Next up we have Count Orlok (Nosferatu 1922) an adaptation on Stoker’s Dracula. Nosferatu was so ugly you would be scared just looking at him. Again with a single purpose; blood, blood and more blood.
Vampires for decades (centuries even) reigned supreme as the Kings of Horror. The mere mention of the word “vampire” made people tremble with fear. Then in the mid 1970’s the world’s perception of vampires changed with the release of Anne Rice’s series of books “The Vampire Chronicles”. For the first time (worth mentioning) vampires weren’t the villain. Lestat welcomed us into his world, included us in his explorations.
The 20th century saw change and progress everywhere, vampires were no exception. Now in the 21st century, we have seen just about every incarnation possible of vampires. Or have we? They move about during daylight hours, they sparkle, live with humans without guise or façade; what else could there possibly be?
What I think we are yet to see is a thorough investigation of vampire lives and society. I’ve been quoted as saying, “focusing on vampires solely as blood-drinkers is like summing up humanity as oxygen thieves.” Surely there is more to vampires than killing and drinking blood. If vampires are as intelligent and powerful as we have asserted them to be, then how can we continue to portray them in a one-dimensional manner.
Whether or not you enjoyed the books, I really like what Charlaine Harris did with her Southern Vampires series. Over time you learnt about the vampire hierarchy and all the behind-the-scenes vampire stuff that is typically glossed over.
The next step in vampire evolution, I believe, is for writers to look closer; go beyond the murder and mayhem, this is something I am attempting with my own work. In my latest release “Desires Revealed” I explore relationships, sexuality, vampire society and division within that society.
Another aspect of the vampire evolution and how they are portrayed in fiction must be their perception of humanity. Do they study and research humanity as we do for animals? What is their opinion of humanity, besides being a source of food? How involved with human affairs are they? Do they try and sway the course of history in their favour?
As you may have figured out, I have a lot of questions about vampires. This is why I find them so fascinating and intriguing to write about. They can take me anywhere and anywhen. I seriously doubt I’m the only person to share this fascination. The plethora of vampire fiction available would seem to suggest the world has an insatiable hunger for vampires.
While through my writing a lot of my questions can be answered, there a couple of questions I have that remain unanswered. When will it end? And where will this next step in vampire evolution take us?
About Rebeka Harrington
With so many varied interests and eccletic taste in most things, Rebeka enjoys incorporating all of them in her writing. She particularly enjoys writing about vampires.
Rebeka seeks to define and explain vampires in a way not done before. This was achieved with her debut title "Vampires Revealed". Following titles revolve around exploring the world and characters created in her first release.
Currently Rebeka lives in Melbourne with her “demented” but lovable cat, dividing her time between writing and managing a small boutique entertainment agency.
Rebeka’s latest release Desires Revealed is available for purchase at:
Smashwords
Amazon
Cosy up with her characters – www.vampiresrevealed.com
Keep in touch and visit her blog – www.rebekaharrington.com
2 comments:
Hello Rebeka,
This looks quite an interesting and passionately involved work. I agree that vampires continue to be portrayed in a one-dimensional manner and cardboard caricatures of themselves. They can portray such deeper meaning and have in the past, so it's good to see someone take their metaphor and use it in a defining and constructive manner.
Obviously I agree with that you said in your guest blog. Good to see a deeper meaning and psychology applied to vampires, and also a fellow Aussie vampire lover following her dreams, and I hope you become a successful author :)
Thanks for the commment Basarab. I earnetly try to take my vampires outside the norm. Whether I succeed or not is debatable.
Regardless, I will continue to write until my fingers fall off :)
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