Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Off to Visit the Steampunk Front
Ahoy! 2nd Chance is here. Sorry ta interrupt yer regular blog schedule, but I be boarding a jet plane tomorrow and heading fer the far north – well farther north than where I be – ta attend SteamCon II, in Seattle, Washington. Theme for the weekend? Weird Weird West.
I’m going on me lonesome though I wish I had some company. But it probably be best this way. I intend ta enjoy meself, but also make certain that I don’t overdue. I’m in need of rest and am most needful ta not push meself too far.
It be but a two hour flight and it’s at the SeaTac Airport Hilton/Marriott, so not far ta travel, either to or from. The evenings should be quiet as they be holding balls that include a dinner, that ya have ta pay fer. I’m going cheap and wantin’ ta take it easy so thought I’d leave me evenin’s free. (I’ll take a lot a’ pics…and am goin’ costume light.)
Now, I’ve gone on and on about steampunk afore. And in the months since me local con, I been reading here and there, paying attention ta the trends in the genre and…decided ta add a bare sprinkling of steampunk elements inta the second volume of the Kraken’s Caribbean.
A zeppelin here, a parasol there, some mechs… Just a touch, mind ya. I am not inviting the steampunk experts ta tear me a new one fer daring ta toy with their rights.
But what I am gonna include, I wanna get right. Or at least rightish. The first volume, the Kraken’s Mirror, includes a castle where vampires live (part of the defense forces for Tortuga) and werewolves roam the forest (no wars between the vamps and wolf folk here) and I have zombies wandering the swamps, collecting rare plants for the magic woman. (But she don’t own them or direct them.) All of these bits and pieces be tossed in as a sort of tribute to the various genres that fill the bookshelves out there.
I’ll be taking notes at SteamCon, looking for the details that will make my bits of steam ring true, without inviting the entire universe to come knocking. It’s the Caribbean and it has a kraken and pirates… Steam is just visiting! (And I’m hoping I might have a chance to chat with Gail Carriger…ask if she’d let me interview her for a blog… We’ll see.) (And the Weird Weird West! What a great theme!)
I have stolen ‘punk’ from the genre as I’ve named my books piratepunk. But they stole it from cyberpunk…who probably swiped it from splatterpunk…or punk music? I don’t know the timeline, but somewhere, they are all related to the same attitude and spirit. A sense of twisting the norm. I can so go there!
I’m thinking fer the third volume, I’ll be searching fer something new ta toss into the world… And I’m rather fond a’ the pirate traveling circus…
Now, we’ve done the talks about genres and the debate about mixing them or keeping them pure. (Got a friend who has been appalled to watch the Harlequin Intrigue line putting out titles with…cowboys… She really can’t figure out how that works…but I digress…)
Have you ever considered spicing up your current WIP with a touch from another genre? Is there any particular genre you would like to sneak into your pages? A tribute to “Castle” perhaps or a hint regarding the attraction of dukes?
I’m going on me lonesome though I wish I had some company. But it probably be best this way. I intend ta enjoy meself, but also make certain that I don’t overdue. I’m in need of rest and am most needful ta not push meself too far.
It be but a two hour flight and it’s at the SeaTac Airport Hilton/Marriott, so not far ta travel, either to or from. The evenings should be quiet as they be holding balls that include a dinner, that ya have ta pay fer. I’m going cheap and wantin’ ta take it easy so thought I’d leave me evenin’s free. (I’ll take a lot a’ pics…and am goin’ costume light.)
Now, I’ve gone on and on about steampunk afore. And in the months since me local con, I been reading here and there, paying attention ta the trends in the genre and…decided ta add a bare sprinkling of steampunk elements inta the second volume of the Kraken’s Caribbean.
A zeppelin here, a parasol there, some mechs… Just a touch, mind ya. I am not inviting the steampunk experts ta tear me a new one fer daring ta toy with their rights.
