Louis

Simply sharing an identity from the same source material is not a reason to form unhealthy attachments, develop fixations, or engage in harmful behavior. Shared identity should never come before mutual respect.

There is often an unspoken expectation that these connections must continue regardless of personal boundaries and I refuse. If we cannot respect one another’s boundaries, then we are simply not compatible—and that’s okay.

I know my canon and understand the relationships within it, but I have no interest in recreating the harm or dysfunction that fictional vampyres often embody, especially within Ricean canon.

It’s unfortunate that those with fictional identity in the Vampyre Community never seemed to grow alongside fictionkin spaces. Instead, much of it remained rooted in secrecy and catfishing rather than openness and honest self-reflection, still shaped by the intense emotions that can accompany awakening and fictional identity.

Without much guidance or a shared direction, those with fictional identity within the community never evolved. Even today, despite the understandable decline of the VC, many of those same patterns of decades ago still actively exist.

It is deeply validating to see trans experiences and traits reflected throughout Anne Rice’s own writing and experiences, Jacob Anderson’s portrayal, and the passionate trans-representative works by fellow fans.

Over the years, especially as I’ve aged, I’ve noticed that many fictionkin spaces have begun to feel increasingly adjacent to fandom spaces. Observing a recurring pattern of people affirming identities primarily to start or preserve friendships and/or maintain social connections. At best, I find that dishonest.

Incarnate was never intended to be just another fictional identity label. It was created for those of us who involuntarily identify as a fictional character so deeply that we feel compelled to embody and express that identity in our offline lives. For us, it isn’t simply an internal experience or online label—it’s something we actively seek to make tangible. This is not something I expect to resonate with everyone but it has with some.

I’ve been contemplating potential glyphs and/or symbols to provide some sort of imagery to the incarnate experience. It’s been difficult to visualize though I’m currently settled on highlighting dimensions as that is a big aspect of what separates us physically from our sources.

Point (0D) — Essence (Concept). A possibility, idea, or identity before a character has taken any recognizable form.

Line (1D) — Becoming (Narrative). A story unfolding through time. The character begins to take shape through description, action, and development.

Shape (2D) — Form (Character). The identity becomes recognizable as a character, image, narrative, or fictional being. It can be written, illustrated, animated, or otherwise represented, but remains confined to a conceptual space.

Volume (3D) — Flesh (Incarnate). The identity possesses depth, space, and physical existence. It is no longer encountered only as an image, story, or concept, but as something embodied and lived.

We know fiction exists in a flat conceptual space. Through awakening and outward expression it gains that dimension, volume, and reality.

The Incarnate identity is specific to fictional characters. While similar to reincarnation, it is a distinct experience. Reincarnation typically refers to a previously existing being or identity returning to physical life, whereas Incarnate refers to a fictional being becoming realized through a physical person. This distinction is central to the term, as it focuses on identities that are generally understood to be fictional rather than historically or physically existing.