Theresa Van Spankeren's Blog, page 13
April 5, 2015
Life's Oddities
I hope everyone had a good Easter, Passover, etc.
My parents returned from their trip to "find warmer weather" Thursday night. They enjoyed the "nice 80's" and Mom returned from their trip with shells, mostly small pieces.
Around midnight, I headed for the bathroom and heard a small sound that sounded like nails on tile. I thought it was one of my cats. When I got to the doorway, there was a gray shell in the middle of the floor. Thinking it was a little strange, I asked Mom if she left a shell in the middle of the floor. Of course, her answer was no.
Cautiously, I took a paper towel and picked up the shell. As I turned it, I saw retreating legs. "Mom, there's a creature in your shell!"
Yep, although Mom swore she checked the shell, she brought home a hitchhiker. There is a little hermit crab living in the house now. I don't know if he'll make it but we are doing our best for the little crab creature.
My parents returned from their trip to "find warmer weather" Thursday night. They enjoyed the "nice 80's" and Mom returned from their trip with shells, mostly small pieces.
Around midnight, I headed for the bathroom and heard a small sound that sounded like nails on tile. I thought it was one of my cats. When I got to the doorway, there was a gray shell in the middle of the floor. Thinking it was a little strange, I asked Mom if she left a shell in the middle of the floor. Of course, her answer was no.
Cautiously, I took a paper towel and picked up the shell. As I turned it, I saw retreating legs. "Mom, there's a creature in your shell!"
Yep, although Mom swore she checked the shell, she brought home a hitchhiker. There is a little hermit crab living in the house now. I don't know if he'll make it but we are doing our best for the little crab creature.
March 18, 2015
Kindle Countdown Sale
I hope everyone had a great St. Patrick's Day! I had hoped to time this sale for the holiday, but it ended up being slightly off.
That said, Book 1 of War of Destiny is back on the Kindle Countdown sale starting tomorrow the 19th.
The sale is for 5 days only for both the Amazon.com and Amazon.uk. Grab your copy if you haven't already!
For Amazon.com users - the sale will start 7am Pacific time on March 19th and run through 8am Pacific time March 24th. The starting promotional price is $0.99 and will rise to $1.99 on March 21st at 7p.m. Pacific time before returning to full price on the 24th.
For Amazon.uk users - the sale will start at 8am GMT March 20th and run through 8am the 25th, due to the time difference. The price is £0.99 for the entire promotion due to the new VAT pricing. This will make it about equal value for both markets!
http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Soul-Desti...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Soul-War...
Happy reading!
That said, Book 1 of War of Destiny is back on the Kindle Countdown sale starting tomorrow the 19th.
The sale is for 5 days only for both the Amazon.com and Amazon.uk. Grab your copy if you haven't already!
For Amazon.com users - the sale will start 7am Pacific time on March 19th and run through 8am Pacific time March 24th. The starting promotional price is $0.99 and will rise to $1.99 on March 21st at 7p.m. Pacific time before returning to full price on the 24th.
For Amazon.uk users - the sale will start at 8am GMT March 20th and run through 8am the 25th, due to the time difference. The price is £0.99 for the entire promotion due to the new VAT pricing. This will make it about equal value for both markets!
http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Soul-Desti...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Soul-War...
Happy reading!
February 26, 2015
Febuary Freeze
Hi everyone! I am guessing everyone is tired of the cold, as evidenced by southern towns trying to arrest Queen Elsa every other day. Boston tried, but she keeps encasing them in more snow.
I don't mind the snow, but ugh, working on cars in 10 (give or take) degrees is really depressing. I am hoping this will be the last time in awhile I have to work on it. The cold through...ugh. THAT can go away a.s.a.p.
Due to circumstances described above, I am still in the early stages of the revision of Book 2. I am working on the end of Ch 2/ start of Ch 3. Hopefully I will make quicker progress in the next few weeks.
I don't mind the snow, but ugh, working on cars in 10 (give or take) degrees is really depressing. I am hoping this will be the last time in awhile I have to work on it. The cold through...ugh. THAT can go away a.s.a.p.
