season 2 episode 2: Dystopia

As promised on the show and as a follow up to the talk about Dystopian writing here are a few tips and guidelines I have gleaned from the web and my 'buy me and you won't have to do any work yourself' writing books. As always with these sorts of things they should be treated as suggestive rather than prescriptive - a bit like the Pirate's Code. In fact, one of the most creative and productive responses to any statement about writing that proclaims to be a rule is to prove it wrong.
Anyway:
Dystopian Writing

Potential story elements

a story set in the future - near or distant - but often written in the past tense

a focus on a current emerging trend that the story will put out front as the overpowering norm in society

The story might have a central governing power that is omniscient

the society is somehow dehumanised and lives in fear and ignorance

the protagonist somehow refuses to conform

the outcome shows how the protagonist fails in their attempt to rebel/escape or change society

Things to consider

Where and when is the action taking place?
What is different about technology?
Who is in charge? How did they get there?
How do the rulers rule?/control?
How does society view sex and violence?
How does society view religion?
How does the economy work? How does the workforce function?
What is family life like?
What happens to disobedient people?

Hope this all helps and look forward to seeing a pile of dystopian submissions coming in - it could be fun!

Show #1 - Flash Fiction compilation

Launched the second season last night with an episode devoted to some of the great flashes from the last series. It was all quite cathartic really, feeling like an ending and a beginning, a clearing of the way for the new stories that are coming.

While I have a healthy pile of submissions there is always room for more, so please keep the work coming in, details at the top of the page.

New Season

I am happy to announce that Soundart Stories is back for a second season on Soundart Radio. As before, the show will go out every fortnight on a Tuesday evening, but at the earlier time of 7pm. This is good, because the Archers is usually rubbish on a Tuesday . . .

I have received a good haul of stories over the summer, but, as always, would welcome more, so please keep them coming in.

One thing that strikes me about the earlier time is the opportunity it provides to broadcast some stories suitable for a younger age group - so if this a a genre that interests you, pleae do not hesitate in submitting. Child and teen fiction might make an interesting topic to cover in the show in the same way we discussed flash fiction last season.
Anyway, looking forward to it immensely.