How to WRITE DYSTOPIAN TYPE STORIES
The future is something we all think about. Will the world crumble tomorrow? Will we be attacked by a gigantic space rock and all explode and die? Will we have floating cars and shuttles in 100 years?
But first, what is a DYSTOPIAN story like?
The literal meaning of it is: - A dystopia
is an imaginary community or society that is undesirable or frightening. It is literally translated as "not-good place" an antonym of utopia.
Utopias perfect places that everyone wants to live in. The spitting image of a bright future. Novels like the Hunger Games, and Divergent are just some of the few Dystopian type stories out there. In this type of setting, there is always some type of decline or event in society that is detrimental to the characters, and affects that world's economic, political, and social classes.
Here are six tips to make YOUR Dystopian stories amazing and for those of you who don't even know how to, how to write these types of stories. BEGIN!
#1: You've got 99 Problems and your novel isn't one!
Think of all the social problems in the world and write a list of the ones you are passionate about. Are you interested in the class system in America, or believe factories are emitting too much pollution? Do you find problems within certain governments that you wish you could fix? Once you figure out which topic you feel you have the most to comment on, it will be easier to create the rest of your dystopia!
FOR EXAMPLE: You believe we should have no government or laws forced upon citizens, and believe that is the reason for upheaval in our country. Now that you have chosen this topic, you must imagine how your characters will act in the situation!
#2: Past, Present, or Future
What time period do you want your novel to be in? If it's in the past, what events could you change that would affect our world today? The same goes when using the present time period. If you want to use the future, make sure to use elements that you think would affect people in a negative way. For instance, if we start relying on robots what will become of the human race?
Quick Tip: Research your time period, and see how people acted in the past, in the present, and how we may act in the future!
#3: Reaction
Once you understand your time period and social problem, it's time to add your characters to the mix! When creating your characters, keep in mind how they will react to the environment they live in and that this society is normal to them!
Questions to ask are:
What is their role in society, and how did they get there?
What hardships will they overcome or fail?
What is the effect on society of their actions?
FOR EXAMPLE: Gena lives in a society with no government at all and is free to do as she wishes. However, her parents force her to stay inside due to the chaos in the "real world" The only reminder of the world outside her home is a tiny window in her room that she decides to break out of tonight. Will she survive?
#4: Get the full experience!
To get a true feeling of a dystopia, read books and watch movies using this genre! By reading, you will understand how to create your society vividly when writing and by seeing a movie you will get a clearer picture of what your society and characters may look like.
Some books and movies to watch are:
Empty by Suzanne Weyn
Matched by Allie Condie
Uglies Series by Scott Westerfield
Ashes, Ashes By Jo Treggari
Starship Troopers
Minority Report
Total Recall
Gattaca
#5: Push the envelope
to your peers and what's popular on the YA dystopian market. Are writers all commenting on the same topic? That can be boring, bland, and will soon get old fast. So it's your turn to create a unique story that will catch the attention of your audience, and put them in a world no one has created before! What do you feel is important but may not have been written about?
FOR EXAMPLE: You feel that the world relies so much on technology that our society has become lazy and forgetful. In your novel, you decide that the government has outlawed the use of technology in some areas while others still have it.
Quick tip: #6
- When writing in a dystopian genre where the future usually isn't so bright, one can draw on horrific examples of the past for macabre imagery. Keep in mind, almost all dystopian fiction uses stark, depressing imagery within the prose. What is crucial is to create something unique that will stick in reader's minds. -
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Well, that was fun! What did you think? And please be honest people, are these How To's helping you, or are they just fun to read? Feedback is appreciated.
Anyway, in short, choose a problem with society or the world today, or what may even be a problem eventually. Then, pick your time period. (I am more partial towards the future, because it gives us more room for imagination and creativity). Next, how will your character react? Lastly, research and experience!
I hope I have really helped you all on how to write Dystopian type stories, farewell and I'll see you again!
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- Absolutely_Positive♥
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