Comments on: Colleen Gleason Asks “Why Fangs?”

By: SweetNSourGirl

SweetNSourGirl — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 02:26:15 +0000

It might be the dark brooding asshole that could lure you into a whole new world thing. Vamps are always pale, brooding and a bit of a prick, but they’re hot mo-fos too since they’re ALWAYS taken at the height of prettiness for whatever reason. (Or it could be a vamp virus that makes you gorgeous!) The vamp always opens the eyes of the love interest and whatnot, and that’s sexy. And the biting thing, pain = pleasure principle. And the “I’ll love you for eternity” thing is pretty cool, because death is a scary thing and not having that particular problem is a big bonus, the bad part is you can’t sun tan or hang out on a beach. ‘Course I’ve always prefered night…

Love the cover and I can’t wait to sink my teeth into the this one, Ms. Gleason. Victoria kicks ass!

By: Bev(QB)

Bev(QB) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:15:36 +0000

I think it’s partly because vamps are the ultimate bad boy. Who can resist the lure of THAT?! Plus they are redeemed by their woman’s ~~magic hoo-haw~~ deep tru lurve.

Although, in real life, I’m pretty sure I’d have to stake him before too long. Who the hell can put up with that overbearing, overprotective, alpha hard-ass behavior for eternity?

By: bettie

bettie — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:54:55 +0000

I’m not a huge vamp fan, but I always thought the most basic appeal was penetration. The dark appeal of sex and death; of attraction and danger. The forbidden allure of creatures that live only by night.

I find the modern, sexy vampire characters interesting because the vampire is both powerful and vulnerable. For every strength, there is a weakness. Sure vampires are strong, immortal and mesmerizing, but things humans can easily survive like sunlight, holy water, or crosses will kill them.

Also, they need humans to live. This supernatural character is inextricably bound to humanity, unlike, say, elves or fairies who, in most modern manifestations, need nothing from humans. Add to that the idea that the vampire used to be human, that he or she is forever reminded of what they gave up for power, and you’ve got a grade A+ recipe for some serious drama and angst.

By: Colleen Gleason

Colleen Gleason — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:39:58 +0000

Thank you for all your feedback. It’s really interesting to hear the different perspectives!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:46:58 +0000

I’ve never been able to figure it out either. I think maybe as a kid I just envied them staying up ALL night and not having to wake up at the crack of dawn (hah).

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:20:52 +0000

For me, it’s totally the immortality thing. First off, I’m a big history buff, so the notion of someone who has lived through the great events of the past is extremely appealing. Secondly, there just seems to be so much potential for star-crossed lovers and tragic romance. Imagine having to watch the one you love wither and die. Or else having to make the decision whether to turn him/her into a vampire as well (and in some stories, once the change has been made the relationship must end).
That isn’t to say I don’t enjoy the kind of story where vampires are just the bad guys, plain and simple. I like my villains seductive.

By: Katie Ann

Katie Ann — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:16:28 +0000

The immortality is a big draw, because I like when the vampire has been around for hundreds/thousands of years, and has all that knowledge and experience and wisdom. Plus it just seems like it must be awful special to them to finally find TEH ONE!!1! after all that time; still haven’t grown tired of the “meant to be” aspect some people complain about in paranormals.

By: rebyj

rebyj — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:37:12 +0000

It’s all those things and it’s also that it’s a type of fiction where we can be immersed in sometimes terrifying danger, enjoy the scare and all the while knowing it would never be a REAL danger. If the same situations were in a “true crime” fiction novel sans vampire , I’d never be able to read it.

By: Nadja

Nadja — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:17:31 +0000

I’ll take a were-creature over a vampire, preferably something furry like, say, a were-leopard. But I do agree that vampires hold a strong appeal. I think it’s the danger and vulnerability rolled into one. Who wouldn’t mind taming a predator?

By: Cory

Cory — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:57:20 +0000

I don’t know that I would say it’s the vampire part that actually draws me to books where the hero is a vampire. (It was as a teenager and I still don’t know why!)
I simply like a strong, masculine hero. And it seems that a lot of them these days are actually vampires. If there’s a paranormal creature that I would actually want myself for a soulmate it would be were of some type.
Like others, I think it is probably the immortality part that gets a lot of people interested. People like the idea of always being with there lover, and of course they like the idea of always being young.