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What is it about vampires?
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Kiersten, Mod
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Aug 20, 2014 11:43AM
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I don't know. Maybe it's that they are often unpredictable (and sexy). They might be the only ones who we can forgive when they actually do bad things. :P
But what is it about them that we forgive? Is it that we are conditioned to submit to a creature stronger / cleverer / more bloodthirsty than we are, and one that we can never understand?
they are supernaturally beautiful, and can put you in a trance...
I think it's the sexy, bad man hype. The vampire male is not real, but you can open your mind to all sorts of imagination with the vampire. This will also apply to all supernaturals. To make them more realistic in the human world adds danger, mystery and intrigue.
It's not something I've ever been able to explain. There's just something seductive and wicked about them.
I think a lot of us like to imagine what it would be like to be one! Mysterious, powerful, beautiful, etc...
Long life and never look old. That is a plus which we humans wish we had.
All these are good points! I agree, they are powerful, immortal and ageless, and we love the idea of them being tamed by love.
Karin wrote: "we love the idea of them being tamed by love."So true. ☺ I feel that way about a lot of the alpha male-type characters. And then they finally show a bit of vulnerability when the meet the right heroine? *swoon*
A bit late, but I think, and don't quote me on this, it's because of a number of factors.
In most modern settings, you think of vampires as sexy immortals who are often wealthy. They have a lot of personal power, and power fantasy is one of the most common people have, but their power comes with a thirst for blood. So when someone, often the female protagonist, comes along and manages to give him feelings that may be striking him the first time in the long time, it makes them feel special and the reader gains satiation by either putting themselves in the protagonist's shoes or sympathizes with them.
So, now we have this person who is normal, like the reader, having power over the immortal vampire. They don't lord it over them, but instead try their best not to abuse it and thus appear humble. You're not with them because they're rich or beautiful, but because you like who they are under the tormented soul. You're willing to submit to them in order to be next to them, even at the personal cost to yourself, though you hope the benefits will outweigh the costs.
Rich, immortal, tortured on the inside, and often attractive--if you removed these from the story then what's left?
In most modern settings, you think of vampires as sexy immortals who are often wealthy. They have a lot of personal power, and power fantasy is one of the most common people have, but their power comes with a thirst for blood. So when someone, often the female protagonist, comes along and manages to give him feelings that may be striking him the first time in the long time, it makes them feel special and the reader gains satiation by either putting themselves in the protagonist's shoes or sympathizes with them.
So, now we have this person who is normal, like the reader, having power over the immortal vampire. They don't lord it over them, but instead try their best not to abuse it and thus appear humble. You're not with them because they're rich or beautiful, but because you like who they are under the tormented soul. You're willing to submit to them in order to be next to them, even at the personal cost to yourself, though you hope the benefits will outweigh the costs.
Rich, immortal, tortured on the inside, and often attractive--if you removed these from the story then what's left?
we love the idea of them being tamed by love."Love this.
As a reader, I've long been drawn to the fantasy of the vampire because it was something so foreign and mysterious from what I experienced in my life. As an author, I gravitate toward vampire characters because they allow me to explore something darker, more sensual than a regular male character could ever get away with. They can move mountains, alter the course of history, do things for love that just aren't reality. I also love the idea of strong women being able to tame someone so wild.
its the old world charm.the unknown mystery
the darker side of life
gentleman
alpha male
For me , I think I'd be the predator in them. That fierce protectiveness and ability to take control. ;)
The vampire bite reminds us of penetration. What better quality in an alpha male than the ability to dominate with strength and with thought? I've always preferred my vampires wicked rather than tame. I am not a fan of the tortured soul redeemed by love, but, as previous comment mentioned, I love the predator--top of the food chain--and the hunt.
I have to agree, vampire characters aren't so far removed that we don't recognise them as being human...but they get all the kick ass abilities that just aren't reality and we get to see darker, more dominant, attractive beings that we secretly like ;0) Plus the danger element makes them exciting. Humans are complex enough...but supernatural beings can be anything we want them to be!
Mod
I like that. Good point.
I never really got the vampire-werewolf fascination. i mean, I enjoy them when part of a well done story, but not generally for their own sake. I loved Buffy- excellent writing throughout, ditto with Angel. I remember someone's response once re vampires... it went vaguely like this (roughly).. every young girls dream: someone who will love her, literally, forever.--- I suppose the forbidden aspect and tortured for love aspect feed into that as well:)
One name, Eric Northman, and you get your answer.
