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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/42937
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/42937
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

# You're missing the explanation

'Occult Powered Technology' is not a unique concept. Many books, films and games have explored this concept. The _Shadowrun_ series of both video and roleplaying games is one example, though it is also a little 'sci-fi'.

### Why it feels sci-fi and how to fix it

Fuel free cars, hover-trains, energy weapons and free power are all sci-fi concepts, typical for that genre. **What shifts a work from sci-fi to steampunk, fantasy or paranormal is the source of this technology.** As you say in a steampunk world this technology is attributed to clockwork. Readers know this from the exposed gears and clockwork motifs. In a fantasy setting this would be explained as 'magic' and incorporated into an explanation of the magic system.

**You need to give an explanation for how this technology works.** Pure technical advancement will be considered sci-fi so show what makes this different. As @AlbertoYagos said in comments, many occult works use the concept of 'aether'. A mystical substance that can take whatever form you require. Aether can be a gas, a liquid or most commonly a crystal. Simply referring to your hover-trains as "aether-powered" will instantly explain the technology and remove the sci-fi aspect.

What you call the substance is up to you. 'Aether' is a common term but you can make one up entirely. The details of what it is or how it works are almost irrelevant. Once you give a source for all the unexplained things you have solved the problem.

### You have multiple 'buys'

In as currently written you are asking your reader to 'buy-in' to hover-trains, gasless cars, advanced weapons and free energy. Without an explanation these are all separate 'buys'. You know that is has central reason but if you don't show that to the reader they have to resolve each new thing independently.

**Give a central explanation and you only have one 'buy': _Aether is special and can do magic stuff._** Once you give that explanation anything new or unexplained can be dismissed as 'aether-powered'. This is easier for the reader to understand and will reduce the sci-fi feel.

# Aether as plot

In some stories the aether itself is a central theme. How it is obtained, who got rich discovering it, who invented the first device and which villain is stealing it for nefarious means. It sounds as if you want to use this as a subtle background to another story so don't go to deep into details.

Perhaps you can have your MC discover the 'true source' of the aether. Some grand secrets that the rich and powerful have been covering up. Maybe it is sacred to a native tribe, perhaps mining it destabilises the planet. Whatever the reason is, show it to the readers and let them do the rest. You could even use this as the over-arch of an entire series. All the small plots tied together by aether.

Original score: 7