Sponsored by
EXCLUSIVE: Dacre Stoker talks about his first trip to Whitby to follow in Bram's footsteps
HOW would you go about writing a follow up to the second most popular selling book after the Bible?
Dacre Stoker, a 51-year-old Canadian citizen and resident of Aiken in South Carolina, was the person who decided to embark on rekindling the magic of Bram Stoker's Dracula.
The great grandnephew of the famous Irish-born writer, who died in 1912, spent around six years writing the book with co-author Ian Holt before his Dracula The Undead hit the bookshelves in this country last September, with Americans having the chance to read it for the first time a month later.
Despite being aware of his links with Bram, it was not until he was at university that Dacre read Dracula, citing it was never something he had really been interested in.
He chose to do a research paper on Bram and why the Irishman was inspired to write his book.
But his impressive sporting career put paid to any thoughts of a sequel at that as he was part of Canadian Men's Modern Pentathlon team at the Senior World Championships in 1979, later becoming the coach for the team for the Seoul Olympics in South Korea in 1988.
And a 10-year teaching career at secondary school that followed ensured any thought of following in Bram's footsteps were to be put on the backburner.
However, in 2002, Dacre and writer Ian met for the first time and they hatched their plan to bring Dracula to the masses once again.
Holt had met world-renowned Dracula expert Professor Elizabeth Miller in Los Angeles in 1997 at a Dracula convention, celebrating the centenary of Stoker's story which was released in 1897, and was inspired to write a screenplay sequel.
But it was another five years before the meeting between himself and Dacre.
It was decided that they would embark on a book before a screenplay would follow.
So six years of painstaking research ensued.
They scoured 125 pages of notes, made by Bram while writing Dracula, at the Rosenbach Museum in Philadelphia.
And during this research they discovered that Bram had toyed with the idea of another ending to his famous story.
Dacre said: "I have seen so many versions of Dracula and very few bear any resemblance to his original work.
"Through our research we know Bram was so meticulous and his attention to detail was incredible.
"The way he managed to combine fiction with real events is amazing and I hope we have done him justice so the Dracula legacy continues."
And early indications suggest the book is a success.
With 27 publishers all over the world so far, the book has met favourable reviews.
TIME magazine, USA Today, Publishers Weekly and Entertainment Weekly were all full of praise and the New York Times, arguably the harshest critic for all reviews, was 'okay' according to Dacre.
But more important to him was the reaction of the Stoker family.
"It is strange to think of the impact the book has on people.
"When I was a teacher, you could tell the difference you have on a student.
"Whereas a book you never really know."But I have had members of the Stoker family, including sisters and cousins get in touch with me to say it is good and it seems to have really drawn the Stokers together.
"Most said they were pleased for me and hadn't realised what I was capable of.
"However, it is the reactions of my son, Parker, and daughter, Belle, that were the most important.
"They gave me a positive review – they were some of the best reviews I got.
"They love it and they said it is 'cool'.
"I have found writing the book a lot harder than I ever thought and have the utmost respect for people who write books."
But what does the future hold now for Dacre?
With deliberations in Hollywood about the screenplay and book rights, it is some way to go before we could see the long-awaited, official, sequel to Dracula on the silver screen.
But Dacre, married to Jenne, is hopeful of one day seeing his efforts played out to millions, providing he and Ian, have some creative input on the movie.
"It is frustrating for me because so many movies have no bearing on the books they are based on.
"Ultimately, I would like to see a film stay true to the story."
He added that something in the style of Guy Ritchie's blockbuster Sherlock Holmes would be perfect for his story but who would he get to play the lead roles?
Catherine Zeta Jones, Keira Knightly and Scarlett Johannson as well as Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Euan McGregor would all be on his radar.
His first book has given him the writing bug and he is currently putting together a book paying tribute to Bram, with Professor Elizabeth Miller, which he hopes will be out in time to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of Bram's death – in 2012.
Before then, he hopes a statue will be erected in Bram's honour in Dublin and admitted he would love to see a tribute to Bram, or at least, Dracula, in Whitby in the future.
* AFTER years of research and writing, last weekend was the first time Dacre Stoker had actually visited the spiritual home of Dracula.
And nothing could have prepared him for the anticipation while travelling over the moor tops in the minibus packed with camera equipment and the six-strong crew who were shooting a vampire documentary for History Television Canada.
"The anticipation was amazing," he said.
"It was a long bus ride from London and it was a little scary.
"When we got here it was dark and it added to the sense of eeriness."
Once here, and unpacked, and settled in to the Stoker room at Whitby's Arundel Hotel, Dacre and the crew headed into town to gain some inspiration for a hectic weekend of filming, aided with food and drinks at the Duke of York while gazing down at Tate Hill Sands – made famous for being the spot where the Demeter ran aground in the famous novel.
When day broke the next morning Dacre said: "It really was surreal to really see the town for the first time.
"The red roofs, the harbour; it has a real sense of beauty."For a small town it really is bustling and I can sense Bram will have found it the perfect place to relax and recharge his batteries.
"I don't know who runs things in the town but they have the perfect balance of preservation as well as development which makes the town such a special place.
"The town really has not been spoilt by its notoriety."
However, his favourite part of the hectic weekend was the filming up at St Mary's Church and Whitby Abbey.
"My special moment for me during the stay was at the abbey, with all the grave stones and the view across to the West Cliff.
"It is no wonder Bram could only be inspired to use them and the town in Dracula."
But there was little time to fully take in the scenery.
For two hours on Saturday morning, fans of Dracula flocked to the Whitby Gazette offices to get copies of Dracula The Undead signed by Dacre, as well as get filmed for the 42-minute documentary.
From then on in it was off on a guided tour of the town where filming took place at the 'Dracula bench' on Spion Kop before heading to St Mary's Church to interview the Rev Canon David Smith.
And on Sunday, the crew headed down to Bar 7 in Pier Road, the former Whitby Library, where Bram visited during his trip to town.
There, they interviewed owner Carol Fusco, before heading down the road to take in the Dracula Experience.
Final filming took place on Tate Hill beach and the 199 Steps on Sunday afternoon before Dacre and the crew headed for London.
The documentary should be completed by April and we will publish details of where you can see it.
* Copies of Dacre's book are still available from our offices in Bridge Street or you can call (01947) 602386 to place your order.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Whitby
Saturday 19 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