I think that part of the attraction is that Vampires are so easy to adapt into different scenarios.I admit to having problems accepting this sometimes especially when Vampires and werewolves are depicted as love-sick teens. But if one were to read Dracula, it is for the most part about the Count's (albeit twisted) endless pursuit of the woman he loves.
By the way, having said all this, my next novel is a Vampire story. What can I say? I simply love them!
They are immortal. They can live for for a long time although I can see where this would get a bit boring and having to explain why one is still looking so young all the time. I like those vampires that have a conscience. Strong, handsome and virile. But of course it's fantasy, but fantasy can be anything you want it to be...
It's a shame that vampires are so well known that anything that could rival a vampire gets little to no interest in stories because some people don't give them a chance.
S.J. wrote: "It's a shame that vampires are so well known that anything that could rival a vampire gets little to no interest in stories because some people don't give them a chance."What do you mean?
My love for vampires equals my love for shapeshifters etc. There really is something about vampires though, I think its the old world charm with that edge of danger to them
I love writing about them.Yesterday at Amazon: it was the first day my book SAINT VAMPIRE was out in print.
Soooooo Grateful!!!
PAPERBACK:
#61 out of 9,871 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Horror > Vampires
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,526 out of 55,439,383 in Books
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B015TBKKR2
I am so happy to run across this thread!I think some people cringe when they here “vampire” because they think the concept has been overused. I think we cannot afford to leave them out of our stories because they bring up so many philosophical issues about mortality! As humans, we are one of the only animal species who recognize mortality, and that we will not live forever. There are so many concepts that stem from mortality, and having a conscience (soul), and the price you might pay to get something like immortality. Yes, creatures of the night are alluring, but there also make us think…I love it. I have 3 subcultures of different vampires in the book series I’m releasing in June, and vampires will not die in writing any time soon. Let’s embrace them!
I’m glad to hear many people think the same thing as me!
Lyn wrote: "My love for vampires equals my love for shapeshifters etc. There really is something about vampires though, I think its the old world charm with that edge of danger to them"I just saw a conversation last night about how people never say "shapeshifting" as the superpower they'd want. I ask people all the time, and haven't had one person ever answer with shapeshifting. It is probably the coolest power, and more versatile. Maybe they're just so sneaky that we don't think about them much.
Romarin: you hit the nail on the head with your comment about morality. My book Saint Vampire is actually heavily based on the pillars of character. This theme runs throughout the book. SH
Kiersten wrote: "For those of you who love, love, love almost every vampire novel you read, or even if you just crave a little fang every now and again, what is it about those toothy creatures that gets to us?"
I love how dark and mysterious they are. They don't care about their differences from humans and it's that natural confidence that really intrigues me.
I love how dark and mysterious they are. They don't care about their differences from humans and it's that natural confidence that really intrigues me.
I agree with the philosophical issue Romarin mentioned about mortality. I'll add -- I like that vampires are dark and mysterious, worldly and educated (at least the one's I tend to prefer). The contrast of this (usually) beautiful, refined creature who must drink blood to survive and often must fight the urge to kill a human, is almost heartbreaking. To kill will satisfy their hunger briefly but will also take away any remaining humanity, causing inner conflict. There are just so many aspects about vampire characters and stories that many people don't stop to consider. It's not just a book about monsters. (Having said that, I must admit that sometimes I do enjoy a good book, or movie/TV show, about vampires for the sheer thrill of it.)
TheGrayLibrarian wrote: "I love how dark and mysterious they are. They don't care about their differences from humans and it's that natural confidence that really intrigues me...."Well, as you mentioned, there are also the vampires who don't have a shred of humanity left and they like it that way. Those are usually the ones I love to hate.
Romarin wrote: "I just saw a conversation last night about how people never say "shapeshifting" as the superpower they'd want. I ask people all the time, and haven't had one person ever answer with shapeshifting. It is probably the coolest power, and more versatile. Maybe they're just so sneaky that we don't think about them much. "I guess it depends - shapeshifting in most books is painful. A lot of shapeshifters also struggle with who they are. What annoys me are annoying power games in packs
