The Joy of Writing About Vampires

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Anne Rice, authors, books, interview with the vampire, novels, paranormal, paranormal books, vampire books, vampire novels, vampires, writing, writing a novel

As I work on my sequel, I find myself overcome with excitement at times. Sometimes it is due to the thrill of a good scene, or feeling as though I’m on the right track. But other times, it is because I am creating a world filled with many possibilities.

I have often wondered what is the appeal about vampires, and the list can have a variety of appeals. Sometimes it’s the sexuality, the idea of being alive for centuries, being a night creature with supernatural abilities, and so on. But as I write the sequel to The Dark Proposal, I realize there’s a long list of why writing about vampires is so much fun. Aside from what I just mentioned, I think it also is because when an author writes about vampires, they are also writing about a whole different world.

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Vampires are not human, and don’t live like humans. Therefore, their world is entirely different from ours and their sense of self is equally different. That being said, an author would have to be very creative when coming up with a world unlike ours. It is one thing to write about vampires from the outside looking in, but when it is time to write about the vampire world from the inside, a lot of creativity and fun can come in.

Think about it. Vampires are their own specie, or even their own tribe. They have cultural norms different from human norms, and possibly even have a hierarchy or political system unlike most humans. Since vampires often live separately from humans, their world will not, and even cannot, be like ours. Imagine, as an author, what fun it can be to create a totally different world!

And ideas and angles to tackle! A vampire author could write about the political system of vampires, or the gender issues vampires face, if any. A writer could tell a story about the religious beliefs of vampires, if any. Or they could write about how vampires make money and become rich (or live simply) while not being too involved in the human world. A writer could write the complexities of being a new vampire, or a very old vampire. Or create a world where centuries-old ties and bonds create harmony or friction among the vampires. Imagine digging back hundreds of years to figure out what went wrong between a couple, or what has kept them going for so many long years.

The possibilities are endless – and its great!

There are so many different topics and angles to write about when it comes to vampires. More so than romance and love, though that can take on different angles in terms of gender, sexuality and longevity. The thing is, writing about vampires is so much fun because it allows an author to create a world on his or her terms, and it depends on what subject they want to tackle. And in the case of vampires, it could be any subject.

The one risk that comes up is getting too involved in this different world. There have been times when I had to take a step back and re-evaluate a couple of characters, scenes, notes and outlines. This is because I got in too deep with what I was exploring. For example, I was exploring the relationship between Daniel and his makers, Hilde and Michel. It started off being very exciting because I got a chance to go through history, the personalities of each character, the politics of the vampire world, and how it has dealt with human hunters over the years. Unfortunately, I got so wrapped up in this, I lost track of what I was doing, and had to stop and erase what I had done. It was disappointing. Writing about centuries-old creatures that have their own social norms is fun, but it can get too much fun, and then you’ll have to start over again.

Maybe, if necessary, novellas and short stories about certain characters may come in handy down the line. Kind of like how Anne Rice keeps writing about her vampires, years after she wrote Interview With The Vampire. She created a whole new world with colorful characters, and she built a career around them. From a business standpoint, that’s not a bad idea!

Anyway, writing about vampires is tons of fun, and for good reason. Imagine creating a world of blood-sucking night creatures that can do things humans cannot and can live forever. Imagine what its like to be one, and there’s others like you. Now imagine what that existence would be like, especially if that existence has been around for centuries or even millennia. Sounds amazing, right?

Now go ahead and write that down! Just maintain your focus and you’ll be on your way!

 

Vampire Interviews: Hilde and Michel

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character interviews, interview with the vampire, interviews, vampires

Some of you might remember my interview in August with Daniel Bertrand, the boyfriend from hell in my book, “The Dark Proposal”. It was part of the Vampire Lover Blog award, but interviewing a vampire was so fascinating (and nerve wracking), I decided to do another vampire interview. For this round, I’ve chosen Hilde and Michel. For those who have read “The Dark Proposal”, they are both Daniel’s makers, and go along with tormenting Claire. But what remains to be seen is what sort of a relationship they will have with her in the sequel. 

Here they are:

MC: Good day, Hilde and Michel. Thanks for doing this interview at this time. I know vampires can move around in daylight, depending on age, but I didn’t think you would want to hide your vampire ways for this exclusive interview.

M: :shrugs: We always hide ourselves from humans, so this is no big deal.

H: I think it gives a nice effect. Creatures of the night giving an interview while the sun is still up.

MC: Good point. So, let’s begin. Does living as a vampire have the same appeal as prior to being turned (if you’re that type of vampire)? If you had to do it over, would you?

H: Of course. I love the power and freedom that I have. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. If I didn’t agree to be turned, I would be nothing but dust, long forgotten as though I never existed.

M:  Same here. Besides, Hilde was worth joining. She was both enticing and a challenge, or both together.

H: We would have missed out on so much. Who would want to die? Luckily, we are the few to receive this gift.

MC: Where do you come from?

H:  I am Germanic, and came from a small village in Bavaria in the mid-11th century. :grins: I’ll be a millennium old soon!

M: I was born a century and half after her, in what history calls the Duchy of Burgundy.

MC: From what you’ve witnessed yourself, do the history books have it right?

H: No

M: Depends on what school or country, or which author. Some are more accurate than others

MC: Are there other vampires, and if so what role does gender play in vampire society?

M: It is male-dominated because the leaders are five Brothers. But plenty of women have succeeded in being leaders, or Defenders of the Blood as they are known. Hilde was one of them. In fact, one of the Brothers made her because he thought she was thrived as a vampire than as a human.

H: It can get somewhat catty between the women here. But we’ve had more freedom through the centuries than human women. The latter has some catching up to do!

MC: Do you miss food, the sun, or your heartbeat more?

M: Once I was old enough to be out in the sun, I had to admit I missed the light.

H: Probably food. There is little or no taste, although blood never fails to bore us. None of us really need food and it just goes right through our system with little impact.

MC: Vampire physiology must be very different from human physiology – how is human blood digested and processed in the blood system?

H: Like all other nutrients, it goes where it needs to go. So the nutrition from human blood goes to our strong muscles, heightened senses, and parts of our brain which allow us to read thoughts and clear minds.

MC: According to folklore, vampires can’t cross moving water. Does this present problems for you?

M: No, because its not true.

MC: Can you have sex the ‘traditional’ way? Do you have any desire for sex?

(the two look amused and glance at each other)

H: We wouldn’t be here now if sex wasn’t part of the deal.

MC: OK then. What do you think of the recent fashion for vampire books and films? Has it made your life harder or easier?

H: Easier. There are so many wannabes out there willing to let someone drink from them. (sighs) Gullible, foolish humans. I adore them so much.

MC: What was your first feed/kill like?

H: I relished in it! I had my chance at revenge!

M: I was bothered at first, but Hilde helped me accept it as it is.

MC: Should humans tolerate the existence of vampires?

(both hesitate before answering)

H: They should. I mean, we’re not going anywhere.

M: We could probably work something out.

MC: Can you explain more? What do you mean ‘work something out’?

M: Its not really relevant (waves hand). We’re not going anywhere, as Hilde said.

MC: OK then. Well, that concludes our interview. Have a good one, and thank you.

(Hilde and Michel nod and leave office)

Well, there you have it. Hilde and Michel, quite a couple, though their last answer was a bit bizarre. But they’re an interesting twosome.

NOTE: “The Dark Proposal” is on sale for 99 cents until Halloween this Thursday, so get your copy while you can! It can be found on Smashwords and Amazon.