Due to circumstances described above, I am still in the early stages of the revision of Book 2. I am working on the end of Ch 2/ start of Ch 3. Hopefully I will make quicker progress in the next few weeks.
February 12, 2015
Chapter 9 Excerpt
Hi everyone. I know I haven't been blogging or posting recently, but I have had my hands full with blizzards and other life adventures. I think things have finally settled down so I am able to share another excerpt with you. Enjoy!
“I think we have a problem,” I answered without looking at Adam.
“And what problem is that?”
“Other vampires.”
“And that’s a problem?”
I raised my finger to my lips again. I had no time to answer his questions at the moment. I hoped that the other vampires wouldn’t notice us, but considering the group I was a part of, I figured that was probably as likely as jumping over the moon. Finally I nodded. “It could be,” I whispered. I edged to the right, trying to see the six. I saw the one and that’s when another flew at me. The others followed.
I whirled away from the one and parried the stake he was holding. I looked around and saw the other five fast closing in.
Fear raced through me as I struggled to stay calm and remember what I was taught. This had been the first time I had been attacked since I had become a vampire. In seconds, I weighed our situation. We were outnumbered, Adam was new and had no idea how to use any of his powers, and I was weak and inexperienced myself. I hadn’t felt this vulnerable in months ... almost a full year.
A few feet from me Adam tensed. “Not good, is it?”
“Not good,” I agreed, watching the six. They attacked again, three going after Adam, the other three going after me. I had never seen any of them before. I parried my first attacker and dragged him down to the ground. I turned just in time to fight off my second attacker. The third man came at me seconds later. I had barely managed to fight him off when the other two came at me again. After I threw a punch, one of them kicked me in the ribs hard enough to crack a couple. I doubled up cursing. As surprisingly well as I was fighting, I knew I didn’t have the strength left to fight off three of the attackers on my own.
I struck out again, and as I did so, remembered something Samuel had told me the first night I had gone out alone. “If you need help all you have to do is scream out to us with your mind.” I suddenly recalled his words with startling clarity. When we left earlier; he, Mary Anne, and Matthew were still at the house. The other four had gone out, hunting I assumed. Weakly fending off another blow, I screamed out telepathically to my housemates. < Samuel! Christy!> I shouted out a name from both groups not knowing which was closer.
I glanced at Adam, holding up fairly well– or at least as well as one could expect from a newborn vampire, and then refocused on my own fight. As I fought I looked for an escape route as well. I saw several openings but couldn’t get to them.
Presently, one of my attackers pulled out a knife as well. “Wonderful. The insane pointy teeth people have knives as well as stakes,” I grunted to myself. They launched themselves at me in a move I hadn’t expected. Their stab slashed open my arm and I weakened further.
I cradled my hurt arm against my body and continued to fight. I had no choice. I knocked one of the stakes from the hands of my attackers. I rolled away from another assailant and picked up the stake. I turned and threw it at one of Adam’s attackers. It went right through the heart. “All right,” I whispered. I turned again just to be hit square in the face. I staggered and fell to the ground.
This is great, I thought silently. I become a vampire and now I die.
“I think we have a problem,” I answered without looking at Adam.
“And what problem is that?”
“Other vampires.”
“And that’s a problem?”
I raised my finger to my lips again. I had no time to answer his questions at the moment. I hoped that the other vampires wouldn’t notice us, but considering the group I was a part of, I figured that was probably as likely as jumping over the moon. Finally I nodded. “It could be,” I whispered. I edged to the right, trying to see the six. I saw the one and that’s when another flew at me. The others followed.
I whirled away from the one and parried the stake he was holding. I looked around and saw the other five fast closing in.
Fear raced through me as I struggled to stay calm and remember what I was taught. This had been the first time I had been attacked since I had become a vampire. In seconds, I weighed our situation. We were outnumbered, Adam was new and had no idea how to use any of his powers, and I was weak and inexperienced myself. I hadn’t felt this vulnerable in months ... almost a full year.
A few feet from me Adam tensed. “Not good, is it?”
