'Twilight': Stephenie Meyer puts 'Midnight Sun' on back burner 'indefinitely'

What a way to kick off the Labor Day weekend for "Twilight" fans.

In a note posted to her official website Thursday, author Stephenie Meyer tells her readers she has decided to discontinue "Midnight Sun," her planned retelling of "Twilight" from the teenage vampire Edward's perspective, after an unfinished draft was illegally posted and distributed on the Internet without her knowledge or permission.

If I tried to write "Midnight Sun" now, in my current frame of mind, James would probably win and all the Cullens would die, which wouldn't dovetail too well with the original story. In any case, I feel too sad about what has happened to continue working on "Midnight Sun," and so it is on hold indefinitely.

Meyer had originally made the only first chapter available on her site. Because the project is now virtually killed, she's made the incomplete draft available as well, but cautions that "the writing is messy and flawed and full of mistakes."

I rather my fans not read this version.... It was only an incomplete draft.... But to end the confusion, I've decided to make the draft available.... I hope this fragment gives you further insight into Edward's head and adds a new dimension to the Twilight story. That's what inspired me to write it in the first place.

This has been a roller-coaster year for Meyer, who just completed a successful concert book series but has also had to answer for some of the backlash directed at "Breaking Dawn," the fourth and final installment of the "Twilight" saga.

But fans shouldn't fret: There's only three months until "Twilight" hits movie theaters.

As for Meyer, she's about to step behind the camera to direct a new music video for Jack's Mannequin's "The Resolution." The band is a favorite of the author's and appears on her online playlists.

-- Denise Martin

Related:

Good news "Twilight" fans: Santa's coming early this year

"Twilight": What does the "Breaking Dawn" backlash bode for the movie?

"Twilight": A snap judgment on "Breaking Dawn"

Comments

[Pholla]

I am sad for her but angry at her at the same time. She stated that she KNEW who the person was who leaked the story. Why punish her ENTIRE fandom for one person's mistake? Okay, so maybe mistake wasn't the correct word for it since the person knew what s/he was doing but you get what I mean. I can't help but feel anger. I've been looking forward to Midnight Sun for a long time now. I wanted Midnight Sun way more than Breaking Dawn. I understand why she's angry and sad but I just don't see the justification in her action. If she thinks that because MS was leaked that we, the fans, won't buy her book, then she's wrong. I'd still buy the book. Actually, I would buy more than one copy since I have two copies of each of her books.

With that being said, I also understand why she's doing what she's doing. She was betrayed by someone whom she clearly trusted if she gave him/her a copy of the rough draft. I think maybe she needs to really figure out which people in her life she can or cannot trust. That is something that I think she needs to figure out. If it happened once, it can surely happen again. I can only wish that we can all move forward from this and hopefully she will be able to move on and maybe just maybe she will write Midnight Sun. One can hope, right?

[Twilight News]

I love Twilight and I hope she finishes the book soon!

[Amirah]

NOOOOOOOO! Can someone please call, email, stalk her and tell her she must write Midnight Sun. How can this happen? Why leave us this way, we can wait but why indefinately? Who the hell leaked it, they should be flogged! I think Im gonna cry, we just want to know what edward is thinking when he is in the Meadow with Bella and then when he stays at her house. I'm gonna cry!

[Dishearted_twilighter.]

Agree with Pholla, why punish all her ever so adoring fans. why not take this person to the cleaners, sue their pants off. This so called mistake would actually encourage ppl to go buy the book, you know what they say that there is not such thing as bad publicity. I understand how betrayed Sm must feel but why take her hurt and betrayal against the ppl that actually support her why not direct that anger towards the person that actually committed the offense. I must say that her reaction was very disheartening and shows the lack of professionalism in her.

[Tina]

While I am sad that Stephenie will probably never finish Midnight Sun, I cannot be angry with her for discontinuing writing it. I am an artist also, although not a writer, and understand how she feels about the leak. I've been through the same situation as her and it leaves a you feeling torn and vulnerable. Suddenly you lose trust in the people who are in your inner circle and your world is in turmoil. This kind of violation is heart wrenching and leaves you feeling angry, betrayed, untrusting, weak, and many other negative emotions all at the same time. It's exhausting and painful.

