What is it about vampire’s that is so
intriguing? Is it their power? Immortality? Strength? Whatever it is, vampires
have drawn people in for centuries. Let’s have a look at what a vampire is and
how it’s evolved into the most talked about fictional characters.
Vampires are most often dead. In past lore,
vampires were created by one vampire drinking the blood of a human, killing
them. The human would then be buried, assumed dead, and would rise some time
later as a vampire.
Another way a vampire is created is a vampire
drinking the blood from their victim until their heartbeat slowed, then forcing
the victim to drink the creators blood. The victim would then be a vampire.
Another belief is that a vampire could bite
a person, but not kill them. The victim may carry on living as a human for years,
but upon their death, would then become a vampire.
Where did the idea for vampires begin you
might ask? Some say it began with Dracula. Vlad (the Impaler) 'Tepes' Dracula,
who lived between 1430 and 1476. We’ve all heard the horror that Vlad inflicted
on his victims, including impaling them, blinding, skinning, castrating,
dismemberment and much more. It is said that Vlad never claimed to be immortal,
which was evident when he was killed and his head presented as a trophy to the
Sultan of Constantinople. So where did Dracula come from in regards to Vlad?
The peasants of the time painted him in the supernatural light, bringing forth
the rumor that he was of the undead, but it wasn't until Bram Stoker created
his vampire Dracula that the blood sucking damned vampire was popularized.
The ancient vampires of Eastern Europe
describe their vampires as half-rotted corpses crawling from their grave to
which they must rest in each night. In modern lore, the image of a vampire is
quite different. Gone is the shriveled, impish fiend worn by the ages as
depicted as Nosferatu and in its place the vampire has become somewhat of a
creature of great beauty with pale skin and fanged teeth.
Then we have Bela Lugosi who the mere
mention of his name makes a person think of Dracula. Lugosi’s vampire was
suave, wore a tuxedo and long black opera cape. His voice held a thick, rich
Hungarian accent that was thought to be sexy. Bela Lugosi posed an image of the
vampire that would be remembered and imitated even in such characters as The
Count on Sesame Street or even the cereal Count Chocula.
However, there was one thing missing. Bela
didn’t have fangs. Although Bram Stoker’s novel mentions peculiar sharp white teeth,
it wasn't until late 1950’s when the fangs began their popularity. Today,
however, fangs are the norm for vampires, as is drinking blood.
Buffy the vampire Slayer really drew
people’s attention to vampires and why not. Angel was one sexy vamp, but
instead of running around killing innocent victims, he chose to “Help the
helpless” And what about Spike. He started out as a sniveling human, turned to
a vampire and became a legendary vampire who loved to torture his victims. But
it took Buffy to tame his soul and turn him into a kind-hearted vampire willing
to sacrifice his life for the world.
Then we have Stephanie Meyers portrayal of
vampires as “sparkling”.
So is it any wonder vampires have become
revered over the centuries. They have gone from decayed, rotting grave dwellers
to suave, sophisticated creatures with a conscience. And we can’t get enough of
them. Each decade, it seems a new vampire is created with its own powers or
flaws.
I am not immune to the lure of vampires. My
Darkness series came about as a thought. What would happen if the sun was blotted
out in a town with vampires? Mayhem of course, and so book one, Seducing the
Darkness was created and seven books followed.
My vampires don’t all have powers, only the pure blooded original vampire’s
posses the ability to transform, transport, and use mind control. The more
diluted the vampire is, the fewer abilities they have. Sunlight does not make
them go poof, but instead scorches their skin to produce boils, which are
extremely painful. They can be killed by a stake to the heart, or decapitation.
And they do not sleep in graves or in coffins.
Whatever the lure is, vampires have been
around for centuries, and it doesn’t look like they’ll be going anywhere
anytime soon.
Darkness Books:
Seducing the Darkness
Desiring the Darkness
Embracing the Darkness
Charming the Darkness
Tempting the Darkness
Coming soon: Consuming the Darkness:
Surviving the Darkness
Print coming soon.
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