First of all, I think vampires are timeless. People have been writing about vampires for centuries. Unless you are doing the "Twilight" shimmering ones, I don't think your book is going to fall under "over done."
I don't have a single shimmery vampire, or klutzy teen girl in my book!
I can FIX opening with a dream, and I can FIX introduction via reflection. (It's not really a reflection. She's looking at an ancestor, that looks exactly like her "perfect version of herself," in a dream, she has no idea who she is, but one could still argue the concept of a reflection is still there. ) I can't get rid of the dream because it's relevant to the story, but I can move it. I just can't make the vampires and other mystical creatures go away. That's what I WANTED to write about!Secondly, I personally don't care what unwritten rules there are. I write to please myself; if you don't like what I write, don't read it. I know what I write has a very small target audience, but I love what I do. And apparently other people love what I do because I already have a following with many people eagerly awaiting my first published bookand all I've posted so far has been fanfiction.
I like constructive criticism and I know how valuable it can be. I posted a tiny bit and the advice was great. I knew what they were going to say, so I was prepared for it and it wasn't bad. I actually agreed.Thirdly, good for you! Don't let criticism stop you! You have to take what you can from it and improve. I struggle when people say negative things about my writing too, so I know how you felt. But if you can step away just a little, listening to what they say objectively and logically, it will help you write so much better!
If you ever need someone to rant to or need an ego stroking, you are always welcome to PM me! Sometimes we all need a good shoulder to cry on.
And this is why I have no intentions of "hair flipping" this website. Because I'm not feeling anything that is new around here and everyone has been so great. Thank you!