Why are we so attracted to vampires?

I'm a little post-happy today, but I'm planning to work on my novels-in-progress as much as possible during spring break next week, so I'll concentrate on blog stuff today.

The new poll question: Why are we so attracted to vampires? In reality, the foul body odor described in vampire lore, the excessive emotional baggage from years of blood drinking, and the disturbing amount of time spent as a corpse would make for a pretty bad date, but why do so many books and movies explore the idea of human beings becoming intimately involved with the undead? I'm guilty myself--just look at the title of my novel making the rounds to publishers. But I tried to come at it from a different angle by using wry humor to look at how love can overcome even the downsides of cohabiting with a guy who smells terrible under all that mouthwash and cologne.

I thought of the idea of the poll while reading an old post at Spout blog titled Vampire Lust, which even asks why smart, feminist women are attracted to vampires. Here are links to two other interesting articles on the subject. The first one was written by a vampire novelist/psychotherapist, and the second one was published only two weeks ago and looks at the popularity of vampires in young adult fiction.

Why Do Women Love Vampires?

Zombies, Schmombies! Teen Girls Are Vamping It Up!

I'm certainly not saying that men aren't attracted to vampires, too, and I encourage males to respond to the poll and/or leave feedback about vampire appeal. One of the articles suggests males tend to prefer the version of vampires found in old-world legends--creatures that more closely resemble horror movie monsters than romantic, tortured souls. Interestingly enough, one of the only major female cult figures in vampire entertainment is Buffy--a vampire hunter and not a vampire herself. Does that say something about the different way vampires appeal to the sexes?