“Not good,” I agreed, watching the six. They attacked again, three going after Adam, the other three going after me. I had never seen any of them before. I parried my first attacker and dragged him down to the ground. I turned just in time to fight off my second attacker. The third man came at me seconds later. I had barely managed to fight him off when the other two came at me again. After I threw a punch, one of them kicked me in the ribs hard enough to crack a couple. I doubled up cursing. As surprisingly well as I was fighting, I knew I didn’t have the strength left to fight off three of the attackers on my own.
I struck out again, and as I did so, remembered something Samuel had told me the first night I had gone out alone. “If you need help all you have to do is scream out to us with your mind.” I suddenly recalled his words with startling clarity. When we left earlier; he, Mary Anne, and Matthew were still at the house. The other four had gone out, hunting I assumed. Weakly fending off another blow, I screamed out telepathically to my housemates. < Samuel! Christy!> I shouted out a name from both groups not knowing which was closer.
I glanced at Adam, holding up fairly well– or at least as well as one could expect from a newborn vampire, and then refocused on my own fight. As I fought I looked for an escape route as well. I saw several openings but couldn’t get to them.
Presently, one of my attackers pulled out a knife as well. “Wonderful. The insane pointy teeth people have knives as well as stakes,” I grunted to myself. They launched themselves at me in a move I hadn’t expected. Their stab slashed open my arm and I weakened further.
I cradled my hurt arm against my body and continued to fight. I had no choice. I knocked one of the stakes from the hands of my attackers. I rolled away from another assailant and picked up the stake. I turned and threw it at one of Adam’s attackers. It went right through the heart. “All right,” I whispered. I turned again just to be hit square in the face. I staggered and fell to the ground.
This is great, I thought silently. I become a vampire and now I die.
February 3, 2015
Blizzard and Craziness!
What have I been up to? Digging out from the blizzard of course! 19 inches on Superbowl Sunday! My wrist is getting real world rehab, that is for sure!
Diagnosing and fix my car is next on the agenda! Sometimes I think if I didn't have bad luck I would have none at all!
I appreciate everyone's likes and support. I wish things were moving a little faster when it comes to book 2, but alas, life throws curve balls sometimes.
G'nite all and thank you!
Diagnosing and fix my car is next on the agenda! Sometimes I think if I didn't have bad luck I would have none at all!
I appreciate everyone's likes and support. I wish things were moving a little faster when it comes to book 2, but alas, life throws curve balls sometimes.
G'nite all and thank you!
January 28, 2015
Reflection -Holocaust Remembrance Day
Reflection
It is amazing that over 60 years after the holocaust, there are still those out there that deny its existence. Some do it out of ignorance, some do it to further their own misguided or malicious agendas.
Almost seventeen years ago, I was able to take an excursion I had wanted to do since I had been 8 years old and traveled to Germany and other surrounding German-speaking countries. My school joined others from other states, including a school from New Jersey. One of the side trips offered during our stop in Munich was to the concentration camp of Dachau.
I would be a liar if I said I did not have any trepidation about going. My roommate on the trip actually backed out, preferring to stay in Munich, but many of my classmates were still willing to go. I asked one of my chaperones what he had thought since he had been there before. His words of wisdom was “to go, and go twice if possible. The second time for reflection.” The likelihood of my being able to return there anytime soon is unlikely, so I’m reflecting now in case I never make it back.
It was a mild bright day in April 1998 when our group stepped off the bus and entered the museum of Dachau. The museum is housed in one of the original buildings of the camp that used to house the kitchen and laundry facilities for the SS. We went through each exhibit in solemn observation, our shock and sadness growing as we went from one to the next. The exhibits portrayed both the daily life of the prisoners as well as medical experiments conducted on them against their will.
During our trip through the museum, Westmont’s group soon chose to separate from the group from New Jersey because of their childish and inconsiderate behavior. During that time, I discovered that one of the girls in my group, Rachel, had journeyed to Dachau with her mother to honor a relative who had died in the camp.
After the tour through the museum, our group divided again. The guys from our group went one way, and we girls went the other. I do not remember having a large discussion about splitting up. It seemed to be one of those decisions that we subconsciously made together, a group mind-set.
