Discontinuitous Elements In Vampire Romance: Part 2
I should probably give her more time, but I have been waiting to hear back from MaryJanice Davidson, author of the Undead and Un*, Queen Betsy Series. If I do hear from her I will post the information she sends.
I was commenting on the consistency issue in invented worlds in terms of body fluids produced by male vampires in sexual acts. In the eponymously titled books, Queen Betsy talks a lot about not having bodily functions, how she could could cry if she had functioning tear ducts, how her pee, or lack thereof wasn’t anyone’s business (Undead and Unwelcome), can’t have kids, doesn’t get periods, etc. So at one point she causes Sinclair to have an orgasm and “spurt[ed] all over the sheets.”
So you know the question that is coming, right? How is this one form of body function retained and not others? What is the content of his ejaculate? In Charlaine Harris' books and others Vampires cry tears of blood, but MaryJanice's vampires don't seem to have anything in the way of body function.
The point of this is that a world has been created where there is a discontinuous element that bursts the bubble of acceptance of that world to the fantasy reader. Not, then, that I stop enjoying the story but that little inconsistency bats at the stuff of my mind the way one picks at a loose thread. My mind says, wait a minute, there are no body fluids where is that coming from and what is it?!
If you write a world which has two suns there ought to be two shadows. If you write a world where the sun emits a different light spectrum then things should be a different color.
If you write a world where Vampires exist and have no body fluids then they should have no body fluids.
I guess I am saying to authors "keep it real!" But, since I am discussing PNR or Fantasy or Vampire Romance, that really makes no sense. How about "Keep It Consistent!"
A Wedding Is But The Stuff of One Day -- The Marriage Will Matter More
Pardon my obvious anachronism as I direct this to brides and not grooms.
Via the Twilight Saga.com site, wedding ideas that will make any Team Edward-bride rush to the florist! http://www.casasugar.com/Twilight-Themed-Wedding-Ideas-8050289 But wait! There's more ways online, way more. Considering Bella and Edwards wedding is not yet in view, these are all quite speculative:
Here's one I featured a while back: Hostess with the Mostess Twilight Inspired Wedding
and another article A Twilight-themed Wedding
Brides.com has some good articles but they run a dark bar with no "close-this-stupid-thing-so-I-can-read-the-article" down the center of the story.
This has some great information and visuals: http://blog.myjeanm.com/2009/11/jean-m-creates-a-twilight-fantasy-wedding-theme.html
including gorgeous invitations.
But, really - you don't need me to tell you how to Google "Twilight themed wedding."
What I like about the sites I found is that they are inspired by Twilight not replications of what we think the wedding will be.
There are ways to do this that would make a lovely and memorable event, and there are some massively tacky things one could do that will cause your children to shun your wedding album. Think of what it is that would make you want a wedding inspire by Twilight: Is it because Pattinson is really hot? If that is why then I would rethink my engagement because he won't be showing up as your groom unless you are so delusional you are a danger to yourself and society. If it is because of the romance around the relationship Edward and Bella have; based in love, acceptance, loyalty and redemption. Or maybe you are drawn to the deeper significance of eternity and love lasting throughout time then you should carefully go ahead with that in mind.
Or maybe you really groove on the Gothic in which case think about whether you are going to be Goth when you are 50 (maybe yes, but probably not) -- we change as we get older -- after all do you still want to marry your Ken doll? I certainly don't want to rain on your parade; I know you believe you will always want to be Goth and while you may retain some piercings and ink, you're probably going to at least moderate the look over time. You know how it feels when your parents show around the photo from when you were (Insert age here) on the (insert embarrassing moment here), or when your parents talk about how they found you playing doctor with ..... If you do this whole wedding fully goth or fully Bella and Edward you will be embarrassed to show your wedding photos around. Think of the individuality that attracts you to Goth, let that inspire you.
It goes beyond the Goth thing -- if you replicate Twilight in your wedding versus taking inspiration from it it will not be the shining moment of your life. It will be the shining moment of Bella and Edward's life and they are not you! And, if you have a Goth inspired wedding versus a Goth wedding you'll be happier with the memory in five years.
Here's a start on things I would not do:
- No fangs, costly or cheap.
- No life size cut outs; I would say no pictures from the movie at all -- it is the theme behind the story from which you are taking inspiration, not a celebration of Kristen and Rob, or Bella and Edward (unless, of course, those are your names as well). This is your day.
- If some element feels tacky then it probably is. If you don't want to listen to your mom or his mom find an adult whose advice has helped you in the past
- If you want to go pale that can be beautiful, but skip the black lipstick and if you want a smokey eye go for something lighter than heavy black rims.
Things movie related you might be able to pull off (I have excellent taste after all):
A red cloak for you and possibly the brides maids. Leave the hoods off unless it is snowing. And no white fur ruffs, you will look like Santa Clause wannabes. Unless these capes are high quality it won't work and you and the bridesmaids will look like Little Red Riding Hood. Maybe we should forget the capes. Another cool choice could be lovely applique cardis like Bella wears at her Junior prom. I think this look is good for slimmer girls and a vintage look, or it can be Talbotsy. My friend Nan at Cherry Belle makes applique sweaters like the one at right.
Certainly, older style formal wear will look good on a man. Keep in mind the groom's body shape. There is no reason to ignore the fashion rule of highlighting the best of your groom's physique, and that also applies to fashion choices for you and your bridesmaids as well. If, for example, the women's physiques are not like stick-insects avoid bias cut satin. It is hard to pull that off for thin women and it probably accounts for the rise of Spanx!
Look, it's your big day, but the wedding is only a day -- what is really important is the next 75 years -- so make sure this day belongs to you and your groom; not Bella and Edward.
If you do go this route I would love to see pictures. You can send them to steph@fangswandsandfairydust.com .