I hope Stephenie is able to share other stories with us in the future and that this incident doesn't extinguish the fire of ther wonderful talent.

[Martine]

I think that is a bunch of crap! I am a rabidly loyal fan and i think that this is a slap in the face to her fans. Movies, scripts, "affairs" ect... get leaked on line all the time but you dont see people throwing the arms in the air and refusing to finish somehting that was promised to the fans.

I think she should continue writing it and make her fans happy. I too hope that she can move on from this and write the most amazing book.
If not I think its sad what has happened but so what GET OVER IT!
Like I said I am a very dedicated fan of the twilight novels and I would hate to see her throw this away..
I know that she can write something absolutey amazing.
PLEASE dont let this ruin this for all you fans stephanie!!

[Pam]

I've been looking forward to Midnight Sun since Stephenie posted the first chapter on her web site almost four years ago. Reading that chapter has enhanced my enjoyment of all the rest of the series. The Darkside website that leaked the first twelve chapters has given themselves the perfect name as I can't believe the venom and ugliness they have been spewing. I hope the millions of fans that have enjoyed Breaking Dawn and the other books she has written will become as vocal in our support as this small group of malcontents. I do not fault Stephenie in her response to this situation. Hopefully, the Darkside will reap their just rewards in litigation for copyright infringement.

[patricia]

i understand her feeling that way, i´d do the same, but the fans shouldn´t be punished like this, with a threat you bad guys read the leaked copy and now you won´t get the book. it´s childish and she´s punishing us because of not liking Breaking Down.

[GomGom]

i'm so sad about that. i really wish she'll finish it someday. i wanted midnight sun same as breaking dawn. and after, i read the incomplete draft . it made me more excited! i love her, and want want want to get midnight sun soon!

[Sera]

Midnight sun is so much better than most of books from the Twilight Saga.
I'm sad she has put it on hold, however I understand why she's upset.

[Cat]

I feel she's hurt the good fans, more than fans like me who downloaded it. Her temper tantrum doesn't make me sorry, it makes me think less of her. Fall Out Boy had a whole album released early on the net, did they throw a hissy fit and refuse to finish and release the album? No. The pilot of the new Dr Who had an early version released on the net, did Russell T Davies get his panties in a twist and stop writing the show? No (even if i do wish he would stop writing sometimes)

This, on top of her please for people to report BD leaks, about which nothing was then done, forcing me to sign off the net for the best part of a weak... I'm not impressed with her. If she'd dome something about the BD leaks, i might not have downloaded this, but i already knew nothing would happen because i reported 3 sites with BD leaks. The posts weren't even removed, let alone action being taken against the sites. I didn't want to be the odd one out on the net,, fearing spoilers on my favourite sites and friends list for another year while she finished this.

So my respect for Stephenie has dwindled somewhat, even if i do still love the books.

[Aurielle]

Quite frankly, I am amazed and angered Stephenie would do this. Is she just saying she won't continue, so all of us "learn a lesson about copyright infringement", or is she seriously going to forget her characters and fans because of one person. Come on, Meyer! It happened to Harry Potter, just get over it and continue. Don't let this screw-up, screw up our vision of you as a writer and person. Honestly, quit the crap and get back to the book.

[chae]

While I do feel bad that this has happened to her, I can't help but be upset at her for putting a stop to the book. Why punish everyone for one persons stupidity. I was looking forward to reading this book and I wonder if she understands that none of her loyal fans cared if one mean person posted anything. Every site that I have seen that is loyal to her have expressed no interest in reading the leaked copy so there should be no reason to halt the process of this book.

If you wanted a break then by all means take one, just dont make your fans suffer because of something that you can learn from. IE: Always keep your prize locked away until it is complete. If you have to show someone a little of it for the movie to be what you want it to be then make that person sign something saying that if they give it away or leak it in anyway then they can be sued. Hello J.K. Rowling.

