Steampunk Hands 2017 – By Madeleine Holly-Rosing

Image Courtesy of Mr. XPK

Steampunk Hands 2017

By Madeleine Holly-Rosing

Steampunk. The word evokes images of airships, gears, corsets, and mechanical clocks. But is that all it is? The answer is a resounding no. It is also a study of alternate history which examines the culture, technology, and world events that might have been if societies had evolved differently. For writers, it’s the ability to create a new world view based on the question—what if?

The irony is that I used to hate reading alternate history until I started writing it. I love history and the lessons it teaches us, but for years I didn’t think there was any point in reading an alternate version of an event of which we already knew the outcome. (Ah, the hubris.) It took a while to realize that wasn’t the point.

What I didn’t understand then, but I know now, is that when you insert creativity into the question of “what if?” in regards to alternate history, what comes out the other side is often magical. From fashion, to art to literature, steampunk inspires a host of creative endeavors that can elevate and inform. It can also force us to reflect on decisions we made in the past and might make in the future. For me, it gives me a place to write about the themes of classism, racism, and sexism in an organic environment. For others, it allows them the opportunity to create stories about how cultures and technology could have evolved without being crushed under the boot of imperialism. A sub-genre of science fiction, steampunk also gives us a platform on which to expose the failings in our society in the hope of making it better for everyone.

But let’s not forget magic. Or the paranormal. Or wherever your imagination takes you. In fact, I’d suggest we all hop on the next airship that passes by, strap on our goggles, and see what adventures lay ahead. I hope you will join me.

By Madeleine Holly-Rosing, writer/creator of Boston Metaphysical Society comic and novellas. A Kickstarter to print the trade paperback of the six issue mini-series will run from Feb. 1 to March 1.

Steampunk Hands Around the World 2017 – Self Expression

Image Courtesy of Mr. XPK

 

One of the many great things about steampunk is the opportunity for self expression. Be it our outfits, writing, art, music, or something else, there is space in the steampunk community for each of us to share both our vision and who we are.

The global community is wide open for people to let their creative voices ring out, online and in person. From blogs and forums to conventions and coffee houses, each of us can find the right venue for sharing our creations.

Being a generally friendly bunch, our community encourages us not to just attend, not just  follow, but to engage – with others and ourselves.

Within such a supportive arena, each of us can determine the kind of person we are and who we want to be. The clothes we wear lends visual imagery and reinforcement of our traits and characteristics. Elegant evening wear or highway rogue? Period design and treatments, or modern colors and fabrics? Formal or whimsical? Each choice, and we certainly aren’t selected to only one, is a glimpse into ourselves at that moment.

Others express their inner thoughts easier in writing. Regular blogs, articles, poems and other forms of literature, all relay messages out to the community, resonating with receptive readers .

Art, music, dance – all of these enable people to add another dimension to who they are and what others can see of them. it’s one more way to reach out and make connections.

Every day we face limitations on showing and sharing our true and complete selves. Illegal actions and behaviors aside, LOL, there are social conventions to follow, professional and sometimes impersonal standards at work, along with internal and external message of how we should act, what we should be doing, and what others expect of us to suit their needs, not ours.

In our community, illegal actions mostly put aside, each of us has a chance to shine unfettered, to share our heart’s songs and be completely true to ourselves.

In what ways do you get to express yourself more fully through steampunk than you might in other areas of your life?

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