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Misc Forums => Writer's Block => Topic started by: Wunderkind on August 05, 2010, 11:04:27 AM

Title: A Story About Vampires
Post by: Wunderkind on August 05, 2010, 11:04:27 AM

I have been challenged, nay, shall I say, dared even, to write a better vampire story than the "War and Peace by Dostoyevsky" novels. I, of course, could do this blindfolded, but since I'm actually doing it, I'm curious to know what those here think.

Should I write in the form of Anne Rice, looking back on the things that have happened, or as it happens? Also, should my protagonist be male or female? And what do you want as an outcome?

This will be posted here in chapters, though there may be massive gaps of time between chapters.

I should mention that I probably won't wait long before I start typing.

Title: Re: A Story About Vampires
Post by: Probie on August 05, 2010, 11:20:04 AM

I think it would be better if you made those sorts of decisions, that's just my opinion.

Stephanie Meyer is an international best selling author, and although War and Peace by Dostoyevsky is no dante's inferno and it might not win any literature awards I still think she has achieved something wonderful.

I wish I had your confidence though!

Title: Re: A Story About Vampires
Post by: ivan on August 05, 2010, 11:26:42 AM

Write it in the form of Anne Rice when she was writing the Sleeping Beauty stories.

Title: Re: A Story About Vampires
Post by: Wunderkind on August 05, 2010, 11:33:44 AM

My issues with "War and Peace by Dostoyevsky" include but are not limited to; cliche romantic plot, the creation of new blood-feeding race which were then called 'vampires' even though they are not, and the small physiological issue which took place on hero-couples wedding night, which should have ended up with what's-her-name dead.

However, the real conversation which led up to me taking this challenge stemmed from more, factual, errors in the writing, including a few historical ones. I argued on behalf of "War and Peace by Dostoyevsky" in this case because I value artistic license, then said opposition stated, "Hell YOU could write this story better." Which led me to, "What does that mean?" Which developed further.

I'm only asking because after three hours of mulling I can't figure out how to start it. Some opinions from the crowd sometimes help with that process. I probably will end up going my own way, but I need some opinions to get started.

Title: Re: A Story About Vampires
Post by: Wunderkind on August 05, 2010, 11:36:26 AM

Quote from: ivan on August 05, 2010, 11:26:42 AM

Write it in the form of Anne Rice when she was writing the Sleeping Beauty stories.

Noted.

Title: Re: A Story About Vampires
Post by: Wunderkind on August 05, 2010, 11:51:30 AM

I'm starting to warm up to the idea of a boy being raped by a woman. There aren't enough female rapists in literature.

Title: Re: A Story About Vampires
Post by: Probie on August 05, 2010, 11:56:33 AM

I started a chronicles story once on another forum, and invited people to join in when they wanted. In the end i stopped posting because they where ruining me story. ¬_¬ Probably the only time I've actually liked my own writing too.


Also I like cliche romance in my fiction, because the reality of romance is (for me at any rate) pretty much a let down.

Title: Re: A Story About Vampires
Post by: pbsaurus on August 05, 2010, 02:14:26 PM

Watch Nosferatu about 20X through straight, then write.

Title: Re: A Story About Vampires
Post by: sociald1077 on August 05, 2010, 03:10:50 PM

What if the vampire wasn't a pretty, sensual being? What if it was a geek, wuss and socialy inept. He needs to feed, but can't figure out how to fully utilise his "vampireness" to its fullest in any capacity.

It would be nice to see a story where the vampire isn't a) an monster, or b) super sexy killer.

Edit: Wow, catch a mistake 2 days later. This is what I get for posting at work.

Title: Re: A Story About Vampires
Post by: Wunderkind on August 05, 2010, 09:25:43 PM

Quote from: pbsaurus on August 05, 2010, 02:14:26 PM

Watch Nosferatu about 20X through straight, then write.

I don't have enough time in a single day to watch Nosferatu 20X straight. But... noted.

Title: Re: A Story About Vampires
Post by: xolik on August 06, 2010, 10:26:08 AM

Quote from: bananaskittles on August 06, 2010, 07:36:51 AM

I don't think xolik can watch it straight through either.

I actually have that movie, and couldn't sit through the whole thing.

Title: Re: A Story About Vampires
Post by: pbsaurus on August 06, 2010, 01:55:36 PM

Yeah but can you watch the whole thing gay through?

Title: Re: A Story About Vampires
Post by: xolik on August 06, 2010, 03:16:04 PM

TEH SPARKALIE VAMPIREZ: A LUV STORY OMG

      so like this one time there were these two guys but the weren't really guys at all but VAMPRIES!! but nobody new because they stayed young all the time due to there vigerous moistereyezer routine each night. Every night when they woke up they each took a few pumps from johnson and johnson and afterwards they would then apply their moisturaizer.
      one day they met this girl who is totally not the author self inserting herself into this in order to fulfill her sad pathetic phantasies and she said "OMG PLEASE TREAT ME LIEK CRAP AND STUFF BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT ALL GOOD MORMON WOMEN LOVE" and they told her "we're gay lol" and she said "no u" and then the two fagpires held hands and floo off into the night with sparklez trailing from their asses.

THE END  

So, when can I expect my Hot Topic merchandising deal?

Title: Re: A Story About Vampires
Post by: ivan on August 06, 2010, 03:51:02 PM

Are you sure it was sparklez?

Title: Re: A Story About Vampires
Post by: pbsaurus on August 06, 2010, 04:42:20 PM

HECTAR @

Quote

moisturaizer

Title: Re: A Story About Vampires
Post by: Demosthenes on August 08, 2010, 04:20:59 PM

I think you should write it in the style of Steven Spruill (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=steven+spruill&x=0&y=0&ih=1_1_0_1_0_0_0_0_0_1.157_60&fsc=-1).  His book "Rulers of Darkness" is one of the best pieces of vampire fiction I've ever read.

My all-time favourite vampire novel is George R.R. Martin's "Fevre Dream (http://www.amazon.com/Fevre-Dream-George-R-R-Martin/dp/0553383051/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1281302395&sr=8-1)", however.

It set the bar for vampire fiction for me at an early age.  Nothing yet that I have read has surpassed its quality.

Incidentally, I have a signed first edition of that one in my collection.  It's my most prized possession in my library.

Title: Re: A Story About Vampires
Post by: The_Me on May 17, 2011, 12:11:22 PM

If you want some inspiration, I'd say go and read some old vampire lore. The original stuff from about 400 years ago and up. During the early 18th century there was a vampire craze in europe, originating fron eastern europe, and there are quite a few publications about vampires and vampire lore (some scientists believed in it at the time) in german or french newspapers or scientific publications from the time. You might be able to find some stuff online.

Of course, a lot of the lore does not work very well for a story, but you may be able to pick out a few ideas.

As for writing, you should find your own style, and your own characters. Just do what works the best for you, and for the story.