Three Headed Death

she/her blog and stories by S. S. Jett

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A Mostly Brief History of Vampires vol. I: working synopsis & working cover (0.1)

Scholars have been stunned by the origin of vampires since the earliest found records of the night-bound creatures were written in cuneiform. Popular modern theories might tell you that vampirism first appeared somewhere around 2,000 years ago. They may even attempt to claim that vampirism was caused by some sort of virus that could one day be cured. But Rammy knew better. In fact, Rammy knew a lot more than he ever wished to. The origin of their kind was never his obsession. Yet in the seven centuries since his creator’s death, Rammy has been cursed with the ancient father of all vampires playing with his shadow like his life is a toy to be fiddled with out of boredom.

Then there’s Justice. Another vampire, another half-made, who is dead set on making Rammy break every promise he’s sworn to himself in the last century.

Meanwhile, ancient memories explore the world of the Late Neolithic as immortals dance around each other in an endless display of power. And on the sidelines, Father Levi slowly realizes the extent of which all his assumptions were wrong.

(vol. I: work in progress. first draft to be finished mid 2026. follow for author notes and random writing thoughts. along with occasional drabbles/short stories, original art, and future excerpts. all set in the same universe)

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Readers, I want to know your opinions:

What do you look for in a synopsis? What is an automatic turn off for you in a summary, that will make you put a book down and never even give it a chance?

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I think right now for me, the hardest part of writing is resting.

Like most authors starting out, I am working while I finish my novel. Many days I find myself feeling like I need to write in every spare moment I have, and if I don't, I've wasted time. So even when I'm not writing, I feel like I should be.

Which is not resting.

Then, when I can find it in myself to hyper-fixate on writing, I write so much that I burn myself out and then don't touch it for weeks or even months.

Now that I've finished my rough draft, I am trying harder to find a balance.

Not all of my time needs to be productive. Not all of the time I spend not being productive is wasted. Rest is just as important as work.

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Readers and writers, I have a quick question about book series preferences:

What do you expect out of book one? Where do you prefer to stand with knowledge and plot once you're done with the first book in a 5+ series?

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I finished my rough draft!

But it barely feels like a win. There's still so much work to be done. . .

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I can't believe how close I am to the end of my book!!!

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Don't let grammar get into your head as a writer.

Wait. . . hear me out.

I'm not saying to ignore grammar, nor disregard it. I'm not saying that in prose there is no place for grammar and to just write nonsense. Obviously grammar is important.

Proper, written grammar and actual spoken grammar are two different things. There is a way people are 'supposed' to say things, sure. But how often does anyone actually speak in full, official grammar?

Not very often.

Dialogue is not always going to be grammatically correct. Read it out loud and if it fits your characters' voice, then there is no need to make sure it's proper grammar. Especially if your character is a regular person. They are likely going to use slang and fragmented sentences and whole lot of other things that would make grammar obsessed people have a heart attack.

On the other hand, you can use extremely proper grammar to characterize a character as uptight, or sheltered, or extremely proper.

Use grammar as a tool. Not as a prison.

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I've been told for years that Scrivener is the best writing software for novelists. And for years I've been ignoring that becuase as much as Word sucks, I'm comfortable in it.

If you are like I was, then this is your sign. Scrivener does have a small learning curve, but my writing life is already so much better!

I love it. I can't wait to utilize it more and more as I get familiar with all its features.

Currently, my favorite part is the writing goals. I can easily see how much I've written compared to my goals, and there's even a progress bar at the top so I can watch it as I write!!

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Occasionally, I just need to pretend to break up with my novel. I tell myself (and others) that it's just not gonna work out and I need to try creating a new story.

Then I go back.

I always go back.

And every time I am reminded that it is much better than I thought. That just because I got overwhelmed, doesn't mean that I need to give up.

It's hard to see how wide the pool is when you're drowning. But if you stay calm and look around for a moment, you may just be able to find the water's edge.

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huh? a multi-month gap between tumblr posts???

I have no idea what you're talking about. . .

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A Mostly Brief History of Vampires: Author's Note 03.01.26

Hello dear reader,

It has been a month since I last wrote to you. February is always my worst month of the year. The Romans thought it was bad luck, which is why it’s the shortest of the twelve. I find that I frequently agree with the sentiment.

I have been writing, however. In fact, I’ve been writing a good bit of my novel, and I am quite proud of myself for it. It is getting easier and easier to write the closer I get to the finish line.

My goal for my rough draft is 75,000 words, and I’m currently at about 54,000!

I worry for my plot, and the integrity of it. But at this point I know that the best approach is to put my head down so I can finish the draft. Once I get to that point, I will be able to look at the work as a whole, and then hopefully it will become clear whether heavy editing to the plot will be necessary.

Thanks for reading,

S. S. Jett

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my husband (years ago): you should use this universe as inspiration for your world building *trying to get me to watch a show he likes*

my husband (now): *surprised* this book you're writing kind of reminds me of that show i made you watch

me:. . . i wonder why. . .

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me: *plans my story out for years and never writes anything*

also me: *starts writing finally and realizes I don't even have a plot*

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opening my document on a second monitor and doing something else all day counts as writing. . . right?

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A Mostly Brief History of Vampires: Author's Note 02.01.26

Hello dear readers,

I hope to write today. But so far, I’ve only queued up some tumblr posts and stared vacantly at the screen as I scrolled.

 I know if I get up, move around a little, sit outside for a bit maybe (if I’m feeling wild), I’ll feel better.

If only getting myself to do so was easier.

I haven’t written much at all since last time I wrote to you. Though the next scene of novel is clear in my mind so I know that if I start, I’ll fall into a rhythm with it.

Just like in real life, I struggle to transition between things in my writing.

To break away from one scene and go to the next.

Perhaps that’s why every time I finish a scene, I get stuck again.

Or perhaps it’s the expectation of it all. The pressure I put on myself to write some grand novel. Instead of just writing like I know I should.

Thanks for reading,

S. S. Jett

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the worst part of writing horror is when I'm in my bed, unable to sleep, and I try to think about my story. . .

and I think about the wrong part *cries in spooky*

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I started a glossary!

and I quickly realized how I could use the glossary to my advantage.

because sure, we all know what a vampire is. . .

but how does my universe define such a thing?

sometimes, I almost feel like the glossary has given me too much power lmao