It's very hard not to write posts that will, at the very least cause me to be viewed as odd, and at the worst, declared certifiable (see my first entry). But I suppose I should give it a shot. This is important to me because writing is my one steadfast dream, and I've had a long dry spell full of banal plots, one dimensional characters and trite aphorisms. Hopefully this marks the beginning of a great first novel.

I'm working on a new new story idea, and it's begun to take on some very unique aspects. I posted a blog about Steampunk earlier and its taken root and grown into a steampunk bramble full of strange fruit and sharp thorns. Although Steampunk generally centers around a time period that looks mid to late 19th century-ish, there don't appear to be any hard and fast rules about that. I'm not sure whether anyone has done it before (probably -- I just haven't seen it yet) but my setting is taking on a distinctly mid-eighteenth century look. The clothing, mostly; and the way the airships are built reminds me more of tall ships than hot air balloons and blimps. I don't really care if that's "allowed" in Steampunk, I like it. So there.

I know I have something good when the characters begin to direct the plot. They're an interesting bunch, a bit rowdy, but very likable. They've taken permanent residence in by brain and are constantly whispering little details about themselves to me. The other day, Evie forcibly took my pen and showed me that she was a much more dangerous person than I had originally thought -- honestly, the girl is a menace! I already have a favorite, but I won't say who because the others might get jealous and wreck my plot.

My room mate suggested a new way of writing and it seems to be working very well, mostly because of the aggressive way these characters are telling their story. I'm writing a sort of summary of each of their lives from their viewpoints up to the movement where their lives intersect. Then I'll take it from there in the 3rd person. It helps to know how their minds work, and they've been very gracious about sharing their thoughts.

I don't want to post a description of the guys quite yet, nor am I going to divulge any plot details. Mostly, that's because it's not clear in my head, but it's also because I'm paranoid. If I was browsing a bookshop one day and discovered that someone had stolen my dear Linus Quinn, I would probably revert to my Viking roots and go berserk. Pity the thief, my people. It wouldn't be pretty.

So, if you see me in class writing furiously for no legitimate reason, tip of my tongue protruding shoulders tense, it's because they're talking to me again. If I don't pay attention they sulk, you see, and I can never recapture the phantom phrases.

I crave your indulgence mesdames et messieurs, and remain, as always,

Faithfully yours,

The Oddity

Note: For more information on everything Steampunk, visit brassgoggles.co.uk.

I have a new passion. It’s called Steampunk.

To many people, the word represents the epitome of geekdom, but to these same geeks, the word denotes high adventure, mechanical butterflies and sky pirates.

Steampunk is a little-known subculture. I had never heard of it until I stumbled on a reference while researching Edith Nesbit for an essay. One of my favorite Nesbit heroes, Oswald Bastable of The Treasure Seekers, was borrowed by author Michael Moorcock in the mid seventies -- the result is an early Steampunk trilogy called “Nomad of Time.” The novels sound bizarre, but interesting, dealing with an alternate version of the 20^th century in which WWII never happened.. I’ve never been a science fiction fan – anything but “A Wrinkle in Time” bores me. Alternate universes, though, I might be able to handle.

My favorite Steampunk blog, Brass Goggles, has a very nice breakdown of the different subgenres of steampunk. Jules Verne was one of the original Steampunk authors, although his particular subgenre is classed as “Voyages Extraodinaire.” Wild/Weird West also sounds interesting – I think this one may have been adopted by some Japanese artists, giant mechanical spiders and all!

Brass Goggles has all sorts of wonderful links to art, fiction music (who knew there was such a thing as Steampunk music?) forums and Steampunk publications.

Through Brass Goggles, I found The Steampunk Home. It’s like Martha Stewart with corsets and hot air balloons. The décor is really too dark for my tastes, but the whole mad scientist meets Victorian gentleman meets otherworldly artisan thing is pretty cool. Oh! And hidden libraries with secret doors! Who wouldn’t love that?

Voyages Extraodinaires deals more with film and literature. There are some entries on books genres, and video clips galore. I’ll be exploring it more thoroughly soon.

I cannot conclude this blog without directing your attention to the slightly macabre, but very, very beautiful art of Mike Libby at Insect Lab Studio. Clockwork beetles, delicate geared grasshoppers and butterflies with gold wire antennae teem in his galleries – all of them made with real preserved insects.

On top of the amazing costumes, art and general weirdness, this discovery of mine is sparking some very interesting plot ideas … sky pirates have a certain appeal, after all.