While looking through the vast number of topics I have covered on my blog, I came across a remarkable omission. A check of my blog tags around the letter V revealed a horrendous gap. So, I did a search of my entire blog and discovered that I had, in fact, mentioned this absent tag word all of three times in what amounts to over 200,000 words of blog posts, only in passing.
It is typical of me, really. To miss fashion and trends by about twenty-five years or more. So, more as an excuse to fill my tag gap than anything else, I’d now like to mention vampires.
So when exactly did these vampires change from being nasty villains in black-and-white horror movies to being trendy, sexy and oh-so-cool heroines in modern literature? Was it Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’, or Morticia Addams who changed the world’s opinion about blood sucking, extremely low body temperatures and having a reticence to wear bikinis and get a nice golden suntan? Perhaps it was all the fault of Alice Cooper. Who knows?
Anyway, the upshot of this gap in my vocabulary and taste in modern literature has posed a conundrum for me. Should I play catch up and add to the list of ‘Vamp’ novellas on Kindle? Or should I stay true to myself and continue to write long books with mandatory chase scenes and allegorical references to the meaning of life? It was suggested to me that I could easily have Milo Moon turned into a trendy, blood-sucking hero if I put my mind to it. Sorry Milo. It wasn’t my idea.
It would probably be better if I made Milo’s Mary a vampire. Sexy lady vampires seem to be far more popular than the guys.
Wish me luck!
Just as long as s/he doesn't sparkle. >.<
Luck :)
I disagree…male vampires are more appealing, they all have dreamy eyes and six-pack abs. Why aren't there any fat, frumpy or ugly vampires? Surely all the undead are good looking.
I think the problem isn't Vampires themselves being bad, its that we see so much of it these days. One person I know has gotten really irritated with even the thought of vampire stories. Of course, when they brought up zombies as an alternative I brought up my own sentiment that zombie fiction is exploding to the point of becoming overdone. Werewolf stuff too IMO. Maybe we need to dig a bit deeper to find a new baddy.
You definitely need to write a vampire story! No writer's career is complete without one!
AH! to be a follower or not to be? Well I could say ..be true to thy self! or.. If all the kids are doing it, why not!!!! (oh! did I mention one of my WIP may have a little somehting to do with a vampire, a wolf or some sort of mix breed?)
Personally, I think vampires are wearing a little thin. I mean, they're EVERYWHERE! Seems like you can't swing a cat without hitting six of the blighters. At least after dark.
Furthermore, I think all the recent vampire heartthrobs (*cough* Edward *cough*) look quite alarmingly girlie. But maybe that's just me…
Werewolves are a little more interesting to me, I think because the folklore goes back further. There's stuff suspiciously reminiscent werewolf lore in the Norse myths, for example. So for me, they have more cred. :D
Your question probably was not a serious one, but I'd say, if you don't have a vampire story inside you trying to get out, I wouldn't bother trying to write one. :)
Thanks for your comment Happy Odd Girl!
I was considering turning my cocker spaniel into a vampire for a new angle, so happy to drop the idea now :)
Hahaha! I'm sure your cocker spaniel will be very relieved! :D
You know you should stay true to yourself. If Vamps are not your thing it will show in your writing. Good Luck to you!
A vampire animal has been done already. Christopher Moore did Chet the vampire cat.
Dracula made vampires sexy to the masses but the sexual overtones have always been a part of the vampire myth – the intimacy of sucking blood from the jugular of a scantily clad female at night from her bedroom.
Dracula made vampires sexy to the masses but the sexual overtones have always been a part of the vampire myth – the intimacy of sucking blood from the jugular of a scantily clad female at night from her bedroom.