If you punch links we provide, we may receive compensation.

The Vampire Diaries: Unlocking the Secrets of Mystic Falls goes behind the scenes of The Vampire Diaries.

EW reveals Ian Somerhalder’s preface and a sneak peek inside.

slkfj

I remember the exact moment I understood what we had inThe Vampire Diaries.

I could see the fans joy, happiness, smiles, and wide-open eyes and hear their screams.

I remember looking at Paul and saying, Wow, this is gonna be one helluva ride!

sfljk

We live and work together, and there is a shared mutual respect and loveliterally across every plane.

Ive watched people come in as production assistants on the set and become unit production managers.

People who were running the show on the ground level have moved up.

The Vampire Diaries book

It is really an amazing thing to see.

I never dreamed I would sign on for a seventh season.

Now I am going into the eighth season on a different level, as a director.

The Vampire Diaries book

Right now I am focused on making season eight amazing and so is the entireVampire Diariesfamily.

Of course, without the audience, without the fans, none of this would ever have flown.

The final episode ofThe Vampire Diariesairs tonight at 9 p.m.

The Vampire Diaries book

ET on The CW.