But what I am gonna include, I wanna get right. Or at least rightish. The first volume, the Kraken’s Mirror, includes a castle where vampires live (part of the defense forces for Tortuga) and werewolves roam the forest (no wars between the vamps and wolf folk here) and I have zombies wandering the swamps, collecting rare plants for the magic woman. (But she don’t own them or direct them.) All of these bits and pieces be tossed in as a sort of tribute to the various genres that fill the bookshelves out there.
I’ll be taking notes at SteamCon, looking for the details that will make my bits of steam ring true, without inviting the entire universe to come knocking. It’s the Caribbean and it has a kraken and pirates… Steam is just visiting! (And I’m hoping I might have a chance to chat with Gail Carriger…ask if she’d let me interview her for a blog… We’ll see.) (And the Weird Weird West! What a great theme!)
I have stolen ‘punk’ from the genre as I’ve named my books piratepunk. But they stole it from cyberpunk…who probably swiped it from splatterpunk…or punk music? I don’t know the timeline, but somewhere, they are all related to the same attitude and spirit. A sense of twisting the norm. I can so go there!
I’m thinking fer the third volume, I’ll be searching fer something new ta toss into the world… And I’m rather fond a’ the pirate traveling circus…
Now, we’ve done the talks about genres and the debate about mixing them or keeping them pure. (Got a friend who has been appalled to watch the Harlequin Intrigue line putting out titles with…cowboys… She really can’t figure out how that works…but I digress…)
Have you ever considered spicing up your current WIP with a touch from another genre? Is there any particular genre you would like to sneak into your pages? A tribute to “Castle” perhaps or a hint regarding the attraction of dukes?
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43 comments:
Chance, I didn't realize you were gonna be in my ole stompin' grounds! Hope you have a great time (and take pics!)
I'm actually spicing up my NaNo Regency historical with a smidgeon of paranormal--only because I need it to get the plot started. I'm not sure if it'll stay, or how much of the story it'll be, but it's fun so far.
And my contemp that's on submission is actually a hybrid--it's romance, but with mystery elements, which was fun to do--let's just hope it sells. So far I haven't heard anything about it not being one genre. :)
I love paranormal elements in novels. I'm trying really hard NOT to put any in my MSA (mystery/suspense/adventure). Otherwise the theme would change and I really like the NaNo story I'm working on right now.
It will sell, DRD!
Have a great time at the Steamcon II. I'd like to see Washington in general, just not Seattle.
Enjoy your conference, Chance! I hope you do get some rest. I look forward to seeing some of your pics.
On several occasions, Nora Roberts has described romance as an umbrella under which a writer can pull elements of many other genres. I like her metaphor, and I love the freedom that we have as romance writers. My stories are a blend of romance and women's fiction. Some day I may try throwing a little mystery into a romance, and while I never expect to write about vampires or shapeshifters, I'd love to try writing a romantic comedy with a ghost or an angel.
Donnaroo, you're from the land of many rains? (Yup supposed to be raining while I'm there, but I intend to never leave the hotel, so shouldn't be a big deal for me.)
I think one of the nice things about regency is that you could easily slip in a paranormal element or two...just some snippets...and not be thrown out of the regency clubs. Since things weren't so cut and dried regarding what was scientifically possible. So, a little haunt wouldn't go amiss!
Sin - I've tried writing straight and somewhere, I always find a place where there needs to be a twist. But one of the delightful things is taking that twist and twisting it even more. Zombies? Sure, they are on Tortuga (which is a much bigger island than in 'real life' - having sucked up portions of Cuba and Haiti)...anyway!
Zombies, that aren't the risen dead, but the out of hope people who are fading into death and wander the swamps in a sort of loose limbo, under no one's control and they don't eat people.
Vampires that act as a defensive force, walk in the sunlight and waltz every full moon.
It's the twist that makes it fun!
But I love a good mystery/suspense/thriller, so looking forward to reading this masterpiece, Sinister!
Janga, with your background, I think a ghost tossed into a romantic comedy would be perfect.