The International Memorial was what greeted us girls when we emerged out of the building. It was horrifying and sad at the same time. A large sculpture, depicting emaciated prisoners was dominant, but as we wandered along the gravel paths we came to a wall on the east side.
The inscription on the wall simply read, “Never Again.” In front of it was a concrete urn filled with the ashes of unidentified victims. On top of the urn was dozens of little rocks. I remember being baffled by the stones and asking Rachel and her mother what they were for. They asked if I had ever seen Schindler’s List. When I answered I had not, they suggested that I see it. They explained that it was a tradition among Jewish people to honor the dead as they also placed small stones on top. I was so moved that I also found a small stone and placed it on top as well.
The next sights I remember seeing on our self-guided tour was Barrack X and the “Arbeit Macht Frei” sign. The sign marked the original gate that the prisoners came through. Barrack X housed the crematorium and gas chambers. At the time I was there, there was a sign that said the gas chambers were never used there. Beyond Barrack X was an area where the SS used to execute prisoners and an old cemetery which was not open at the time. We did not stay long there. The area around Barrack X had felt wrong somehow. I would say “disturbing” but even that seems inadequate.
Various religious memorials are also in Dachau as well. I remember seeing the exteriors of most of these memorials, including Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant memorials. I recall all of them being locked during our visit.
Lastly, I remember standing on the other side of the camp, along the wall where the electrified fence used to be. There, I looked around, noting the stone foundations where the barracks had once stood. I had felt profound sorrow as I gazed about. A chill had entered me that I wasn’t able to shake even though the sun was warm. The aura of the place as a whole was eerie, almost as if it had its own energy. The guys reunited with us there. I remembered that most of us had said we felt something strange and decided to go back to the bus. We were done.
To this day, I still cannot explain the feeling I had experienced there. I suspect that Dachau was and remains a place of troubled spirits or a place where the very air was imprinted with the horror that happened there. I would be curious to go back and see if I would still feel the same feelings I did the last time I was there.
Words do not adequately describe the experience of Dachau. To understand fully, you must go to a concentration camp yourself. The Holocaust was real. I have seen what some have vehemently denied or forgotten. The message transcribed in the Dachau memorial should not be taken lightly, “Never again.”
It is amazing that over 60 years after the holocaust, there are still those out there that deny its existence. Some do it out of ignorance, some do it to further their own misguided or malicious agendas.
Almost seventeen years ago, I was able to take an excursion I had wanted to do since I had been 8 years old and traveled to Germany and other surrounding German-speaking countries. My school joined others from other states, including a school from New Jersey. One of the side trips offered during our stop in Munich was to the concentration camp of Dachau.
I would be a liar if I said I did not have any trepidation about going. My roommate on the trip actually backed out, preferring to stay in Munich, but many of my classmates were still willing to go. I asked one of my chaperones what he had thought since he had been there before. His words of wisdom was “to go, and go twice if possible. The second time for reflection.” The likelihood of my being able to return there anytime soon is unlikely, so I’m reflecting now in case I never make it back.
It was a mild bright day in April 1998 when our group stepped off the bus and entered the museum of Dachau. The museum is housed in one of the original buildings of the camp that used to house the kitchen and laundry facilities for the SS. We went through each exhibit in solemn observation, our shock and sadness growing as we went from one to the next. The exhibits portrayed both the daily life of the prisoners as well as medical experiments conducted on them against their will.
During our trip through the museum, Westmont’s group soon chose to separate from the group from New Jersey because of their childish and inconsiderate behavior. During that time, I discovered that one of the girls in my group, Rachel, had journeyed to Dachau with her mother to honor a relative who had died in the camp.
After the tour through the museum, our group divided again. The guys from our group went one way, and we girls went the other. I do not remember having a large discussion about splitting up. It seemed to be one of those decisions that we subconsciously made together, a group mind-set.
The International Memorial was what greeted us girls when we emerged out of the building. It was horrifying and sad at the same time. A large sculpture, depicting emaciated prisoners was dominant, but as we wandered along the gravel paths we came to a wall on the east side.
