So for my Steampunk series I have absolutely LOVED doing research for these books. There is something so fun about world building when you're doing Alternative History because you get to delve into a sea of 'what ifs' and that is my FAVORITE.
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| Photo by Myrabella |
This week I have been learning all about diving bells and anthropomorphic diving suits of the Victorian era for my third book, The Chasm Walkers, which has submersible vessels.
I am so shocked by what was already possible that long ago. This guy is from 1882. Does that not inspire! I mean...it could also be a space suit. Those face windows though!
Building upon the fevered dreams of those intrepid inventors was both an honor and a challenge. How far can you push the boundaries, even in fiction, and still remain believable? The suspension of disbelief is an essential and truly delicate thing.
One of my favorite inspirational pieces was the Strandbeest by Theo Jansen. This innovative apparatus was just a wellspring for ideas for mobility out in the Wastelands in my second book, the Wind Reapers.
These strange contraptions propel themselves...so cool!
And although #steampunk can be filled with mystic and magic. I chose to ground my series in science. So when researching chemical cascades to create my Tremblers, I had to have monsters I could believe existed.
It seems like in the age of industry, nothing seemed impossible for a piece of properly designed machinery. Calculating engines, harvesting machines, scientific apparatus...all of it conceived in wonder.
LOVE IT. Its what gets me up in the morning.
After this series, I am debating on working on a Gothic Thriller. I love the spooky and the strange. Its sort of who I am. I remember once finding the prettiest music box ringtone for my phone. When it went off, my daughter said it was from a horror movie about ghosts. I had no idea. It just appealed to me and sounded cool.
I wrote some Gothic Romances before...they were set in haunted carnivals and decrepit mansions. I LOVED writing them. So I may give it another go. As I have been told before, "You do you, Boo."
I believe I will, thank you very much. I shall let my inner eccentricities out to play. Mwahaha!
What do you love most about what you do? Is it the people. The places? What draws you in, keeps you interested, and motivates you even when things get hard?
To learn more about my upcoming YA Steampunk Thrillers, check out The Tremblers or visit my Author Site.
To learn more about my upcoming YA Steampunk Thrillers, check out The Tremblers or visit my Author Site.