I must agree with Nora...though I think that's also why romance drives other genres insane. They walk around with the umbrella protecting them from invasion...we walk around with it upside down, gathering other genres...and we still don't get wet! ;-)
I've felt an urge lately to mix things up, but that doesn't mean I'll do it. I have one back-burner idea with a ghost, which I'd love to do. And I think I'd enjoy writing about a witch, just not sure in what time period I'd want to set that.
One of my soon-to-write stories has a cop for a hero and I'm trying to create a plot without having a mystery involved. It's not working, so it looks like there may be a little twisting and mixing yet.
Have fun at the conference. I cannot wait to see these pictures.
Well, a cop story wouldn't necessarily have a mystery in it. Suspense, maybe. Or comedy, certainly. But they all don't have to be mystery stories.
I think.
I wonder, is it a mystery if the reader knows all along what is going on? I'm thinking of Christie Craig's last book...it was a mystery to the cops what was going on, but not the reader, who knew why the bad guys were gunning for the good guy...
I honestly don't know if I need suspense or mystery or a little of both. I'm not good with traditional mystery because I know I could never map out that many details and clues. Getting that right is HARD. LOL! (Kudos to DRD for doing it.)
He needs to question something about the heroine and it needs to look like she did something she didn't do and for that, I need a little bit of police work. Maybe. I don't know, I'm still figuring things out.
But would that be a mystery, or just a conflict? I read a lot of mysteries and I think one of the keys to calling it a mystery is that the reader becomes as involved in solving the 'mystery' as the characters do...
It's an interesting question!
Oh, I don't mean to turn the book into a mystery. No, ma'am! Just throw a little thread of a mystery into the plot to add some external conflict. They have plenty of internal conflict without me piling on more. LOL!
Ah, well a little mystery...to leave everyone guessing is good. Long as it isn't one of those 'she feels if revealed it will be the end of the world and when it comes out, he just shrugs' Though that could be a great place for conflict... He shrugs, she slugs.
Chance, yes, I moved to New England from the Pacific NorthWET. LOL I haven't been back either, but I might try a visit next summer--I'm missing some folks who live out there.
And Terri, I'm the same as you about writing a mystery--I didn't think I could do all those clues but I wanted to try a mystery thread. It gives the hero and heroine a reason to be together 24/7 too, so that helped. I had to analyze it during revisions to make sure I had kept track of stuff tho. :)
Okay, gotta go. I'm being a surrogate mom again today--have to get some stuff done before I go back to pick up my BFF's son. I had to drop him off WAY too early for my taste, and then the few hours in between go too fast--hard to get everything done. I don't know how you full-time moms do it every day! Two days in a row and I'm done in. LOL
Aha! Well, now Donnaroo, yer getting some experiences on how to write a realistic Mum.
I doubt I could ever write a realistic mystery. I mean, I read them and all, but the closest I've ever come to a mystery thread in my writing is the murder that ends up being politicially motivated and figured out.
So, Donna...if you make it back...any advice for where I'm going? Or are you at all familiar with the hotels at SeaTac? Hee, hee.
Chance, I've stayed in a couple of the hotels, and I've had meetings in several of them, but it was too long ago to be relevant to your trip. LOL They are all really close to the airport though, so they should all have a shuttle to get you there and back quickly. Did you need to know anything in particular?
Will I have to deal with rain as I walk between the Hilton and the Marriott? The con is split between the two of them. And yeah, pretty sure there is a free shuttle to them since they are so close.
Ooo! Found a gift for Hellie for whoever gets her name in the pirate gift exchange! http://www.wbshop.com/Harry-Potter-I-Solemnly-SwearMischief-Managed-Transforming-Mug/HPNCMUGS,default,pd.html
ALWAYS plan on rain when you're in the Seattle area. :) I think that's why those mini umbrellas were invented. LOL
Nope, make that 32nd Avenue between them...
Sigh. Just looked at Google maps and it looks like the two hotels have a street between them. A big street. International Blvd. Don't suppose there is a skywalk or a tunnel...blast. Well, I'll buy a little umbrella when I get there, I guess!
