“It’s been so long it would only serve me right if nobody cared.”
Twilight fans can probably remember August 2008 and how one push of a button seemed to bring everything to a halt. A leaker published the first twelve chapters of Midnight Sun, Edward’s perspective on everything that happened in the first book. Suddenly, it was all over the internet and the books’ author, Stephenie Meyer, wrote to her fans saying that she was stepping back from writing it and that it would be put on hold indefinitely. Although the film adaptations continued to be popular in the box office, the mystery behind Midnight Sun raged on. But now the wait is finally over.
Twelve years later, on August 4, 2020, Midnight Sun has finally seen the light of day. Fans all over the world can now get the chance to read what it was like on the other side of the Edward/Bella relationship throughout the first book. But even Stephenie Meyer felt a little hesitant to put it out all these years later.
In an exclusive interview with Seventeen, Stephenie Meyer opens up about publishing Midnight Sun, how the book is different from its original, and why she was surprised by the fans when the project was re-announced.
17: What made you want to go back to Midnight Sun after so many years?
Stephenie Meyer: There were a variety of different pressures influencing me: the fans, my mother, the irritation of an unfinished story. Honestly, it was more of a project I felt I should do than one I wanted to do. Writing isn’t always fun and easy. That being said, there was a lot of fulfillment in finally finishing the story, and there were some sections that were very exciting to write.
17: Has the story changed since you originally started writing it years ago?
SM: The story really couldn’t change. It’s so closely tied to Twilight that there was never much wiggle room in the writing. In some ways that’s good, because despite the time passing, I could never get too far off track.
17: Although fans already know how Twilight plays out from Bella’s perspective, how will Midnight Sun be different?
SM: Midnight Sun has a darker tone because it comes from the perspective of someone who knows this romance is doomed before it starts. Bella is very hopeful. She is falling in love for the first time and she never admits to any real obstacles. Edward is also falling in love for the first time, but he is one hundred percent positive that this love story can only end in tragedy. He gets to be hopeful for something like three chapters out of thirty. So, only ten percent happiness versus ninety percent dread.
17: How has it been seeing the reaction from fans after the book was announced?
SM: It’s been very exciting and…I’m not sure of the right word. Validating? I did doubt whether anyone would still want this story. It’s been so long it would only serve me right if nobody cared. So to know that people still wanted to read it was kind of amazing.
17: Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, you won’t be doing a full book tour, although you do have some digital and drive-in Q&As. What are you still most excited about talking with the fans?
SM: I’m excited that I get to do a few virtual events and even one (very distanced) drive-in theater event, because I love to hear the questions the fans have. I have no idea which parts of Edward’s story are obvious in Twilight and which are only obvious to me. I expect to learn a lot from those questions.
17: What is something you want fans to remember before diving into Midnight Sun?
SM: Remember Breaking Dawn. Remember that this is all going to work out for Edward and that someday, he’s going to be incredibly happy all the time. Try not to think about his side of New Moon (which I will never, never try to write.)
17: Life and Death came out around the 10th anniversary of Twilight. Now we’re getting Midnight Sun for the 15th. Are you already making plans for the 20th?
SM: After finally getting finished with this book, I plan to spend a lot of time in other worlds where vampires don’t exist. I guess my hope is that I can finish another book in a lot less time.
