McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft
Vampire Use In Contemporary Fantasy
fjeastman:
I'm curious about the opinions of the authors on the boards as to vampires in current popular contemporary fantasy/supernatural stories.
How many of you, working in those genres, use vampires in your works? Why?
Why do you think there seem to be so many out there? Especially newer stuff.
And, how many of you are, or can think of, authors currently using vampires but NOT in a "Sexy/Hot/Sensual" role? If you're working in the genre, why have you chosen to go the way you have with "them"?
--fje
terroja:
I think vampires are in over-use right now. If I were going to use any contemporary monsters in any of my stories (and why should I when I can make up my own?), I'd use werewolves.
Vampires appeal to people because they are sexual and passionate, yet completely in control--and since most people are dull, passionless and unable to control their lives, a vampiric existence can seem very romantic to them. However, I often feel like I'm too much in control of myself, and what I long for is my appetite to be unleashed--so I prefer werewolves.
I think we want to see ourselves in our monsters for some reason. Probably because it's cathartic.
becroberts:
--- Quote from: terroja on September 03, 2006, 07:16:11 AM ---I think vampires are in over-use right now.
--- End quote ---
Agreed, though I feel the same way about werewolves and shapeshifters at the moment. I don't think it's necessary for a character to be inhuman in order to be inhuman, if that makes any sense, and my favourite type of vampire is the "regular guy" variety of P.N. Elrod, or of Forever Knight. (Though I may just be prejudiced in favour of cops and private investigators. :D )
I'm writing fantasy in a world where vampires could potentially exist because there other magical creatures, including demons, but I'm choosing not to use them because I prefer to keep everything a little more on the mundane side. That is to say, mages are commonplace and aren't given much in the way of special reverence, psychics get bad press, dragons run pubs and even demons need accountants. Vampires tend to draw too much attention to themselves (not for nothing are they leeches) and stand out from the crowd, which would change the emphasis of my books in ways I don't want.
Cathy Clamp:
--- Quote ---And, how many of you are, or can think of, authors currently using vampires but NOT in a "Sexy/Hot/Sensual" role?
--- End quote ---
ME! Well, me and my co-author. Our latest series has EVIL vampires in a paranormal romance setting. Vamps (called The Thrall) are the bad guys--sentient parasites with a "killer bee" hive mentality that attach to a human's spinal cord. We've gotten more than one "ICK!" from our readers, while others cheer our new concept! ;D It's called "Touch of Evil," and the sequel will be called "Touch of Madness."
We decided to go with a new twist on the vampire myth because it felt like "traditional" vamps had been overdone. The ones we've done are in an alternate reality, where they evolved alongside humans. They're right there at the top of the food chain with us. None of the "legendary" stuff work on them, of course. They attach to only the most healthy humans and are very short lived (because how long can a parasite grow inside the skull before it runs out of room?) Regular humans can't spot them at all. They can be out at all hours--although they PREFER night. Garlic, silver, crosses--nope. But break off their teeth? Yep! It's a central nervous system shock. And you can kill the human Host and kill the parasite (which brings up all sorts of ethical issues in the world. Does a human Host who's been "infected" with a parasite deserve to die?) Etc., etc.
I think there's lots of ways to improve or skew the vampire myth, saving some elements and rewriting others. I too find the whole "sexy, leather wearing guys" to be tiresome. I still read some, but eventually I'm afraid I'll get tired of it.
Mickey Finn:
They'll exist in my books, because most of the things that go bump in the night exist in my books, but they're not the sexy kind ;)
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