Vampires. Those fanged, nocturnal creatures that have been the stuff of nightmares and, let's be honest, some pretty steamy scenes. As a writer and reader of vampire fiction I often wonder, what is it about these bloodsuckers that has us so enthralled? I think I've come up with some answers (and some creative images from ChatGPT)...
I asked ChatGPT to create an image of my own broody vampire: Nathaniel Chartley
The OGs: Bram Stoker and Anne Rice
Bram Stoker basically invented the modern vampire with his novel "Dracula," and he did it with a flair for the dramatic. First published in 1897, the Penguin Classics edition is sitting in the top 1000 in the 'Classic Literature' category at Amazon, which means it continues to sell well. Who doesn't love a good cautionary tale about unchecked desires wrapped in a Victorian corset?
ChatGPT's interpretation of Stoker's Dracula
Then came Anne Rice, who decided vampires were just misunderstood souls with existential crises. "The Vampire Chronicles" series gave us vampires who were not just predators but philosophers, like Lestat de Lioncourt, who explores the meaning of life, immortality, and the depths of the human and vampire condition. Because nothing says "intriguing" like the undead pondering the meaning of life.
ChatGPT's interpretation of Anne Rice's Lestat
Immortality: The Ultimate FOMO Cure
Who hasn't fantasised about living forever? Do you ever dream of getting to the bottom of your neverending to-do list? Or seeing if we really will be flying around like the Jetsons in the future? Vampires offer us a glimpse into the ultimate FOMO cure: immortality. But it's not all rainbows and unicorns. You have to drain people of their blood and say goodbye to beach days. And we all know how much humans have worshipped the sun throughout history. One of my story ideas (that's been bubbling away for a few years now) is about a passionate gardener who becomes a vampire and has to garden by the light of the moon. Tragic! And just think of suffering with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) for eternity!
Romance: Where Sexy Meets Spooky
Since Bram Stoker had Dracula express his deep, undying affection for his long-lost love Mina Harker, vampires have been portrayed as irresistibly sexy. I mean, who can resist a creature that can both seduce you and send shivers down your spine at the same time? This duality offers a thrilling mix of danger and desire, making vampire-human relationships both taboo and tantalising.
The allure extends beyond the forbidden. It taps into our fascination with the eternal—being loved by someone who transcends time itself. And let’s not overlook the saga of "Twilight," where Edward’s infatuation with Bella...
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