Mission: Write a "fan-fiction" loosely based on the Interview With the Vampire and True Blood.
Goal: The goal of this project is to use the themes and ideas in both source materials to create both a story, and a means of focusing on the concepts within them. It will not only compare the differences between the two vampire stories, but highlight each of their own separately in a (hopefully) creative way.
The Setting: The setting will focus itself in Louisiana, starting in New Orleans and then moving towards Bon Temps. It will take place following the True Blood's time of the present day. Although the Vampire Chronicles may reveal new information on Louis (and Lestat), I do not have the time read them, thus, the information on the character's will be excluded from this project.
The Characters: At this time of brainstorming, Louis and Bill will be the "Two Vampires", with Eric and Lestat coming in at a later time, as well as any other minor character from True Blood that may fit the time or place, though their own storylines may not be as important or focused upon as the others. Also, Sookie will play a large part with interactions between Bill and Louis, giving me a chance to go deep into the human / vampire interaction in vampire novels (both past and present).
The Plot: A work in progress. As of now, there is merely an introduction for the characters. Louis comes to New Orleans to meet Eric, but finds Bill there instead. Bill brings Louis to Bon Temps, and allows him to stay in his home where he meets and interacts with Sookie. The major "story" is yet to come, but will hopefully be interesting, while allowing me to discuss important concepts.
Other Ideas: Being that True Blood has a great concept surrounding the vampire as a metaphor for African Americans and even homosexuals, it will play a part in the story as well. Also, Louis' attempts to hold onto humanity will also be looked at in relation to vampires in the True Blood setting, especially comparing to the "feral vampires" and the character of Eric. Also, because True Blood centers upon the concept of vampires becoming "mainstream", I will also look at it through Louis' eyes, allowing his character to express the impact of a people suddenly emerging and demanding rights, another possibility to discuss homosexuality and homosexual rights.
Final Remarks: The vampire genre has taken the world by storm in recent years, and its use has grown and evolved as well. The vampire allows us to live vicariously through these higher (or lower) beings without letting ourselves take any of the heat. Running around killing indiscriminately, and feeling no remorse for the act is something unimaginable in modern society, but with the vampire, we let it happen, and we understand it. Perhaps my project will also delve into this idea, and speak to the readers about why we do this. Why do we let the vampire run around in such a fashion? Why are there no moral restrictions upon it? Is this why we have developed these vigilante vampires that fight alongside humanity in the battle against evil?
EDIT: After beginning to write my rough draft, I began to realize that the concepts I wanted to discuss through my story weren't going to work. Instead, I've been directed towards an approach surrounding strong, working women, and the "freedom" of vampirism. I used Sookie as a sort of "double" for Babette's new character, which is shown in the second chapter "Dreams". The story has focused towards Babette becoming a vampire, and this new direction has given me a chance to discuss the effect of a repressed, working woman a chance to be free from society. She gains a new sexuality, but still feels chained by something.
I also go into the ideas of mortality and laws and codes.
Also with my writing I am trying to insert several short discussions in each chapter of various topics, named by the chapter titles. Two topics I've written up so far are hierarchy and dreams. They aren't necessary "Gothic", but they are interesting things that may add to the story. I've mostly been inspired by post modern literature, most notably a book called Girl Imagined by Chance, which used a similar style in its approach. Hopefully it works out well in the end.
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I really like your idea about mixing themes and characters from True Blood and Interview with the Vampire. I think it will be very interesting to see Louis in a modern world. I do have a question though. You said "the vampire as a metaphor for African Americans and even homosexuals, it will play a part in the story as well." How will you do that? I am not familiar with True Blood, so I do not understand the importance of Bill or Eric. However, I'm assuming that their presence will have a huge impact on Louis, and it will be interesting to find out how. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteThese are great ideas. I know you decided to "scrap" your initial plan, but I still think you should hold onto it to explore at a later date. I really like the potential discussion between Bill and Louis in terms of "mainstreaming." I think that could be fascinating. I do like your present project as well and how you are exploring the "working woman." Both Sookie and Babette WORK, and both texts make a big deal out of this. I wonder how these women complicate the idea of the "aristocratic" vampires and their world of wealth and liesure?
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