Write Dystopian Fiction: Creative Writing Mastery

1. Introduction: Welcome to a new course on writing dystopian fiction. In the 21st century. It seems there are many dystopian novels out there. After all, some of the most recent blockbusters in the English language or dystopian, such as 1984, lord of the Flies and the Hunger Games. The dystopian style may seem like a cliche, but this is not true. Breeders or weight. Your perspective on the style. And there is still plenty of room for compelling and captivating dystopian fiction. It's hard to pin down the basics of dystopian fiction. And in this course, I will give many tips and writing it. I won't really go into narrative of characterization. But I hope to demonstrate the many approaches a writer can take for soapy and fiction. As a writer myself, I see the benefits of helping writers at any stage in crafting amazing stories. I've published many courses on Skillshare, too much success. And today, I'm excited to help you. Let's begin. 2. Reading Tips: Rating is obviously a crucial part of riding. And dystopia is no different. Make it a habit to read widely into dystopian, as well as watching dystopian movies are playing relevant video games. There are also excellent graphic novels in the dystopian style, such as V for Vendetta by Alan Moore. By doing this, you'll notice that different trends and approaches that have existed throughout time, as well as what works and what doesn't festival. He will shape your own perspectives on the genre, which is valuable for any writer. For example, I'm not really fond of a lot of young adult fiction. And I have a preference for the new wave science-fiction movement from the seventies. I have a preference for ideas and concepts over characters. In dystopia, of course, you may differ. And that's okay. But read widely in dystopian fiction. This will help develop your own voice in this style. 3. Strong Characters: Longstanding problem in speculative fiction is way characters. Often a writer makes the character standing for a certain ID or treat them like a plot device. Sadly, this makes for a wig story. Us characters are crucial for getting raises invested into your story. Even if you're more interested in ideas and concepts like IM, please do not ignore your characters. In dystopian fiction, characters will make tragic choices or have bad things happen to them. This must impact the reader. And the best way to ensure this is by adding depth to your characters, give significant consideration into your characters desires, their floors, and strengths, relationships with others, motivations. And we Xbox. Perhaps you'd like to consider your character's life before the dystopian event occurred. Another benefit of strong characters is that they make your world seem more real and tangible to the reader. A good example, of course, is Winston from 1984. He's not only interesting, but very human foods. The end result is one of the finest novels in 20th century English literature. 4. Get Brave: When writing dystopia, you'll deal with things relating to politics, economics, history, and how society functions. I'm sure you have your own perspectives on these issues. And that's okay. The best fiction comes from the heart. And those who are passionate about certain topics. Ultimately, it's up to you in how these topics are explored and even what these topics are. Everyone has their own viewpoints. And my suggestion is to get brave. Don't be afraid to explore big things are right from the heart. It's okay to be passionate writer who draws on his or her life or views to create compelling fiction. So, as I said in a previous class, right, with no regrets, not everyone will agree or like your story. And that's okay. The best thing you can do as a writer is to stick to your own vision and to write with no apologies. He's got this. 5. Realism: This is a controversial word as realism can mean certain things. For the sake of brevity. Realism is the antidote to excessive idealism or utopian thinking. In many ways, dystopian fiction rejects these concepts as naive, foolish, and from Sir, give careful consideration in how events, narrative points, settings, and characters are depicted them in a realistic light by displaying relevant consequences. For example, in Brave New World, we learned the realistic results and consequences of human engineering. Therefore, dystopian fiction is keenly interested in the realistic results of humanities, ideas, and aspirations. There is no holding back in this. Of course, realism will mean different things here. As writers will have their own approaches and interests. Okay? But don't be afraid to hurt your characters, to make things difficult for them and to put obstacles in their way. After all, real life dislike that. So why should your fiction differ? 6. Tap Into Fear: One crucial aspects of soapy and fiction is perhaps dystopia represents a phase coming to life, including those we may not acknowledge. The best way you can incorporate it into your story is by considering the different types of face, personal, social, and cultural, historical, and universal. I have a short course on using fear for creative writing that you may want to check out. For. Now, consider the fees you have and that others have. I bet one of them would make a great story or theme. So you get a pen and paper out and brainstorm the various fees you and your characters may have. These are the ingredients for spellbinding fiction. If you want to get really clever, you may not just portray that fear coming to light, but the consequences if that fee is afforded completely. This is why I love the movie called Brazil. Because that's explored. Fee is a truly double-edged sword. It may be wise to avoid, but it's sometimes necessary to confront. 7. Twist Positives Into Negatives: An incredible part of dystopian fiction is how positives are twisted into negatives. Some of the greatest authors in the genre, such as Ray Bradbury, twist things considered to be positives, like mass enterprise and commercialization into negatives. This is also why I love a novel called weight by a Russian author named you have Ghani some beaten. He certainly clever. It's easy to think that a world where everyone is happy and cheery all of the time is ideal, but some urinating reveals the dark underbelly working underneath this. So how can you do this? Consider revealing the dark side of things, things positive. For example, if you are writing a geopolitical dystopian novel, you may want to set your sights the notion of world peace or diplomacy. The choice is up to you. But notice that one of the most enjoyable and interesting aspects of dystopian fiction is its ability to cause readers a rethink about things they deem good and normal. 