Cyberpunk ?
So, as I admitted to CranberriVodka in the comments she was right all along about the genre. Although technically I would classify this as postcyberpunk.
The Story
How did Shawna Harrison who writes about love, peace and friendship get to cyberpunk ? It goes all the way back to IVB actually. When I decided Mrs.Bennett was going to read a passage from Slaugherhouse 5 I started looking for the best quotes to use. Along the way I saw other Kurt Vonnegut quotes and remembered what a great writer he was, and how I loved his work. I thought to myself I should try and write something similar to his style.
Along my journey of studying up on KV's dystopian literature I came across the term cyberpunk--a sort of subgenre of dystopian lit and after doing some research on that, I decided to write a cyberpunk web serial.
Cyber what ?
Cyberpunk is a type of fiction by the genius writer William Gibson. It explores a lot of high tech. His books deal with an interconnective stream of information called cyberspace. Sound familiar ? Well, the crazy part is he wrote in the 80's before the internet was ever heard off.
Thanks to he and his writing partners donations to the creative commons I was able to read a lot of his short stories and novels online to help me understand what I was writing. His novel Neuromancer is called the "bible" of cyberpunk. I found it a little tedious so, a lot of my information I got from critical analysis/ reviews of it.
The cyberpunk genre is all about a near and relatable future. However the movement really is resigned more to the 80's which is why I say post cyberpunk
Muse, Inspire Me
I have to say this work, Veritas is heavily inspired by the CP movement and the writings of Kurt Vonnegut and William Gibson. It's more details than the overall plot, I will go ahead and list some from chapter 1 :
2081-- This is a refernce to Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron that takes place in 2081. The short film version is also called 2081.
Boston Atlantic Metro.-- Named after Boston Atlanta Megoloplis (BAMA) aka The Sprawl, the setting for Gibson's Sprawl trilogy.
William Case and Linda Gibson-- Are named after William Gibson himself and two characters ---Case and his girlfriend, Linda Lee (I freaked when I saw this) in Neuromancer. So no that was not a reference to that Linda Leigh.
Kyto and Kytocxin-- I came up with the name Kytoxcin first, after the drug Mytoxcin (mustard gas) which is mentioned in Neuromancer. I decided to just make the inventors last name Kyto after the first 4 letters. It's funny how it sounds Japanese.
Simstim-- Yeah, I stole this word/concept too.
Antique Paper Bills line (prolouge)that is from line is from a short story by Gibson and another Michael Swanwick called Dogfight.
Prolouge
I did want to back up a bit to the prolouge. I wanted to hint this was taking place in the future with a few little lines.
The fact that he is having a conversation, looking for sugar packets (i know random) and writing a letter was supposed to illustrate he wasn't driving the car.
I'm Still A Writer !
I did come up with some things on my own. I was inspired for the idea of Syndicates by MT Anderson's novel Feed. I got the name Syndicate because the RSS in RSS feed stands for really simple syndication.
As I mentioned in the comments, I really had to look to the past to decided how the future in this serial will look. I asked myself what hasn't changed in 100 years ? What hasn't changed in 1000's of years and if it did change is their still a version of it ? I mean people still perform Shakespeare they still listen to Beethoven.
For instance oral stories--epic poems--books--plays--radio shows--television--??(DVR, maybe ?)
Disclaimer #2 : Beware the Trope
In case you can't tell this will have a lot of Art Major Science like UL2 had some Art Major Law. I do a bit of research but, it can sometimes go over my head.
I know, I'm a trope addict but they are not bad things and have really helped develop the story.
Chapter 2
I really wanted to be far ahead in my writing before I post the next chapter but, at a certain point I get confused and almost blog about things that haven't happened yet ! Anyway I think I am enough chapters ahead to give you all a little more. I haven't really had enough time to set the scenery.
Chapter 2
Playlist
-1- Baptism by Paul Cardall
-2-May it be by Enya
-3- Colorblind by Natalie Walker
Hmm, there is a lot going on here. Looks like I'll have to do some research of my own. I don' t know how you do it seeing as you have a real job.
ReplyDeleteps.
I may start using pictures in my post. . . if I ever start posting again.
Wow, my name in an SH post ! *screencaps*
ReplyDeleteThis is different there is so much to take in, can't wait to see where this goes next.
Well, it seems cyber-punk like, I wonder how original it stands to other writings. Guess I'll join LL in researching.
