Process
Status Items Output None Questions None Claims None Highlights Done See section below
Highlights
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The connective tissue between the various x-punk subgenres—steampunk, cyberpunk, dieselpunk, solarpunk, etc—is the idea of social disruption, usually related to major technological shifts. But when we look at pure, unadulterated social disruption, that’s where hopepunk truly shines. Hope as resistance, hope as the antidote to apathy, hope as a motivating force to inspire action in the face of overwhelming odds
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Hopepunk says that kindness and softness doesn’t equal weakness, and that in this world of brutal cynicism and nihilism, being kind is a political act. An act of rebellion
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We all know the narrative of the fight-or-flight instinct, the idea that our physiology responds to help us escape or defend ourselves against threats. But new research shows there are actually other stress responses that can help us to understand the positive aspects of stress and how our bodies respond to hardship. In The Upside of Stress, Professor Kelly McGonigal highlights two lesser-known models of how we respond to stress: a “challenge” response, characteristic of artists, athletes, or surgeons (also known as a flow state); and a “tend-and-befriend” response, exemplified by nurturing behaviours and desire for connection after traumatic events. Essentially, McGonigal explains, we actually have a much bigger toolbox with which to deal with stressful events, whether it’s the pressure of an important deadline, an immediate threat to our well-being, or an existential threat like, well, a resurgence of fascism and totalitarianism. Studies show that stress can increase production of oxytocin, which inspires greater connection with loved ones and can make you more courageous by inhibiting the fear response. Tend-and-befriend is the behavior we observe when tragedy strikes and people feel an instinctual need to gather, feed each other, and work together on a solution or a way of coping.
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So, let’s say you’d like to incorporate more complexity into your writing to model these beneficial outcomes of hardship. It’s helpful to cultivate an understanding of the ways our physiological responses can help or hinder your characters, especially as writing can sometimes feel like one giant stress test of our imaginary friends. This could include highlighting your characters’ values: Why do they care so much? What are the stakes? Who would they rely on to share their fears? Challenge yourself to think of the support work that goes into the acts of heroism in your novel, especially labour that is frequently made invisible: feeding, cleaning, clothing, training, child-rearing, etc. We often see battles occur as a result of diplomatic failure, so imagine the high-stakes work involved in mediation and compromise. What common ground do your protagonists and antagonists share that might compel them to build bridges rather than tearing them down? Remember that small acts of empathy can lead to life-altering shifts of perception. Remember that you’re more resilient than you think. Remember that dragons exist, but dragons can also be beaten.