Writing Steampunk: Style

Thanks for visiting my blog again! I'm continuing my series about writing steampunk fiction with a post about style. What is an author's writing style? It's primarily an author's diction (word choice), syntax (word order), tone, and voice. These elements create a writer's individual and unique style. I won't make this post convoluted, but it's important to note that each author is different and his or her own style is a very important part of writing any form of fiction. This is true for steampunk and everything else. Let's break down each component. 

I'm just going to cover diction and syntax briefly because they can be confusing topics. Here's my personal message about diction or word choice. Don't throw in a bunch of big words because you think it sounds brilliant. A lot of authors believe good writing includes a multitude of complex words. But half of the time, they use such words incorrectly. Make sure you understand the meaning of a word before using it in any form of writing. Syntax is an author's word order and I wouldn't worry about it too much. However, you should avoid run-on sentences. This is another fatal error in fiction writing. Many writer's think long sentences or paragraphs appear prestigious. Usually, this train of thought creates run-on sentences that are jumbled up and confusing. The content of a paragraph is significantly more important than length. Make sure your writing says something meaningful and accessible to the reader. 

A writer's tone and voice is the most important part of style. For example, some writers have serious and somber tones. Others have a more dramatic, exciting, and flamboyant style. I tend to appreciate writers who have an upbeat and humorous tone because they're so rare. What tone works the best for you? Honestly, I believe you should write whatever feels natural. Go back and read some of your work to evaluate the situation. Just make sure your work doesn't come across as too dry, boring, or convoluted. What about a writer's voice? It's a special element that makes you different than other writers. Even if an author is using third person perspective, his or her individual voice will reflect certain elements, such as: personality, ideals, symbolism, character, and more. Do you have a preference for a dramatic voice? That's great if it works for you. Maybe you prefer everything to be short and simple. That's fine too. Keep in mind, Agatha Christie has a very simple writing style and she's probably one of the best mystery authors who ever lived. 

How are these elements connected to steampunk? Technically, an author's writing style is important in every genre. In steampunk writing, the author's style should boost the story's readability and creativity. It should reflect the author's specific tone and make the world building understandable. What's the overall mood of the story? Is it mystery, action, horror, romance, or combinations of these elements? Your style should make these elements clear, fun, and interesting for the reader. Just let it flow and don't overcomplicate the situation. 

Overall, pick a writing style that makes sense for you. Truthfully, your individual style will emerge naturally. It's not something you can learn for a textbook or classes. I'm just being honest with you guys. That's the end of this blog post. Leave a comment if you want to say anything about writing styles or steampunk in general. We're getting closer to Christmas and New Year's Day. I wish the best for you guys and come back again for next week's post.