ReplyDeleteYeah, a lexicon would definitely be helpful. Alan's parents seem like Idiots the way that they just "created" him. No wonder they like him so much.
ReplyDeleteEUS, is under domes ? does this mean that those bright lights are actual sunshine ?
ReplyDeleteThis genre seems to have a lot of male protagonist. Did you ever consider having a female heroine ?
ReplyDeleteI see we have a case of "We Will All Be History Buffs In The Future", Even thought it mentions that Alan learned some of this stuff in school.
ReplyDeleteI also noticed Alan is into graphic design like Darcy in IVB so there is still a bit of SH, in this work
ReplyDeleteWell, Minnie seems to be disturbed at best. Jean (he/she/it ?)seems like an interesting character.. . implied incest aside ?
ReplyDeleteAmazing story, I can't imagine how long it took you to come up with the concept. So why Nikon and not Canon ? JK !
ReplyDeleteAs for Sara grace I'm seeing on messed up childhood story coming up.
ReplyDeleteWait, you're not supposed to look for sugar, talking on bluetooth and doing your homework while driving ...oops.
ReplyDeleteAww, for once could California not be the epidemic of all doom ):
ReplyDeleteIt appears as if Alan has gotten closet to the dory's because he calls Minnie, Minnow which I am assuming is a nickname.
ReplyDeleteYou forgot the 'Purple Eyes' trope ! Although Alan appears to have technicolor eyes as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing that when Al really cries he cries blood. . . eh I just grossed myself out.
ReplyDeleteAt least we know the main character is a hottie ! I second the whole Alan has screwed up parents.
ReplyDeleteThe piano music was a nice change. I think alot of the music fits the story but it all sounds the same, IMHO
ReplyDeleteVeritas is shaping up to be interesting I may start following it on my RSS. I do get a KV feel from this, but there is some modernism to it that makes it less hectic that standard Cyperpunk (yes, I have an English Degree)
ReplyDelete^ I'd never get a degree in a language I can already speak. . . English is your first language. . . right ?
ReplyDelete^ Greta !
ReplyDeleteWow, sweetie this site is so addictive. I see you have a "White Haired Pretty boy" type thing
Hmmmm 'Evil Albino', hmmmm
I can tell that the chapters are shot but there is so much story, I really like the slow revelations we learn through Al.
ReplyDeleteSo, just an in-universe question do you feel that (because of the automated driving) is the drinking age lowered ?
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteLinda-- Well, I have a lot of down time at work (don't tell,jk) and I come home and write for 4 hours a day during the work week. And I write 5 hours a day on the weekend.
CranberriVodka-- You deserved it ! I was going to use a picture of Cranberry & vodka but could not find one.
Maylights-- Well, I am writing this in a way where you don'feel you have to do research. The storyline in itself is original.
DearRhett- I will definatley make a lexicon on the site.
Terri84-- Something like that . . .
Natalie-- Well, it has a lot of male writers too and that may be why. As for the second part, I can't really answer that . . .
Darcy_lover-- Yes, it does have it a little bit. But, this is American History and I think we can all give a little summary of WWII. Anyway, this gets lampshaded a little later. I can agree Darcy and Alan have some similarites
Carleigh-- They are very interesting characters.
SilverP-- Everyone knows Nikon is the best ! JK
Picture Girl-- Me too.
VanillaBear-- Lol,I don't think so. Now, someone tell JB and Erik who think it's okay to change seats while driving on the expressway.
CaliforniaBlues-- I'm a California Girl myself so, just imagine how I feel about this.
Snowqueeen-- Well, thats how she introduces herself to him. I was never going to say her full name but, than Jean said it.
Constance-- I will admit the History Buff & Purple Eye Tropes were coincidental.
LOTRmom-- That's not it so, you can relax.
Sawlisa-- Well, you have to remember this is the norm it's not just his parents. I will most likely blog on this.
Masion-- Yes, I knew that was a problem in this chapter. I am actually trying to use a variety of different sounds and genres.
Julie R-- Aww, me to but, they only taught the classics ! It is very hard to mimic the hectic style.
Great-- Umm . . .
Linda-- We all can't get sucked in to the Trope Addiction ! Then you all will trope apart my story.
Dorinda-- I am learning so much from these comments. They will al be between 4-5 thousand words at the moment.
Lala-- There is no drinking age for a reason that will come along later. In-universe questions are fun !
Thank you all for the comments. I am going to start on a lexicon !