Stephanie please take a note and know that I do not wish to be mean but dont take something special away from fans because of something stupid like this. We will support you no matter what.

Sorry that was long

[Amy]

GIVE ME A BREAK. This just screams of childishness. Grow up Steph. You have MILLIONS of fans who are willing to lay out mega bucks on your work- INCLUDING Midnight Sun. If anything, the leak made them forgive you for Breaking Dawn. They're practically frothing at the mouth to get their hands on Edward's story and you are not going to finish it. This is ridiculous. You love Edward. You love your fans (supposedly.) Buck up and give them what they want.

[Lenni]

It's funny because when it first leaked everyone was really excited because so many of the fans who read it were really hyping it up and that it was really good. Well then chatter started that maybe it was a stunt to get the fans to stop talking about BD. Looks like we were wrong.

I completely understand that her rights were violated and I don't think she deserves it but the fans don't deserve to not have the book either. She promised us midnight sun and I don't take that lightly. It does feel like she is punishing the fans for one person's error. It seems like her response is an overreaction to an unfortunate event. I really am sorry that it happened but I think she owes it to the fans to finish what she started.

[Melissa]

Why are we all being punished?!?!? Stephenie be serious, you have fans that are not too happy right now, and it is not fair to all of us!

Please take a breathe and reconsider finishing it.

[TwilightFan]

SHUT UP THEIR WAS NO BACKLASH ON BREAKING DAWN ! LA TIMES YOU CAN BE STUPID SOMETIMES ! AND YES I'M SAD BUT I HAVE FAITH STEPHENIE WILL WRITE IT EVENTUALLY JUST GIVE HER TIME AND REST !

[Amy]

This whole story makes me just sooo inredibly sad. I always stood by Stephenie Meyer's side and even now I respect her decision and can truly understand her anger and frustration. Yet I think it's just so said that with her decision she's punishing all her fans not just the one person who leaked the book. In the end it's not our fault the chapters got leaked...and also many many fans - myself included - didn't ever even plan to read the leaked chapters, because they wanted to wait for the final version of the book. Now it seems all we'll get are these 12 unfinished chapters, which is more than nothing of course, but just not what we've all been waiting for for ages. I truly have been looking forward to Midnight Sun the most. And the pure thought of the book might never getting published leaves me devastated now.

Also if Stephenie Meyer really should decide to never continue writing Midnight Sun I just wouldn't exactly understand her reasons. Okay, I get the frustration and disappointment. And I'm really really sorry that something like this had to happen. However just because the first 12 chapters leaked doesn't mean that we - her true fans - won't buy a copy of the book. Also if it's her reputation Stephenie Meyer is concerned about she shouldn't be worrying in the first place anyway. We all love her and no unfinished draft is gonna change that. Besides, the fact that even that unfinished draft is getting praises from all the fans that have read the leaked chapters already should be reason enough to be motivated to finish writing the story. And after the uproar that went through the fandom after the release of Breaking Dawn (and don't get me wrong here, I absolutely loved Breaking Dawn, but unfortunately many others didn't :( ) a book like Midnight Sun was just what this fandom needed. Once these chapters leaked it felt like the whole fandom was happy and united again. And now this is being destroyed because of Stephenie Meyer's decision...it just is sooo sad!

So please Stephenie Meyer, if you happen to read this, reconsider your decision. I for one will always love you for writing these books, so please don't make all your loyal fans unhappy with this decision. And if you want to take a time out that's okay with all of us. It's not like we're expecting you to write all your books just within a couple of months. So take as long as you need...but at least please tell us that at some point - even if it's in a couple of years - we'll get Midnight Sun. It's just not fair to punish us for something that we didn't even have any influence on in the first place.

