Now, I’m not saying get rid of romance
in a vampire story, because that would
be a ridiculous request (not to mention
killing an entire genre), but let’s try to
do something just a little new! For one
thing, keep in mind that Romeo and
Juliet was effective because it was a
tragedy! It doesn’t work out! In every
novel I read with this kind of story,
however, it always works out hunkydorey in the end. I’m a romantic, too,
and I’d love to believe that love
2A. BOY, GIRL, BOY
conquers all, but if you’re going to pull
that story off then you damn well better
earn it! Elevate your star-crossed lovers
above the stereotype with strong
characterization and throw in some
twists! Here’s another idea: Othello, Much
Ado About Nothing, The Tempest, and
many other Shakespeare plots are out
there just waiting for a clever
supernatural riff. Let Romeo and Juliet
rest in peace for a while.
and really only needs, say, a wine glass’
book, the feminists in the audience
worth of blood a night. Really? How
would start campaigning for book
I’m going to make a few female readers
convenient! He’s always a fantastic and
burning! Because it’s not sexist and
mad here, but I don’t care, because it
considerate lover, just dark and
offensive when a girl keeps a harem.
has to said. Does EVERY female
mysterious enough to be attractive, but
heroine in EVERY paranormal series
otherwise completely harmless. Blech!
1. I’M TOO SEXY TO BE A
have to be loved/ lusted after by
This is not a vampire. This is a male
EVERY male creature she encounters?
MONSTER
model with a blood fetish! I fully
Furthermore, do we have to put up
support the idea that vampires can be
with the same damn “love triangle”
Okay, here’s my least favorite trope in
both heroic and villainous, but let’s try
over and over again? “Gee, I love
recent fiction: vampires who have been
to keep some vague connection to the
HottieMcFang, but I also get superneutered so much for romance
mythology, shall we? The vampire
juicy every time Rugged Wolfbane
purposes
should be given his due and there
comes near me! What’s a girl to do? My
should always be real danger present or
life is, like, so complicated!” I realize
that they hardly bear any resemblance
else you’re just contributing to the slow
that this is a cherished and time-worn
to vampires anymore! We’ve all seen
sterilization of the vampire genre. Let’s
female fantasy, but seriously! If every
this, I’m sure: the super-rich, super
keep our vampires deserving of the
series with a male protagonist included
sexy, super powerful vampire romance
name, okay?
the hero having a threesome with
god who maybe has a problem with
different gorgeous twin sisters in every
sunlight (but sometimes not even that)
So, that’s the list. I hope you enjoyed it. I’d love to hear any reactions or your personal additions to the list in the comments! Stay thirsty,
my friends! (source: http://brianpatrickmckinley.wordpress.com/2014/02/08/vampire-tropes-that-need-to-be-staked)
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