Mysterious Steampunk

Jemi Fraser of Just Jemi joins Southern City Mysteries today for a look at the genre of Steampunk.  Mystery and fantasy lovers--this is a special treat!  Add in YA and there is no audience to which Jemi doesn't appeal.  Jemi is a teacher and believes, I quote, "Variety is THE spice."  Read and click.
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Thanks, Michele for the opportunity to post on your awesome blog!

I’m currently in the midst of writing a Steampunk YA mystery novel. A friend – Calista Taylor over at A Steampunk Reverie – introduced me to the genre about a year ago. She’s written a great romantic mystery set in Steampunk England.

Steampunk is not a new genre, but it is new to many people. Basically, Steampunk is set in Victorian times, often in London. The industrial revolution is still taking place, but with a twist. Steam becomes a power source for many more devices than engines. Inventions – or tinkerings – develop rapidly. The devices are a lot of fun. One of my main characters creates, among other items, a tracking device and a mechanism to help him blend into the night.

Steampunk England is a great setting for mysteries and murders. There are multiple dead bodies in my story! It’s a dangerous and difficult time for those without resources. My characters aren`t wealthy, so their lives are never easy. They know the alleys and the shadows. Several of the action scenes take place in outdoor settings. Great places for chases, surprise attacks and body dumps. I’ve met an awesome character who lives in the depths of these alleys. As for the coppers? They don’t have the time, energy or manpower to investigate the deaths of people with no importance (wealth). Not sure how perfectly true that is, but it makes for a good story line, so don’t disillusion me please!

The class system, including the development of a middle class, and the industrial revolution both give lots of opportunities for writers to weave plots. So much anger, creativity, hardship and indulgence existed at the time. Add a twist with a Steampunk machine or two and you’re off! You can get as edgy as you like. Steampunkers aren’t constricted by too many boundaries. They’re wonderfully open to new ideas, new possibilities.

Hopefully this gives you a better understanding of Steampunk. If you’re looking for a fun genre to try, it’s well worth a visit!
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Thank you, Jemi, for guest blogging on Southern City Mysteries.  Visit her blog, Just Jemi, for more from this pre-pub writer.