Think You’ve Got What it Takes to Write a Vampire Novel?

Posted on Wednesday February, 3 2010 | 15 Comments

There are lots of people who think that they have better ideas of what a vampire should be than Stephenie Meyer, Laurell K. Hamilton, or even Anne Rice. But do you really? Do you really think that you could write a vampire novel better or more popular than these best-selling authors? You just might, and if you think you do, you might want to consider writing your own vampire novel. But there's one thing about vampire fans. They are very specific about what they like, and what they will accept as "open interpretation." Go too far off the mark, and they might just end up saying that boys who sparkle don't like girls. So what does it take to write a vampire novel? Well, a good imagination for starters. Along with these few tips you might want to keep in mind.

First, read several books in the genre (which, if you're interested, you've probably already done.) Pick and choose the vampire elements that you like the most. Include these in your vampire novel, but elaborate on them to really make them your own. For instance, you may not want to write a book where vampires sparkle in the sun. But you might want to do something different other than the old folklore of they can't be in any sunlight whatsoever.

Next, think hard about your main character. Make sure that you not only make them interesting, but believable. Readers like a character that they can relate to and that they feel they understand. Figure out what qualities you want your character to have, and again, use your imagination to elaborate on them.

Start actually writing the novel by first writing a short story of your novel. This will get your main ideas out, and give you new ideas to build on. Then write a draft of your story. Don't go back and change things or analyze things while you're writing, although keep notes of these things. First just get the story out of your head. There's lots of time for corrections later.

Finally, go through and make corrections and changes. Make sure that your novel has tons of spooky, vampire atmosphere and that the language is appropriate. If you're writing about Victorian vampires for instance, you don't want them speaking in modern-day slang.

Lastly, choose a catchy and hot title for your book. Titles can often jump out at a reader when they're standing in front of rows and rows of vampire books. A bad title could make sure that your book never gets read.

Even if you're not serious about ever getting published, trying your hand at writing your own vampire novel could be a lot of fun. And then whenever you're making fun of Twilight and a fanatic sneers, "Yeah, you think you could do better?", you could reply, "As a matter of fact, I have!"

- Kate