The vampire is a creature celebrated and coveted amongst authors and filmmakers, for there exists no greater archetype to which we find ourselves drawn.

Vampire has become synonymous with sex—forbidden, lustful sex which finds its pleasure in the seduction of the living. Though we all long for the type of abandonment which comes with a vampire’s seduction—there is something more which draws us—lures us—to this dark creature. I believe that our fascination with the undead is rooted in our fascination with death itself. Where do the dead go? What of spirits which remain to haunt? There is a tremendous fascination right now with ghosts and paranormal activity. It seems as though we are finding ourselves drawn ever closer to the afterlife. We want to know what lies on the other side of death, but we don’t want to die to find out. The vampire knows both worlds. The vampire in my novel Perpetual Care is fully aware of her “position” between mortality and immortality. "I am a traveler between parallel worlds…worlds which exist simultaneously…the worlds of the living and the dead." Such a creature naturally becomes attractive to us. Imagine being able to move through the worlds of the living and the dead—remaining perpetually young—holding the knowledge of good and evil…life and death. Such power has been coveted by mortals since it was presented to them in paradise—since they were tempted with the possibility of more. The vampire is the embodiment of that immortality. But it is immortality—beauty—youth—sensuality—which comes at the greatest price. To be cut-off from the living…to be an outsider to the dead…to be abandoned by God.

There are as many ways of writing vampires as there are imaginations in the world. I think each time we are presented with a new variation of the seductive undead, the archetype is enhanced and the vampire takes on characteristics that we can relate to—if not sympathize with. With the creation of Naomi Talbot, I know I have breathed life into a new vampire—a pathetic, hopeless, and yet faithful vampire who has journeyed a path of self-discovery—a path which has taught her of love’s value. I believe she has something new to offer the world. I believe her walk, between the living and the dead, will offer us a little insight into both worlds. Perhaps enabling us to appreciate both a little more.