First-time writer literally dreams up best seller
Best-selling author Stephenie Meyer will talk about her writing experiences during a lecture Friday, Sept. 15, at 3:45 p.m. the Harold B. Lee Library auditorium at Brigham Young University.
In her first attempt at writing a novel, Meyer exceeded hers and everyone else’s expectations and produced “Twilight,” a story for young adults. The novel reached the fifth spot on the New York Times best seller List for children’s chapter books.
The visit is part of the BYU alumna's tour for her “Twilight” sequel, “New Moon.” From 2 to 3:30 p.m. she will be in the BYU Bookstore signing her books and answering fans’ questions.
“Twilight” began as a vivid dream Meyer had one night – about a girl and a vampire – that she found so intriguing she had to write it down and didn’t stop until she found she had enough for a whole book.
Chris Crowe, an English professor at BYU who will introduce Meyer at the lecture, admits that due to all its hype he was at first predisposed to disliking the book. “If not out of spite, at least out of envy,” he said. “But this vampire romance cast its spell on me. ‘Twilight’ is simply a terrific read.”
On her Web site Meyer says she identifies with her readers. “Whatever the reason,” she said, “it seems like ‘Twilight’ fans make really cool friends.”
Anita Charles, who works in the juvenile literature section of the BYU Bookstore, sums up Stephenie Meyer as a BYU graduate, wife, busy young mother of three and a unusually successful writer. She says “New Moon” is rapidly disappearing off the shelves, and that the story Meyer will relate during her campus visit “is as magical as her fiction.”
“She is charismatic and utterly charming in person,” said Charles. “She so skillfully weaves fact and fiction that the reader doesn’t just willingly suspend disbelief as much as eagerly throws it down.”
For more information about Stephenie Meyer’s visit and her books, contact Juvenile Literature librarian, Gabriele Kupitz at the Harold B. Lee Library or visit www.library.byu.edu online.
