Now that we have figured out how to do a podcast, we need some help with the content.  Since both Pel and I get oodles of PMs and e-mails asking us everything from “What does you name mean?” to “What’s Steph REALLY like?” we thought we’d open up the floor to all of you to ask us those questions you’ve been dying to ask.  If you’ve ever wondered about something lexicon related or about our craziness in general, now is your chance to ask away.  We will take questions of all shapes and sizes into consideration and answer the ones we feel are the most appropriate and informative.  You have a week to submit your question.  Please remember that this is something that will be read out loud for everyone to hear, and I plan on including the user names of the person who submitting the questions as well! 

You can submit your questions on the message board.

Alphie

 

By random chance, I visited Stephenie’s website today and learned that the Library of Congress National Book Festival has posted a webcast of our wonderful author for all to see.  You can find the information for the webcast at the official site of the book festival.  For all of you that have complained that you haven’t "seen" Stephenie because she hasn’t come to your home state, now is your chance! 

I’ve had the chance to watch the video and here are some of the highlights:

When asked about the Twilight movie, Steph explained that she will know for certain in April what Mavrick plans to do with it.  So we will have to check back in a few months for an update.

Edward’s favorite color is blue…when Bella is wearing it.

She started Midnight Sun becasue so many of us fan fic writers were getting Edward all wrong in our fics!  Hopefully she will publish the book after book four comes out.

There will definately be four books in the series.  She could write five or six, but it all depends if she feels the story and characters are still exciting and fresh.

She said she is the "world’s wussiest vampire author" and that she hates horror.  She said that she had very little knowledge of vampires or werewolves and for that reason she made up her own ideas about their abilities based on what seemed logical and scientific.  That’s why Edward doesn’t have fangs!

She wouldn’t rewrite New Moon from Edward’s PoV becasue it would be too painful.  She might do chapter three just to be fair to him.

New Moon is not a title about werewolves.  It means it the darkest time in Bella’s life.  There is no light.

The cover of New Moon means…that she didn’t get to pick the cover!  LOL!  She said it’s pretty, but that she is disconnected from it.

When asked about her favorite character, she restated that Bella is like a daughter and that she is in love with Edward.  She went on to say that she doesn’t love Rosalie or Jasper.  She respects them, but they aren’t really good friends.

The reason why she included the Volturi was that she wanted to show traditional vampires and how different they are from the Cullens.

There are lots of more things to learn from watching the webcast, but these were the ones I found the most interesting.  I sometimes think that the fans here at the lexicon are the smartest and more knowledgable fans around, but there are some things to learn from watching the video.  I hope you all enjoy it!

Alphie

Alphie and Pel are very pleased to announce the creation of the Lexicon Podcast section aptly named The Forks-Casts!!  The first Forks-Cast runs about 40 mins and includes some information on how Alphie hooked Pel on the Twilight books.  We hope that you all enjoy these for the entertainment value of listening to us giggle and squee and generally act as the two crazy ladies we are.  You can find the Forks-Cast here:

http://www.ravenclaw.us/lexicon_podcasts.htm

For more information on how to download the material to your computer or your I-Pod, visit the Forks-Cast section of the Lexicon.

Alphie

We have a few things to add today.  First off, proving that she hasn’t fallen off the Earth, Imogen has sent in the information on Forks High School.  You’ll also notice that a new section has been added to the Lexicon about Werewolf Mythology.  Imogen will be updating that section once a week or so until she’s satisfied.  Check back for updates.

Also, one of our users here at the Lexicon has provided us with a general FAQ about the publishing world.  Her name is LakeGirl and she works in the publishing industry, so her information is very valuable.  We want to thank her for adding this very helpful section to the Lexicon.

Lastly, I want to make it clear that i do know there is a problem with the message boards and I am working on it.  It’s an issue with the host server, which I don’t have much control over.  But I assure you that I am trying to get it back up so you can all have your daily dose of fun.  In the mean time, you are always welcome in the chat room.