[Lorac]

Stephenie isn't punishing her fans. She is simply upset currently, and as any writer knows, its difficult to write things when you have very strong emotions preventing your creativity from flowing. I sincerely hope that whoever leaked the story feels miserable about what they have done to all of her fans. If your going to be angry over her decision to put this on the back burner, be angry with whoever betrayed her, and leaked the story. I hope that in time Stephenie will feel better about continuing the book, so that I can see it published and on my book shelf next to the rest of her saga.

[Tiina]

God, she's behaving like a petulant child.

[JackieOrioncat]

I'm terribly disappointed, but at the same time I feel like Stephanie Meyer has promised too much in so little time, that she really needs a rest. I'm okay if she eventually gets to Midnight Sun, although it hurts...alot. I think this should be seen as having a reason behind it. This woman has been non-stop working since the success of Twilight a few years ago. No matter what you think of the stories themselves you have to admit that she is very kind to her fans. I don't know what I would do in Stephanie Meyer's shoes, but she needs a serious break. I'm sure she is more than raw with sensativity at this point because of her hectic schedule, her dealing with backlash from Breaking Dawn, and now this. I'm sure she will calm down and come back to Midnight Sun. We all need to be respectfully patient and let her work some things out. We have so much material for this fandom, its nuts....She needs to take care of herself and family first, then worry about Midnight Sun whenever she is ready. We can wait...its only a book when it comes down to it.

[puh shaw]

What a frakkin' drama queen!!

I think someone got bit by the hollywood bug and wants to direct more than she wants to write. *whatever, but just say that* Imagine if all TV shows and movies shut down when their stuff got leaked.

Honestly it is best it did get leaked since Breaking Dawn was such a let down. The leaked chapters have restored my faith in the series and only make me want more. Heck, after reading the leaked chapters I bet more people are willing to come back to her series than ever... but if you don't want to write anymore what better way than to leak a copy and blame an unknown person.

Or should we be praying for RPattz safety right now? HA HA... Mormons can't be violent right?

[Stephanie]

IF WE ALL FIND A WAY TO CONTACT HER AND ALL TRY TO GET HER TO WRITE MIDNIGHT SUN, WE CAN DO IT! DO ANYTHING U CAN TO GET HER TO WRITE THAT BOOK! PLEASE STEPHENIE!

[Stephanie]

I HATE THE PERSON THAT ILLEGALY PUT OUT THOSE CHAPTERS. I CRIED WHEN I FOUND OUT. I WAS SO EXCITED. I LOVED BREAKING DAWN AND IT COULDNT HAVE HAD A BETTER ENDING. SOMEONE PLEAZ FIND A WAY TO CONTACT HER AND WE CAN ALL BE HAPPY AGAIN.

[RemeberIt]

I've never seen a more immature move by a supposedly professional adult in my life. She makes the mistake of giving a rough draft of a highly anticipated novel out, it leaks, and the fans are punished? I've never been a Harry Potter fan but when it leaked the author just politely asked that people not spoil it for others if they knew details. That was classy. This is ridiculous. The plot is already known, the original book already published, and if anything the leak helped create some positive buzz after almost all fans over the age of 13 were horrified by Breaking Dawn. If anything, this saved her some fans. Well, it did until she posted an emotional rant like this threatening to never finish because she couldn't keep a lid on it. Its like when an album leaks early, yes I'm sure the artist is upset but lots of fans still buy it if they like what they hear. This has happened with other artistic avenues for ages.. and well known upcoming books. Its fine to be upset but her true colors are showing through and it really isn't pretty.

Who wants to bet the real reason she is upset still has to do with the rabid fan backlash of Breaking Dawn? It certainly couldn't all be about a few chapters a couple thousand people, at best, saw. I know lots of fans of the series who don't participate in online communities and therefore had no idea that this even leaked. I just seems like it coincides pretty well with her reaction to fans who didn't like Breaking Dawn and who dared point out its gaping plot holes. Very self-righteous and angry. Anyway, Midnight Sun was the last product I intended to buy from her so if she isn't writing it she can kiss my money goodbye. I'd never read another series from her and I'd rather vomit then read the love story of pedophile Jake and superfastgrowing Nessie that she set up in the last novel.