September 12, 2007
I've had quite a few people ask me recently about vampire lore and mythology, and how it is manifested in my books, so I thought I'd talk about that today.
One of the things I did the most research on when I started the series was the wide variety of vampire myths. There are legends about blood-drinking creatures–usually humans who have died, but sometimes just demons or other creatures–from all cultures and all time periods including Mesopotamia, China, India, Africa, and Europe.
When someone asks me whether I believe vampires exist, I have to say: I'm really not sure. I suppose it's possible. After all, if there are all these stories from all these unrelated peoples, all over the world…there has to be some reason they're the same. Usually, legend is based in some sort of factual event.
What do you think?
One of the other questions I get a lot is: can your vampires see their own reflections?
And I must admit…I don't know! I haven't had the occasion to answer that query, and I've been giving it a lot of thought. I think they can. I don't see why they wouldn't.
So, I guess the answer is…yes. They can see their own reflections.
How's that for a straight answer? You read it first, here on For All the World to See.
September 12th, 2007 at 10:43 am
Oh, look it’s Gerry Butler!
I don’t believe there are vampires in human form (maybe some wannabes, though) although we can see them in the animal kingdom — vampire bats — and I would also include fleas and mosquitoes, well, because, why not? They’re bloodsuckers, aren’t they?
I’ve also written a vampire book (sitting with a publisher! I’ll take all of your good wishes and blessings!) and I did use some of the old myths and legends but I also decided, since it is a fantasy, I could do anything I wanted with my fanged fellow — and I did.
As to whether they can see their own reflection, I was going to say that they probably could…but just remembered, in my story, that he didn’t have any mirrors around in his own home…but I don’t really remember if I decided this was because he couldn’t see himself or because he didn’t want to be in a position where someone might see that he had no reflection.
September 12th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
I go back and forth on my belief in mythic creatures. I thnk that Dragons in some form existed, and Unicorns. There are too many unrelated cultures who, at that point, had no contact with eachother and the pictures they drew were all too similar.
Vampires however, I think that there may have been many diseases that contributed to that myth. Perhaps that’s why vampires are only semi-immortal in our mythos. If you cut off anyone’s head or stab them in the heart they will die. With the magic of tall tales suddenly it was more exciting to tell someone you killed “an immortal monster” than “I had to kill Bob, he had rabies”.
Is it wishy washy to believe in some myths and not others?
Concerning reflections, in my writing I’ve set up situations where some vamps can see themselves and others can’t depending on clan and age.
September 12th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
It’s a good answer to a tough question
And the picture of Gerry Butler is perfect for your post… but of course he goes good with anything.
September 13th, 2007 at 10:04 am
You can never go wrong with Gerry!
I believe there were people who had blood disorders and the only way they could be helped was from a transfusion of some sort. It most likely spread from there.
And I like your mirror answer. I mean, really why wouldn’t they?
October 9th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
The only reason I can see as to why they wouldn’t be able to see their reflection is b/c God made humans in his form. Then when the humans turn into vampires it’s an affront to God.