Historical Setting

Vampire novels may be set in different historical eras. The Dracula story has been told a number of times in its original historical context to contemporary settings. One of the things to keep in mind is vampires transcend time, or the ordinary mortal sense of time, and this is part of their appeal. Some vampire stories focus on a specific historical time period; other vampire tales cover a number of historical periods. The 1960s vampire soap opera, “Dark Shadows,” was set in the present but made use of the past to provide interesting details about the story line and characters.

Names and Characters

Authors create characters in a number of ways. Some authors base their characters on real people, historical people or their imaginations. Authors often create a character by blending traits, mannerisms and qualities of several people into one character. Character development is based on a number of factors. A plot or story line may inform the type of characters necessary to tell the story in a convincing way. On the other hand, well-developed characters may generate plots and story lines. Names are important as well. The definitive vampire story is captured in the name "Dracula." The very name resonates with evil and darkness. Vampires may have more ordinary names. The vampire in “Dark Shadows” was Barnabas Collins; the name “Barnabas" rang as somewhat out of date in the hip 1960s when the show premiered. The name should reflect the temporal and geographical locale of the vampire and the story.

Not All Vampires Are the Same

Some vampire stories present the vampire as the personification of evil; the creature delights in terrorizing and dominating victims. Other vampire stories present the vampire as a tormented creature struggling with feelings of guilt and the desire to cling to immortality by committing evil deeds to others. Dwelling on the human qualities and inner struggles may make a vampire more sympathetic. Stephanie Meyer’s main "Twilight" vampires are romantic and troubled adolescents.

Research Is Important

Writers do not generate ideas from a void. Taking the time to research a topic provides insights, details and knowledge that make a work interesting, informative and entertaining. It also makes your writing more persuasive. A number of traditions have vampire tales, including the folk vampire tales of Eastern Europe, the Chinese Jiang-shi, the Roman Strix, and the Norse Aswang. Taking the time to research the histories and traditions makes a novel have more depth and speak across cultural lines.

Advice From Steven King

Steven King has definitive ideas about what vampires should be. According to King, “Here’s what vampires shouldn’t be: pallid detectives who drink Bloody Marys and work only at night; lovelorn southern gentlemen; anorexic teenage girls; boy toys with big dewy eyes.” King obviously is making fun of contemporary vampire stories such as “Twilight.” Vampires, in King’s view, should be “stone killers” and “hunters.” The would-be vampire novelist does not have to take King’s advice, but remember that King is the definitive master of contemporary horror novels.