Stephenie Meyer's novel Midnight Sun is finally available. We will be able to discover the story of Twilight through the eyes of the mysterious Edward Cullen. On this occasion, we met the author of this cult saga for an exclusive interview.
It was long awaited … The new novel by the famous Stephenie Meyer is finally available at Hachette Romans. Midnight Sun will tell the story of the first volume of the saga Twilight from Edward Cullen's perspective. Many hope to discover new elements of the saga thanks to this so mystical character who, on the screen, was played by actor Robert Pattinson. On the occasion of the release of this new novel on August 5, we were able to interview Stephenie Meyer and come back with her on her inspirations, the saga, the global phenomenon that she has become over the years and how Midnight Sun could do a lot for the fans who are team Edward. Passionate, generous in her responses, the best-selling author unfiltered her point of view on the cult saga Twilight.
It seems that the story of Twilight was inspired by a dream you had about a vampire. Is it true ?
It was June 2003. After a night with little rest (my baby wasn’t sleeping through the night yet), I finally fell asleep in the early morning. I woke up an hour later having a very bright dream. In this dream, an angelic looking young man, shining brightly, was explaining to a young girl why he wanted to kill her. But that wasn’t scary because I knew deep down that she was in love with him and that she wanted to hear him say that. It marked me so much that when I woke up all I wanted to do was go back to my dream and know the rest. Would he really have killed her? Would they have found a solution to be together despite everything? But I had to take care of my three sons. So I still got up and went to work. However, I couldn't get this dream out of my head. No matter how busy I was, I could only imagine what this young man would say to her next, what she would have done. I don't think I was very good company that evening at dinner. I had been obsessed with this dream all day and when my husband and the kids went to bed I took the family computer. I started writing my dream down at first. Then I added some details to it. I was lacking sleep and I knew it would hurt me the next day if I went to bed late but I couldn't stop writing on the keyboard.
You chose not to thoroughly research the vampire myth for the writing of the Twilight Saga. Why ?
I didn't do any research because I didn't think I was going to write an entire novel, let alone a novel about vampires. I wrote for weeks before realizing I was writing a book in the making. While I was writing, I did some research to see what Bella could find by reading up on the subject. But I didn't care about the pre-existing myths about vampires. At the very beginning, I didn't think anyone else was going to read what I was writing! Then, the other vampire stories didn't matter to me. For me, they were my vampires with their own rules and their own stories. It was a whole new mythology.
There are a lot of literary references in the Twilight saga like Emily Brontë or Maud Montgomery. As a reader, what importance do you attach to these authors and their novels?
Books have always had an important place in my life. I can't imagine the horror of living without the books. When I first created Bella, it seemed natural to me that she was passionate about literature too, and of course, she loves the best novels, just like me. But the books she mentions during the saga are mostly those that she would have read during her schooling and not books that are more personal to me. In Midnight Sun, we discover more of his literary interests outside of his required reading.
Bella has always been inspiring. She is reserved and very humble. Do you have anything in common with her?
I was a very shy young girl, didn't trust myself and unfortunately that hasn't really changed today. I'm able to assert myself a little more now, but I'm still quite stressed about all the public events I have to do for example. I instinctively wrote Bella that way because I know exactly what it is to be that kind of girl. I couldn’t imagine her radiant, popular, grabbing attention without ever backing down when the spotlight is on her. I've watched these kinds of girls before, but never quite understood what it was like to be like them. I don't think I'll ever be able to write that kind of character in the first person. I do not understand them enough.
How did you feel the first time you saw the first Twilight movie adapted for the cinema and the time you watched the last film of the saga? As an author, this must be very moving.
It was quite stressful watching the first film in the saga. I was aware of every detail that strayed from the direction in which the story was going (at that time, not all books had been published yet). These were tiny issues, yes, but to me they were extremely blatant. I was able to bring my thoughts to the adaptation of the novel and make sure the things that matter most to the readers were there (my biggest victory was that they kept Bella's lullaby in the movie). But I was very anxious about all the details that they didn't include. It was easier when all the books were published and in the movies people could see what was going to happen for themselves.
Why did you choose to tell the story from Edward's perspective with Midnight Sun?
At first, writing from Edward's perspective was just a fun exercise to do. One day, I realized that Bella's first day of school was boring compared to Edward's. In the end, she had just arrived at a new school and noticed a boy who was not very cool with her. As Edward arrived at school when his entire life was destroyed and he nearly committed a massacre. So I tried to rewrite the first chapter of book 1 from his perspective. And, indeed, it was much more exciting! I posted this text on my website thinking the readers would appreciate it. In the end, it was fun so I kept going. Having fun writing is my main motivation!
Is writing from Edward's point of view something you've always thought about or started to think about it while writing Midnight Sun?
When I was writing Twilight, I didn't think about rewriting history from Edward's point of view at all. However, I have always been aware of the thoughts and feelings of this character throughout history. I didn't have the exact words when I started Midnight Sun and there was a lot of writing to do. But at no time did what I wrote come as a surprise to me. I also hadn't thought of that because the idea of writing from a male perspective is quite intimidating. I am not a man, what can I know about their impressions? So I couldn't write about him without knowing him inside out, and that was only possible after writing several books in which he was one of the main characters. If I had chosen from the start to write from a vampire's point of view, the story would have been more like my gender-reversed version of Life and Death. Instead of Bella and Edward, you would have followed the adventures of Edythe and Beau.
How would you describe Edward Cullen?
Edward is not human. It greatly influences his point of view. No matter how human he tries to be, his needs, instincts, and priorities have nothing to do with those of a mortal person. Aside from his vampire identity, he's also a lot more pessimistic than Bella. He considers himself to be a deeply nasty person, and for him it is irremediable. He knows he doesn't deserve a happy ending. He is also someone who thinks way too much, and is steeped in anxiety. Being in her head is a lot more stressful than being in Bella's!
Why is it important for fans to read this new version? What more will it bring to readers?
I am not so sure it matters. The Twilight Saga is a self-sufficient story and doesn't need a companion to sustain. The only reason to read Midnight Sun is if you are curious about the character of Edward a bit more or want to spend more time in Forks. (Editor's note: the city where the saga mainly takes place) But it is important to expect the portrayal of a hero who is not so perfect, unlike what you might have imagined of him so far. I've been through this universe for a while. Now I want to create new mythologies and explore new worlds. But there are still stories to bring to my vampire world. Hope to come back one day!
Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer.
Translated by Luc Rigoureau, Hachette Romans.
810 pages – € 19.90
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