When websites are set up to lambast your works and your stories are made into parodies, it is a sure indication that you have arrived. For every one person who absolutely hates the Twilight series, you can be sure that three other people are in love with it.

A New York Times bestseller, Twilight has been translated into 20 languages and amassed millions of fans, numerous fansites have sprouted on cyberspace and supporters are seen rallying for their favotite characters. Breathing new life to the tired tale of vampirism, Stephanie Meyer, its 33-year-old author seems to have hit the jackpot. Not bad at all for a dream of two star-crossed lovers that was so real, so romantic that the first time author simply had to write it down. The previous stay-home mother of three was instantly gripped with an irresistible compulsion to finish the scene and the rest of the story simply flowed naturally.

For those who are trying to break into the writing industry, Meyer's story seems almost like a fairytale and far-etched. The prolific author of 5 published books with many other plotlines brewing admits that she has been lucky. But that does not mean that she did not work hard to arrive at where she is today. As her insatiable fans continue to propel her to write more and more to feed their hunger for characters that seem so real, her intensive writing and frequent author appearances across the country naturally are into her family time. She has also learn to take random phone calls from stuttering fans in her stride. Her success has also made it imperative for her husband to give up his accountant job and take over the responsibility of taking care of their growing children. The author continues to churn out one bestselling novel after another. The words simply flowed out of her naturally.

Twilighters or Twihard? The popularity of the Twilight series has progressed to the extent that fans even hold differing opinions on how to address themselves. If you read Twilight, you will understand the seduction for vampires that Meyer has created. It is totally different from fantasy fiction. Meyer has successfully created an entire new universe where the existence of non-humans has become totally plausible. So believable that fans have created divisions amongst themselves, in support of the different characters in the series. Do not be surprised to learn that the Mormon author is not into horror movies or novels. As Meyer puts it herself, "I do like to say it's a vampire book for people who don't like vampire books."

Veering from the overused notions of vampires who are out to deflower virginal heroines, the fear of sunlight, stakes and garlic, the vampires in Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series are a refreshing change from the usual vampire traits. Instead of feeding on human blood, the Cullen vampires abstain from human blood. Instead of evaporating under sunlight, they glisten like diamonds dancing under the sun's rays. Another huge appeal of the Twilight series is how easily it transports us back to our schooling days when crushes, stolen glances and the uncontrollable heart palpitations are suddenly brought back to our minds vividly, with the two good looking protagonists fleshing out our growing up days. Not only that, the idea of the forbidden fruit and love against all odds adds to the allure.

Stephanie Meyer, author of Twilight says, "I think the attraction vampires hold for us humans has to do with their dual natures. Obviiously, we all enjoy being scared - you only have to look at the success of the horror industry to see that. Of all the monsters we dream up to frighten ourselves, most of them (zombies, witches, werewolves, blobs, swamp creatures, etc) are traditionally ugly, repulsive things. They are the opposite of the things we want ourselves to be, and we run from them. The exception to that is the vampire. Yes, vampires will kill you, but they also have attributes we envy: they are beautiful, they are forever young, they are intelligent and well-spoken, they often wear tuxedos and live in castles. We want what they have, even as we fear what they want. There is more potential to the vampire story with that conflict than there is when the monster is just a gruesome force of destruction. I guess that vampires stand for the choice between the worldly and the heavenly - the pull of these things we want (immortality, riches, beuaty) versus the idea of choosing good over evil. Is it worth it to be evil, if you can get everything you want?"





When 17 year old Isabella Swan falls in love with the enigmatic and unbelievably handsome Edward Cullen, her life is set to steer in a totally different direction. Belonging to the family of beautiful vampires who swears off human blood through sheer discipline, Isabella's life is threatened as she falls deeper and deeper in love with Edward. Would Edward be able to rescue Isabella from a different group of bloodsuckers who crave for her blood? How long would Edward be able to fend off the irresistible allure of Isabella's blood? Would the star-crossed lovers be together?




Remember to vote for me!!