Steampunk 101: Blending Sci-Fi and Fantasy in a Victorian Setting

Introduction

Steampunk has captivated readers since at 1959 with Titus Alone by Mervyn Peake. Victorian era aesthetics and steam-powered technology have come together to create captivating stories.

The definition of steampunk is a genre of science fiction that has a historical setting and typically features steam-powered machinery rather than advanced technology.

K. W. Jeter coined the term steampunk in the late 1980s. Jeter used steam and punk elements to help readers understand the mix of old and futuristic technology in his book. Steampunk has since transformed into a hybrid of science fiction, fantasy, and alternate history.

Steampunk brings genre fusion, aesthetic appeal, and exploration of technology to writers and readers alike. It has enriched our literary imagination, and sparked creativity in writers to explore the intersections of past, present, and future.

By the end of today’s post you’ll be able to identify the key elements of steampunk, how to world-build your steampunk, and how to use technology and magic in steampunk.

Key Elements of Steampunk

Victorian-Era Aesthetics

The vibe you’re looking will be rooted in the aesthetics of the 19th century, primarily the Victorian era. The reason for this is that the roots of steam powered technology were at the peak of its use in the 19th century. But the aesthetics are just as appealing as many of the steampunk novels pull from fashion, culture, architectural style, and art from that time.

Visual elements include elaborate fashion, such as corsets, top hats, and waistcoats. Most of the clothing uses brass and leather, although they maintain an overall sense of elegance. Accessories are another staple of steampunk, as they fashion often encourage the wear of brass/coper jewelry, pocket watches, and goggles. The jewelry often takes shape in the cogs, clocks, and sea creatures. Clothes are a key part of these stories, but don’t forget about the key setting details.

Writers should evoke the ambiance of gaslit streets, cobblestone alleys, and grand architecture. This atmosphere aids in transporting your readers to the Victorian era. The gaslit streets create a moody, mysterious atmosphere, perfect for intrigue and adventure. Cobblestone alleys bring nostalgia and a sense of history. The impressive architecture, such as grand manors, clock towers, and ornate buildings, symbolizes social status and a time of prosperity.

Advanced Technology Powered by Steam

At the heart of steampunk is the amazing anachronistic technology, steam. Steam engines, clockwork mechanisms, and gears dominate. Steampunk thrives on the clash between historical eras and future machinery. This challenge of what could have been had the Victorian era never branched from steam powered and clockwork objects offers a unique field of creativity for you. Don’t forget to study the basics of steam engines, gears, and clocks as you fly into your world on a majestic airship.

Another staple of steampunk is their airships. They evoke a sense of freedom, exploration and wonder. They also offer many practical challenges and risk for the characters. Fuel shortages, storms, and aerial battles can impede or stop your hero’s journey and beyond. Consider what the effects are of air travel on trade, warfare, daily life, and, of course, how it affects your story. Don’t forget the crews required to run the ships. They create a miniature society that has its own problems.

Social hierarchies are just as prominent in steampunk as they were in the Victorian Era. Technology is the true separation of class and as you create your own steam powered devices, you’ll have to decide who controls these. As those who control the steam powered devices, control the people. Look at the side effects of your creations, such as pollution, urbanization, and labor struggles. This should then lead you to the challenge of any advanced technology, moral and ethical conflicts. Should your creations come at any cost? How do your characters battle these dilemmas?

Much of what you create and how it’s received by your world depends on how you create your world.

Alternate History or Parallel Worlds

Alternative history thrives on the “what if” scenario. It invites you to reimagine history by altering pivotal events. Often these questions appear as: What if steam-powered technology had taken a different path? Or, how would it shape society, politics, and culture? You’re also given the creative freedom to take historical figures, battles, and inventions down their own “what if” path. The Alternative History path has some nice allowances for creativity, but also must remain true to what we know of the past before that divergence.

Parallel worlds offer you a chance to create an entirely new world where many more things could be different, while still mirroring much of what we know. These aren’t just limited to other versions of our world, but etheric dimensions, pocket universes, or even distant planets. Steam-powered expeditions to Mars, anyone? But really, these are often where we see magical elements infused with steampunk. In this world, steam-powered technology sails through rifts to parallel worlds, while clockwork dragons protect ancient secrets. Look no further than Treasure Planet made by Disney for a great example.