Ah, all checked in for my flight...time to get the dog out and head for Starbucks...
That is the perfect mug for Hellie. And she promised me she'd be online today. If she's still sleeping, I'm going to lose it. LOL!
She's doing a VERY late night (early morning?) HP showing tonight.
We really ought to do a Secret Pirate gift exchange...
I just commented to Last Chance that Hellie was probably in line for the midnight showing...hee, hee.
And now I better get before the dog divorces me...
Sorry I'm late to the party. :)
Have fun at the party... er... conference, Chance. :)
I like the idea of paranormal in historical. This story isn't right for paranormal but I *might* try to squeeze in a little touch of it in my next idea. The heroine in the next idea is a gypsy.... Lots of room for tastes of paranormal in that.
Yes! Exactly what I mean, Marn! There are all sorts of sneaky ways to pay a touch of a tribute to another genre in a 'strict' historical. Because there were so many 'supersticions'. One thing I like about Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate books is how she sneaks in these 'scientific' ideas that have been abandoned in the future...or slips in elements as science...but so much of it is speculative paranormal...
It's a trick thing! I hope to see Gail at Steamcon and maybe chat a little bit. I figure she'll be surrounded by fans most of the time, but who knows?
You know, it was such fun on the Halloween episode of 'Castle' when he dressed up like his character from Serenity... I love little winks like that...
My contemporary reunion story is tinged with some paranormal whimsy. But not in the dark, exciting way. In a humorous way.
Humor works, Hellie! I sometimes think a humorous nod to the wonder of a new genre is the best way to get away with it and not bring the dogs of the genre war upon oneself!
So, you all a'twitter about the movie tonight, Cap'n?
I admit I slept late, though not quite until 1 pm. *LOL* I've been cleaning and reorganizing stuff. My kitchen floor needs to be swept and mopped.
I am freaking ass excited about the movie tonight. I have my shirt all picked out. I might even wear my school robes, but we'll have to see.
I'm all for geeking out to the highest level. When you've been waiting for so long and this is the beginning of the end...go all the way. Wear your robe, wave a wand, munch on Potter inspired candy... I wore my pirate coat to PotC and my Middle Earth shirt to LotR...
Go, go, go!
Either I'm a stick in the mud or my wardrobe is deficient.
I thought Castle was paying tribute to Firefly?
Ooops. My mistake. You're right, it was Firefly. I watched it so seldom...I admit. Was Serenity the name of the movie they made based on Firefly or something like that? Is that why it fell into my brain?
I had to look it up since I never watched any of this. Yeah, Serenity was the movie.
Realms of Rum! LOL!
I say this deserves a drink!
So...I'm having kittens...right here in Starbucks... Decadent is taking out an add in the December issue of Realms of Fantasy Magazine...and my BOOK IS ONE OF THE THREE BOOKS FEATURED!
They are looking at me funny as I can't stop giggling...
Oh, you are so right! Realms of Rum! Now, I'm off to see if my local bookstore is carrying this mag so I'll know where to haunt for my dozens copies...
:-) ;-) ;-)
Chance, that's thrilling! Woo hoo!
Does that mean you have a publication date too?
Your conference sounds like it will be a blast and I hope you find yourself inspired!
What a great quote:
...romance drives other genres insane. They walk around with the umbrella protecting them from invasion…we walk around with it upside down, gathering other genres…
Yep, that's what I like to do. :)
Oh! Congrats! Very exciting! :)
Sorry, I hadn't read the comments all the way through when I commented before reading your news. (And are the italics off now? LOL)
Melissa tried to turn us all frilly again. LOL! But I fixed it!
Frilly pirates...that would never do!
And it's Melissa's b-day, so happy born day to you!
Donna, it's kinda scary...no pub date yet! Obviously, it's being fast-tracked since they put money into an add! Whoohoo!
Did I tell you I added 6k when I went through the first round of revisions? Probably why my editor hasn't gotten back to me yet... ;-)
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