Wednesday, April 18, 2012

My Aversion to Vampires

Okay, I know it’s not the popular thing to say, but I have a very strong aversion to vampires, or let me be more specific since vampires don’t really exist (or do they?) – vampire stories and movies creep me out.

It’s about the blood. No, it’s about my neck. No, it’s about both. I always turn my head when there’s blood and gore in a film.

I was almost paralyzed when I was about 12 and my little sister started bleeding profusely from a pulled tooth. I just barely managed to get her situated over the bathroom sink, then quickly called for my mom and went to lay down on my bed, queasy and dizzy.

Then I’ve always had this thing about my neck. See, I’m fairly convinced I was guillotined in another life and hence I can’t stand being touched on my neck or wearing anything that’s too tight around it. A choker necklace is completely out of the question.

Given these two intimate details, which is probably TMI (too much information), there is no way I can get into a book that is about vampires. So, unfortunately, that leaves a large segment of the Indie authors out of my reach. Too bad for me, I fear.

As with anything I don’t understand, I struggle to get into the mindset of someone who loves vampire stories. I would really enjoy writing a character who’s into vampires, but since I don’t get it, I can’t write it.

So, part of my reason for writing this is to ask those of you out there who are into the vampire thing to please comment. I really would appreciate your feedback.

25 comments:

  1. I never really liked vampires either. I mean, I read the stories and kept up with its hype... But I never cared too much for them. They're just really weird to be. You won't see me picking up ANY vampire stories from the bookstore or the library. There are WAY too many better authors and stories out there for time wasted on them. I'm with you on this, all the way!!

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    1. Thanks for the comment - but let me be clear - I'm not dissing vampire story writers or readers. I would truly like to understand the phenomenon.

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  2. No need to put down another author because you do not like a specific literary genre. I don't like all genres either but I don't knock em.

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  3. I'm not putting it down at all - not at all - I'm just saying I can't read them and I'm honestly asking for people's feedback on what attracts them. I have to wonder if you really read this?

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    1. I'm truly sorry for the misunderstanding. My response was not directed at you but at the first person who responded to your view on the topic.
      I understand your point because many people really don't get this sudden increase in Paranormal novels.
      Many of my co-workers think I'm crazy because I love vampire novels but the sense of comedy I get when reading them is pretty crazy; Kresley Cole Immortals After Dark series, Lynsay Sands Argeneau family series and Sherrilyn Kenyon Dark-Hunter Series are really funny novels.
      I don't see the characters as vampires because they behave like the heroes in the usual romance novels (except for being unable to go out in sunlight and needing blood to survive).
      I laugh non-stop when reading them and the sex scenes are pretty good too..lol.

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    2. Oh, I'm sorry too, Zola - I didn't get that. The one book I started to read - The Forever Girl - was very well-written and funny too. Now I feel like we're getting somewhere. So many great comments this morning! Thanks for stopping back by.

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  4. I get what you're saying, Red. Everything isn't for everyone.

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    1. Thanks, T.C. - I'm truly puzzled by it. I've never actually read one of the vampire books because I can't get far enough into one. One book I bought because I liked the title, and wanted to support a fellow writer, was excellent writing up until I figured it out and couldn't go any further.

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  5. Do you think people like vampires because they're evil incarnate? No, not really. Do you think it's the part about them having superhuman powers? Maybe. Do you think it's the sex? Yeah, that's gotta be it.

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  6. I think Jack nailed it. I think those that are drawn to vampires are drawn to it them for the sexual factor. The desire and the intense feelings that are almost always alluded to. That's my take, anyway. I'm open to anything, study any of it for my Monday posts. But, I have yet to write about one. Don't see it in my future. Still, you never know.

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  7. Jack & Debra - You're probably right about that - although, I hadn't thought of it - really. I don't think it's sexy, so that's hard for me to relate to. I have a feeling I'm not going to get any real answers here. Ah well - on to the next thing I'm curious about.

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  8. Kathy,
    Vampirs go back to our deepest fears of Midevil times. That fear of coming back from the dead, the myths that wear woven around some of the most vile doctors/kings/queens of the day. I do not like books or story of the undead... but give me a story about as vampire that is a seperate species than human--- oh, I am all over it. Lol

    I think part of the sex appal, and yes, it is sex appeal especially for the women, is the perfect fit man that never changes..... the man centuries old, very experienced in the sexual arts that is turning all that experience on liitle old human you. And the points that vampyres drink from, your paulse points.... they are some of the most erogenous zones on the body. Plus, supposedly when a vampyre bites the is a hormone that is injected from their fangs straight into the blood hightening the experience.

