Many fans wonder about the genesis of Twilight, the spark that ignited this beloved saga, and the journey to its publication. Let’s delve into the fascinating story of how Twilight came to be, revealing the origins of this captivating world.
The Genesis of Twilight: From Dream to First Draft
The inception of Twilight is pinpointed to June 2, 2003, a date etched in the author’s memory as it coincided with the start of children’s swim lessons. Prior to this day, writing was a sporadic hobby, with unfinished chapters and projects left aside, especially after the arrival of her first son six years prior.
On that pivotal June morning, a vivid dream broke through the ordinary. It was a scene set in a sun-dappled meadow, deep within a forest. Two figures dominated this dreamscape: an average girl and a breathtakingly beautiful, shimmering vampire. Their intense conversation revolved around a forbidden romance, the thrilling yet perilous attraction blooming between them, complicated by the vampire’s overwhelming desire for her intoxicating scent. This dream, in essence, became the blueprint for Chapter 13, “Confessions,” a cornerstone of the Twilight narrative.
Intrigued and captivated by this dream encounter, the author felt compelled to capture its essence before it faded. Despite the morning’s demands – breakfast for hungry children, swimsuits to locate – she remained in bed, replaying the dream. The allure of the nameless couple’s story was too strong to ignore. Driven by the fear of losing the vivid imagery, especially the captivating vampire, she reluctantly began her day, only to prioritize writing as soon as possible. Sitting down at the computer, an act unfamiliar for years, she started typing, simply referring to the characters as “he” and “she,” driven by the need to preserve the dream’s vivid details.
From that day forward, writing became an unbroken daily ritual. Some days yielded only a page or two, while others were bursts of creativity, resulting in completed chapters and beyond. Nighttime, after the children were asleep, became the dedicated writing sanctuary, allowing for uninterrupted focus. The meadow scene served as the starting point, and the story unfolded chronologically. After reaching the conclusion, she returned to the beginning, weaving the narrative threads together until the story seamlessly connected in late August, a mere three months later.
Finding the perfect names for the dream-born duo was a journey in itself. For the vampire, a character she immediately adored, she sought a name that once evoked romance but had since become less common. Inspired by literary figures like Mr. Rochester and Mr. Ferrars, “Edward” emerged as the ideal fit. Naming the female protagonist proved more challenging. No name seemed worthy of the character she had grown to love. Ultimately, drawing from that deep affection, she bestowed upon her the name she had cherished for a daughter who had never arrived: Isabella. And so, Edward and Bella were christened. For the supporting characters, historical census records became a valuable resource, uncovering names popular during their fictional birth periods. Trivia reveals that Rosalie was initially “Carol” and Jasper began as “Ronald,” names later deemed less fitting.
The setting of Twilight demanded a location drenched in rain. Google became the research tool, leading to the discovery of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, the rainiest region in the U.S. Maps of the area were meticulously studied, searching for a secluded, small town nestled within forests. There, perfectly situated, was “Forks.” The name resonated instantly. A Google image search of Forks and the surrounding area, including the Hoh Rainforest, solidified the choice. Research into Forks unveiled the La Push Reservation, home to the Quileute Tribe, whose rich history and mythology became integral to the Twilight narrative, with fictional tribal members becoming crucial characters.
Throughout this creative process, Bella and Edward were constant presences, their voices persistent and compelling. Late nights were spent transcribing their dialogues and actions, only to be followed by more conversations in her mind as soon as her head hit the pillow. Fearful of losing these nocturnal insights, a pen and notebook were placed bedside, allowing for frantic note-taking in the dark to capture fleeting ideas before sleep fully claimed her. Deciphering these dimly lit scribbles became a morning ritual, an exciting challenge to unlock the previous night’s thoughts.
Even daytime activities couldn’t fully distract from the burgeoning story. While enduring the Arizona heat during swim lessons, plotlines and scenes continued to develop, resulting in a rush to the computer upon returning home, eager to translate the mental narrative into text. Despite the scorching Arizona summer, the memories of those three months are intertwined with the cool, green imagery of the Olympic Rainforest, a testament to the immersive power of the Twilight world.
