Today's Twilight Parody...with Cheeseburgers

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Today's Twilight Parody

Is Edward a Gary Stu?

Often I find myself involved in conversations of the let's-analyze-Twilight variety. I do not initiate these discussions, mind you--they seek me out and find me vulnerable (much like bad boys). Perhaps it is because I'm a YA author, YA enthusiast, & young looking girl. Or maybe it is my Bite Me Edward Cullen (PLEASE!) bumper sticker. I don't know. But a few of these convos have revolved around the accusation that Bella is a "Mary Sue". And today there's been a little blogging about "Mary Sue"--enter Diana Peterfreund with a Mary Sue Litmus Test--so I thought I'd give it a whirl. But not with Bella--because I'm Just Not That Into Her. Enter: Edward!

Some of the highlights:

Does your (immortal) character appear to be much younger than she/he really is? Um, yeah--he was born in 1901 and still looks 17.
Does the character have an unusual eye color, or otherwise exceptional eyes? And are these eyes a color that does not occur in nature? Technically Topaz does occur in nature, but with all the changing of color... I'm giving this one a yes.
And will they have something to do with the plot? Yes
Does the character have eyes that somehow reflect hidden depths or experience or sorrow?

Reflects his feeding schedule
Does the character have unusual or exceptional hair, or does her/his hair get a disproportionate amount of description compared to that of the other characters? Yes-"His hair, which is always messy, retains the unusual bronze shade that he inherited in his human life from his biological mother."*
Was the character ever abducted? I consider what Carlisle did a form of abduction

Does the character consider her/his beauty/talent/skill/etc. a curse? No man likes to sparkle

Then we have more Gary Stu qualities, such as he "possesses superhuman beauty, strength, speed, endurance, and agility. His scent and voice are enormously seductive, so much so that he occasionally sends Bella into a pliant daze entirely by accident....He is the fastest of the Cullens, able to outrun any of them. Perhaps as a result of a talent for empathy in his human life, Edward can also read the mind of anyone within a few miles of himself...Edward also retains some of the traditional mindset and dated patterns of speech from his early-20th century human life."*

And all the other stuff that comes from living for so long and not sleeping--like traveling extensively, knowing many languages, being a virtuoso piano player--and there's the collecting of cars and music.

Plus many many more yeses.

So after doing my best to answer the questions (some I couldn't because I'm not Stephenie) the findings are thus: Edward scores a whopping 147 points and "71 points or more: Irredeemable-Sue. "

But it doesn't change the way I feel about him! (Which right there is a totally Mary Sue trait... sigh)

(*Source: Edward Cullen Wiki)

Weekend Recap

First off-- deadline on the collector's edition of Twilight contest ending soon (Dec 2nd Midnight) go here to enter: http://brooketaylorbooks.blogspot.com/2008/11/twilight-contest-no-edward-h8ers.html

Okay, so it was a bizzy bizzy Thanksgiving break. I had two huge meals in like 6 hours. They were essentially the exact same meal. I hurt still. My experimental pumpkin squares thingy was a big hit. It was something they had at Williams-Sonoma, so of course it was good. But for a minute there I thought I'd screwed it up because the crumbly crust business wasn't looking crumbly. Anyway, it was yummy.

On Friday I went to see Twilight! At long last! But... I had a hard time really getting into it and enjoying it and I think it kind of missed the mark somewhere (um--the cheeze factor?!?). Maybe it's just because it followed the book so closely that I knew everything already, but even so it just doesn't hold a candle to other cool supernatural teen flicks like Lost Boys or The Covenant. I did like Edward (was there any doubt?) and I actually like Bella better now (but I still don't get why Edward is so in love with her ???). My favorite character was her dad, he was hilarious. And most of my favorite scenes in the book were also my favorite scenes in the movie. I think it would've been better if it were told from Edward's perspective, and in that way not follow the book so closely and also really up all the emotions and the vampy coolness. I'm glad I went to see it and I think any Twilight fan should at least once. But don't expect it to change any of the haters' minds.

In other exciting news--I rode my two young horses for the first time on Saturday. They've been at the trainer's for the past two months. It was so exciting. They did so well. I can't wait to go trail riding on them here soon. Maybe this weekend if the weather's decent.

Sunday was my B-day and we went to The Cheesecake Factory--yum! But, um...still freaking stuffed from Thursday.

Contests!

You have 'till next Tuesday to enter to win a collector's edition of Twilight: http://brooketaylorbooks.blogspot.com/2008/11/twilight-contest-no-edward-h8ers.html

I have yet to make it to the movie--so please tell me if you have and what you thought!!

