Steampunk Universe General Discussion

[The Enigma]

I like steampunk. Who doesn't? (That was a rhetorical question) I also want to kick-start the Collaborative Projects forum off and see it used.

This is what I am suggesting: a really big steampunk universe sort of the size of the Star Wars universe where people can add what they want; let their imagination run completely wild; write novels, short stories, comics, or scripts with others or by themselves; and just enjoy the somewhat meticulous and repetitive parts of world-building and writing.

Some things to keep in mind for discussion:
-anything is possible in steampunk, even space travel
- technological development
- paranormal aspects
-Christian elements
-clockwork and its possibilities
- over-reaching plots that can cross multiple authors, characters, and stories
-alien life

Anyone interested, just go ahead and post here and I'll try to convince you to join the project, even if it's just a little help here there. After all, more people working on this project means more ideas and a more varied and unique universe.

With a look that's as close to begging as he'll allow himself,
Varon

[SilverAngel]

I don't think I've ever really done steampunk, but I wouldn't mind giving this a try and helping out some.

[The Enigma]

That's great! The more people who join in, the better it gets.

[InTheLion'sPaws]

Ok, am I right in that Steampunk is both Sci Fi and Fantasy mixed? I'd be happy to try it!

[The Enigma]

It can be science-fiction mixed with fantasy, but it's also sort of like space opera and soft science-fiction. Jules Verne wrote steampunk, as did H.G. Wells. It's essentially science-fiction or science-fantasy set amidst a vaguely Victorian era setting.

That's wonderful!

[Willow Wenial Mimetes]

Varon, I absolutely love the attitude you're expressing here...

I'm in! I can't volunteer to commit a huge amount of time, but I love steampunk! I'd be happy to help with worldbuilding, and in the future I'd like to write some short stories to go in the universe. I may have some fragmented ideas of steampunk stories that I might be able to donate as well. Will have to see on that one.

[The Enigma]

It helps to know the demographics of HW.

That works. Even the smallest bit helps.

I guess we can begin preliminary discussion.

Question: Do we want more of an accurate universe or a speculative universe?

Paranormal aspects or no paranormal aspects?

Changing history? Yes? No? Slightly?

[Mama Raven Mimetes]

Me! Me! Me! Me! Me! Pick me! Pick me!

I love Steampunk. I admit I don't know much about it. I'm trying to fix that, and this seems like a great way to begin. I have a Steampunk novel in the beginning stages of development.

Count me in. Not sure how much I'll be able to contribute, but we'll see. ^.^

It helps to know the demographics of HW.

That works. Even the smallest bit helps.

I guess we can begin preliminary discussion.

Question: Do we want more of an accurate universe or a speculative universe?

Paranormal aspects or no paranormal aspects?

Changing history? Yes? No? Slightly?

Speculative universe.

Paranormal? Yes.

Changing history? Yes. ^.^

Just my personal opinions, though.

[The Enigma]

I agree with the paranormal, steampunk vampire hunters are always fun. As are occult treasure hunters, ghost-busters, etc.

How much of a changed history? Just technology? Or outcomes of wars and such?

Always glad to have people join.

[Willow Wenial Mimetes]

It helps to know the demographics of HW.

That works. Even the smallest bit helps.

I guess we can begin preliminary discussion.

Question: Do we want more of an accurate universe or a speculative universe?

Paranormal aspects or no paranormal aspects?

Changing history? Yes? No? Slightly?

Speculative would be fun. ^^ But I'm also fine with writing in "this world." I think we need to make that decision early on, as for me the difference between this world and a fictional one plays a big roll in my story development. (For instance, do we have God and the Bible, etc.)

I'm good with some paranormal aspects, but I think it'd be nice to leave it open such that it would be optional for writers to include the paranormal in their stories. For instance, I wouldn't want to write about vampires of any kind, but I might write in another sector of the universe.

I'm good with changed history, however it would require extra development to detail that altered history. Would be fun, though. I could see picking a point in history, changing it somehow, and launching off of there. Enough to give us material to work with, but not something that's so complicated that we'll have an encyclopedia's worth of alternate history.