My first professional writing job was to adapt the novel Dracula into a stage production for a theatre festival. I spent weeks delving into the lore of the vampire, reading and re-reading the novel and doing my best to dig the latent Victorian sexuality from between the lines. By the time the play was up and running, I’d pretty much had it with bloodsuckers.
So… Fast forward. I’ve got this silly idea for a character…a vampire with insomnia. Like I said, it seemed pretty silly. I shelved the character idea until last spring when a call came from Loose Id. They wanted stories to celebrate Coming Out Day in October. I really didn’t think about writing anything for it until a certain someone encouraged me to submit a proposal…three days before the call closed. (Thanks Treva!) That’s when I remembered my poor insomniac vampire and the silly idea suddenly became rather poignant. That’s when Oliver Bleu was born…selfish, romantic and doomed by his inability to slip into the oblivion of the undead.
Sleep is such an elemental, basic survival need. We need those hours of dream state, not only for our sanity, but simply to stay alive. Before his tragic death, actor Heath Ledger complained of insomnia. I’ve suffered with it for years, almost every summer. I’ve used sleep medications, self-hypnosis, and behavior modification. I’ve also self medicated with drugs and alcohol. Finally, I reached a crossroads. I decided to submit to the demon and see where it took me.
Yes, I still suffer insomnia, but no longer feel like its killing me. If I can’t sleep, I get up and continue on with my day. I sleep when my brain and body are both ready for it. If I go to sleep at midnight and wake at three in the morning, I get up and work. As it generally doesn’t continue more than a month or two, I can manage with frequent naps and deep relaxation. I am very fortunate, because I remember the feelings of despair that came from watching the clock.
Now imagine a vampire, locked into his sleeping place during the hours of daylight. He’s unable to sleep, unable to move or speak or even take a breath. It would be a living hell. Every sunset Oliver Bleu rises weaker than he was when he lay down for the day. He’s fading slowly. His light is dying.
And then he meets his salvation…
Blacque/Bleu is available at Loose Id, LLC
