Hello, I want to write a Cyberpunk AU for fanfiction, but I am not sure how to build the world. It is set in the distant future, and the story will probably be set in a large city. I need help with worldbuilding though, as I do not know where to start.
Thank you.
In honor of Stray, fulfilling this request would be an absolute pleasure! Here are some tips for building a cyberpunk world:
Do Your Research: cyberpunk is fairly popular, so in an effort to make your work less repetitive, it would be wise to do your research on all the existing types of cyberpunk and what sets them apart. Find your inspiration in the old so you can create the new, unique, and fascinating!
Identify a Subgenre: apocalyptic, dystopia / utopia, fantasy, horror, nature, sci-fi, etc. There are so many directions you migrate towards in your story, but those are usually dictated in part by the genre. Solidifying a sub-genre for your cyberpunk story will alter the direction it takes while adding depth.
The Future of Capitalism: every cyberpunk story is steeped in new technology that somehow alienates and disenfranchises a group (usually the lower class). In your world, how does that technology create the divide? How does it function? Where did it develop from?
The Victims: every story needs victims, so how did capitalism victimize the lower class (or other group)? Consider how they live, where the live, and what they have access to. Could they use their resources to make their lives better?
Engage with Gray Morality: the cyberpunk genre initially drew inspiration from noire stories about detectives, mysteries, and justice that wasn’t always black and white. Ensure your characters and the decisions they make could be considered a bit closer to gray in terms of morality.
And perhaps the most important, Make It Personal: every story is made better when it draws from the passion of the author, and every author fears, loves, and hates -- use your personal experiences to inspire and build upon what you fear to be a future reality. This will inject realism into your work and, after all, your fears may overlap with those of your audience and make it personal for them too.
Looking for more prompts and tips for writing certain genres? Shoot us a request and we’ll fill it on our next AU Friday!
- Admin M x