    Christine Fee an, Lara Adraine, J. R. Ward are a couple of my favorites because their vampires are not humans turned and risen from the dead. But a seperate spieces all together.

    Hope that helped, and please excuse spelling mistakes, at work, half awake and trying to field calls. :-)

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    1. Wow, great comment, Melissa - I woke up this morning and checked this post and happily have some GREAT new perspectives. The hormone thing - never heard of that. Thank you very much.

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  9. Also, when Vampyerism became the lager than life legend was a time of Christian leaders we're terrorizingbthe mast majority of people, almost every thought work or dead was concidered a in, so te hoght a man coming into you room at night, bitng one of those erroneous zones, and making everything okay because you were undead, no longer accountable to God.... well I am sure you can see the lure there?

    Have a great day!

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    1. Absolutely - religious overtones - a totally new tie-in for me, too.

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  10. I do write vampires ;) I agree with what others have said, to me their sexy, but I've asked readers what their favorite thing is, and the second highest answer is the thought of being able to live forever. But I'll tell ya, there are stories/genres out there not my cup of tea either, so I get it :)

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    1. Ah, the immortality piece - that I really do get. I thought maybe that was part of the lure. THANK YOU.

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  11. Red Mojo, I don't have any argument with people who write about vampires, but it's not my cup of tea either. I understand that these stories are scary, fun, sexy (in the current incarnation of the genre) and deal with universal themes like the desire to live forever. What I don't like is the notion of characters who dwell in a realm beyond the reach of ordinary people. I would much rather read or write a story where an ordinary person wins a battle like we actually face in real life, then one where a character wins because he has an extra antenna the rest of us don't have.

    As to the neck thing, I read a book called Severance by Robert Olen Butler. It is a collection of one or two page accounts of the thoughts people had in the few seconds after they were decapitated but before they lost consciousness. Here's the Amazon link if you really want to read a unique treatment of the deal. http://www.amazon.com/Severance-Stories-Robert-Olen-Butler/dp/0811856143

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  12. Stephen - Thanks for your viewpoint - and for taking the question seriously. I think I have a character who is into vampire stories in the back of my brain, knocking to get out - a minor character maybe.

    Wow, I'm not sure I'm brave enough for the book - oh, sure I am - (I talk to myself alot). Thanks for the link.

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  13. @ Red Mojo Momma: I guess I can equate your experience with someone who is claustrophobic and refusing to watch the movie Buried with Ryan Reynolds.

    Maybe you can write about a character who feels like you do about vampires. Maybe even collaborate with an author who writes about vampires to give the alternate viewpoint. Could be some potential there.

    For me, I enjoy the Anne Rice books for the history, grandeur and scope past the whole vampires. Give me a story that shines instead of the vampires (sorry couldn't help the pun) and I can run with it.

    Interesting post and follow up comments.

    Francisco

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  14. Thanks for 'shining" your light on this interesting topic. I'm a rotten collaborator, but your point is well-taken. I have someone in mind who might be able to guide me, if I get that far. Thanks again.

    PS I'm only slightly claustrophobic but haven't manage to watch that one.

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  15. I love vampires and write about them but I think the allure doesn't really have anything to do with the blood sucking. To me the premise of eternal youth and immortality is what's appealing. Especially in YA this is true. Most of us felt a little invincible as teenagers and I think teens can relate to that part of a vampire's appeal. I'm also blood shy and have been known to faint at the sight of blood, but I love my vampire fiction and movies. That might make me strange but it's true...lol.

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  16. Vampires combine sex and death, the two biggest obsessions of humanity, but I was obsessed with vampires from watching Dark Shadows as a little kid in the sixties. I write about vampires, but I get queasy at the sight of blood. Go figure.

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  18. Oops, sorry. I'll try again!

    I don't do very well with vampires either, having watched a bloodsucking movie on my own, aged ten! Long story. Suffice to say, I spent the night watching the curtains and peeking over the headboard. Are vampires that thin!! :)

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