Claudia Cunningham - Biting Back: A No-Nonsense, No-Garlic Guide to Facing the Personal Vampires in Your Life

Claudia Cunningham has used her uniquely powerful combination of 12-step principles and vampire lore to empower others for nearly a decade. Her 'Ask the Slayer" column was a regular feature in Women's Online Magazine and she continues to write a popular blog at practicalslayer.blogspot.com. Throughout her life, Claudia has both hosted and slain her fair share of bloodthirsty vampires. Now a vigilant Watcher, she avidly shares the power of love, community, and living in the light. A native of Milwaukee, and transplant from hither and yon, she lives in Montana with her handsome husband, Robert, and their trapezeswinging daughter, Madeline Jane.

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CLAUDIA CUNNINGHAM

To my husband Robert and daughter Madeline Jane: For keeps

xi

xv

xix

I

From Darkness into Light

.......... 3

....... 21

..... 41

.............. 67

....................... 77

....... 93

II

Biting Back

............. 109

.......... 131

III

Living in the Light

..... 201

What Is This? ........................... xii

Not Goth ................................ 18

What's Up With My Sister Vampires? .......... 64

Denial and the Helpful Neighbor ............. 90

Invisibility ............................. 146

Shapeshifting ........................... 176

First My Brother, Now Me ................. 196

Ask the Slayer

WHAT Is THIS?

Dear Practical Vampire Slayer,

Not to offend you or anything, but ... is this for real? A manual for slaying vampires? Aren't you addressing a, well... sort of specialized audience?

Sincerely,

Puzzled in St. Louis

Dear Puzzled,

No offense taken and to answer your question: I think it all depends on how you define the word "vampire."

If what you're talking about are sharp fangs, pale skin, and silly accents, then you're probably referring to mythological vampires like Dracula, for instance.

But if what you're talking about are never-ending resentments, stolen property, lost time, and that creepy feeling you keep on getting that someone or something else besides you is running your life, then you're probably referring to practical vampires, which are, incidentally, the kind we'll be learning how to slay here.

Fortunately for us, both are evicted from our lives in the same way: with clear and precise revocations, and always in the light.

Yours,

PVS

The Practical Vampire Slayer

THERE IS A RULE IN VAMPIRE MYTHOLOGY which states that a vampire can't just walk into your house and start sucking your blood. First," it says, "the vampire must be invited."

This rule usually shows up at some point in vampire books and movies, almost always mentioned in passing. You find it tucked into one scene or another, without further ado, as if it weren't the most intriguing aspect in any relationship between a vampire and its victim, or as if it were moderately interesting vampire triviac someone thought would be cool to throw in the script.