Upon completing the main narrative, a series of epilogues emerged, signaling an unwillingness to part with the characters. This realization sparked the genesis of the sequel. Simultaneously, Twilight underwent meticulous editing, a process driven by a desire for perfection.
The author’s sister, Emily, became the sole confidante and early reader. Starting in June, chapters were shared as they were written, and Emily’s enthusiastic support fueled the writing momentum. It was Emily who, upon completion of the manuscript, suggested seeking publication for Twilight, a notion that initially surprised the author, who was still processing the accomplishment of finishing a complete novel.
From Manuscript to Published Novel: Navigating the Publishing Twilight Zone
The publishing world was initially a realm of naivety and misconception. The assumed process of simply mailing a manuscript to a publisher was quickly dispelled by online research. The complexities of query letters, literary agents, submission protocols, and synopses seemed daunting, almost leading to abandonment of the publishing dream. However, a deep connection to the characters and a desire to share their story with a wider audience propelled her forward.
Subscription to WritersMarket.com provided a list of smaller publishers accepting unsolicited submissions, alongside literary agencies. A recommendation from her sister, Heidi, regarding Janet Evanovich’s website and her mention of Writers House as a reputable literary agency, placed Writers House at the top of a hopeful, yet seemingly unattainable, list.
Around fifteen query letters were sent, an act accompanied by significant anxiety. The quality of these initial queries was admittedly poor, and rejections followed, as expected. While most rejections were shrugged off, one, from a small agent who had read the first chapter, stung slightly. Ironically, the harshest rejection arrived after a three-book deal with Little, Brown was secured, rendering it inconsequential.
A pivotal moment arrived in the form of Genevieve, an assistant at Writers House. Unbeknownst to Genevieve, the 130,000-word count of Twilight was exceptionally long for a debut novel. Had she realized its 500-page length, she might not have requested to see it. However, this oversight proved fortunate. Genevieve requested the first three chapters, eliciting both excitement and apprehension, as the beginning was considered a weaker section. The response letter, received weeks later, was overwhelmingly positive. Genevieve had underlined her enjoyment of the initial chapters and requested the full manuscript. This moment marked the shift from dream to possibility, the realization that Twilight might indeed become a published book, triggering joyous celebrations.
Approximately a month after submitting the full manuscript, a call came from Jodi Reamer, a literary agent from Writers House, expressing interest in representation. An attempt to project professionalism during the conversation was made, though its success remains questionable. Again, luck played a significant role, as Jodi Reamer proved to be an exceptional agent. Her multifaceted skills as a lawyer, negotiator, editor, and friend proved invaluable.
Two weeks were dedicated to refining Twilight in collaboration with Jodi. The original title, Forks, was reconsidered (though a fondness for it remained). After polishing the manuscript, Jodi submitted it to nine publishing houses. This period was fraught with anticipation, but the wait was short-lived.
Megan Tingley of Megan Tingley Books, an imprint of Little, Brown and Company, read Twilight during a cross-country flight. The day after Thanksgiving weekend, a preemptive deal was offered, exceeding all expectations. The offer was so substantial that initial disbelief was followed by astonishment, especially when Jodi negotiated for even better terms. By day’s end, the reality of Twilight being published by a major young adult publisher, with financial compensation, was slowly sinking in. For a considerable time, it felt like an elaborate prank, yet the scale of such a hoax seemed improbable.
Thus, within six months, Twilight transitioned from a dream to a written manuscript to an accepted novel.
The subsequent events, including the movie deal and pre-publication buzz, amplified the surreal experience. The two years between acceptance and publication provided a period to adjust to the unfolding phenomenon. Anticipation for Twilight‘s arrival on bookshelves was mixed with a sense of trepidation. Ultimately, Twilight was a passion project, fueled by affection for Edward, Bella, and the entire cast of imaginary companions, and the prospect of sharing them with readers worldwide was deeply gratifying.
