Friday, November 21, 2008

Twilight Madness

It's here! Today is the day! Fifteen year old girls (and quite a few of their moms) are rejoicing today because the golden god that is Rob Pattinson is coming to theaters today! Twilight is opening across the nation. Instigator, Rhonda and I have tickets for a showing this afternoon and only because we have to work and can't go to the midnight show. We paid extra to sit in the 21 and over section so we can ignore the kids, sip our martinis and revel in the glory of Edward.

Sigh... Edward.

Anyway...Instigator and I have had Twilight fever for a couple weeks now. You could probably tell by the pictures she's posting and the movie trailer she included a few weeks ago. We both devoured all four books (twice) and have spent far too much time looking at pictures and interviews on YouTube. At least we're not alone. There are a lot of people caught up in all of this. Makes me feel better for acting like an infatuated little girl.

I'm ashamed to admit that since I started all this, I've bought the boxed set of the hardback books, 2 t-shirts, a poster, a calendar and a book on the movie. I've bought magazines I never read for pictures and interviews. I have the CD of the soundtrack and I'm waiting on the score to be released. I even got my hands on a non-local newspaper for a spread in USA Weekend (thank you Stephanie!). A wallpaper shot of Edward is on my desktop at home and at work. He's the picture on my cell phone. He's replaced James McAvoy in my locker. It's a sickness.

Honestly, I've never been this bad about anything. Not even New Kids on the Block in 1990 and I bought my share of Tiger Beat magazine back then. I never had that fixation phase as a teenager. I never let myself spend money on junk. Harry Potter was cool, but that was it. Star Wars is just a movie to me. I've never gotten into Star Trek or anything else that sends people into a frenzy wearing costumes (aside from RHPS, which doesn't count).

For some reason - and honestly, I can't figure out how she did it, cause trust me, I'm studying these pages looking for the magical key - this story has completely entranced me and millions of others. I dream about it. I think about it all the time. I swear I've doodled "Edward Cullen" on my notepad at work while I daydream (If I start doodling "Mrs. Edward Cullen," someone stop me). I wake up in the night thinking about it and can't go back to sleep. Some nights I don't eat for reading or looking online. All the better if I lose a few pounds in the process.

I wish I could get this entraced by my own writing. :( Maven Linda once told me that I need to fall in love with my heroes in order for them to be the best, most compelling characters they can be. That this was the key for sexual tension that makes readers really believe it. I've never been able to figure this out. I mean, they're fictional characters. In love? I don't know. I hesitate to fall in love with real people, much less made up ones. But now...I get it. I totally get it. I don't know if I have the skill to make it happen in my own books, but I get it.

Instigator and I are skipping out early today for the movie, but in the meantime - have you ever been completely obsessed with a movie, a book, etc? You don't have to take it as far as I have, obviously. Have you ever fallen in love with a character? Anything from a little crush to a "consider-leaving-your-spouse-if-they-showed-up-at-the-door" kind of thing. Just curious. I know that more than once in the last week I've muttered "Edward makes his own dinner..." under my breath. :)

SP

PS. If you haven't read Twilight - do. If you have read the first one and don't know what the fuss is about - keep reading. I swear by the end of book 4, no matter what your age, you'll be hooked.

22 comments:

Playground Monitor said...

Haven't read Twilight but probably will after NaNo is over. I've heard it's not a particularly well-written book, but it tells a superb story, and many times the superb story will trump the writing skills.

And yes, I'd leave the DH for either Hugh Jackman or Daniel Craig if either showed up at my door (but don't tell him -- or Hugh's wife and Daniel's girlfriend). Heck, I'd make a Hugh/Me/Daniel sammich if they showed up at the same time. ;-)

PM's Mother said...

I'm still grieving for Paul Newman.

Problem Child said...

SP being giddy and obsessed -- it's a funny sight people.

Hmm, I tend to fixate for a while if I see a fab movie or read a great book, but it usually fades quickly -- and it certainly hasn't ever reached the point of Insti and SP's obsession.

And yes, I did read the book last night. The entire thing. (I'm a fast reader and it's not that difficult of a book.) I don't think SP and Instigator are going to let me into their super-secret clubhouse any time soon.

And there's a reason why Edward makes his own dinner...

Andrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pants said...

I didn't think you'd want to join our super secret club, PC, but if you didn't like it, I don't want to hear it. At least not today. I'm too giddy today.

Kira Sinclair - AKA Instigator said...

I don't get it, PC! I LOVED that book. I really enjoyed the others in the series but there's just something about the characters in the first one that caught and held me. They are why I read the other three. I'm not saying there aren't flaws because there are (no one is perfect not even Stephenie Meyers) but the story behind it was so compelling to me it didn't matter.

And I admit it. I am completely and totally obsessed. I'm kinda hoping the obsession will end after this weekend because I really need to get some crap done. If I'm not reading one of the books (again) I'm surfing the net trying to get one more spec of information - one more connection to the characters.

Instigator

Darling Geek said...

I know PC falls in love with her heroes. She called me "Chris" while still in a half dream-state the other morning.

(Chris is the name of one of her characters, right? Right?)

