Devoted ‘Twihards’ get their fix online

The Internet is truly an information highway that covers the globe. Al Gore claimed he invented it. Former Sen. Ted Stevens described it as “a series of tubes.” Jon Stewart once said of it, “The Internet is just a world passing around notes in a classroom.”

However you feel about the Internet, it’s clear that fans of “Twilight” have taken it over.

Stephenie Meyer created a series of books about young romance and blood-sucking that have achieved “Harry Potter”-like success. Four books have been released so far, and a partial draft of a fifth was pilfered and placed on the Internet, much to the author’s dismay. One film, “Twilight,” was released last year, and a second, “New Moon,” opens on Friday.

While the books form the core of the “Twilight” phenomenon, and the films are spreading the stories and characters throughout Cineplex Nation, the online community is buzzing like an electric generator at peak capacity. Fans who can’t get enough of Edward and Bella and their cohorts, and can’t possibly wait another minute for the next book (if there is one) or movie, have congregated online to get their “Twilight” fixes and connect with like-minded devotees.

The passion between “Twihards,” as they have come to be known, and Meyer’s creations and offshoots thereof, might just exceed that of the main characters. Such a pronouncement might be considered blaspheme to those who consider the pure and unwavering love between Edward the vampire and Bella the innocent to be supreme, but just try prying a Twihard away from the computer screen and a rousing tweet or a lusty blog. You might come away badly wounded.

There are several ways in which Twihards express their preoccupation for the undying love of their favorite sweethearts, and also for actors Robert Pattinson (Edward Cullen), Kristen Stewart (Bella Swan) and others in the cast.

Twitter makes difference
There are many “Twilight” fan sites on the Web that serve as a hub for information. Such net locales offer one-stop obsessing for the ardent pursuer of all things “Twilight.”

One of the more popular ones is twilightlexicon.com. Operated by Lori Joffs and Laura Byrne-Cristiano, it is loaded with information about “Twilight” and its universe, including pages on the books, the movies, the author, vampire and werewolf mythology, and lots more. Meyer herself dubbed it “the brightest star in the Twilight online universe.”

Byrne-Cristiano estimates that the site gets more than 50,000 to 70,000 unique viewers a day.

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But its Twitter activity might be what sets twilightlexicon.com apart. Joffs and Byrne-Cristiano estimate that it has more than 21,000 followers on Twitter. “Twitter in the last six months has just taken off,” Byrne-Cristiano said. “The single biggest difference between ‘Twilight’ and ‘New Moon’ media is the presence of Twitter.”

She said the Twitter following certainly helps fans keep track of all “Twilight” goings-on. But it does have its down side. “Whenever the actors are eating dinner and it’s suddenly broadcast to everyone in real time,” Byrne-Cristiano said, “and they end up with people staring at them. But the good side is how much stars have embraced it and used it to directly connect to their fans.”

She pointed out that actor Peter Facinelli, who plays Dr. Carlisle Cullen, the father of Edward, has really maximized Twitter to connect with fans. “He has really taken it to a whole new level,” she said. “He gained 500,000 followers in under a month. Now fans come out to meet and greet him at events that they wouldn’t have known (about) otherwise.

“Essentially — and there are probably some entertainment reporters who are upset about this — they’ve cut out the middleman. Who they are and what they represent is immediately evident to their fans.”

Many of those involved in “Twilight,” including cast members and fan fiction authors, have also used their positions online to raise money for charities, such as Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which helps fight childhood cancer.

Stephenie Meyer wannabes
Four books. Four measly books. Does anyone in their right mind think that four Stephenie Meyer books in the “Twilight” series is enough to satisfy the ravenous appetites of Twihards?

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That’s where fan fiction comes in. Believe it or not, there are Stephenie Meyer wannabes out there who have taken her characters and expanded on them, and some of them are quite good.

One of them is Samantha Marrs, who writes under the pen name AngstGoddess003. She penned a “Twilight” story called “Wide Awake” that some fans feel is better than anything Meyer has churned out. And the most remarkable part is that it represents her first attempt at writing.

“It’s kind of like training wheels,” she explained, “to be given the opportunity to explore writing styles and techniques using a template in which the relationships and logistics have already been decided and proven enjoyable to the fandom.”

Marrs explained that there are niches among fan fiction: “Canon” is that which is true to the original “Twilight” books; “Alternate Universe” is more creative and loosely based on Meyer’s writings; and “All Human,” the most controversial, which usually consists of original fiction with “Twilight” names attached bearing little resemblance to the original works.

And whereas “Twilight” seemingly is geared toward a young audience, given the ages of the lovers at the center of the tales, the truth is that the online phenomenon has helped spread the word across generations.

“I think the most notable aspect is the variety of ages we see,” Marrs said. “With every generation, you see differing trends in what they enjoy and create with the characters. Niches notwithstanding, this also provides an opportunity for people to find something in common with one another.”

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