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 Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 8:58 am
So I'm writing a steampunk story, and 24 pages in I've run into a roadblock of sorts. I don't really know where it's going, so I would welcome any suggestions my guild-mates have to offer. Here's a brief outline of the story so far...
The year is an alternate 1899 (with loads of anachronistic tech, e.g. personal analytical engines, kinotrope lenses in every home, Tesla wireless, a booming phonograph industry, etc) 30-some-odd years after President Andrew Johnson ended the War Between the States by dropping hydrogen bombs on Atlanta and Mobile. America is divided into three more-or-less allied nations, the Union States, the Confederate States and the Imperial Western States. My protagonists are a band of musicians from San Francisco (who play instruments such as the electric leaded-crystal glasarmonica, bass Termencello, Hollerith organ and pneumatic percussion) who are touring a circuit of Vaudeville halls in the CSA in their airship (naturally), and the antagonist, their manager, is an entertainment mogul who will turn out to be a leeching scumbag. Just like real life.
My characters are all pretty solidly gelled on paper and in my mind, I just need a little help with the story's conflict. Where to go, where to go?
What would you like to see happen to my steampunk band? What kind of trouble awaits? Your kind assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated, and if published, I will be sure to acknowledge you by name if you so desire. Thank you in advance.
Your humble scrivener,
NSM
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:24 am
Wow, this really sounds unique! Usually steampunk literature is either Airship Pirates, or lowly tinkerers and inventors and Vernian explorers. I'd love to help, but this is the sort of thing I always get hung up on when I try to write my own stories.
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:08 am
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:34 am
Depending on the society and the band itself, their music might be considered crude or scandalous by the upper class. Could be protests or somesuch thing.
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:40 am
Jonni Mnemonic Depending on the society and the band itself, their music might be considered crude or scandalous by the upper class. Could be protests or somesuch thing. Oooh, I like it! Riots, even!
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 4:34 pm
Seriously, one of the band members should be Shanghaied in a bar after one of the shows, and that gives you purpose and drive for your characters.
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 5:11 pm
Zahwomen Seriously, one of the band members should be Shanghaied in a bar after one of the shows, and that gives you purpose and drive for your characters. GOOD! pirate
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 5:32 am
C.S.A= Slavery. You could make some references about that. Have the band play at Slave bars (Juke Joints). Simultaneously reference both Punk and the Blues.
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 7:00 am
Sidnay C.S.A= Slavery. You could make some references about that. Have the band play at Slave bars (Juke Joints). Simultaneously reference both Punk and the Blues. Actually the former-slaves are freed and running the plantations that they now own, as per the treaty signed by presidents Seward and Davis and generals Grant and Lee. Johnson bombed Atlanta and Mobile against Grant's ardent counsel and was hanged for war-crimes. Lee and Grant both being honorable men, they held a summit and came to terms, and as a symbolic gesture, Grant surrendered to Lee (because he was outraged by the bombings) even though the Union were victorious. The Confederacy retained its sovereignty (though New Orleans, the CSA's chief slave port, would remain Union-occupied indefinitely), the only stipulations being that slavery be abolished and all British troops evacuated from the Confederate states. But I like your idea about juke joints, I'll work that in. Thanks!
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Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:28 am
No Such Machine Jonni Mnemonic Depending on the society and the band itself, their music might be considered crude or scandalous by the upper class. Could be protests or somesuch thing. Oooh, I like it! Riots, even! One of the members could even be kidnapped in said riot?
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