The Vampire Fad

I've been re-reading the Laurel K. Hamilton series and I've also been noticing how many vampire books have come out recently. Well, at least in the last decade or so. It's not the first time I've noticed it but everyone has to admit that there has been a surge in the world's fascination with vampires. And it's not just the fanged ones either. Lycanthropes, demons, witches and warlocks are all becoming popular reading and a lot of it in romance. I've tried reasoning out our fascination with the dark and mysterious otherworldly creatures and not to sound cliché but the one thing I keep coming back to is the fact that it's taboo.

There's certain kind of danger involved with being involved with one of the otherworldly types. I think that each person likes a little danger; subconsciously at least. Romances with werewolves and demons...I suppose it's like playing with fire without ever having to strike a match. We're still human after all. If a real vampire (à la Anne Rice) were to present itself we as a population would probably piss our pants. Much less a were-anything. I'm starting to understand the attraction of vamps though. They bite and suck blood.

First of all: biting? Kids (and some adults) get hickies often, nothing too surprising there. It turns some people on. Okay. The preferred place to bite? The neck. If you were an animal offering your neck is a mark of subservience. The neck is a very vulnerable part of the body. So that takes care of that but what about blood. *EW* Right? Blood is something highly personal and only comes in limited supply...until you make more. That's the real thrill, the real danger.

Then of course there's the beauty. Almost all the vampire writings have great looking vamps or weres or whatever the flavor of the month happens to be. I haven't read about an ugly vamp. Have you?

Anyways. I'm kind of glad that I have a handle on the what and the why. In the end I think that this will help me if I ever chose to write something like that. I like having new perspective.

A Fickle Heart

So after some major indecision on my part concerning my NaNo project I have actually come to a conclusion. I hate leaving things unfinished so I have decided to do a rewrite of my NaNo novel from last year since I lost a solid half of my word count during the move. Half gone and I think that I actually lost more than that since I had over 50k. So to inspire me I have created a cover and banner. I will be backing up and emailing copies to myself hourly!

I've added a new plot twist to it and so I'm hoping that I won't get bored or something during NaNo. I guess we'll just wait and see! NaNo starts tomorrow and I can't wait!

Stock Image by: MD-Arts
Cover and Banner Design by: Me!

The Consummate Professional

I suppose when most people think of professional writers they think of people like Stephen King, Nora Roberts, and J.K. Rowling. Successful writers with more than one title on a bestseller list. My own idea of a professional writer is far more...elastic. 

Artwork by DevianArtist rui-ricardo

A professional writer in my mind is some one who takes writing seriously. They may or may not end up getting paid for what they are writing and they may not even end up being published. I know it may sound contradictory but this is truly how I feel. A professional writer sets aside time to write and writes several times a week. They take what they are writing very seriously and even feel bad if they neglect their work for more than a few days. They are dedicated to their projects and will think about them constantly. They gather in coffee shops, book stores, libraries, and in their in-home writing nooks. Whether they are writing on notebooks, laptops, ipads or napkins makes no difference. 

Maybe my definition of a professional writer is so distorted because I want to be included in my own definition.Selfish and ambitious but hey, it's my definition and my opinion after all. 

Oh Fickle Heart...

Remember how just yesterday I was boasting that I was all set on my story choice? I did jinx myself. No sooner than I think that I'm all set than I start having doubts and another story idea pops into my head....*sigh* What to do? I just want to kick myself in the rear. What a pain! I'm going to have to decide soon. Anyone else having second thoughts?

Covers and Banners

I've fully committed myself to my NaNo project! (I've probably just jinxed myself into losing all interest and changing stories at midnight on October 31st but hey...)

There are so many talented artists on the Artisan boards on the NaNoWriMo website but I decided that I was going to make my own cover and banner this year. I've done it before but this year I definitely think that this year's is a huge improvement. You can see the change on the Past Projects page. I used some stock photos and a handy browser photo editor called PicMonkey. I'm very pleased with how they came out. What do you think?