Vampires are popular again, and it’s got me thinking about the mechanics of the characters involved in these vampire stories, as well as the story structure for the book Twilight.

As the movie Twilight approaches, I’m noticing some of the females in my life getting caught up in the books and can’t wait for the movie. 

My wife started reading Twilight because a friend from work wouldn’t stop talking about it. This was a couple of weeks ago, and my wife already finished the book and is all set for the movie. Another friend has been obsessed for months over these books. She just started talking about them one day.

I’ve become fascinated by the rising popularity of the Twilight series. I’m more interested in the mechanics of the books and the characters. As I understand, Bella is a character that many girls (and women) can relate to because she’s just your average girl who suddenly gets caught up in this dangerous adventure.

I think it’s easy to put yourself into a character such as Bella. Wouldn’t we all like to be involuntarily swept up in some sort of crazy adventure by a mysterious person of the opposite sex, and of course, fall in love with them? Add to that, you being a major part of the big picture.

This seems to be a successful formula for a story. Neo is a loner computer hacker who is confronted by the mysterious Trinity. And of course, Neo is The One. Another story that comes to mind is Wanted. Wesley has an undesirable life, and one day a mysteriously beautiful woman sweeps him away from his unhappy life into a world of danger.

These stories go to show that this re-used formula works. If you stick to that basic formula, I wonder if it’s other details that make the story unique? Vampires, assassins, revolutions in a futuristic setting, I’m starting to see how these sorts of details are what make the story interesting.