That led to a lengthy and engaging conversation not only about the patriarchy and societal expectations on women of the time, but the actual history of the bustle and corset. While getting ready to attend our last steampunk gathering just a few weeks ago, I was sewing together a beautiful skirt with bustle and a matching bolero top with flounce, when I questioned my girlfriend as to why anyone would ever want to wear a corset.
Whether it is pure historical fiction, or science fiction, the ability to immerse the reader beyond the point where characters are not only plausible, but also decidedly real, is a great writing accomplishment. Think of it similarly to the analogy above how many viewers watched Harlan’s Emmy award winning Star Trek episode, then curiously thought to examine whether or not Edith Keeler was real or fictitious? For me, this is the Holy Grail of writing fiction. What could I possibly have to say about English history that would mean a hill of beans to a readership far superior in depth and detail than myself, when it comes to fact and fiction, as it pertains to the historical depths of the aristocracy and English lore? I decided to take on this daunting challenge if for no other reason than to make a case for the beauty, fun and ultimate aggrandizement steampunk brings to the glorious Victorian age. The closest analogy for this post I could think of would be Harlan Ellison writing a blog post for Scientific America. As a steampunk author, I enter into the lion’s den knowing the imminent peril that I face.
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