Saturday, May 15, 2010

My Author Fan Letter


I was tagged by Lea from Closetwriter to participate in the Author Letter Fan Letter Blog Crawl. Don't forget to check out her letter if you haven't already.

When I heard about Kassa and Kris' idea of writing fan letters, I thought "This is a great idea!" and wholeheartedly jumped in with both feet. Then I saw the final list and thought - OMG, what have I gotten myself into? Many of the other participants are mainly M/M readers, and while I do enjoy a bit of M/M lovin' smokin' up my kindle, I can count the number of M/M books I've read on my fingers with enough left over to tie someone up (did I say that out loud? *g*), although I do plan on glomming some of these "new to me" authors I'm discovering on the blog crawl. Needless to say I obsessed over who I wanted to write my letter to, and I kept coming back to the same author, but I didn't want to do a mainstream author, I wanted to be edgy and cool. Well, I'm not edgy and cool, I'm just someone who loves to read romance. So...my author choice? Stephenie Meyers.

Wait - don't click away!!! I know Ms. Meyers is either adored or despised in the literary world; there don't seem to be many readers who are ambivalent about her Twilight Saga. So, whether you love her or hate her - just....keep reading:


Dear Ms. Meyers:

I am writing to thank you for giving me my sanity back. Okay, overly dramatic much? Maybe *this much*. But really - it's true. After the birth of my third child, I kind of lost myself. I was so busy trying to be a wife, a mother, work full time, and run a household that I was completely burned out.

Then I started hearing buzz about a new book release called "Breaking Dawn". I thought to myself "Vampires? I like vampires" - I live in New Orleans for chrissakes, I'm pretty sure it's in the city charter! So, I picked up the first book in the series ('cause that's how I roll) and gave it a shot. I was instantly transported to Forks, WA and loved every minute of it. As soon as I finished Twilight, I was at the bookstore buying New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn so I wouldn't have to wait as I finished each book. It was so easy to imagine myself as Bella, in a new place and feeling like the odd (wo)man out, and then the flush of new love when she found Edward. Her friendship with Jacob, and the affections she had for each hero (because Edward and Jacob are both heroes in this saga) were so achingly addictive to me - I couldn't get enough.

Once I read through the Twilight Saga, I needed more; if I hadn't read Twilight, I would never have discovered other favorite authors like JR Ward, Jeaniene Frost, Ilona Andrews, Richelle Mead, Charlaine Harris, and Kelley Armstrong to name only a few. And through my enjoyment of Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy, I branched out into historical, contemporary, and even a bit of Gay Romance reading as well. It was through my quest to find more, more, more that I started book blogging and "discovered" this wonderful community of readers all over the world united by their love of reading.

I learned through my Twilight obsession that no one is going to put me in jail if the beds aren't made every day and the country's economic status does not depend on how many times a day I sweep the kitchen floor or dust the living room. And sometimes, just sometimes, it's okay to have a fruit and cheese tray for dinner insted of a big meal that requires a lot of prep/cook time and cleanup. I've been able to finally relax and understand that "me time" is not selfish but a necessity for a happy and complete life.

Thank you, Ms. Meyers, for this wonderful gift.

Keep Sparkling,

Patti (Book Addict)



Don't forget to visit Val at Obsidian Bookshelf tomorrow to read her letter!

20 comments:

  1. That's a great letter, Patti! As I read the various letters, it seems like the common theme is that favorite authors are those who opened our eyes to not only their own books, but to a larger world that we found because of their books.

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  2. What an awesome letter Patti! I'm sure Ms. Meyer would be delighted to know she has had such an impact on your personal and reading life.

    Beautifully written. Thank you so much for sharing and for the mention, so thoughtful of you!

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  3. So nice! I know based on fact that many people who read Meyer's Twilight series have branched off to read other books.

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  4. Awesome letter Patti!
    I am glad that Meyer did all these things for you. Made you find books again, that is quite an accomplishment

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  5. Ah Patti..

    What a great letter.

    I came to the Meyer's bandwagon rather late - but I remember cooking and listening to it, scapbooking and listening to it, a few night it put me to bed...

