How to Write About Vampires

There are a lot of stories out there about Vampires. But not too many of them make their characters “touchable” or “human”. The characters are usually so out of touch with their humanity that the reader really cannot connect with the character. That happens to be one of the main sticking points.

How can I make my Vampire more human?
Well for the Vampire, don’t make them too into themselves. Vampires cannot see themselves in a mirror, so how can they be vain? Believe me, if you ever read any of the classic horror novels and do you see any vampire with the ability to see themselves in the mirror? No you don’t, so please don’t make a vampire vain. Vampires still have their human vices when they turn, yet they can only either recall bits and pieces of their “human” life or in some cases, they can remember all of it.

What all characteristics do typical Vampires have?
All vampires don’t run around and suck just anybody’s blood. Read some Christine Feehan. You will see that some Vampires take someone to keep as a “feeder” that they can feed off of any time if they get low. But other than that, they usually know their prey.

1) Vampires usually don’t feed off animals for their blood nor do they feed off children.
2) Sometimes they (Vampires) keep a stash of blood in a hidden fridge where nobody else can find.
3) Vampires are long living and usually have money. And they don’t live in the same spot for too long.
4) They usually have impeccable taste in style and great manners. (That’s what makes them so appealing.)

I got my Vampire, what should I name them?
Don’t go for some very old sounding name. That will just give them away a whole lot easier. How could a human character not think that a person named “Gwendolyn” or “Lestat” isn’t a vampire. Come on. Lestat is the name of a vampire in one of Ann Rice’s novels! Go for something fitting for the character and for their age. But nothing too young sounding. Something from the last two centuries (1800-1900) would suffice nicely.

What should they be referred to as?
Men are usually referred to as “Count” “Sir” or “Master.” Women are usually referred to as “Countess” “Madam” “Lady” or “Mistress.” They are usually referred to as these titles by their servants, underlings and people who know their status quo. Never by outsiders. The usual titles of “Mister” or “Missus” is what unknowing humans usually call them.

How should the story start?
Think: Do I want to start while they are human and encounter the “Master” vampire that turns them?

OR
Do I want to start after they turn into a vampire?

Both are really great starting points to use when starting your story.

How do I make my Vampire “pick up” a potential victim?”
Bars work great for this purpose or just walking down the street. Just don’t make it too obvious that they are on the hunt.

Example: Lady Victoria was at her usual haunt, Rubies, on a dark and rainy evening. The bar had a couple of people milling about. “Dinner shouldn’t be too hard to spot tonight.” Victoria thought to herself as the bartender filled her regular glass of wine. She picked up the glass and sifted the wine about in the glass, letting the spices fill her nostrils as a potential meal glanced her way. His soft brown eyes were looking over at her as he started to nurse a glass of bourbon. His black hair was tied back at the nape of his neck. “Easy access.” Victoria thought as she smiled. The man smiled back at her as he got up from his end of the bar to join her. “Shouldn’t be too terribly hard to seduce.” Victoria thought to herself as she applied some red lipstick as her potential meal sat down. “Hey there gorgeous, my name is Paul. What’s yours?”

See, it really isn’t that hard  to make your vampire to entice anyone. Good vampires are usually well taken care of and attractive. But if they turn bad....It is ugly.

What kills a Vampire?
There are many things that can kill a vampire.
1) Blood from dead people. That is a number one killer.
2) Garlic. Rarely kills, just irritates.
3) Stake through the heart. Got to be a specific type of wood.
Or what I read in a book once
4) Stake through the heart. Decapitate the Vampire, stuff the mouth with garlic and bury the body face down. Cruel and unusual, but no chance of the vampire coming back.

Light will NOT kill your vampire. It will just make him/her weaker.
What about Vampire fights?
Fights between vampires are usually bloody, gory and graphic.

What about sex scenes? Can they do that before they feed on a potential victim?
Hmm, they do still have the urges that humans have, so I don’t see a problem with anyone writing about those kind of scenarios. But don’t expect me to write a guide on that any time soon.

Now the rest is up to you this was just an outline to help you. Please don’t use the example for the base of your story.