ALSO: Win UNDONE + other awesome books @ Terri Clark's blog: http://terriclark.livejournal.com/

And lastly--NCTE was a blast. I was only there for like a day and a half, but I met my editor who I love and some of the Walker/Bloomsbury staff who are sooo much fun, I signed books and even had a line at one point (3 people is a line, right?) and I got to have dinner with super famous authory types--like Justine Larbalestier who is pure awesome and we both share a debilitating allergy that once scarred us but now has given us the courage to live fuller, happier lives--so we bonded over the traumas & trials of that.

But what you should be excited about is the ARCs!! Yes, I grabbed up as many as I could and will be giving them away in contests for the next several weeks. So be watching for more info on that!

Twilight Contest--No Edward h8ers!!

ALERT: DIANA DANG please cover your eyes!!

It's TWILIGHT week!!! Woohooo!!! And to celebrate I'm giving away a Collector's Edition of Twilight "featuring a ribbon bookmark, cloth cover, ragged edges, new chapter opener designs, and a beautiful protective slipcase, this edition is perfect for fans and collectors alike." (From Amazon's product description)


I'm kind of a sucker for that cloth cover and ragged edges business, so naturally I had to get my own copy. But I also got a copy to give away. The only catch--you have to be on Team Edward--no Edward h8ers!!! So leave a comment telling me why you love you some Edward (deadline December 2, midnight CST) and you'll be entered into the random drawing!! SQUEE!!!



Edit: Spread the word on your LJ/Blog for an extra entry! Thanks!!

Boo-Yeah!

Breaking Dawn

The cover for Breaking Dawn was revealed (not sure when)--I don't like it as much as the other Twilight covers--but who cares because it has EDWARD CULLEN inside it!!! (I know, I can't help it).

Filming has begun...SQUEE!!!

Found this from Trainspotting's Teen Book Review site, she pieced together clips from the filming of Twilight and set them to Paralyzer by Finger Eleven --isn't she an awesome video maker? And just from these tiny clips, I can totally picture the scenes from the book. Very cool. Can't wait. Twilight is probably the only movie I've ever wanted to camp out in front of the theater to be the first to see--so anyone in my general neck of the woods who wants to do the same--let me know and we'll get a posse together (Just remember--I get to be Mrs. Edward Cullen)!

Speaking of books that have been made into movies--what is your take? I enjoy it. Right now I'm reading Fight Club. I saw the movie first, so it may not have quite the impact that it could have. But then again, it may not be nearly as confusing--and while I love the writing, I can see how it might be confusing. Plus I know what is what with you know who.

It's Friday....I'm in Love!

Not exactly breaking news... but for the Twilight movie---we have an Edward!!






I'll be ever so eager to see how they make him over as Edward--it was very hard for me to find Edward-esq photos of him, but these are pretty good. I can see it.

It's Friday... I'm in LOVE....

Wonders of Winter

Winter always seems to bring about great reasons to stay indoors--like great movies and books and stuff. I'm really looking forward to seeing JUNO which coincidentally starts Ellen Page, who would be an awesome Bella Swan (yes, I'm trying to get on with it and on board with Kristen--and I'm sure she will sway me--but Ellen is exactly like a pictured Bella.)

Ellen Page could also easily play Serena Moore in the movie version of UNDONE. btw...

Some winter books I'm planning to read this Christmas Break--the ominous looking Oblivion Road by Alex McAulay:

And for after Alex has me scared to death... I'll need a something more uplifting like Rachel Hawthorne's Snowed In:

Check out Alex on the MTV Book Author's Blog-it's on my links now. Also a fun new blog I found... Ann Dee Ellis --she has funny interviews with her blog readers--maybe we should try that here one day??? OK--now I must go hunt down so yummy boy toy pictures to share tomorrow... bbs.

Twilight Zone

First off-- they are currently casting for Twilight--YAY!!!--this means there will be a big screen version of my yummy yummy Edward very soon. Already cast is Bella--and I just don't know how to feel about Kristen Stewart as Bella.

My image of Bella was more fragile--probably because she needed my Edward so badly. And Kristen seems much stronger and capable and not so easily falling in can't-live-with-out-you-for-one-second love. I've only seen her in Speak and In the Land of Women, though--and both roles weren't very Bella-like. Plus..Speak was forever ago, isn't she getting a bit old to play high school (I only bring up this gripe because Stephenie Meyer's has made it a pointthus ruling out Gaspard as an Edward option)?

Now Kristen Stewart could possibly play Serena in UNDONE, should UNDONE ever hit the big screen...just saying I'm not dissing Stewart AT ALL. In fact, perhaps it is just the jealousy talking...