What if the vampire is Jewish and the cross doesn't work?

[Paul]

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-...

[Francis]

I'm sure I've come across Jewish vampires. I certainly remember a very bisexy Muslim vampire lady.

[Paul]

Francis wrote: "I'm sure I've come across Jewish vampires. I certainly remember a very bisexy Muslim vampire lady."

I think there is a whole new level of vampire literature waiting to be written and discovered - love the idea of a Muslim vampire.

[Francis]

Well, if you're ever in the mood, check out Black Heart.

[Paul]

Francis wrote: "Well, if you're ever in the mood, check out Black Heart."

Excellent! Thank you. Added to my reading list.

[Isaiyan]

I agree with you Paul. There is a whole new level of vampire literature just waiting to be discovered.

You should check out my novel, Deamhan. I focus on psychic vampires.

[Megan]

I'd love to see a vampire series about non-Christian vampires since vampires as we know them are influenced by Christian lore. Hey, I wonder what an atheist vampire would be like, or even a neo-Pagan? The ideas are endless.

[Alice]

I think you would be safe unless you were blessed by a Rabbi your blood wouldn't be kosher.

[Celeste]

What on earth would you use on a muslim vampire in any case?? prayer beads? throw a verse of the quran at it maybe... I watched the movie 'Djinn' the other day. Perhaps the same principles apply?

[Paul]

Exactly! I think that's why vampire literature continues to evolve and mature ... there are the universal ways to kill a fiend - sun, fire, stake, and decapitation ... some of the Asian vampire flicks include spells and a great deal of sword fights. In one of the films I reviewed in the article the vampires have to transition from zombies before becoming creatures of the night - an interesting twist.

[LocalPeanut]

Foods which contain blood, like yummy black pudding, are forbidden to Muslims so they would possibly starve. Maybe blood (or pudding) could even be used as a weapon against them. Certainly a fine way to dispose of pudding . . . if I didn't happen to like the stuff! (Its actually pretty good.)

[Celeste]

what's in black pudding? It's actually pig blood they most definitely cannot touch and they can only eat animals that have been slaughtered a certain way. It's not blood thats a problem really. Hmmm they probably would only drink from another Muslim. I think Christianity is used mostly because it's so convenient.

[Stuart]

Now this has to be one of the most unusual topics I've seen on Goodreads, especially since the second book in my ORIGINAL BLOOD series, called Szejna's Revenge is launching this week, aaaand it follows the life of a Jewish vampire. My suggestion, though, would be to the book one first, Gailenes Vow.

[Susanne]

A Jewish vampire wouldn't be accepted at a Temple. Would he even be allowed in a Temple? On the TV show, The Originals, the vampires entered the church. Before this, I never read about or saw a vampire enter a church. What do you think? I just gave myself a headache.

[Megan]

Susanne wrote: "A Jewish vampire wouldn't be accepted at a Temple. Would he even be allowed in a Temple? On the TV show, The Originals, the vampires entered the church. Before this, I never read about or saw a vam..."

Did the vampires originate in a pre-Christian era? I would think that would make sense.

[Susanne]

I don't know when the vampire legend began. Was Dracula the first vampire?

[Francis]

Arguably Lilith was the first in our reality, but of course there are lots of different origins, and many types of vampire are unaffected by religious items and places.

[Susanne]

The TV show Supernatural had a Lilith as a vampire. Was that her? I wrote a book about vampires but I don't know the history.

[Francis]

http://kheph777.tripod.com/lilith.html

[Susanne]

I read half of the article on Lilith. I copied the rest of it on my computer to read when I'm not half asleep. It's very interesting that Lilith originated with Adam and Eve. I also learned recently that the Masons originated with Solomon's Temple. Their rooms are based on the three chambers in the Temple. My Hebrew teachers would have died if I had brought this up in class years ago. I'm always ready to learn more.

[Megan]

Many cultures throughout history have had a vampire creature as part of its folklore, religion or genuine fears. Dracula is very new compared to the other vampire legends.

[Susanne]

If I write another book, I'm going to include more legends. I have to see how well my first book sells or maybe not at all.

[Francis]

After 13 years, I've just got my first review of my first book. I'm delighted... :-)

[Susanne]

Congratulations Francis. No one from my family has read my book. They don't like to read books. I received reviews from other authors on Goodreads--some good and some bad. I have few friends who read it. They liked it but only one gave a review on Amazon. It's a hard road.
We could exchange books and review each others. Let me know.
Susanne

[Megan]

Susanne wrote: "If I write another book, I'm going to include more legends. I have to see how well my first book sells or maybe not at all."

