TA TALKS BACK: READING WHILE YOU WAIT
TA fan Dawn talks about the life after the Twilight saga and how much she loves fanfiction:
Right now, Twilight fans are at a standstill. We went to the theaters in droves over the holidays to see the first chapter of our favorite saga come to life. We repeatedly watched clips of our favorite scenes on YouTube. We reserved three copies of the DVD so that we could watch one, save one, and have a spare in case we wore the first one out. We stayed up until midnight to get our hands on that previous DVD first. We re-read all of the books - and even pick up ‘The Host’ so we can get our Stephenie Meyer fix until Edward gets his say in ‘The Book Whose Name I Dare Not Speak’. We watch the boards daily, hoping to catch a glimpse of RPatt or KStew on location for New Moon as we wait impatiently for the second chapter to hit the silver screen.OK, so maybe that’s just me….
But I have a feeling that I am not alone here. Shortly after the DVD hit shelves and I watched the movie with audio commentary more times than I care to admit, I felt a little empty inside. I started asking myself, ‘What do I do now?’ I didn’t want to stalk the boards TOO much… I didn’t want to reread the Twilight saga for the umpteemth time (even though I did anyway). I have months until the next movie comes out. How was I going to occupy my time until then?
Lo and behold, an old pasttime of mine has been revived.
Back when I was a young, impressionable teenager, I feel in love with ‘the X-Files’. Not just the characters (Scully is still my she-ro) but the mytharc and the development of their personas. I knew Scully and Mulder inside and out. And watching episodes repeatedly was not enough for me. So, after I watched some of my favorite episodes on DVD, I decided to look inside my treasure trove of X-Files collectibles (yeah… I was that obsessed) and I came across a familiar friend.
A manila folder full of my favorite X-Files fan fiction.
I remember sitting at my computer for hours reading, and rereading, my favorite stories. Stories that encapsulated all that Mulder and Scully were about penned by everyday people like you and me. And these authors made my love of the X-Files blossom even more.
Big bright light bulb moment. With the advent of the internet, a google of fans, writers chomping at the bit for new material, and the need for instant gratification of our Twilight needs, there MUST be a ginormous collection of Twilight fanfic. Why didn’t I think of this sooner?
Maybe because I was browsing the TA boards and laughing like a schoolgirl about Rob’s comments in the audio commentary. Sometimes a girl can’t help herself.
So, I went online and began to search. It took me awhile to find some good stuff and I struck a goldmine with the Twilighted boards (http://www.twilighted.net). High-quality Twilight fanfic indeed!!! I didn’t care what books I needed to read for class or how many papers I had to grade for my students…. and I was giddy with joy! There are some VERY talented writers out there and I am so glad that there are people out there just like me who can’t wait until Ms. Meyer finishes ‘The Book Whose Name I Dare Not Speak’. And they get it. They get Edward and Bella and what they’re made of. They understand their little quirks and intricacies, so much so that I think they may even outshine Ms. Meyer herself.
And then, after two weeks of utter bliss with what I found on the Twilighted boards, I came across the ultimate Twilight fanfic, ‘Wide Awake’ by AngstGoddess003 (http://angstgoddess003.livejournal.com/ - each chapter is listed in the left-hand toolbar). Rated MA/NC-17 for dark themes, this multi-chapter novel chronicles Edward and Bella’s journeys to healing through a common bond - an inability to sleep. Their nightmares cause them to alienate themselves from their loved ones and gravitate towards one another.
My, my.
This is, by far, the BEST fanfic I have ever read. And from a fanfic newbie, no less. This is how I spent my entire weekend. I read all 47 chapters to date in less than 48 hours (give or take nap breaks and irritated requests for meals from my seven-year-old). It’s an All-Human Alternate Universe story but her characterizations of Bella and the entire Cullen clan are spot-on. I laughed, I cried, I got hungry (you’ll understand why when you read it), and I screamed at Bella and Edward on countless occasions (and yes, I know they’re fictional characters, but it’s that believable). And, yes, I have started to re-read it. Seven chapters last night alone .. until my body crapped out and I couldn’t keep my eyes open. It’s a work-in-progress but definitely worth the commitment. My world will end when this fanfic does. If you have not read it, I recommend that you STOP reading my praise and link over to AngstGoddess003’s website IMMEDIATELY. GETONTHEBLOG! NOW!
