Hi all, This is the first book l'm writing (attempting!) I have chosen to write a dystopian novel as my favourite books are 1984 and A Brave New World. Anyone here who likes / writes this genre? Any advice? Thanks, John
Given the saturation of dystopian novels in the present market, make sure your story has a reason, an idea that’s driving it. Both 1984 and Brave New World have very strong underlying messages they are trying to impart to the reader. Even the newer franchises like Hunger Games and Divergent have something to say, much as they are often disparaged. “Plucky band of Abercrombie & Fitch models pwn the Evil Grownups who have destroyed the world because young is good and smart, and old is bad and stupid” will make me stop reading your book as soon as I realize that’s all there is. Have something more to say than that.
Honestly, I wouldn't focus too much on trying to write in a specific genre. The idea should come first, and the idea should be an extension of something that you're naturally passionate about. I assume you are passionate about this genre, but you might be thinking a bit too broad at first. In my experience, good fiction starts with a kernel and grows from there.
I agree mostly with Wreybies. It's probably the single most currently popular genre on the market right now and as such it is a very over-saturated market, and also the genre is dying down rearing to be replaced by the next big thing. I'm not saying this to discourage you, but as writers, knowing and understanding the market and our audience is a large part of being an author. Make sure its a story worth writing.
Hi, John. I'm curious. What story assumptions drive your dystopia? The following is intended partially as advice, mostly as supportive brainstorming: I'm not published yet so I can only reply as an expert reader who is still learning how to write. I don't think there is any such thing as a pure genre. I've not read 1984. I have read 'A Brave New World,' secretly, lest my pastor find out. In a sense, I consider 'A Brave New World,' to be a satirical comedy. Both theists and atheists can laugh and learn about humanity. One of my favourite books is 'Fossil Hunter' by John B. Olson. That book accomplished three things for both my reader self and my writer self. It entertained, taught and challenged me. It is not primarily dystopian but its handling of theme is suitable for dystopian genres. Dystopian worlds are societies off target, out of balance. That implies that utopian societies are perfectly on the human bullseye. Utopia is impossible since nothing human can be perfect. Dystopian genre is for the purpose of exaggerating human imperfection so we can have fun, brainstorming how to improve. Utopias are zero-dimensional, right on the central geometric point of the human target. Dystopias are multidimensional. There are many ways to be off target. Every society has an infinite number of ways to be messed up. Thus, dystopian genre can appeal to multiple audiences. In the case of 'Fossil Hunter,' both theists and atheists can be challenged. It's about a scientist who believes in God but also evolution. From her viewpoint, modern science is a dystopia. At one end of her life/career, she is shunned by atheist scientists. At the other end, she is chastised by her preacher father. What does that have to do with dystopian genre? When I read dystopian novels, I like to see a multidimensional world. It's not bad all at one end. It's out of balance in more than one direction. Dystopian novels are boring when they're only about needing to migrate from bad to good. Dystopian novels are interesting when they depict societies that are blindfolded, unable to see the target, let alone the bullseye. Even after heroes and heroines find the bullseye of social balance, they have to get there and lead others to it. Such multidimensional dystopian stories can be meaningful to readers of diverse mindsets.
Almost every good sci-fi story shares one thing in common: They identify a problem with the world, imagine if that problem was even worse than it is, and then usually say it's the future. Try to do a problem that isn't done as often, or point out new dangers of a familiar problem.
Knowing your genre is extremely important. It's nice to think we can all just write whatever and if it's good enough it will find it's way into the world, but things work best when the writer puts a little more work into it. Not only is knowing your genre important, but so is knowing what's out there in your chosen genre. It's fine to write non-genre stuff, too, but that's also something the writer should know going into their project.
