BAM Column: Stephenie Meyer’s dream comes true with “Twilight”
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Author’s dream realized: ‘Twilight’ becomes book series, movie
Stephenie Meyer’s path to becoming the worldwide best-selling writer of the “Twilight” series started with a dream.
Not a vague aspiration to have global fame and fortune as the author of a pop-culture phenomenon: a literal dream about Bella and Edward, the star-crossed characters at the center of her four-book vampire romance saga.
“I tell this story a lot and I think it starts to sound like I’m making it up, but I’m not – I had an awesome dream. And it was odd because it was coherent, because it was a really complicated conversation. And because I don’t ever dream about vampires, so that was also very odd,” Meyer said during a recent press conference at a Beverly Hills hotel.
“And I woke up and I was just wrapped up in this idea of what was gonna happen next: Was he gonna kill her or were they gonna be together? Because it was 50-50 at that point.”
When she awoke, the busy stay-at-home mom of three boys started penning her future chart-topping, series-starting book “Twilight.” Before June 2, 2003 – she remembers the precise day because her calendar was full even before the dream – was done, she was completely hooked on writing.
When she finished, “sheer luck or fate or what have you” continued for the first-time writer. She sent out 15 query letters to agents and got one positive reply. A month later she had an agent; in another month, she had a three-book deal.
“It does not happen that way, and if you expect that going in, get ready for heartbreak,” said Meyer, still sounding a bit bemused at her stunning success.
Five years later, the Arizona resident has completed the “Twilight” saga, with midnight parties heralding the release this summer of the fourth novel, “Breaking Dawn.” The series has spent a combined 91 weeks at No. 1 on the New York Times best-sellers list and amassed a passionate global fan base, particularly among teen girls.
With today’s opening of the hotly anticipated film version of “Twilight,” which Meyer praised and has a cameo in, the fervent following could grow even larger.
“I don’t know why people respond to these books the way they do,” she said. “I know why I do: because I wrote it for me. It’s exactly what I wanted to read, so of course, I’m really hooked on it. For other people, it’s kind of bizarre actually.”
The author, who also released the best-selling sci-fi novel “The Host” this year, isn’t waiting for another book-worthy dream.
“You don’t get a dream like that twice.”
The “Twilight” Saga
“Twilight”: When her mother remarries, awkward teen Bella Swan moves from sunny Phoenix to the dreary small town of Forks, Wash., to live with her father. She falls into a romance with Edward Cullen, an enigmatic and alluring classmate who turns out to be a vampire.
“New Moon”: Edward and his family leave Forks over fears for Bella’s safety. The depressed teenager finds solace in her friendship with Jacob Black, but the giant wolves roaming the woods and the vengeful plans of the ruthless vampire Victoria keep Bella’s life in danger.
”Eclipse”: As a string of vampire killings terrorizes Seattle, Bella is forced to choose between her love for Edward and friendship with Jacob in a love triangle with implications far beyond just three people.
“Breaking Dawn”: The fates of Edward, Jacob and Bella hang in the balance as Bella makes the ultimate decision about her future in the final book in the series.
-BAM
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Comments
I really like the whole twilight series, and I loved the movie. If you made the rest of the books into movies I would cry with joy!!!!!!!! Thank you for writing my favorite series!!!!!!!!! 
I’m pretty sure there will be cause i think someones already writing the script for it. That’s what my mom told me…
Sabre, Danica and my other dear readers –
Summit Entertainment announced today that the film version of “New Moon” has been greenlit. Read about it here:
Thanks for reading!
-BAM
OMG OMG OMG OMG I ABSOLUTLY LOVE THE TWILIGHT series!!!!!!! thank u soo much for makeing them movies no !!! (L):D
I think its Missed Up that you Canceled Makeing Midnight sun for right now i was looking forward of reading i hope you change your mind and finsh writeing it.
hay Stephenie Meyer’s I just wanted to soy hi , and to tell you that i think you are one wanderfull writer and I love your book , I hope you keep making twilight movies and books like part 2 part 3, i have a cuestion and I hope you andswered it ofcorse if you can i hear you are making another movie of twilight and i’m wandering if they are going to do the samething of the movie you now weding , pregnet, and all that stuff if you can answered my cuestion please send me a msg I really love your book and your movie
with love
yalina take care
I love the twilight series… I think Stephenie should finish Midnight Sun!!! I was lookin forward to readin it so bad:( !!! I was so upset to here she stopped writing it!! I have been obsessed with The Twilight Saga since i started the first book… in the second book i actually started cryin when Edward left Bella in the forrest!!
i really love ur book just hearing about ur experience has jus t inspiyered me to to write again like i use to be fore my whole life changed and back a mother onf one child. i really cryed in the first book and i really love it ur books have give me hope in life and they have shown me to never give up in life and tht ur never alone i believeu in wat u said tht u dreamed them because i believe tht tht can be possible i have hasd dreams my self tht i cant explain but i write them down all the time its weird. well i reall ywould love to talk to u i reall yfell a connection and hopefull i can hav eu email so i can chat with u thnk u
I am astounded at the draw not only of younger people but older as well. I was so sceptical and now…I am laughing at myself as I am hooked! I think this beautiful series of books is timeless in it’s reach. It takes us to a place of believing that hopefully, in the world where truth is stranger than fiction, Vampires can choose to be compassionate and soulful. It is the forbidden fruit…the marriage between darkness and light…it is a lovely concept and Stephanie, you have made believers out of many of us. Many blessings to you and yours. Thank you.
I love to read, but cant reread books. I think it is because I know what is going to happen, so it ruins it. But with Twilight, I get something new out of it each time I read. I am only on my 4th time thure the seares! I lOVE Edward AND Jacob!!!