So, until New Moon hits the theaters, I have another Twilight obsession - Twilight saga fanfic. I’m curious, TAers. What gems have you found out there in Fanfic-land? What stories take your breath away? I need other stories (and authors) to obsess about!
Talk Back to us….what do you think?
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yes those thigns do hlep don’t they
I’ve read that one and I must say it is pretty interesting. It does get a little graphic but I love the little “Twilight” things that are worked in (like Edward saying how much he whished he could read minds lol). It is def an interesting take on thier characters.
OK, let me try this again…. since this website is “too busy”! LOL!
I like the fanfic “The Wedding” posted on this website somewhere. I am currently awaiting more chapters as we blog.
I will try out angstgoddess003’s fanfic solely upon your recommendation. And, NO, you’re not along in EVERYTHING that you have done/ do/ and will do because of this saga. Some of the rest of us are “in love” with it, too.
Okay so just a couple of weeks ago my mom bought me the “Mortal Instument” series by Cassandra Clare. There are 3 books in the series “City of Bones”, “City of Ashes”, and “City of Glass”. The main “creatures” in the story is these half angel/half human people called the Nephilim. And they kill Demons. The other creatures include; vampires (ohhh yeah), werewolves, faeries, warlocks, etc!
Anyways, I read them all and fell in love with the series!
The humor is amazing in the books, It seriously made me laugh out loud throughout. The action is so suspensful, and there are so many twists that will make you want to read more!
And not to mention the love scenes! Good grief. they are HOT!
Keeping those in mind, it is a young-adult book, so there is NO “porn” scenes in it,
It has a few cuss words, but Nothing too vulgar.
My mom read the series too and loved it, so it’s good for adults too!
PS- I’m reading a book called “Wicked Lovely” by Melissa Marr right now, I just started but it’s pretty good. And its the first of a series. It’s about Faeries. And its pretty exciting so far.
So I’ll tell you if I like that one!
Hope that helped
This is a pretty good one, it’s still in progress ,but it’s good. Okay i may be a little biased cause I am writing it lol. It follows after breaking dawn.
I have read Wide Awake. It is the best fanfic that I have read. Creature of Habit by EZRocksAngel is my second fav. I must admit that I like some of the fanfic’s better than the original Twilight series. I read alot while I wait.
I have a great fanfic called A Life Extraordinary! sooo good, takes place after the marriage, but with no renesmee.
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4881409/1/A_Life_Extraordinary
I loved ‘Wide Awake’. One of my all time favorites is ‘Work in Progress’ by araeo. I’m reading one right now called ‘Socks for Sex’ which is a joint work by goldentemptress and Nostalgicmiss. Don’t let the title throw you. It’s absolutely incredible. (Both are rated M) Another fic that sucked me in was Poughkeepsie. (Also rated M) It might seem a bit weird in the beginning, but stick with it. It too is awesome.
I’ll stop here because I can go on all day. My reading list is ridiculously large. Almost too big. Or not. There’s no such thing as too much Twilight.
I have read the featured fanfic on this site… the one with Jacobs wedding was good but I am lost sometimes with these sites and I thought there was more fan fic on this site but I can’t find it. I have googled Twilight fan fic and found things but I was wondering if there was somewhere I could find stuff already read and recommending by real twilighters like Dawn. Help please
There is one I just read called Edge of Night that picks up where breaking dawn ended. Written in Stephanie Myers style so far no graphic sex or language. Very good. She has written 7 chapters so far and I can’t wait for the next one. I read Wide Awake also and didn’t sleep for days, wanted to call in sick to work etc etc. Excellent writing, but Edge of Night is also a good read.
I’m so glad someone else is as obsessed with Twilight FanFiction as I am!