8. Consider Human Nature: An interesting theme in dystopia and post-apocalyptic fiction are musings on human nature. If you've seen the TV show, The Walking Dead or read the comics, he'll know what I mean. It's also found in Stephen King's to stand as well as Cormac McCarthy's The Road. This makes sense as this typing environments bring up vulnerability in each character. As a writer, you should play around with it. Consider how h main character views human nature and mankind in general. Also, it's worth considering how this influences their actions, treatment of other characters. One thing I loved about the Blade Runner sequel is detached and superficial nature of our protagonists. This highlighted the sorrow in their lives and the thirst remaining. Overall, I empathize with the characters and kinda melancholic about the world I live in today. That's the power of dystopian fiction. Putting a mirror to human nature and forcing us to look closer. You can do that too. 9. Childhood Motif: Children are an interesting motif in dystopian fiction. If you've ever seen or read the story, Children of Men, you'll know why not timely to children's symbolize the future. But they embody the consequences of previous generations decisions. Whether we're discussing the handmade stale by Margaret Atwood, The Road by Cormac McCarthy, we must acknowledge the important relationship between children and adults. Sometimes dystopian fiction has children or teenagers as the main characters. Well-known examples are obviously the Hunger Games and battle right out. But others worth considering include a Clockwork Orange, never let me go. And Lord of the Flies. My advice is to give consideration into the dynamics between children and adults. A great example of childhood characters is in George Orwell's 1984 in this masterpiece, children are spies for the big brother government and our risks to their parents. This is a clip, brilliant aversion to our contemporary view of children as part of a family who will hopefully inherit a brighter future. Well, is clearly clever. In writing these children. There's something sinister enough pudding about children were viewed as innocent, yet being instrumental in such an evil regime. So you can add a similar effect in your writing too. 10. Mourning Mankind: One of my favorite moments in dystopian fiction is when the characters are reminded of what they've lost, it can create a powerful and moving seen that not only adds step two characters, but displays and many things at stake. Not terrifying dystopia will have characters who remember life before catastrophic event, and that's fine. But consider what life was like before everything turned foul and try to inject reminders of symbols within your story. Some suggestions include flashbacks or an object that reminds a character of life before things turns difficult. This was done quite well in both Blade Runner movies, but also in a wonderful little book called The memory police, which I highly recommend. These moments of mourning mankind will help create an impactful notion of melancholy, which can definitely add meaning to your story. Another important aspect are backstories. Give your world, setting and characters plenty of backstory. You don't need to reveal everything. But it's nice for readers and viewers to know there is more to what's going on, what is initially revealed. This can also create mystery, which I'll discuss more in the next video. To summarize, you want to create contrast before and after, as well as track the development each character has gone through. Trust me, your story will be much richer for it. 11. Add Mystery: Mystery elevates any story and dystopia is no exception. It's tempting when writing any story that's intense with worldbuilding, to info dump, or to saturate the opening minutes or pages with backstory and information. Restraint is required. I suggest being careful about the information that is revealed to the reader, whether it's relating to character, backstory of worldbuilding. It helps to establish a sense of mystery. They rediscover crucial information. At the same time as the characteristic. Not every story needs a shocking twist or non-stop melodrama. Mystery matters. A brilliant example is consumer is sugars never let me go. Which uses the opening chapters to raise questions and to dwell too deep into his characters. More information is added about the characters and the world they inhibiting. There is no denying the impact. To conclude this point, add mystery. 12. Class Project: All right, We've now reached the exciting stage of the class project. Similar to my other classes, when making a mood board or a mind map. I want you to think about your dystopian world and the characters inhabiting it. Following this, you should find photos, quotes, symbols, illustrations, and diagrams, represents your dystopian world. An example is posted in the class project section. This task is important as you must visualize how you will fields and a piece the others. It's also wise to give consideration to the colors you may use. Any archetypes represented what mood you want to convey. Think about that. You have complete creative freedom of this task. And I can't wait to see what you've come up with. 13. Conclusion: Thank you very much for taking this course and writing dystopian fiction. If you'd like. Please leave a review, give some feedback, or start a discussion. I know there are many writers on Skillshare who would like to improve their craft and to talk to each other. Don't forget your class project. To also, if you like, perhaps you'd like to check out my other Skillshare classes on technology for writers, outlining and writing novels, and on genre specific topics like fairy tales, fantasy, and Gothic fiction. My aim is to help riders or any level improve their craft and discover a coefficient. I believe you can create a fantastic dystopian story. I'm excited to continue, encourage, and teach creative writing to you. Thanks again, and I'll see you soon.