Q: Bree only appears in a couple pages of Eclipse. What was it about the character that made you want to explore her story further?
A: In the beginning, I wasn’t fascinated specifically by Bree — it was the newborns in general. While I was writing Eclipse, there was a lot going on behind the scenes, of course, things Bella didn’t know about. Because I was focused on Bella, I couldn’t delve too deeply into the newborns’ story, however, there was always in my mind a general idea of what they were up to. I had to think about that while I was pacing the plot: Bella is at this point, the newborns are doing this. To keep it all straight, eventually I made a calendar of the months of May and June — which is all Eclipse deals with — and wrote down on each square what was going on with Bella that day and what was happening in Seattle. So the story of the newborns was always a big part of the story of Eclipse. And it made me kind of sad that there was no way to express any of that in the book.
Bree is the only newborn mentioned by name in Eclipse, the only newborn who has contact with the Cullens (aside from being killed by them), and the only newborn who encounters the Volturi in the clearing. She lives the longest, so she is the narrator who can tell the full story. She was a natural choice to chronicle the story of the newborns. Once I started writing from her perspective, she really came alive. So much so that, as the inevitable end got closer, it was really depressing going ahead. It was harder for me to kill Bree than any other fiction character I’ve ever killed, even though I was killing her for the second time. (Before Bree, the saddest was Walter in The Host.)
See the rest in USA Today.
Thank you to share this with us! It’s interesting to know why she choose Bree!
I agree. I love how Stephenie’s characters come to life for her. I think it makes her books that much better.
I’m so excited for this. Stephenie’s mind is incredible. I think reading Bree Tanner will make Eclipse that much more exciting to watch. I’m glad it’s coming out before the movie. Although, I still don’t think I’m brave enough for Eclipse in IMAX. Anyone else?
Ummm thanks for the spoiler about The Host. I haven’t read it yet. Maybe put those things after a jump or something?
oh, the Host.. such a wonderful novel
@mschicklet: don’t worry, is not like Walter is Jared or Ian or some other main character, so she won’t ruin your reading with that little spoiler.. it was just a really-really sad moment in the book (more complex that just dying).. it made me cry and you will only understand why after you read the book too
you should definitely read The Host
HELLO STEPHENIE!!! SPOILER ALERT about “The Host”…
Fine but what about what was happening with the Cullens at the same time??? Not Bella and Edward but with the rest of the family. All through the saga some of us wonder what was going on with the rest of the Cullens..for example…while in New Moon and Breaking Dawn…Why call Rosalie?? hummm
I was thinking the same thing about the spoiler as I haven’t read it yet either, but I guess I should have read The Host by now. I will still read it
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@ Olga here is an extra from SM website regarding NM and Rosalie
http://stepheniemeyer.com/nm_extras.html
and as far as Breaking Dawn and Rosalie….really? First of all Edward explains it to Jacob and secondly, Rosalie wanted a baby (explained in Eclipse) and so of course Rosalie would be the only person who would understand and would help protect the baby.
Hard to imagine that Bree’s death will feel worse than Walter’s!