By far the best (and my favorite) stories are by Bronzedhairedgirl620.
It’s unbelievable how well written her fanfics are. and she totally gets the characters and has great plots and story lines.
If you do end up checking out her fanfics… you MUST read Stop, Drop and Roll and Yes, For Forever.
they’re just as good as they sound!
OMG - You are following my path, exactly! I also discovered that fan fiction was the perfect fix for a Twilight junkie.
WIDE AWAKE by Angstgoddess003 OWNS me. I’m as obsessed with this story as I was with Twilight. Her writing even outshines SM herself. As an artist, I’ve done several wallpapers illustrating this story - http://captivated2.livejournal.com/
Other excellent reads are these:
The Vampire in the Basement by michellephants - http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4887478/1/
If Love Could Light a Candle by Pastiche Pen - http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5022358/1/
The Fallout by OCDindeed - http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4946176/1/
Isle Esme (rated M) by Vixen1836 - http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4588124/1/
She’s Royal by halojones - http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4310111/1/
There are MANY more. Hint: To find the good ones, look for a high review count or see what the authors you like are reading.
It was very exciting to read that ROB himself admitted to reading Twilight fan fiction in his GQ interview. He said “it’s surprisingly hardcore and very well written…” Yes, it is. Unlike Stephanie, some of these authors don’t hold back the nitty gritty details.
Thank for the link, I will be reading it. I tend to gravitate towards the fanfic with happy endings. I have read a couple that ended on a sour note, and well that just sucks. I recently found twilighted.net aswell. I love to read the more adult stories, and why not I am an adult!
Cindy, I’m also a fan of Pastiche Pen and michellephants’s work. And, of course, I adore the wonderful AngstGoddess’s Wide Awake saga. Awesome plugs. Here are some more fics of that level of quality that I think you and other folks here may enjoy:
“Atlas Shrugged” by Jeesiechreesie : Picks up after the crushing moment when Bella kisses Jacob in Eclipse, and Edward overhears/sees it. We see the gut-wrenching reaction he so desperately tried to hide in the Meyer version, and we see him at his weakest–and, eventually, Bella at her best when she realizes that she’s undone him. It’s an MA piece, though, ’cause things get kinda sexy.
“Convalescing” by chilly-hands-warm-heart
: An excellent fill-in for that space of time between James’s attack on Bella and the prom in Twilight, in which Edward, Carlisle, and Alice (as well as the other Cullens) rush to cover up what really happened, rush to stabilize Bella, and fret over Bella’s long and physically very difficult recovery. Edward angst ahoy! Also, Edward appears at his tenderest in many bedside scenes. Alice’s help makes for some adorable scenes that are worth your read, too. Overall a very nice, fluffy piece that is safely PG-ish.
“Miss My Lion” by houroflead
:
Love this one. What if, while Edward was gone in New Moon, Bella grew a freaking spine? That is what this fic shows us. After rescuing Edward in Volterra, Bella not only gives him a sound tongue-lashing for his extreme behavior, but also takes him to task for presuming that he had the right to dictate when and how their relationship should end (which ALWAYS bothered me, noble intentions or no). Edward must regain her trust, and learn how to respond to Bella’s sudden maturity–even if it takes him “a thousand years” (as per his promise in NM, if you recall). Sexy, so MA-rated.
Check them out when you’re bored. You will love them, and love following them to their completion. Some of them are close to wrapping up.
I too am sooo thankful for fan fiction and www.twilighted.net
My two favourite stories so far are:
“Innocent, Vigilant, Ordinary”
http://www.twilighted.net/viewstory.php?sid=297&textsize=0&chapter=1
This is set 2 years after Twilight started. Bella is with Jacob, loves him and is content…but then the Cullens move to Forks and she of course falls for Edward. It is not finished yet but has 32 chapters..so well written. Great story!
