Sure – doom and gloom might be a solid portion of your narrative. But that isn’t all there is to dystopian stories – and it’s your job to highlight all of it. This week, I’m sharing some of my favorite tips to point you in the right direction as you craft a thrilling story that holds readers captive.
What is a Dystopian Novel?
A dystopian novel is a story set in a society that’s deeply flawed, often characterized by oppressive governments, environmental disasters, or loss of freedoms. These worlds highlight the consequences of societal issues, exploring themes like survival, control, and rebellion, while challenging characters (and readers) to question the status quo.
7 Typical Characteristics of a Dystopian Book
Oppressive Society
- Features a controlling government, corrupt leadership, or strict societal rules.
- Individual freedoms are limited or nonexistent.
Flawed World
- Often set in a bleak, futuristic, or post-apocalyptic environment.
- Problems like environmental disasters, war, or technological overreach dominate.
Themes of Control
- Surveillance, propaganda, and manipulation are common tools of power.
- Citizens may be conditioned to accept or fear the system.
Rebellion or Resistance
- Protagonists often challenge the oppressive system, fighting for freedom, truth, or justice.
Moral Questions
- Explores ethical dilemmas, human nature, and the consequences of societal choices.
Isolation and Conformity
- Characters often feel trapped, isolated, or pressured to conform.
Warning for the Future
- Reflects current societal fears and serves as a cautionary tale about where humanity might be headed.
How to Write a Dystopian Novel?
Writing dystopian novels is tough because you need to create a believable, complex world with unique rules and challenges while tying it to relatable human struggles. Balancing world-building, plot, and meaningful themes without overwhelming readers takes a lot of skill and creativity.
Rules You Need to Follow
Build a Believable World
Create a detailed, unique setting with rules, systems, and challenges that feel realistic. Base your world on current fears or issues and exaggerate them to show potential consequences.
Introduce a Broken Society
Highlight flaws like oppressive governments, environmental decay, or extreme inequality. Show how these flaws affect everyday life for the characters.
Craft Relatable Characters
Make your protagonist someone readers can root for, struggling against the system. Include characters who represent different viewpoints to add depth and tension.
Include Themes of Control and Resistance
Show how power is maintained—through fear, propaganda, or technology. Introduce rebellion, resistance, or moments where characters challenge the status quo.
Focus on Moral and Ethical Questions
Explore tough dilemmas, like sacrificing personal freedom for safety or the cost of rebellion. Make readers question what’s right and wrong in your world.
Add High Stakes
The protagonist’s actions should have meaningful consequences, often life-or-death. The outcome should feel impactful for the world and characters.
Don’t Forget Hope
Even in dark worlds, offer a glimmer of hope or a possibility for change to keep readers invested.
Keep It Relevant
Draw inspiration from real-world issues, making your story resonate with contemporary fears and concerns.
Balance World-Building with Plot
Show, don’t tell. Let readers experience your world through the characters’ eyes without overwhelming them with exposition.
Make the Ending Count
Whether it’s a win, loss, or bittersweet resolution, the ending should feel earned and reflect the story’s themes.
Inkitt’s Recipe for Nailing the Ultimate Dystopian Novel
Mix together a chilling concept
My favorite way to do this is to start with the idea of fear. Imagine what could potentially happen in the real world if a totalitarian government took over. What sorts of rights and liberties would be lost? Then, think about how and when people might revolt. Bam – you have a concept that has just enough reality in it to be terrifying, but mixed with enough sci-fi, it goes down smooth enough after the burn, like a good whiskey.
Throw in a good dose of dystopian plot twists
Plot twists and dystopian novels go together like peanut butter and jelly—you can’t have one without the other! Twists keep readers hooked, while immersive sensory details make the dystopian world feel real (even when it’s wild).
And hey, want to really shake things up? Throw in a surprise twist or kill off a side character or two. Fun times!
Stir up some romance
Ah, my favorite part of any dystopian book. Yes, I am totally a hopeless romantic – so I live for those doomsday romances that sizzle every bit as much as the falling asteroid they’re running from. Bonus points if you can work in some kind of feverish make out in battle-torn, grimy clothes, with sweat trailing down the dirt on their faces and bodies.
That’s so hot.
Anyway, what were we talking about? Oh yeah – romance in dystopian novels. It can also function to show the softer side of the story. Enter one of my all-time favorite tropes, what I like to call, the cranky one falls for the sunshiny one. It’s so cute to see some gruff, angry character start to slowly strip away their angst just long enough to get closer to the more positive character.
Let your dystopian concept bake until the edges are perfectly crispy
Dystopian romance takes time to develop—you can’t rush those intricate plots or dream up the perfect vigilante love interest overnight. Ideas might start as quick flashes, but they need time to grow.
Don’t stress if you’re not ready to write yet; the best stories come when you let them simmer. Plus, dystopian tales are all about holding up a mirror to life—whether it’s making a bold political statement or reflecting personal struggles. Take your time; your characters (even while fleeing giant tarantulas) will thank you!
Serve with a healthy dollop of confidence
As always, not everyone is going to vibe with what you’ve dreamt up. But that’s not your problem – you wrote the kickass story of your dreams (or, nightmares). And that’s worth celebrating. You can’t pull a concept out of thin air very easily – but you did it all by yourself. Most people can’t write stories the way authors can. Have you ever actually considered how special you are for accomplishing all of this?
It’s nothing short of fantastic. So sit back, put your feet up, and gaze lovingly at the tyrannical, horrendous, suffocating, and psychologically damaging world you’ve built. It’s fun to be a little indulgent now and again, isn’t it?
