Of Fangs and Blood: Tips and Tricks for Vampire Story Writers

iv. "Rules"

These are the common misconceptions, belief, and clichés toward vampires and the vampire genre.

1. Weaknesses

Some weaknesses believed for vampires to have are the following: 

* sunlight

* stake through the heart

* religious objects (crucifix, rosary, cross, etc.)

* fire

You can always bend these common weakness and provide a new one. Make sure to clarify and justify them properly for the audience because it will play a big part to your characters background. It will also be the main thing your audience will watch out for as they dig deeper on your story.

2. Vampire-Werewolf conflict

This is probably the most common conflict to exist in the whole fantasy world. You may or may not use this as one of your story's conflicts, but it is advisable that you explore more possible chemistries from other creatures to have conflict on such as vampires themselves, wizards and witches, etc. If you wish, however, to still follow this route, there's no problem with that. 

3. Vampires are Sexually-Active Creatures

One of the most provocative "facts" that exist about vampires are their thirst towards human blood and human flesh. In regard to satisfaction, a vampire does not acquire physical amusement from copulating with a human. In fact, it is rumored that the genitalia of the vampire cease to operate as they would in their human state, although this has not been proven by any certified laboratory examination. As far as reproduction is concerned, although vampires are also capable of reproducing their kind, they do so through very different means.

4. Vampires Can Fly / Shapeshift

Though vampires can't do any of this in nature, it is still fine to consider them if you like. By modifying and adding these abilities, you are also modifying their history. Make sure you pay attention to these details as you include them in your story.

5. Infection from a Vampire is Inevitable

 The vampire's capability to reproduce is markedly different from the method of procreation performed by Homo sapiens. The means by which these individuals multiply is via direct contact specifically by vampire bite. As an outcome, it is mainly believed that once a vampire has buried its fangs into your flesh, you will become a member of the undead automatically, having been tainted by its wound. While automatic conversion may be relevant for different types of undead creatures, it is not the same with the vampire.

Source: Ma, R., October 26, 2012. Seven Misconceptions About Vampires to Keep in Mind as You Kill Them https://kotaku.com/seven-misconceptions-about-vampires-to-keep-in-mind-as-5955120