Vampires, Vampires Everywhere!

In 1897 Bram Stoker introduced Dracula and vampires to the masses. Jump forward 112 years and vampires remain at the forefront of our imagination and nightmares. From romantic to horrific, the allure of vampires to writers trends towards the sensational. Readers flock to bookstores, libraries and the internet, with hopes of delving into the dark secrets that surround the mysticism of vampires.

What is it about the topic of vampires that causes writers to spend countless hours at their desks, focused and starved, with the hopes of producing an intricate tale about these creatures? Possibly it is the anticipation of sharing their fear, passion and at times obsession with other readers and writers.

Each of the following four novels (series), displays a unique take on the world of vampirism and the humans that are in their midst: The Strain, by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan, The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, The Sookie Stackhouse Novels, by Charlaine Harris and The Twilight Saga Series by Stephenie Meyer.

The Strain, by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan

This novel refreshes the concept that Vampires are not your BFFs, your lovers, or anything of that model. In this wonderfully written tale, the world needs to take heed, because what the Vampires bring to the table is wrought with destruction, death and pain. The Strain is the first novel in a trilogy by Del Toro and Hogan. The pace is fast, the story flows quite well, though it does jump from one character to another in an omniscient literary prose.

The Historian, by Elizabeth Kostova

E. Kostova is a wonderful storyteller. The Historian weaves through time, cities and characters to produce a nearly 650-page novel that is impossible to put down. She uses letters and the insights of the characters to weave her tale. The novel, which took ten years to write, shows the author’s passion for the legends surrounding vampirism.

The Sookie Stackhouse Novels, by Charlaine Harris

C. Harris creates a world where Vampires are here to stay and out in the open. The world is forced to deal with a new reality, one that lay in the shadows for centuries. Protagonist Sookie Stackhouse shares her delight, passion, terror and frustration, as readers follow her adventures through each novel. Written with a distinct southern charm, Harris, at times, uses colloquial wording and humour to draw in her readers.

The Twilight Series, by Stephenie Meyer

It is imperative that the reader understand a simple truth regarding this series by Stephenie Meyer, the target audience for the novels are young women aged 12 – 28. The Vampires that populate the series are written to appeal to their audience. They are written to display an unearthly physical beauty that at times binds their victims to a deadly fate. Romanticism, power, first love and sacrifice teeter delicately on a fine point between fantasy and horror.

There are thousands of fictional stories that spotlight vampires. As writers decide to take on this subject, finding a distinct perspective can be challenging. Take note, the story you write, centered on the nightmares or dreams locked within your mind, are yours and therefore unique. Allow the time and patience to place those words on paper and you will see the birth of a new era of vampire stories.