What rules of vampires are inviolate? Inviolable? (Gee, which word is in proper context?) -
Besides the drinking of blood or of human elements.
Why do I ask?
I'm curious as to how fluid writing a paranormal is.
How much leeway does a writer have? Are there options that absolutely are not allowed?
Granted, I have more interest in writing in a romance venue versus horror - but the question is valid no matter the genre.
When writing historicals/regencies , you have a set pattern of rules to work within. There are some items, like Almacks which cannot be altered.. What goes on there might be dabbled with, but not the function or means for entrance or acceptance.
Do vampires have set parameters also?
Your thoughts on this are eagerly awaited.
Thanks!
16 comments:
The only rule I seem to obtain from each different vampire romance is the drinking of blood. They also seem to agree on 'being made'. But, some of them are pretty open about the rule for sunlight.
That's an interesting question, Michele . . .
And I have no idea about the answer :)
I have absolutely no idea. Sorry.
Alright, Brandy, Bonnie, Eve and Gangadahr, on my MySpace place, I posted this same query as I have a different set of visitors there. Yesterday, I was delighted and thrilled to be answered by one of my favorite people - Lauren Dane - author of Triad and A Touch of Fae. (awesome books!) I will share her answer as I believe it sums it all up perfectly.
"Rules schmoolz. Aside from needing blood, I think the road is open. It's fiction, vampires aren't real so why not try and write new things into the story?
The difference between historicals is that history is real. The regency period is something that existed and so the rules are based on reality.
Vampires and weres, etc are fantasy and so the only limits are the author's imagination."
Isn't that a great answer?
Enough to revv my writing engines.
Woot!
Looks like breaking free of history opens up a world of possibilities. I know for a while in the scifi world there were all kinds of rules about robots. Someone finally started breaking them. While there was a bit of hue and cry from the older writers, readers loved it and purchased the books by the bucket loads.
Betty, thanks for writing a great point.
The subject of robots is tough too because they also have a place in reality - and with Issac Asimov writing I Robot - everyone took it as official "rules". I can see how hard it must have been to follow their own drummer.
I think we all benefit from people who not only think outside the box, but smash open the lid with the force of their imaginations to pioneer knew opportunities for all of us.
Brave folk.
Stephen King wrote about vampires who drink emotions - laughter.
Anne Rice created vampires who could learn to live without blood - but when they drank it, they drew in the emotions, the very essence of the person they were feeding on.
I'd say you can make your own rules. Your story may be better for it.
Michele, I feel really silly with thinking there were firm rules. Thank you for having this forrum, so that now I know!!
Hi Mark!
Ironic, isn't it, that I have never read Mr. King (gives me nightmares) or Mz. Rice.
For some reason, I have no desire to do so. *shrug* However, I thank you for highlighting some of their interpretations. It was quite helpful.
As for making my own rules ... sage advice for which I thank you also.
I do enjoy your comments,Mark. They usually make me think. :-)
Brandy!
Please, oh, please, do NOT feel silly. If every book that you and I have read, state the same theme over and over, it is very easy and expected that we'd come to that conclusion - that it was a "rule".
However, I was very curious as to the accuracy of such a claim. I, myself, have been thinking of vampires in a different direction and was wondering if it was "wrong". After this post and comment session - in which I learned what I had hoped to - I now feel comfortable and encouraged that what I want to do is OK and will be a fun challenge to bring it to light. *gg*
I did this for all the writers out there, just in case anyone was wondering like me.
Good, yes?
So,Brandy - no more feeling silly.
I've just finished writing an erotic horror for WCP that has a werewolf in it.
I didn't follow any rules at all. I wrote it how I wanted it to be. Most werewolf books have the wolf killing in the lunar sway. Not me! Mine can kill any old time he feels like it.
Who says we have to stick to what the myths suggest? Writing is all about putting your own stamp on things, doing it your style. Why be the same as everyone else?
Go with the flow, what you feel right with. Can't fail.
:O)
M.E., I am SO glad you stopped by my humble blog and not only visited, but left fun comments!
(sorry about the bug though, *grin*)
Please let me know when your book is published, I would love to see your take on Weres.
You are right to question the wisdom of "doing it the same as everyone else". After awhile, creativity is stifled and bleached into the whiteness of conformity; NO color, flavor or excitement.
I really appreciate your taking the time to share your views!
I enjoyed reading them.
TTFN!
You're welcome. I enjoyed visiting, hence me coming back hahahaha!
:o)
Why Thank you! I'm SO glad you enjoyed visiting. I've had a whole year of corrupting cyber space as of this month.
Amazing how time flies. Hope to see you on and off now that you found me.
Woot!
BTW- which of your 3 blogs is , like, your main one? Just curious.
My main one is the Nutter's Gang. I post a humour tale every so often and a review but the black template is my main raving place.
:o)
OK, Thanks for the clue.
Now I know.
TTFN!
Here's the link to Wikipedia's entry on Vampires, which lists the different cultural roots of the Vampire and the traits that the Vampire has, though there is a lot of variety. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vampire
I say you can change anything you want. Obviously some writers have their vamps complain or laugh at how wrong humans have it, so there seems to be lots of latitude for creativity. Vampire supposedly means "blood monster" so that could be interpreted many ways - not just as blood sucker.
Post a Comment