Hello adventurers!
Every story, no matter how magical or spooky, has a little piece of the real world tucked inside its pages. The most fantastical characters often begin with a spark of something familiar—a funny observation, a heartfelt memory, or a person who reminds us that life is full of its own adventures.
Dracula goes viral is filled with ancient magic, hilarious mishaps, and a whole lot of heart. But where did the ideas for this chaotic cast of characters come from? Today, I’m pulling back the curtain to share the top five real-life inspirations that brought Valcronis and its residents to life.
1. Dracula: The Determined Elder vs. The Cursed Smartphone
Have you ever watched an older relative bravely battle a piece of modern technology? That endearing mix of frustration and determination was the single biggest inspiration for Dracula himself. He’s a centuries-old vampire who can command shadows, but he’s completely baffled by Wi-Fi, which he assumes is a form of witchcraft. His struggle to send a text message—demanding the “metal spirit” to heed his will —comes directly from watching my own elders try to conquer the digital world.
2. Marki: The Kids Who Still See the Magic
There’s a special kind of wisdom that only kids possess. They see the world with a clarity that adults have often forgotten. This is a theme you’ll find in many of my stories, and Marki is the heart of it in this book. While every other adult sees a weird guy in a costume or a monster from a legend, Marki sees something else entirely: a lonely old man who is lost and just needs a friend. He doesn’t see a threat; he sees a chance to help, and that’s a kind of magic we could all use more of.
3. Grandma Rosie: A Tribute to Grandmothers Everywhere
Having a young, active grandma in the story is my tribute to all the grandmothers who step in to raise and care for their grandkids. They get to shower them with a special kind of love and patience they might not have had with their own children. Grandma Rosie is the anchor of this story—warm but no-nonsense, fiercely protective of Marki, and the only person Dracula is genuinely a little scared of. She’s the heart of their found family, keeping everyone grounded with a cup of tea and a healthy dose of common sense.
4. Mayor Allegrius: The Ever-Ambitious Politician
We’ve all met someone like the mayor: a person so focused on their goal that they’ll twist any situation to fit their vision. Mayor Allegrius is the classic politician who sees everything through the lens of his one big dream: turning Valcronis into a tourist hotspot. When a real-life vampire appears, he doesn’t see danger—he sees a marketing opportunity and the perfect mascot for his Vampire Festival. His single-minded ambition, leaving no room for anything else, provides some of the story's most hilarious obstacles.
5. Hunter Storm: The Influencer and the Lack of Common Sense
The final inspiration comes from our modern world, where sometimes the quest for online fame can overshadow basic common sense. The character of Hunter Storm, our wannabe influencer, is a reflection of this. He gets all his "vampire hunting" knowledge from internet forums and horror movies and is more concerned with his livestream than with whether he’s actually in danger. He’s not a bad guy, just a product of a time where going viral can seem more important than being rational.
I hope you enjoyed this little peek behind the curtain and perhaps saw a little bit of your own world reflected in these characters.
Until the next adventure,
A.M. Natch