VO Book List - Anthologies

Before speculating on any specific pathogens capable of producing a condition akin to vampirism, I wish to post an old line of reasoning on how vampires manage to survive on a diet which contains so much water and so little else.

Most writers can remember the moment they started to compose their first story. For some, it started with an exercise book on the train. Others penned their first words in front of a blank computer screen. Successful children’s author Ann Jungman’s first attempt at literary creativity was slightly more public -- it happened in front of a class of unruly primary school children.

Where do vampires come from? In my studies, I have found three possible origin myths for the vampires.

Blood: Blood has been a symbol of life since very ancient times. The blood in our veins has always been iconic of our continuing life. To lose too much blood is to lose consciousness, breath, and eventually, our very lives. If a person or animal is already dead and is cut open, blood does not flow. Only the living have blood that flows. Blood has been used throughout the ages as a ceremonial sacrifice. In pagan times our forefathers worshipped their gods with blood sacrifice. And today, indeed, we are not so different.