*Check out the featured authors and stories at the end of this article
Take your time to develop your arc
Vampires have been around for centuries, but there’s always room for a new twist....
A solid world-building foundation can take your vampire story to the next level. Do your vampires live in a hidden society, or are they integrated into the real world? Are humans aware of their existence? These questions will help shape your story.
Society
Do your vampires live by a strict code, or are they more chaotic and individualistic? Is there a ruling class, or is it everyone for themselves?
Politics
Do your vampires follow rules, or are they free to do whatever they want? Maybe there’s a vampire council that enforces laws...
A vampire castle
Develop
Compelling Characters
Your vampires don’t have to be overdone clichés—they should be complex, just like humans. Sure, they’re immortal, but they should still have personal desires, inner conflicts, and struggles. What do they want? What’s stopping them from getting it?
A vampire
Choose the right Protagonists in the app
Is your protagonist struggling against their dark nature, or are they embracing it fully? Maybe they want redemption, or maybe they’re just trying to survive...
A teenager girl vampire
A human boy
A punk vampire
Make your vampire unique
Is there a forbidden love between a vampire and a human? Maybe your protagonist teams up with a human to take down a common enemy....
Torn Loyalty
painful past
Wealthy
Loves fashion
Secretly love the humans
Feral Instinct
Lord Gildas
Add Conflict and Tension
A great story needs conflict, and vampires are perfect for it. Whether it’s internal or external, conflict drives the plot and keeps things interesting.
Conflict is what makes a story feel real, so throw your characters into tough situations to see how they react.
Internal Struggles
Maybe your vampire protagonist is trying to fight their bloodlust, or struggling with the guilt of their past actions.
External Struggles
What about a war between vampire factions? Or a group of vampire hunters that wants to wipe them out?
Explore Deeper Themes
Vampires aren’t just about blood and fangs—they’re also a way to explore bigger themes like mortality, power, and identity. A vampire story can tap into the complexities of being human in ways that hit hard. Here are some themes to consider:
The Duality of Nature
The vampire’s struggle between their human side and their monstrous side is a classic theme.
male vampire
Power and Corruption
Immortality can lead to absolute power, and power tends to corrupt. How does this affect your vampire?
treasure
Existential Crisis
What does it feel like to live forever? What happens when you’ve seen centuries go by, but you’re still stuck in the same body?
red eyes girl
A vampire school
Set the Right Tone
The tone of your story can completely change the way your audience connects with it. Is it dark, moody, and tragic, or is it fast-paced, thrilling, and action-packed? The tone will influence everything from the way you write your scenes to how the characters speak.
Setting and Atmosphere
A spooky, Gothic mansion might set a chilling vibe, while a fast-paced urban setting could make it feel more like an action movie.
Character Voice and Dialogue
Is your vampire protagonist poetic and tragic? Or are they more sarcastic and blunt? The way they speak will reveal a lot about their personality.
Greetings
Hey!
Wassup!
Yo!
Ssshh...
A vampire castle
End with a Bang