Either route you choose, the blending of science fiction and fantasy elements often find a home in steampunk stories.

World-Building in Steampunk

Now that we’ve talked about the what, let’s look into the how to write steampunk. World-building drives the primary elements of steampunk, so let’s look at how to infuse those into your story.

Creating a Believable Victorian-Inspired Setting

You’re creating a world that has never existed before in reality, so how can you make it believable? In steampunk, believability begins with your research into the Victorian era. Study the architecture, fashion, social norms, and cultural nuances. Each of these are a different component that drives believability. Whether you’ve chosen the Alternate History or Parallel World approach, readers of this genre know what to expect and can tell when it’s not hitting the right notes.

As you write, infuse your world with steampunk elements like those mentioned above, while maintaining your authenticity. Authenticity is a big thing right now, and sometimes we feel like it’s an overwhelming, high-level, author status. But it’s not as high-level as some act. For example, if I told a group of people to think of a bird, then had them write down a description. How many do you think would be different? Most of them probably. So when it comes to infusing these steampunk elements in authentic ways, consider how you envision this version of steampunk. The Kenneth W. Myers version is probably going to be different from yours, and different from K. W. Jeter’s version.

What you’ll want to keep, borrow, and infuse into your story:

Color palettes play a key role in Victorian design, with rich tones like burgundy, emerald, and royal blue evoking opulence.
Ornate furnishings, intricate details, and exquisite fabrics, along with Victorian lighting, contribute to an authentic ambiance.
Mixing modernity with anachronistic technologies or retro-futuristic inventions, such as steam cannons and airships, can balance the past and present within a Victorian setting.

Incorporating Anachronistic Technology

As with the previous section, the first thing you want to do is research. The historical context and technological advancements of the Victorian era alone will provide a solid foundation for your story. The development of alternate technologies that diverge from actual historical progression will be the beams that support the story you’re building.

Things to Research:

Industrial Revolution Innovations – Locomotives, cars, telephone, electric light bulb, X-rays.
Photography
Telegraphy
Steamships and Railways

Then you’ll want to consider the impact of these anachronistic technologies on the world they are building. Consider how these technologies influence society, culture, and individual characters. Each technology and its capabilities affect each level in different ways. Steamships and railways not only changed how people traveled, it changed how they could be resourced and fed. This made it possible for people in a desolate area to benefit from the fruits of orchards and vegetables from farms. It created new jobs and stimulated the economy. There is a lot more it impacted, so look at your technologies and try to see the multi-level impact it can have on your world.

It’s important to maintain a balance between the familiar and the fantastical in steampunk literature. This balance ensures that the anachronistic technology feels both innovative and plausibly rooted in the established setting. You’ll have to establish early on, for your readers, how much innovation and plausibility they can depend on. It almost becomes like a magic system where the reader will only accept so much. You can create space-faring steamships, but you’ll also have to respect the rules and dangers of space.

Each element of your story will require historical inspiration and your creative ingenuity.

Technology and Magic in Steampunk

Inventing plausible steam-powered devices

To start, yes, you’ll need to research again. But I wanted to give you some of the basics of steam engines I found while doing my own research. The basic steam powered device uses heated water to produce steam, which expands significantly in volume. When the steam cools and condenses back to water, it creates a partial vacuum. This vacuum generates suction, allowing the engine to suck in water or perform work. If you keep those basics in mind, then you’ll be ready to innovate your own technology.

James Watt’s saw the waste that many of the initial steam powered devices faced that made them less efficient. The condenser and heated water were contained in the same cylinder. Watt introduced a separate condenser that prevented that wasted time cooling and reheating the same cylinder.

How does that apply to you as a writer?

With all of our modern technology and constant improvement, we have more ideas accessible and better understandings of basic mechanics that we can drive similar innovation in our story. Combining concepts of modern, fantastical, or futuristic technology with steampunk, you’re more likely to create a plausible device. You’ll still need to explain it to the level of your book, as not all books require schematics or a degree in engineering.

