The Steampunk Boiler Room

For me, I guess, the question is not whether action drives the story, but rather, "What does drive the story?"

I think that if a story is going to be centered less on what happens (i.e. inciting event, action, reaction, action, etc.), then there must be some other interest driving the story. If it is a character-driven piece, then the character's introspection must have its own inherent conflict to drive the interest of the tale.

That inner conflict, too, must eventually relate to whatever external forces are in play, so that there can be some kind of structure to the story, the peaks and valleys, so to speak, and so that there can be some kind of climax and a satisfying resolution of some sort, whether it is a resolution of the character's inner turmoil, through some kind of catharsis, or simply a resolution of the external stresses acting upon the character.

Then, too, for it to be a Steampunk tale, certain minimum requirements must be met. At least some of the conventions must be present.

Does this seem reasonable?

Best regards,
CeruleanSon