ^^

[Jack]

This could come in handy. Thanks Shaun.

[Simmi]

This helped, thanks Shaun.

[Shaun]

You're welcome. Looking forward to reading all your submissions!

[Lilith]

I LOVE STEAMPUNK! In fact, a lot of my wardrobe is Steampunk styled and I recently sewed myself a skirt complete with bustle effect.

This is great Shaun, but I feel more could be said about the importance of clothing - I'm going to do some research and come back telling you everything I know about the Steampunk fashion aesthetic.
Thanks a lot. :)

[Shaun]

Sure :). There's a lot to be said about the fashion element. I'm just interested in stories for SBS :P.

[Lilith]

Well yeah, that makes sense. But it's important to me so I figure someone else might find this useful.


The Steampunk Fashion Aesthetic

The Victorian Era - A lot of the Steampunk fashion stems from Goth fashion, the critical difference being that Goths wear a lot of black, and Steampunk involves more brown leather. Waistcoats are good, but so are corsetted dresses (girls only I'm afraid) especially if leather is incorporated into both those items. Leather boots are excellent, especially if they have an interesting way of fastening that we don't see very often today, like crossed lacing from ankle to knee. And although it is in no way compulsory for female characters to appear in dresses, if they do, don't miss out on the opportunity to give them a bustle (basically a piece under the dress that makes their bottoms stick out).

Accessories - A Steampunk must have. All the themes in your Steampunk writing can be incorporated into your characters' clothing - cogs and wheels can be great necklaces. I have a leather wristband I made myself which fastens with a nut and a bolt, and that's a very Steampunk sort of thing to consider (though you don't have to make anything - you're just writing it). There are a few Steampunk accessories that you absolutely need though; Pocket watch, goggles and potentially some sort of weapon.

Pocket watch - enoguh said. They're typically Victorian, but they have clockwork in them and the whole mechanically-powered technology is important in Steampunk. Ideally you want to have a brass one on a chain inside someone's waistcoat.

Goggles - with all that steam and technology around, if your characters don't have goggles they will lose their eyelashes. End of. Ideally they should be made from brass and leather.

Weaponry - I'd go for guns, personally, but Mortal Engines uses swords to great effect. And like the other accessories, it's great to incorporate the Steampunk ethos into your weapons. Steam powered guns, brass cogs and wheels, whatever.

Finally, Hair - Steampunk people are cool, so give them cool hairstyles and make me happy. Come on, they're all aviators and mechanics! Cool hair! :)



OK, thanks for letting me talk for so long. I hope this is helpful. :)

[yes]

Thanks alot. That clears up alot.

[jdsncb23]

Thanks to everyone who finally cleared this up!

[Devika_globejotter]

I found this (http://www.foundshit.com/you-got-steampunked/).

It's not strictly relevant, but its funny :)

[Shaun]

That's actually quite cute! Thanks for the link :)

[Devika_globejotter]

:blush:

I'm glad you liked it. I was half expecting a a kick for spamming...

[Fiction]

Verrrrr nice, Shaun and Lillith. Verrrrr nice.