[ OT ] How to go about writing a good vampire character ?

Cut down on the angst and make him/her driven by real goals. I'd say if I made it past a century I'd probably be past angst. I mean, it lasted less than 5 years of my human life. 
 
 As far as blood-lust, well, it's going to be a goal for a vampire, but it should n't be the only one. What is it that the person -- not the'vampire' -- but the *person* wants? Even alcoholics consumed by their addiction have characteristics distinct from each other. Make several vampire'characters' even if you do n't use them, and practice writing them as distinct people. Watch your friends and coworkers and steal mannerisms to make each vampire more distinct. You may want to consider that those mannerisms might all get distorted similarly ( will they be more fluid, more still? Will they blink? Will they breathe? ), but even how they move and facial tics should be slightly different from each other. 
 
 As far as goals, with the internet and no need for sleep, I image vampires have tons of time to perfect a hobby or obsession without going outside. Maybe they're developing a way to get blood without working hard, or they're binge-watch t.v. like the rest of us. 
 
 Consider also how being part of a vampire *race* changes the person. I always thought vampires were smart to stay hidden and individual vampires should be scared. People make them out to be infallible, but that's total bullocks. They're helpless during the day, and if people have access to UV lights now, would n't that make them highly susceptible to those too? Maybe they need to stay hidden while they develop devices to protect them from light. Maybe the vampire's goal is to find a way to not be the victim and instead actually be a threat -- or at least able to defend him/herself. 
 
 Wow, that's getting long and rambling. Do n't know if this helps, but generally I'd focus first on what sort of person you want to write, and only afterward adjust that to make him a vampire. Twilight only changed what a vampire was, it did n't actually make a believable character. If you start with a believable character, readers will trust you to change or use any aspects of'vampire' that you want.