Incorporating Fantastical Elements

Fantastical elements can be the defining tool in your steampunk world, but bringing them on may seem challenging at times. You’ll need to consider where the line is in your story that it becoming pure fantasy. The first step is to make sure you understand and implement the appropriate steampunk elements into your story. With those in place, you can use the fantastical elements to add new layers to the story.

From sources of magical power to clothing that is enchanted. Layering fantastical elements into your steampunk world creates more opportunities for external and internal conflict, character development, and a different kind of fullness to your world-building.

When weaving fantastical elements into your steampunk novels, consider their broader implications beyond mere functionality or enhancement. Each magical aspect can serve as a commentary on real-life themes or desires. Here are some tips to enhance your incorporation of magic:

Symbolism and Metaphor: Treat magic as a metaphor for societal issues, personal struggles, or cultural norms. For instance, a magical device that manipulates time could symbolize the desire to alter past mistakes or escape the constraints of time.
Conflict and Consequences: Explore the consequences of magic. Does it disrupt the balance of power? Does it create conflict between characters or factions? Consider how magic affects relationships, politics, and ethics within your steampunk world.
Cultural Context: Magic should be influenced by the culture and history of your steampunk setting. Is it revered, feared, or suppressed? How do different societies view and utilize magic? Use these cultural nuances to enrich your storytelling.
Character Arcs: Integrate magic into character development. Perhaps a protagonist grapples with newfound abilities, leading to personal growth or moral dilemmas. Alternatively, an antagonist’s magical pursuit could drive their descent into darkness.
Subverting Tropes: Challenge common magical tropes. Instead of a straightforward healing spell, create a healing device with unexpected side effects. Subvert expectations to keep readers engaged.

Remember, magic in steampunk should provide something more than plot convenience—it should resonate with readers, evoke emotions, and deepen the narrative.

Writing Exercise: The Clockwork Conundrum

Create a brief scene (500-1000 words) that showcases key elements of steampunk while exploring the implications of a new steam-powered invention.

Imagine a Victorian-era city where a brilliant but eccentric inventor has just unveiled a revolutionary clockwork device. This invention has the potential to change an aspect of daily life (e.g., transportation, communication, energy production, or healthcare) in a dramatic way.

Describe the setting:
- Use vivid details to paint a picture of your steampunk city, incorporating Victorian-era aesthetics and steam-powered technology.
- Include at least three specific elements mentioned in the post (e.g., gaslit streets, airships, brass accessories).
Introduce the invention:
- Name and describe the clockwork device, explaining its function and how it’s powered by steam technology.
- Show how it incorporates both scientific principles and potentially fantastical elements.
Explore the implications:
- Write a scene where characters from different social classes react to the invention.
- Demonstrate how the device might disrupt existing power structures or social norms.
- Consider any unintended consequences or ethical dilemmas the invention might create.
Add conflict:
- Introduce a problem or complication related to the invention (e.g., a malfunction, a theft, or opposition from those whose livelihoods it threatens).
- Show how characters might use other aspects of steampunk technology or society to address this conflict.
Incorporate anachronistic elements:
- Include at least one anachronistic detail that blends modern concepts with Victorian-era technology.
Optional: Fantastical twist
- If desired, add a magical or fantastical element to your scene, ensuring it complements rather than overshadows the steampunk setting.

After completing the exercise, reflect on how you incorporated the key elements of steampunk discussed in the post. Consider how you balanced historical inspiration with creative innovations, and how you explored the social and technological implications of your invented device.

Conclusion

Steampunk offers you a mix of Victorian style, out-of-date technology, and limitless creativity to delve into. We’ve explored the essential elements of the genre, including steam-powered inventions, intricate fashion, and imaginative storylines.

Crafting compelling steampunk involves balancing historical accuracy with imaginative innovations, while considering wider implications of world-building choices. When starting your steampunk writing, feel free to mix science, magic, and social commentary in unique ways. Expand the boundaries of the genre, but maintain a connection with your readers.

The ongoing appeal of Steampunk lies in its combination of past and future, creating a unique world full of endless imagination and unforgettable experiences. By tapping into this mix of the old and the new, you can create captivating stories that contribute to the ever-evolving world of this fascinating genre.

Kenneth W. Myers

Steampunk 101: Blending Sci-Fi and Fantasy in a Victorian Setting

Introduction