Are vampires too cliche?

[PrincessaMiranda]

I had started a story before the Twilight series got blown up, and I feel like if I finished writing it the way it is that It would be put in a category or thought of as 'just another vampire book.' It is kind of a romance and also a thriller/horror.

Should I keep it a vamp book or change it to some similar creature? (Not werewolves.)

[Chilari]

Okay two key things to say here:

First, a type of fantasy creature or being isn't cliche. Vampires, elves, dragons, unicorns, whatever, are not cliche by themselves. There are cliche ways of presenting them, but asking if using vampires in your story is redundant. Asking if using them in a particular way is cliche is a different story.

Second, who cares? As has been established in a different thread, whether something is cliche or not is not a useful or productive way of thinking about what you're writing. Is it a story you want to write? Then write it. Will your enjoyment of it be any less if it is cliche?

And as far as thinking readers will believe you're a bandwagon jumper, don't stress about it. For everything else it is, the Twilight series is popular, so you know there's a market for that kind of book. Whether it sells depends on how good it is. Focus on making sure it is good.

I'll admit to having a vampire story on the backburner myself. It's certainly not a romance, more a thriller. It involves stalking, kidnapping, blackmail, obsessive behaviour (from both the protagonist and the vampire) and if I wrote and published it those who just knew it had a vampire in it would probably think it was a vampire romance because that's the trend. It's not gonna stop me from writing it. When I get my act together.

Good luck.

[Ireth]

I'm also working on a vampire story, which I started in 2006/2007, well before I ever heard of Twilight or realized vampires were "in". That hasn't stopped me from completing a first draft and going on to another one with the intent of being published someday; my vampires are (hopefully) pretty unusual and unique. Even if they weren't, I'd write it anyway, simply because I love vampires.

[PrincessaMiranda]

Thank you for your help. It is different from the twilight in that the guy had just turned and she is thrown into a darker underworld. I don't like being categorized so I was in turmoil over it.

Chilari your story sounds pretty good, if you ever do get that one published id like to read it.

[Ireth]

Thank you for your help. It is different from the twilight in that the guy had just turned and she is thrown into a darker underworld. I don't like being categorized so I was in turmoil over it.

Your novel sounds a fair bit like mine, going by that sentence alone.

[Taro]

i think that chil said it good its how you write it that matters, i know one of my main novels has a werewolf in it but its more like a werewolf from underworld.

[PrincessaMiranda]

Ireth- Mine also shows an underground in the music industry. I've4 always wanted to be in a rock band so I incorperated it into my story. Its directed towards young adults.

[Ireth]

Sounds like fun. My "underworld" is a literal underground city built and populated by vampires, and ruled by the eldest one.

[PrincessaMiranda]

That sounds pretty sweet. Im a fan of Underground. lol.

[Loupgarou]

I agree that it's about the quality of presentation more than anything. The last book i read, The Last Werewolf, has vampires that really aren't all that different from classic depictions but i never felt like it was retreading or anything. Their place in the story is logical and they are portrayed well, with a sort of 'untouchable' air. Of course a Werewolf is the main character, and once again although the basic formula isn't mucked about with, the character himself was very interesting and that mattered more than any gimmick he could have had.

I really do think the same applies to all fantasy creatures. There are so many different kinds of vamps, orcs, faeries, what have you that focusing on being 'unique' probably isn't the best way to go about things. Just focus on interesting logical characters, regardless their race.