That got me to thinking. Who says? Sure there are tons of vampire novels out there. Weres in the form of wolves, cats, you name it, books by the score. Angel novels are coming out the proverbial yin-yang. So writing yet another tired, boring story about said content is, say it with me, tired and boring.
I beg to differ.
Think about it. Do we get bored writing about teen girls and the troubles they find themselves in at school? Do we grow weary of another fantasy world built on medieval society and dragon slaying? Are we blase about yet another thriller in which the killer turns out to be the last person we expected? Of course not. As long as they are well written.
See, I think the real point is, it has nothing to do with the fact the character is a werewolf, vampire, angel, serial killer, nerdy teen girl, etc. That’s missing the whole issue. We read those books because we love the people themselves.
So if we dissect what it is we’re really tired of, it’s not the fact the lead character is a vampire–but that he’s the same vampire with a different name we’ve read about over and over again from other authors. Just like we might get tired of a plucky female police detective so stereotyped that she feels uber familiar, to the point where we’re rolling our eyes.
The key is to make sure the characters are always real. Always. To write the authentic core of who they are. What they are is secondary. Yes, being a were effects how a teen boy acts. Of course it does. But who is he first? Who was he before he was bitten? Does it make him stronger or weaker? Guilt ridden or driven to succeed?
It’s time to reexamine not the genre or the illness or the feathered bent. The most memorable characters, the ones those weak copycats are based on, come from truth, no matter who they are, because they are always true to their motivations and have a story to tell in a voice that can’t help but move us.
The lesson I take from it then is stop trying to write what others want or don’t want and be honest with your characters. They, at least, will never steer you wrong.
So, a vampire, a werewolf and an angel walk into a bar…
Gosh… we just finished this conversation like er… seconds ago…
Very true my friend. It should be the standard writing rule- write what your Muse/heart desires, not what you think the market wants….
Told you I felt a blog post coming LOL
There are endless ways to depict the “stereotypical” characters such as shifters and vampires, and I love finding the authors who find a way I’ve never seen before. Even though I started reading “vampire” fiction 20 years ago, I still enjoy a good one, though they are sometimes harder to find. One book on my developmental radar involves shifters. But it will be a type I’ve not seen done elsewhere, and their history and the magical and metaphysical rules that govern their shifting and society will be different. You’re absolutely right. Build strong, unique characters that resonate with readers, then let them tell you a good story.
As a werewolf writer I can honestly say I agree. I agree that every genre, young, old, vampire, werewolf, fairy, angel, serial killer, angst…on and on have done before. No story is 100% unique, but you can add a spin to the story that will make it fresh. I’ve been a vamp person for 38 years but chose werewolves to write about. I wrote as a family dynamic issue – something teens could understand and at the same time entertain them. I’ve heard that my were world has a nice spin on the lore – so I say write it! Awaken the supernatural in yourself – and bring the reader into the journey. It was fun and interesting coming up with my own lore – and I avoided werewolf books while I wrote my story. (I take it back, Harry Potter was pretty unique and door opening for everyone)
I completely agree with your blog Patti! I’ve read so many paranormal stories recently all dealing with fairies, vampires, angels, and werewolves. Many of them are annoying in their similarities, however, I have run across a few really great, unique story ideas with original characters and decent writing.
The story I’ve been working on for the past 2 years has vampires, witches, demons, and angels in it, but I don’t feel that detracts from the desirability of the story because what they are is only secondary to it. Of course, much of what happens in the story wouldn’t if there weren’t paranormal creatures involved, but the main story is about the characters themselves and the problems they face.
For me, I don’t care what species the character is so much as the originality of the story and the quality of the writing.
I’ve been thinking about that lately too, Patti. You’re right, if it’s a good story, I don’t care if it’s about types of paranormals I’ve read about before.
You’re so right. I will say, though, that I do shudder when I hear people say things like “Hey, vampires are hot. I’ll stick one in my next book.” I think it’s always obvious to the reader when authors are writing something purely to follow a trend, vs when they write something because they’ve had a flash of inspiration.
Patti, thank you for swriting this. As long your writing the story you want to write, and not writing something because you think it’s “hot”, then I don’t think anything is overdone. There is always a new approach in character and plot and every story has been done before, but it hasn’t been done by YOU. Great post!
Oh no! Sorry about the typing errors. *writing this* and “you’re” Too much cold medication this morning makes for a fuzzy head.
Sigh! Agree with India… Following the trend is not the way to go- readers can tell if you are faking… and that’s a very good thing
The thing not to fall foul of is the reverse- where I got my wheels stuck in the genre mud- not writing because of the trend. It’s what was really holding me back from even completing my plotting for Book 2 in the series… Thanks for pulling me out Patti
Thanks for the comments, everyone! I see you all agree… which makes total sense. We’re not in this to rehash someone else’s ideas. It’s about giving voice to the authentic characters in our heads. Write on!