Egypt. A land of marvellous history. So beautiful. So exciting.

It’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to go and, when I heard my sister had moved there two years ago, I was so green with jealousy I kinda looked like a head of broccoli (not my best simile). But it’s so amazing there, as a tourist, anyway. And there are so many fantastic stories set there.

Have any of you read The Mummy? I know that’s a hard question, as there are several versions, but this one is by Anne Rice. It’s actually the first book of hers I ever read (yes, even before Interview With A Vampire). I loved the rich detail of the entire piece, and the idea that a mummy could come to life and find love. What I loved more was where he came from. Egypt.

Then I watched The Mummy and realised 1) how brilliant Brendan Fraser is, 2) how sexy Oded Fehr is, but more importantly, 3) there was far more to the myths and legends than I ever realised.

I’ve never seen the 1939 version of The Mummy, but the posters look so cool, that it is on my list. Not seen the poster? Here:

Great, right? ^_^

I’ve always been attracted to ancient religions, for instance, with more than one god. I guess the idea that you can just turn to another one, if the first doesn’t do want you want, is quite attractive to me. I’ve ended reading about Re and Isis and Osiris and Set and all the rest. Their creation story, like several others I’ve read, funnily enough, involves plenty of death, sex and jealousy.

Despite all that, I never really thought about vampires in ancient Egypt until (I think, don’t quote me) some time in 2003. I wondered why few stories (at least that I’ve read) touch on the creation story of vampires and why they seem to just spring out of the dirt. Or they’re the subject of a terrible disease or curse. What if, instead, vampirism was a deliberate god-given gift?

Silk Over Razor Blades took on a whole new life then. I created my own vampire creation myth and ran with it. The SORB vampires take their roots in Ptolemaic Egypt (not quite ‘ancient’ but old enough) and they have more than a little to do with Antony, Cleopatra and Octavian’s march into Alexandria in 30BC.

Never before did I think a story about vampires could end up taking on a historical element too. And all because I realised that mummies are kinda cool.Who knew?

I guess this is as good a time as any to let you know how SORB is doing. Well… I’ve still not touched it. In light of the decision The Brain made, the story has been set to one side wile Raven works on Slippers & Chains. I’m looking forward to my turn though, because I have some ideas on how to get some pretty decent editorial feedback.

Hurry up Raven! I want my turn!