Hey Susanne, just want to say that I hope you don't give up if your first attempt doesn't work. As the saying goes, if at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again! :-)

[Susanne]

Oh great! At least I'm selling Kindles and Nooks.
Thanks

[Megan]

Francis wrote: "After 13 years, I've just got my first review of my first book. I'm delighted... :-)"

Congrats!

[Evette]

Paul wrote: "Francis wrote: "I'm sure I've come across Jewish vampires. I certainly remember a very bisexy Muslim vampire lady."

I think there is a whole new level of vampire literature waiting to be written a..."

I am working on the second book in a trilogy and one of the vampires in the series turns out to be Jewish. He was turned during WWII after the Nazi's left him for dead. I've sent him back to Eastern Europe to revisit his life and all sorts of interesting things are happening. I expect him to embrace his faith (again) by the third book. As writers I feel like we have maximum flexibility to write it as we see it... Of course drinking blood isn't kosher, but in a world where so many Jews inter-marry, the idea of faith as a "theory" rather than a "practice" makes for good reading.

[Susanne]

That is why the Jewish vampire wouldn't be accepted by his religion and not allowed in the temples. You have to be careful not to anger any religions. Hopefully, he doesn't come from an Orthodox family. Then it might turn into a comedy.

[Evette]

I don't worry about angering anyone. I just write the story in my head.

[Francis]

Megan wrote: "Congrats!"

Thanks :-)

[Francis]

Hey everyone, come play our * * * Christmas Raffle * * * :-)

[Stella]

In the series 'Being Human' the Jewish star of David has the same effect as the cross. In Anita Blake by Laurell K Hamilton crosses and star of David only work if the person whop wears it believes in the symbol. Basically faith makes it work in that world, which is a good idea. Depending on the writer and their world mythology, it will vary. Each writer will interpret the Vampire lore in their own ideas.

[Susanne]

I like that idea.

[Stella]

In my Vampire story Whitby After Dark - Volume 1, The Vampires cannot be affected by crucifixes, star of David or any holy symbol. I chose this for my own taste because it felt more real to the world my characters inhabited. In the novella, only items only work if made of silver can burn a Vampire. This is down simply as a case of physical allergy rather than a metaphysical curse. Within the novella, most humans cannot be turned, and have to be descended from a Vampire in order to 'Awaken' the dormant Vampire gene and even then it won't always work.

[Susanne]

Stella wrote: "In my Vampire story Whitby After Dark - Volume 1, The Vampires cannot be affected by crucifixes, star of David or any holy symbol. I chose this for my own taste because it felt more..."

I also stayed away from crosses and any religious symbols in my book. I didn't want to offend anyone. I made up other ways to kill vampires and witches.
Susanne Leist

[Stella]

Makes a Vampire tougher to kill and adds more danger by removing the garlic and religious symbols as weapons. I love Vampire novels both with and without this device. It really depends on the artistic construct of the novel.

[Megan]

Stella wrote: "Makes a Vampire tougher to kill and adds more danger by removing the garlic and religious symbols as weapons. I love Vampire novels both with and without this device. It really depends on the artis..."

I agree. My vampires cannot be killed or held back with garlic or religious symbols because they pre-date all those superstitions. They can die from sunlight, though, but that depends on their age.

[Stella]

I like the idea of sunlight sensitivity due to a Vampire's age. In my world, sunlight doesn't kill but does weaken and sap energy from the Vampire leaving them vulnerable, so they tend to avoid direct exposure and wear sunscreen during daylight.

[Susanne]

Stella wrote: "I like the idea of sunlight sensitivity due to a Vampire's age. In my world, sunlight doesn't kill but does weaken and sap energy from the Vampire leaving them vulnerable, so they tend to avoid dir..."

I like the sunscreen idea. Does any sunscreen work?
My vampires can't be exposed to light but have to be behind a certain color glass. I shouldn't give away too much of my book.
Susanne

[LocalPeanut]

The sunscreen is used in the BLADE films. Wesley Snipes' appears as Blade, the Daywalker. He's also a vampire hunter and the vampires covet his blood because he can walk in daylight. He was in the womb when his mom got bitten and turned. Blade has to have a serum which controls his thirst.

In the films, there are only 2 vampires who can walk in daylight (well, without sunscreen). Blade and the Original Vampire -- whose name escapes me at the moment.

