It seems I can't get away from the bloodsuckers. Apparently, I will be writing a brand spanking new vampire novel for Mira. And that's fine with me. But it's hard to come up with ideas that are fresh in a genre that everyone is tired of. Not to mention the fact that any book with a vampire in it, no matter what that vampire is doing, is written off as "just another vampire book." Seriously, if they head read Dracula in Reading Lolita in Tehran, that would have been reviewed as a vampire book.
So, how to make something people are going to want to read, that is free from the pitfalls of modern stories? I have to say, I'm going to have to start with the heroine. Now, in Blood Ties, Carrie Ames was a doctor. But it seems like there are only three professions that ever run into vampires in fiction these days: doctors (and medical examiners), detectives, and vampire slayers.
Doctor, I've already done. Detective? So many people have detectives, I want to set this one out. Vampire slayers? Again, what can I do to distinguish my vampire slayer for anyone else's vampire slayer? Give her three tits? I'm at a loss here.
So, there is problem number one. I remember someone had a dentist who met a vampire with a broken fang, and while that's cute, I'm not really "cute," am I? I mean, I am cute, but my writing style, not so much.
Then, there is the vampire. Yes, I suppose he could be human and she could be a vampire, but I'm not interested in that, damnit. I like my vampires to be sexy, and have wieners. So many people have been saying they're tired of vampires who don't like being vampires, but I don't know... I'm not sure I could make a romance out of a guy who loves killing folks.
I want coffins in this story, though. I know that. In the Blood Ties series, everyone slept in beds. But this time, I want coffins.
More to come.
I don't think people are getting tired of vampires. I know I never will. What I'm getting tired of is people acting like vampire novels never existed before Twilight, but that's a rant for another day... I'm sure whatever you think of will be wonderful.
ReplyDeletePeople that say they are tired of vampires are those that probably were not terribly excited about them in the first place. It's probably been used but the heroine could be an archeologist unearthing a dormant vampire somewhere, old as dirt not not up to speed on the modern world. That would have possibilities.
ReplyDeleteChristian is cute, have him write it.
ReplyDeleteI'd say your main character should be a gravedigger, but then it would be more of a zombie novel than a vampire one ;-)
ReplyDeleteI keep thinking of one of the Simpsons' Halloween specials - their vampire tale is still hilariously fun even now. But who doesn't love a Super Fun Happy Slide down to the coffin room? ;-)
Making a reference to a section of your post... The dentist and the vamp? "How to Marry A Millionaire Vampire" by Kerrilyn Sparks. She's actually got a really good series :)
ReplyDeleteAs happy as I am that there are more vamp books available now, the quality has severely decreased. I really hate diving into the adult-section because I'm sick of just dime-store smut. Hence I've been sticking to the Young Adult section with the actual plot...
Probably the most influential/awesome vamp book/series I've read lately is the Morganville series by Rachel Caine (look it up if you're interested). I just eat up the books!
But you're right about the career choices/kinds of characters in vamp books there are. Doctors? That's cool (one of many reasons I loved your books). Vamp Slayer? Ugh, puh-lease. Only one I can handle without thinking it's ridiculous is Buffy. And the detective? Ew. I'd prefer if we could keep the modern-world government OUT of the vamp world, please. "One night, Detective Anna Darth was positive she'd found the person behind the recent killings. There was only one problem... He seemed a little less than human." Same storyline each time and it's JUST. SO. STUPID.
Anyways. End rant. Hope this comment was helpful. Coffins FTW.
I never get tired of Vampires! I loved your Blood Ties series, and absolutly can't wait to read Queene of Light. I'm very excited that you'll be creating another vamp book. I honestly can say, that my wishlist is overflowing with vampire stories, and they may have some characteristics that are the same, but all are different in their own way, and that's fantastic. I'd also like to say, YES to the coffins, sounds fantastic! Heck, your vampire could be quite intriguing if he was in love with his vampire self, I'd be interested. I love a good bad boy ;)
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad i have found your blog! I started out with twilight of course then i needed some more vamp fix so i moved on to the sookie stackhouse collection. Next came the Katie macalister dark ones series then i found your series..i just like 5 min ago finished book 4 all souls night. I just told my husband "i'm so sad..she writes so well about the vamp world..I hope she writes more..
Then i come here and find you talking about writing another one...
I agree with the other posters no one is going to be tired of vamp books any time soon. I think twilight saga has a lot to do with that...The only reason i read those in the first place was because everytime i talked to a friend or everywere i went it was twilight stuff!
As far as what type of character I really do not know! I asked my husband and for some reason he said "a hippy" LOL i dunno lol...
As far as them staying vampires and liking it i liked how book 4 ended as i did not really expect them both coming back as humans...
I actaully would like a book were they stay vampire..The thought of being able to live together forever in love i dunno i like for some gruesome reason....
Well Hope you had a good weekened..mine well my nose was in my book all weekened!
Take care!
Blue collar... I want a blue collar vampire that is hot and ambitious and dangerous. I'm thinking a guy with a construction company that is set on making homes that vampires can actually live in without fear. Maybe there are people that don't want him doing that.. hmmmmm? Whatcha think?
ReplyDeleteYou got referenced: http://www.sexdrugsandjunecleaver.com/2009/08/17/fleshbags/comment-page-1/#comment-442
ReplyDeleteLOL, actually, Aleks, the VHEM is the very real organization I based the VVEM off of.
ReplyDeleteI trusted you . . .
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad your making another vamp book. All this shit about Twilight being the first is shit. I read your series and loved them. At least I didnt feel guilty about thinking Nathan being hot. Anywho, just dont make the vamp 17 and we're good! You could have him live in da YP with the Weres!
ReplyDeleteYou are such a tease! I know for a fact that you can create an appealing and unique vampire...but how long will this take! Oh man! It's torture waiting for Lightworld/Darkworld and now you add to it!
ReplyDeleteCoffins - YES! As for the rest....I have faith in you. But HURRY!
You farm on Facebook! Get outta here! I'm hooked on those stupid farm games lol Just can't find the real you so will let my flowers die from dehydration until the REAL Jen stands up lol
(Wildwitchca)