The inscription on the wall simply read, “Never Again.” In front of it was a concrete urn filled with the ashes of unidentified victims. On top of the urn was dozens of little rocks. I remember being baffled by the stones and asking Rachel and her mother what they were for. They asked if I had ever seen Schindler’s List. When I answered I had not, they suggested that I see it. They explained that it was a tradition among Jewish people to honor the dead as they also placed small stones on top. I was so moved that I also found a small stone and placed it on top as well.
The next sights I remember seeing on our self-guided tour was Barrack X and the “Arbeit Macht Frei” sign. The sign marked the original gate that the prisoners came through. Barrack X housed the crematorium and gas chambers. At the time I was there, there was a sign that said the gas chambers were never used there. Beyond Barrack X was an area where the SS used to execute prisoners and an old cemetery which was not open at the time. We did not stay long there. The area around Barrack X had felt wrong somehow. I would say “disturbing” but even that seems inadequate.
Various religious memorials are also in Dachau as well. I remember seeing the exteriors of most of these memorials, including Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant memorials. I recall all of them being locked during our visit.
Lastly, I remember standing on the other side of the camp, along the wall where the electrified fence used to be. There, I looked around, noting the stone foundations where the barracks had once stood. I had felt profound sorrow as I gazed about. A chill had entered me that I wasn’t able to shake even though the sun was warm. The aura of the place as a whole was eerie, almost as if it had its own energy. The guys reunited with us there. I remembered that most of us had said we felt something strange and decided to go back to the bus. We were done.
To this day, I still cannot explain the feeling I had experienced there. I suspect that Dachau was and remains a place of troubled spirits or a place where the very air was imprinted with the horror that happened there. I would be curious to go back and see if I would still feel the same feelings I did the last time I was there.
Words do not adequately describe the experience of Dachau. To understand fully, you must go to a concentration camp yourself. The Holocaust was real. I have seen what some have vehemently denied or forgotten. The message transcribed in the Dachau memorial should not be taken lightly, “Never again.”
January 19, 2015
After My First Author Appearance
The Author's Fair in Darien has come and gone. It was a very interesting experience and I learned some tips I could use the next time I host or am a part of an event. It was exciting to meet so many authors from our area! I never knew there was so many mystery writers!
We had about 150 people come through the door, which was a little lower than what I think we were expecting. It could be that the very good weather was an impediment because people were able to go outside without freezing. I thank those who came out and hoped they found some great reading material.
It was a great experience nevertheless and I met a lot of other amazing authors. I would do it again if I have the chance.
We had about 150 people come through the door, which was a little lower than what I think we were expecting. It could be that the very good weather was an impediment because people were able to go outside without freezing. I thank those who came out and hoped they found some great reading material.
It was a great experience nevertheless and I met a lot of other amazing authors. I would do it again if I have the chance.
January 16, 2015
Author Fair
I am getting ready for the local author's fair in Darien, IL tomorrow. I have a few last minute things to put together. I am pretty excited! You can find more information here if you need it.
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Lo...
I wish everyone lots of luck!
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Lo...
I wish everyone lots of luck!
January 8, 2015
First Exciting Blog Update of 2015!
Hello everyone! I know it has been awhile since I have posted. Sadly, my family had several tragedies during the Christmas holiday that needed to be dealt with on top of being sick. :(
It is a new year and I hope 2015 brings new and exciting things for everyone! Here are a few new things happening with me:
1. I have my first author appearance at a local library on Jan 17th. I am very excited and nervous! If you are near Darien, IL, come out and check out the local talent!
https://www.goodreads.com/event/show/...
2. We are hoping the return of last year's unwanted friend "The Polar Vortex" will be short-lived and NOT be visiting on Jan 17th. If the "Polar Vortex" is bad enough it can scare away even the most die-hard Chicagoan headed to the Author Fair. The last couple days already seem like a groundhog movie nightmare of last year's winter.
