 Horror/Scary: April 23, 2008 Issue [#2351] |
  Horror/Scary
This week: Edited by: darkin
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Reading a horror story, one that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the last page, is what every horror fan dreams of. Being scared, to the point that sleep is almost impossible, makes the read all the more worthwhile. Does that make us crazy? You bet!!!
My name is Darkin, and I'm your host this week for the Horror Newsletter.
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Modern-Day Vampires
Recently I was asked about the traits of modern vampires. It sounded like the makings for an interesting horror newsletter, so I sat down and started re-reading some of my favorite vampire books. What I found was vampires vary from writer to writer, each taking something from the folklore to use for their versions.
Vampires have been around for centuries, literally. Ancient Greeks had tales of vampire-like creatures, as did the Hebrews and Romans. The original creatures were described as bloated and reddish or purplish in color, which was believed to be because they had feasted on blood. They were believed to be created by either a malevolent spirit possessing a corpse or by being bitten by another vampire.
Modern vampires are another story. Most are described as being quite handsome/beautiful, with pale or translucent skin, and dressing to the nines. They are sexy, dangerous beings and the readers love them. The first vampire story to make it big, Bram Stoker's Dracula, showed vampires in this light. Sure, Dracula was a big, bad vampire. But he was dang sexy too! The traits Mr. Stoker laid out in his book have pretty much set the standard for future of vampire stories.
Traditional Vampire Traits
 They need blood to live.
They usually cannot eat regular food or drink water, etc. This can cause pain and even illness for a vampire. To get close to their victim, some vampires will mimic eating. Likewise, they do not need to breathe to live. Often they will mimic, like with food, to pass, but it's just an illusion.
Their skin is pale and they are cool to the touch, because they are dead, or undead as the case may be.
Garlic can repel them. Also, religious symbols can keep them away. This can be any religion, since it's the belief in the symbol, and not the symbol, that has the power. Holy water burns them, but it cannot kill them unless you have an awful lot of it.
Old world vampires could change form, from human to a wolf, bat, dust, or fog.
They can not see their reflection in a mirror, or be photographed/video taped/etc.
Bram Stoker's vampire could walk in daylight, since he was several centuries old, but it did hurt him to do so. Recently turned vampires can't be in the sunlight.
They can only enter a house they've been invited into. By not being invited, they lose a lot of their powers.
They have to sleep on a bed of their native soil. This can be where they were buried, or soil they put in their coffin from their native land.
There are probably more, but those are the ones I can remember from Mr. Stoker's book. Modern vampire writers have used many of those traits, and some they've made up, to creature their own versions of these monsters.
Modern-Day Vampires
There are so many different versions of vampires in modern literature, too many to list here. One of my personal favorites are the vampires in Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files series. Mr. Butcher has created a vampire world that keeps his hero on his toes. The main vampires in his books are:
The Black Court
These are the vampires of Bram Stoker's Dracula. They have all the traits from the novel Dracula. In fact, according to the series, Mr. Stoker wrote his book to help regular people kill these creatures.
The Red Court
These are vampires that appear to be human but are actually bat-like creatures under a human disguise. They are very similar to Stoker's vampires but they have a special talent. Their saliva has a narcotic in it that makes a victim addicted to them.
The White Court
These are the most human of the vampire courts. They are psychic vampires, feeding not on blood but on lust, fear, or pain. They aren't affected by the usual things. Sunlight and symbols of faith don't hurt them, although some are uneasy around churches. They aren't as strong as their Black and Red counterparts, but can call upon their reserve energy when needed.
As you can see, Mr. Butcher has used some, but not all, of the traditional traits for these creatures. A writer doesn't have to use all of the "known" vampire traits. In fact, a writer doesn't have to use any of them, if they so desire. All a writer needs is to understand what a vampire is, and she can create a creature to fit her story.
Thank you for taking the time to read. Happy Writing!
darkin
To read more about Mr. Butcher's vampire worlds, check out:
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To read the master's novel, check out:
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Here are some items I found while traveling the highways and byways of Writing.Com!
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Thank you for allowing me to enter your world. If you have any comments, or questions, feel free to drop me a line. I'd love to hear from you!
darkin
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Submitted By: Lauriemariepea 
Submitted Comment:
hi, darkin--
another fun newsletter--'salem's lot' was my first stephen king book, too.
i remember being blown away by his heroes; imperfect and freaked out, but still charging into the breach. great!
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Submitted By: billwilcox
Submitted Comment:
Ah, Squirrel, you are the bestest newsletter writer. I am going to have to visit your Port and read some of your horror. Anyone inspired by Mr. King is okay in my book.
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Submitted By: CandyStaiNeCane 
Submitted Comment:
Hehe! I loved Salem's Lot too. Great newletter. Thank you.
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Submitted By: M. R. K
Submitted Comment:
I just wanted to say thanks. It's not too often you get featured three times in the same newsletter . I really appreciate the exposure. Take care.
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