[Susanne]

Susanne wrote: "Stella wrote: "In my Vampire story Whitby After Dark - Volume 1, The Vampires cannot be affected by crucifixes, star of David or any holy symbol. I chose this for my own taste becau..."

Hi Stella,
I checked out your book. It looks great! Do you want to exchange books for reviews? I'm a new author so I doubt my book is as good as yours. But I'd love to hear what you have to say. I'll give my link on Amazon.
http://amazon.com/author/susanneleist

Thanks,
Susanne

[Stella]

Indeed Melissa. I love Blade, and made references to Blade in my book. I love the premise of that movie. Mick St John from 'Moonlight' can walk in the daylight without bursting into flames but overexposure can weaken and kill him. My Vampires though very different in many ways from him are similar in that regard to Mick. I read the Vampire Diaries books a while ago (I liked them). I do prefer the sin off 'Originals' to Vampire Diaries series (which is entertaining but the spin off has more bite). The Original you mentioned is
Niklaus Mikaelson (who doesn't require a ring to daywalk. He also Tyler Lockwood into a Hybrid, making him a daywalker).

Thanks Susanne. Sounds awesome. I am only an Indie author and the novella released is pretty much the bare bones to what will be the 1st volume of a novel. I'm releasing the 2nd part soon, each part will be quite raw (will need some edits lol). I got the idea of releasing novellas/chapter novel from the 'Green Mile' series by Stephan King. He'd release a chunk at a time, then he put them all together. Basically I'm doing the same thing. By the time I put all the parts together, it will be edited. So volume 1 is a little unpolished by the way. I would love you to take a look at mine though. I will add you to my 'to read' list. Look forward to reading and reviewing your book.

[Megan]

Melissa wrote: "The sunscreen is used in the BLADE films. Wesley Snipes' appears as Blade, the Daywalker. He's also a vampire hunter and the vampires covet his blood because he can walk in daylight. He was in the..."

Bram Stoker's Dracula had the title character walking around in daylight, though he was weaker and unable to use his vampire abilities. He also wore funky blue tinted sunglasses.

If you ladies would like some exposure, I offer author interviews on my site. If you think it would help spread the word about you and your books, send me a message!

[Stella]

I would totally love that, Megan. Count me in.

[Susanne]

Megan wrote: "Melissa wrote: "The sunscreen is used in the BLADE films. Wesley Snipes' appears as Blade, the Daywalker. He's also a vampire hunter and the vampires covet his blood because he can walk in dayligh..."

Hi Megan,
Count me in. I could use all the help I can get.
Susanne

[Tracy]

Hello, I'm new to Goodreads and finding the threads here enjoyable.

All I ask in any fiction is a good story. If an author sets up an intriguing, consistent world for their vampires to inhabit, I can go on that ride.

My preference to write is a more naturalistic vampire, one unaffected by religious symbols, but can be destroyed by sunlight, etc. I also like historical fiction, so I enjoy weaving real events and people into my stories.

[Francis]

Hi Tracy & welcome - & HNY

I think people generally no longer feel the connection between religion and vampires. If vampires are creatures of the dark and the Devil, then symbols of light and God should be weapons against them.

If vampires are merely supernatural creatures of the dark, then only light itself should be the weapon.

I like the idea of making vampires realistic. There are too many vampires out there these days that are so powerful they seem like X-Men - miscellaneous powers with no real logic to them.

[Megan]

I think there are so many options for vampires should be these days, almost anything goes. Especially if they can now glitter in the sunlight and not have fangs.

It all depends on what the author wants to convey. I chose not to make my vampires affected by religious symbols mainly because I like history so much and I wanted my vampires to be very old, so there was no need for them to be affected by holy water or crosses. I also find the whole garlic thing to be silly.

I actually like it when an author these days sticks to the traditional ways of warding off vampires because it's like paying tribute to the villains that got the public's attention. I know vampire legends have been around for many centuries all over the world, but the Bram Stoker version captured the world's attention the most (as well as Bela Lugosi), so there is something about being true to that version that I like. Not that I plan to do so myself, but I think its cool.

[Isaiyan]

Francis wrote: "Hi Tracy & welcome - & HNY

I think people generally no longer feel the connection between religion and vampires. If vampires are creatures of the dark and the Devil, then symbols of light and God ..."

My vampires (deamhan) predated Christianity so I don't have a reason to use any religious symbols. Good old sunlight for the win.

Like someone mentioned before, vampire literature is constantly changing and I love it, be it good or bad. I'm sure there's so much vampire lore out there, waiting to be discovered.