What’s solarpunk and why you need to write it
Shweta Taneja
Award-winning author | Tech Columnist | Social Impact Leader | Science, Tech, AI, Climate, Environment, Society
Before we were plunged into a seasonal pandemic-caused cycle of socializing and distancing, I loved reading dystopian science fiction. Tales about the future where everything was bleak—protagonists struggled in corrupt authoritarian intergalactic, corporatised ‘verses; climate change crated new territories to colonize; young adults became terrorists to survive zombie-infested lands.
Sci-fi written about terrible worlds where a little hope, a little determination was the only light. These scrumptious tales went beautifully with lazy mornings, an Earl Grey and bowls of snacks.
Then things changed – for me at least, maybe for you too.
The world today feels so tiresome. We use the word ‘cope’ in everyday exchange between friends. We’re facing challenges like climate emergency and covid, not sometime in the future, but right now, right here. Our world is shaping into the dystopian tales we imagined.
The future is now. And it’s anxious, frustrating and emotionally flux.
Perhaps that could explain why I’ve moved to writing (and reading) different sci-fi subgenres. I’ve gone back to the escapist genre of?space opera, a tried and well-loved genre of fantastical intergalactic empires, and heroic protagonists. And I’m also writing something we’ve consciously named?solarpunk?(sometimes ecopunk) that explore green futures enabled by dramatic, doable technologies and anti-establishment protagonists.
My recent short story,?The Songs that Humanity Lost Reluctantly to Dolphins?(published in?English?and?French) was part of a worldwide anthology of such hopeful stories which explore cities shared by humans, animals, insects, plants and machines. Though optimistic, my story was a bit sad, showing my dystopian roots, where a collective ‘us’ suffers because dolphins take over the world and our children. The story’s being discussed in a few classrooms across the world, which is kind of cool and surreal.
Other than bursts of short-lived positivity, my current WIP is all about escapism – an entertaining romper on a spaceship with a bunch of weirdos, travelling across the universe. Escapism, after all, is the best medicine for some of the anxieties I (and probably you) face. The novel is not there yet and I don’t know when it’ll be ready to face the world.
But like the writers of solarpunk, I have hope and resilience.
I hope you have it too. Keep working on that idea, my dear pal. I want to leave you with some inspiration, and some leads to encourage you to write and create.
Updates and links
Submission alert: Imagine 2200:?How do you imagine the future of your community, tribe or language? Fellows at Fix run this sci-fi contest everyyear to develop diverse cli-fi tales.?Submit fiction here, for free.
Want to explore climate fiction??Read up one of these books?in this must-read list collated by folks at Grist magazine.
Is there pleasure in doing nothing??If you had enough money, what would you do? Living amidst billionaires-at-25 and retirees-at-42,?Sirin Kale at The Guardian ponders on this question?of living in the present, doing nothing. It’s a Sunday after all.
Book excerpt in RoundGlass Sustain: This month, I celebrate a year since the release of my book on Indian scientists?They Made What? They Found What??To my delight, it’s become a bestseller and royalty-spinner of 2021. A cheering feat considering India-made kit-lit is so hard to sell.?Here’s an excerpt?of one of my favourite chapters on finding a genus of a frog.
French translation of a short:?My slapstick short story?Bhaisaab’s Bespoke Brides Boutique?was translated into French and published in a sci-fi magazine. It was published in English in the digital magazine, Antonym.?Read here.
Struggling to write??As I chug along yet another draft of my novel, this?Twitter thread?by author Ed McDonald resonated with me. It’s about him writing, rewriting, taking on feedback, and bouncing back from rejections. And getting it right. Never give up, creators!?
P.S.?If you like this newsletter and want to support it, you can:
1)?Buy one of my?books
3)?Forward this newsletter to a friend with an invitation to subscribe right here:?bit.ly/dearpenpal
Energy § Writing § Fiction for a Better Tomorrow
2 年Yes, absolutely! Thank you Shweta. I'm so excited and happy every time i see something like this mentioned. I am trying to start a short fiction magazine that focuses on future focused stories, including but not limited to solarpunk and cli-fi - there are many social and cultural issues that can be addressed through narrative.
I help fiction authors sell more books by improving their content and positioning.
2 年This is a challenge for me, because I agree with the concept of writing books and stories with a rosier view of the future. I recently read a post from Dylan Merz that discussed the importance of narrative in our lives and the direction we are moving in societally. I agree. But I also have a trilogy in the works that is dystopic, and my upcoming novel is apocalyptic, and I just can't see myself changing gears with that right now. It's terribly conflicting.