This came up in conversation with my sister-in-law the other night. (Right after she read Talina's excellent review of my book. She squeed so hard for me, and I couldn't stop smiling.) We were talking about the fact that everyone likes Varick. And she asked who wouldn't like him?
My first answer was fairly smart assed. "Super sensitive anti-racists who would be bothered by him being German and me saying Aryan." Because, honestly, that was one tiny fear I had when making him German. There aren't a lot of German vampires out there, and I wanted to help break a mold, while calling on my own heritage. I also didn't want anyone to ever think of him as a Nazi, but I tucked that little fear aside. So far, no accusations of that.
My second, more serious answer: "Women who like the monster seeking redemption, the vampire who wants to be human again." I know these type of vampire fans are out there. They don't want a monster, they want someone they can fix. And that's all well and good. Sometimes it's good to heal someone, to let your love fix them.
I just don't think vampirism is something that needs to be fixed.
So while we were talking about saving the monster, I stated "Who wants a tiger that doesn't hunt?" I repeatedly compare Varick to a tiger in the book(s). (I love tigers. So huge, so sexy, so powerful. They fit the image of perfect predator to me more than wolf. Especially for a single predator.) I thought she'd get it, and realize I was making it up.
Instead, I had my Confucious hat on, because she thought I was quoting a real proverb. Maybe I should make it into some kind of viral proverb. Get other people to say it. Make it a tag line.
But, seriously, who wants a predator that isn't a predator? It's like wanting a bad boy to start wearing cardigans and going to pottery classes. I love vampires because they are vicious and dark and might eat me.
Of course, I have a touch of a victim complex.