I've read the first book, and, while I understand that I'm not exactly the target demographic, I can't see what the fuss is about. However, I won't dissect the book here for fear of being attacked by rabid fan girls. I will say that I am going to try to read the second book in the hopes that it picks up a bit and I can get some insight into what everyone sees in the thing, but it's definitely on probation.

Rhonda Nelson said...

PC, Jen didn't do cartwheels over it either, but I absolutely fell in love with it.

Can't wait!!! Squee!!!

Anonymous said...

I was hooked--obsessed, gripped, entranced--by these books. I applaud Stephenie's ability to lure the reader into this world and hold them there. She has told a compelling story with some festive twists that leave you wanting more. But, hey, I'm a vampire fan from way back, and I write about vampires, too. I've fallen in love with my own characters before, so I understand how this magic works (Maven Linda is right). The trick is weaving it into your own tapestry of words to make the characters come alive off the page. Powerful magic, that. My 12-year-old son is even reading Twilight now, and he wants to see the movie (young vampire fan - he's so mine!). Needless to say, we will be off to see the movie soon.

Enjoy the moment, SP. Magic is afoot, and all the world glitters in Twilight.

Barbara Vey said...

I haven't read the books, but I am seeing the movie tomorrow with my son. Hopefully I soon have a little free time to read it. I've got to see what all the fuss is about (I also posted about Twilight today and I'm sure about a kazillion other bloggers did too). :)

Playground Monitor said...

Before you start reading the books again, remember our horoscope discussion the other day and how we have to get things done by December 10th

Sherry Werth said...

You girls have fun at the movies. Be sure to take plenty of Kleenex to wipe off the drool before you come out! : )

I have gotten obsessed by a few characters so much that I hated for the book to end. But then I would start another one to get over them and it usually worked.

I'm thinking the Christmas holidays would be a good time for me to start reading the Twilight series. From the level of obsession you girls have I've got to see what it's all about.

Alicia Hunter Pace (aka Jean Hovey and Stephanie Jones) said...

I, too, found the books enthralling, though paranormal is not usually my first choice. I was half way through the first one before I swallowed the bait completely and I ended up reading them back to back.

There is definitely some magic there--and I'm not talking about the vampire, mind reading, soothsaying, howling at the moon variety. It's that thing that draws one in.

It's kind of like Jimmy Buffett--what is it about a bald middle aged man who can make perfectly sane, well educated, adults put their fins up?

I think the secret is passion and love--Buffett loves his music and Stephanie Meyers loves her characters--and makes the reader love them too.

Okay--have to shower. I'm going to the 11:30 AM movie.

Jean

Lynn Raye Harris said...

I've never been that obsessed by anything. But I do remember movies I had to see on release day -- The Lord of the Rings trilogy. I first read those books when I was about 19. Then I reread them at least twice in the next decade and a half. When they finally had the technology to make the movies, I was thrilled.

So, yes, I was at the theater for the premier of all three, and I probably went back to see each of them twice. Though I'm pretty sure I saw the first one 5 times at the theater. Awesome movies. :)

So enjoy yourselves, ladies! But remember it's just a story. *g* You know what I think is simply amazing about the whole thing? That Stephanie Meyer has made what was once an uncool name into something that girls will be naming their sons for years to come.

And that girls (and women) right now are pining over an Edward. Edward, not Chase, not Storm, not Nick or Christopher or Damian. Edward. Hilarious.

Problem Child said...

DG--

It certainly is now... :-)

Lauren said...

My daughter (13) just convinced me to buy all of the books. She is going to the movie tonite with her friends and I am going to start the first book.

Can't wait to see what all the hype is about! Quite a success story for a debut novel!!!

Anonymous said...

I haven't read any of them but I will try to pick up the first one and see. Have fun!
robertsonreads

mslizalou said...

I had planned on seeing Twilight tonight, but I'm driving to my hometown to take my grandmother Christmas shopping this weekend. I hope to see it on Sunday afternoon after the Titans game, but only get to if all my laundry is finished. I love the Twilight series and even got my sister and my nieces hooked. I will see it again over Thanksgiving with my sister and nieces.

BTW, try and catch Rob's interview with Ellen...he looks even hotter there than in the posters!

Angel said...

Well, I can report that they really enjoyed the movie, enough to go back and see it again at the next showing after dinner. They weren't quite as giddy as I expected, and there was a lot of urging to read the book first.

Can't wait!

Angel (who spent the time they were in the movie theater adding to my word count)

Playground Monitor said...

I guess I can't comment about the second viewing because I'd go back to see Quantum of Solace again in a heartbeat.

Must write. Need to catch up.

Andrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pants said...

Ahhh.... SO much better the second time. The first time was good. The second time was awesome. The martinis helped, too.

Everyone should go! They need to make enough money for the sequel. :)

catslady said...

I've heard so much about this. I always like to read the book first so I'm hoping I get a chance.

Christine said...

Saw the movie today. Sigh sigh sigh. The sexual tension was unbelievable. The "scenery" was amazing. And yes, I do believe if I gave birth to a boy, I'd name him Edward.

What a gorgeous man!!!!He's just beautiful.