Twilight, Trueblood, and Other Similar Stories...

Charlaine Harris (author of the Sookie Stackhouse books) recently posted this blog entry:

Coincidences happen. I get emails pretty frequently that have essentially this message: “So and so’s book has motorcycle gang werewolves in it, and so did yours. You should look into this. So and so’s copying off of you!” I’m sure people sent the same email to Laurell K. Hamilton when my first books came into print.

The truth is, there are few really original ideas under the sun. There are similarities between many books in the urban fantasy genre. If you get vampires, werewolves, and heroines with a supernatural trait, and they’re all tossed together, some of the results are going to be the same.

I did some lightning plotting last week about a book I want to write. I’m fascinated by cemeteries, and I thought it would be interesting to write a book set in a cemetery. I imagined the protagonist, a girl raised by ghosts in a cemetery, and I began figuring out how she’d live, how she’d avoid being taken in by the state and put in a group home, and what she would do to pass her days in such a lifeless place.

Then I went on Amazon and clicked on Fiction, then on Cemetery, and found that Neil Gaiman has already written a book with a similar premise.

So, what do I do now? Let my lovely idea go? Buy the Gaiman book, and read it enviously? Purchase every copy on earth and burn it?

Can I salvage my own idea? I haven’t decided yet. I would have been happier if I hadn’t checked, I think.

But when when my book was completed, it would have been a rude shock when someone asked me if I hadn’t read Neil Gaiman’s book. I haven’t, and I won’t, in case I decide to go ahead with my own, though the temptation is strong. I admire his writing – who doesn’t? Gaiman (whom I’ve met twice, very briefly) is a living legend.

It’s a hard call, but luckily I’ve got plenty of time to think about it. I’ve got two short stories, a lot of editing, and another novel lined up when I finally send in GRAVE SECRET, which is close to completion. By then I’ll have made up my mind, and I’ll either write CEMETERY GIRL . . . or I won’t.

Handmade Vampire Buys

If you aren't already familiar with the fabulous Etsy, you need to go do so now! Etsy is a huge collection of stores filled with all kinds of nifty handmade items. You can get everything from art to baby socks to website design, to jewelry.... they have everything. Plus, you are supporting handmade items. That being said, here is some of my top vampire picks:

Bookplates by PinkFairyWand


Vampire Book Bag by BabastudioPrague


Nosferatu Case by MorbidDecor


Vlad Purse by DeadandUndead


Vampire Teeth Necklace by MelodyDoll


Bela Lugosi Magnets by AtomKid


Twilight Charm Bracelet by Millie5328


Blood Martini Glasses by CCCreations


Cigarette Case by SweetHeartSinner

Pam the Vampire

Bloodcopy has a video up about an interview Pam, the vampire from Baton Rouge. Is this suppose to be the Pam that works for Eric in Shreveport? If so, she is far better dressed than what she wears in the Sookie Stackhouse books... or maybe she just finished working at the bar.

If you have read this blog you know I love the Sookie Stackhouse series, but sometimes I seriously question Charlaine Harris' style. She has dressed Pam in a Navy jumpsuit with green piping and brown loafers (wtf?), an outfit that was pink pants and a pink sweater (probably pink socks too) and other horrible fashion atrocities. Here is where you can see the discussion about the crazy outfits. Some people are totally for the Talbot wearing vampire. Yes, you can find some nice stuff on their website, but never pink mom jeans! And please don't match your pants in the same color as your sweater! Just say no to pants like this together with a shirt like this. I love cardigans, but not with the same color pants! It's not like I am a fashion expert or fashion snob or anything, but don't dress them like old ladies!

Pam may be old, but she's not an old lady. Just say no!



Anyways: Here is the video.