3. New wrist therapy! The return of snow to the Chicago area has brought a new challenge for my right wrist (which I had broken in late summer.)Even with the very light snow, I found it took a long time for me to do a little bit of shoveling. Low weight at new angles means new weight bearing exercises!
4. Revision and editing of book 2 should resume soon. I am still hoping to have it ready by sometime this summer.
Stay safe and warm everyone!
It is a new year and I hope 2015 brings new and exciting things for everyone! Here are a few new things happening with me:
1. I have my first author appearance at a local library on Jan 17th. I am very excited and nervous! If you are near Darien, IL, come out and check out the local talent!
https://www.goodreads.com/event/show/...
2. We are hoping the return of last year's unwanted friend "The Polar Vortex" will be short-lived and NOT be visiting on Jan 17th. If the "Polar Vortex" is bad enough it can scare away even the most die-hard Chicagoan headed to the Author Fair. The last couple days already seem like a groundhog movie nightmare of last year's winter.
3. New wrist therapy! The return of snow to the Chicago area has brought a new challenge for my right wrist (which I had broken in late summer.)Even with the very light snow, I found it took a long time for me to do a little bit of shoveling. Low weight at new angles means new weight bearing exercises!
4. Revision and editing of book 2 should resume soon. I am still hoping to have it ready by sometime this summer.
Stay safe and warm everyone!
December 6, 2014
Interview with a Vampire - Samuel
Samuel was a little more elusive to track down. I get the feeling that he is less inclined to answer certain questions. I assured him that most of them aren’t extremely personal. After a little convincing, I finally had him agree to this interview.
Samuel, I am surprised that you did not want to be interviewed at the same time as Julia. Is there a reason for that?
Julia and I have drastically different viewpoints on some things. I thought it would be best for your interview if we did not get into an argument over it in front of you.
Does that happen often?
(Samuel leans back and stares at me with cold blue eyes.) Only when certain subjects come up.
Ah, I see. Well, let’s get started, shall we? (A barely there nod). Does living as a vampire have the same appeal as prior to being turned (if you’re that type of vampire)? If you had to do it over, would you?
Being a vampire never had any appeal to me before I was turned. Hell no, I would not do it over if I had to.
From what you’ve witnessed yourself, do the history books have it right?
There is a lot that the history books do not tell you. (He paused.) There are some things they get right.
Are there any female vampires around?
(He snorts.) Is this a trick question? You have interviewed Julia already right?
I have. I did not make up the questions, Samuel. I only have to ask them.
Of course you do. I guess most mortals have only heard stories about male vampires.
What do you think of the recent fashion for vampire books and films? Has it made your life harder or easier?
Honestly, I am not sure what to think. Some of it is interesting; a lot of it has been strange. It remains to be seen if it has made my life easier or harder.
According to folklore, vampires can’t cross moving water. Does this present problems for you?
That, my friend, is pure fiction. Bram Stroker’s imagination I believe.
Are there other vampires, and if so what role does gender play in vampire society?
Yes, there are other vampires. Gender does not affect our society the same way it does mortal society. As vampires get older, they learn that gender really has nothing to do with our abilities. Age and natural gifts do.
They say a vampire’s bite brings pleasure rather than pain. Is that true, and how is that even possible?
(Samuel frowns) A vampire’s bite brings severe pain. If the vampire is smart and decent, they would hypnotize the human so he or she does not feel it. I have been told that some humans experience pleasure while in that hypnotized state. I wouldn’t know.
Do vampires possess a soul? What difference does having or not having a soul make? What happens when you die? (Assuming you can actually die… Can you?)
Whether or not vampires possess a soul is debatable at best. I believe some vampires like me have a soul. Other vampires I am not so sure about. I guess the difference is whether or not you become a blood-thirsty monster. I am not sure what happens when we die. And yes, we can die.
Do you believe in ‘true love’ and ‘soul mates’?
Soul mates exist. I have known at least two pairs of soul mates. I also believe true love can exist without soul mates as well.
Who made you, and why? Was it by choice, or was the choice made for you?
(Samuel crosses his arms and glances away for a moment. When he looks back at me, I can feel an undercurrent of hostility.) That is a very personal question. I do not know the name of the bastard who turned me. It was not by choice.