    Everything you said hits a cord with me.. Sometimes we need to fold away our supermom cap and if Meyers made you see that - More power to her...

    E.H>

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  6. Wonderful letter! Twilight renewed my love of reading. I owe a huge thanks to her. :)

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  7. Great letter! (And thanks for the link/tag.) I'll admit that I've only read the first book Twilight and was kind of neutral on it, but I like how this series connected you with so many other paranormals and urban fantasy series out there, as well as gave you a new perspective on reading, free time, and blogging!

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  8. "I thought to myself "Vampires? I like vampires" - I live in New Orleans for chrissakes, I'm pretty sure it's in the city charter!"

    *snort* Very, very funny, Patti.

    Great letter. I love how through reading you've rediscovered yourself. That's awesome.

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  9. Great letter, Patti.

    I've never read any of the Twilight books myself but I know she is a favorite of many people. The fact that she opened up a whole new world for you is a wonderful thing.

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  10. *stands up* I KC am a closet Stephanie Myers fan girl *sits down*

    OMG I'm dying w/ lols -->
    "And sometimes, just sometimes, it's okay to have a fruit and cheese tray for dinner insted of a big meal that requires a lot of prep/cook time and cleanup."


    This is awesome Patti I love that you chose Myers.

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  11. What a lovely letter! I hope Stehpenie stumbles across it one day and realizes just how much her books have affected us (readers).

    I've been a reader my entire life, but I have to admit that my interest in books dwindled for a few years after my daughter's birth. I picked Twilight up one day, and it rekindled my love of reading. Glad to know I'm not alone in that. =)

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  12. Hey great letter Patti! I've only read the first book but I remember the first time I read the back cover blurb & how it stuck with me. It really resonated, and it makes sense that the series became so incredibly popular. Now I feel the need to read the other books, like now!

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  13. Chris: Thanks, and yes, I think that's def a theme in these letters.

    Lea: Thanks so much, and everyone should def go back a day and read your wonderful letter!

    Katiebabs/KB: Thank you!

    Michelle G: Thanks!

    Blodeuedd: I didn't realize how much I'd missed books until they wre back in my life :)

    EH: Thank you! I'm glad you can relate - and agree, sometimes we need to put that cap away!

    Fiction Vixen: Thanks - I'm glad I found Twilight :)

    Val: Thanks! It was one of those things that I feel led to so much more!

    Kris: Thanks, glad you liked it :)

    Lily: Thanks - I think it's a pretty wonderful thing too.

    Smokinhotbooks: Actually, F&C tray night is a happy night at my house b/c I am a terrible cook!

    MamaKitty: Thank you. I certainly hope Ms. Meyers realizes how much her work has affected people. And yes, my reading waned after the birth of each child, but after #3 it was pretty much dead.

    Stacy: Thank you! If you do read them, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

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  14. A day late, sorry!!

    I love that you chose this author. I know a lot of people hate her but frankly I devoured those books. I think teenagers are pseudo-stalkers when they fall in love anyway so I never thought it was odd (lol). And frankly it was my mom that turned me onto the series. She said "you like vampries, this one is really good."

    Great, great letter!

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  15. Hey Patti, I did my ODE to Stephanie one day at The Book Resorts place. Stephanie brought me back to my reading roots and connected me to the world I am right now. Had it not been for her... I am not sure I would even be here today!! She rocked my world!! I loved your letter! It was truly awesome! Hugs to you honey!! And see you soon!

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  16. Awesome letter...she started so many on the path to PNR..it is crazy!

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  17. Great personal letter, Patti! You keep sparkling too :)

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  18. Kassa: Thanks! I love that your mom turned you on to Twilight :)

    Cecile: I totally feel ya - I'm so glad you liked the letter.

    Mandi: She did, I'm sure she knows it but still, I wanted to say thanks.

    Janna: Thanks ;)

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  19. How the heck did I miss your day? I was checking the list and I'm like "Wait, I didn't read that one." So here I am late.

    What a great letter and any author, whether they are your cup of tea or not who can change someone's life in a positive way is a great author. So I thank SM as well for letting us meet. :-)

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