My other favourite from Twilighted is:
“Out of Choices”
http://www.twilighted.net/viewstory.php?sid=3208&textsize=0&chapter=1
This one is has Bella moves to Forks after her mum dies of cancer. She is an angry teenager and she doesn’t really like anyone, but she finds Edward and he just gets her. A bit angsty sometimes, but hey Twilight is like that too.
Two great stories!!
The mods needed to remove the links to the works I mentioned above—and I think I coded them incorrectly. But the works are all available at Fanfiction.net. And possibly Twilighted.
Wow,I can’t wait to get to this place. I’ve been waiting,and wanting and searching,and very empty inside. Thank you thank you for this tip. I’m not talking anymore,so GOOD-BYE for now,and I’m so EXCITED!!!!!
Thanks so much Reading While You Wait by Dyenessa (aka Dawn)
and everyone for their links, wow we are all going to be so busy now, reading on twilighted .net and fanfiction.net, there is not going to be enough hours in the day to read all of them and come to TA, how will we manage to do it all, plus the pesky life stuff too, like who are those other people in the house wanting your attention, you know the ones they call you Mom, apparently they need food and clean clothes, I do remember a thing called car pool, there is also this Man, who wants your attention, I remember him he is called a Husband, so if you are like me and have those , do what needs to be done very quickly, tell your pesky people they love cheese on toast, put on a pot of coffee (that’s for you), then lock yourself away with your computer, I say lock the door, cause they will find you….. and start reading we do not need sleep anymore, we are now superhuman, we can read and read and read, we have not been bitten by a radioactive spider, we have been bitten by all that is TWILIGHT .
Another recomendations for goog fanfic search for the awards,
search “the twilight awards” or “the eddie awards and The Bellie awards”
I can’t wait to go read this fanfic!!!! Thanks for the sugguestion, I’ve been having troble finding GOOD stories. Allso if you go to TheTwilightSaga.com you can find some, but beware, for every well written story, you’ll find 5 that arn’t.
I signed up for twilighted.net last week. AWESOME fan fiction there. I’ve only gotten through one story so far and it was so delicious. Can’t wait to sift through more.
I am soo glad someone else admitted to reading all the fanfic!!!! I was beginning to feel alittle like a complete dork!!!
OME!!
Leia Cullen I just read the mortal insturments too!!! amazing ehh!!!! and even creepier, I just started Wicked lovely. O.o
By far, my favorite fanfics are written by “Laughs Like the Sun” on fanfiction.net. She has two stories that are both in progress, The Darkest Poison, and Love You Like an Arsonist. They’re both rated M, are alternate universe and somewhat out of character. I think about these stories more than “Twilight” these days! They are HOT and they also are so well written. I’ve gotten all my friends hooked on them.
Side note: if you like reading the fanfic, try writing it yourself! I started on fanfiction.net and its really fun. Anything to keep the addiction going! I’m going to check out all the stories listed above.
My favorite Twilight fanfic site is www.ramblingsandthoughts.com. They have rules there (about spelling, grammar, and following canon), so most of it is awesome, and you don’t have to sift through all of the stories where the author is just trying to put herself in the middle of the Twilight world. The only bad part is that the ‘review hearts’ don’t mean anything, since it defaults to ‘10′ whenever you leave a review, so all of the stories have ‘10 hearts’. It took me over two months to get through all of the material on that site. I still check it for new stuff every day.
My two favorite stories are ‘The Perfect Fit’ and ‘Chatting with Charlie’.
Also, over at TwilightArchives.com, check out everything written by subtlynice. She really ‘gets’ the characters.
I gotta go check out twilighted.net now - hadn’t heard of that one yet.
I was intrigued by “wide awake” and I absolutely love it. This girl is a fantastic writer. If you are looking for something to read and feel like if you don’t stop re-reading the twilight series for like the 10th , no 20th time, your husband/significant other will have you committed, I highly recommend this. I am on the second pass of this book and I just love it.
I can’t say enough good things about this fan fiction. Thanks all of you TA’s for putting some other Fan fiction for me to look into.
Dawn, thanks for finding this fan fiction, I really love it and all of the work everyone does on this site to bring us more twilight!!!