Why did he turn you?
(He shakes his head and pushes a lock of light blond hair out of his eyes.) I am not going to answer that. It is none of your business. If you want your interview to continue and you value your health, I would drop the subject.
(I swallow nervously and my hands shake slightly.) Uh, I did not mean to offend you. I have one last question. If you live forever, or for thousands of years, and are difficult to kill, and are very strong and powerful… how do you not become a sociopath? And go off and start doing anything you want and acting on any impulse?
(Samuel shrugs.) Some vampires do. I guess that thing you call a soul may be a reason why others don’t. Some of us try very hard not to turn into the monsters others have been. I need to go.
Before I could thank him, he was gone.
Samuel, I am surprised that you did not want to be interviewed at the same time as Julia. Is there a reason for that?
Julia and I have drastically different viewpoints on some things. I thought it would be best for your interview if we did not get into an argument over it in front of you.
Does that happen often?
(Samuel leans back and stares at me with cold blue eyes.) Only when certain subjects come up.
Ah, I see. Well, let’s get started, shall we? (A barely there nod). Does living as a vampire have the same appeal as prior to being turned (if you’re that type of vampire)? If you had to do it over, would you?
Being a vampire never had any appeal to me before I was turned. Hell no, I would not do it over if I had to.
From what you’ve witnessed yourself, do the history books have it right?
There is a lot that the history books do not tell you. (He paused.) There are some things they get right.
Are there any female vampires around?
(He snorts.) Is this a trick question? You have interviewed Julia already right?
I have. I did not make up the questions, Samuel. I only have to ask them.
Of course you do. I guess most mortals have only heard stories about male vampires.
What do you think of the recent fashion for vampire books and films? Has it made your life harder or easier?
Honestly, I am not sure what to think. Some of it is interesting; a lot of it has been strange. It remains to be seen if it has made my life easier or harder.
According to folklore, vampires can’t cross moving water. Does this present problems for you?
That, my friend, is pure fiction. Bram Stroker’s imagination I believe.
Are there other vampires, and if so what role does gender play in vampire society?
Yes, there are other vampires. Gender does not affect our society the same way it does mortal society. As vampires get older, they learn that gender really has nothing to do with our abilities. Age and natural gifts do.
They say a vampire’s bite brings pleasure rather than pain. Is that true, and how is that even possible?
(Samuel frowns) A vampire’s bite brings severe pain. If the vampire is smart and decent, they would hypnotize the human so he or she does not feel it. I have been told that some humans experience pleasure while in that hypnotized state. I wouldn’t know.
Do vampires possess a soul? What difference does having or not having a soul make? What happens when you die? (Assuming you can actually die… Can you?)
Whether or not vampires possess a soul is debatable at best. I believe some vampires like me have a soul. Other vampires I am not so sure about. I guess the difference is whether or not you become a blood-thirsty monster. I am not sure what happens when we die. And yes, we can die.
Do you believe in ‘true love’ and ‘soul mates’?
Soul mates exist. I have known at least two pairs of soul mates. I also believe true love can exist without soul mates as well.
Who made you, and why? Was it by choice, or was the choice made for you?
(Samuel crosses his arms and glances away for a moment. When he looks back at me, I can feel an undercurrent of hostility.) That is a very personal question. I do not know the name of the bastard who turned me. It was not by choice.
Why did he turn you?
(He shakes his head and pushes a lock of light blond hair out of his eyes.) I am not going to answer that. It is none of your business. If you want your interview to continue and you value your health, I would drop the subject.
(I swallow nervously and my hands shake slightly.) Uh, I did not mean to offend you. I have one last question. If you live forever, or for thousands of years, and are difficult to kill, and are very strong and powerful… how do you not become a sociopath? And go off and start doing anything you want and acting on any impulse?
(Samuel shrugs.) Some vampires do. I guess that thing you call a soul may be a reason why others don’t. Some of us try very hard not to turn into the monsters others have been. I need to go.
Before I could thank him, he was gone.