Alphie

Forks High School

For starters, let it be said that Stephenie had never seen the school in Forks when she wrote Twilight.  The school that exists in the book is nothing like the school in real life.

The High School in Forks is very small and consists of only  “three hundred and fifty-seven—now fifty-eight—students” (TW1). As such, everyone knows everyone else there, and what is happening with the school community, even down to the point that Charlie knows which night the school dance is on.

The school is located “just off the highway” (TW1), so it’s relatively easy to find, even though it doesn’t look like a school and there is a sign to label it. Bella describes it as  looking “like a collection of matching houses, built with maroon-colored bricks” but, from the road, the buildings are camouflaged by “so many trees and shrubs” that it’s impossible to tell how big the school is. Bella notes how different it is to the school she came from in Phoenix, not only by the number of the pupils but also by the lack of it feeling like an “institution”. She wonders: “Where were the chain-link fences, the metal detectors?”

The first building in the school grounds is has a “small sign over the door reading “Front Office.” (TW1). It is adjacent to the parking lot, and can be reached via a “little stone path lined with dark hedges.” (TW1) The small office itself is fairly typical: “a little waiting area with padded folding chairs, orange-flecked commercial carpet, notices and awards cluttering the walls, a big clock ticking loudly.  Plants grew everywhere in large plastic pots, as if there wasn’t enough greenery outside.  The room was cut in half by a long counter, cluttered with wire baskets full of papers and brightly colored flyers taped to its front.  There were three desks behind the counter.” (TW1).

You have to go through the office to get to the nurse’s door, as we see when Edward takes Bella there after she almost faints during the blood testing. (TW5)

The school is atypical of northern US school buildings, but follows the patterns and conventions of those built in the south. To move from classroom to classroom students need to move around outside. This is clear from the very beginning when: “We got our jackets and headed out into the rain” (TW1) and although the precipitation changes later, the outdoors movement around school does not: “When we walked out of class, the air was full of swirling bits of white,” and also “I walked alertly to the cafeteria with Jessica after Spanish.  Mush balls were flying everywhere.” (TW2) In addition, the classrooms are small. “The people in front of me stopped just inside the door to hang up their coats on a long row of hooks,” (TW1) due to them having just entered the building from outside.

Buildings are identified on their exteriors by the numbers “painted on a white square on the east corner.” (TW1) English is in 3, Government in 6, Science in 4. There are limited descriptions of the classrooms, although we do find out that biology has fairly standard “black topped lab tables” (TW1) just like the ones Bella was used to in Phoenix.

The cafeteria plays a central role in the books and it seems to be fairly central in the school campus as well. It is a “long room” (TW1), with “seldom-used picnic benches on the south side” (TW7) from where the “red-barked trees” in the school grounds are clearly evident. It is possibly these trees that Edward carries Bella to sit beneath during the epilogue. The roof of the cafeteria has an “overhang” that provides “shelter” (TW10) from the wet Forks weather!

The gym is the other building mentioned in the story, and is obviously fairly sizeable for the amount of students at the school, as Bella “watched four volleyball games running simultaneously” (TW1) and is also “the only room in town big enough for a dance.” (TW Epilogue). The gym is close to the parking lot, as it is somewhere Bella contemplates hiding, to watch until the “parking lot cleared” (TW2), and she can walk “swiftly out to the parking lot” from the gym.

Today I went to the signing in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Here’s a bit of an account as to what happened.

11:45 Arrive and find that they have 25 seats set up all of which are taken. Fortunately five minutes later they came up with five more chairs and I was able to scarf one up. I was then able to take this picture of the signing table.

12:15  A Twilight and New Moon quiz was handed out by the staff. Top people got a prize. I bobbled the questions on who was the first person to talk to Bella in Forks and what kind of car Edward wants to buy for her or I could have won a prize.

12:20  Store manager starting to look alarmed, about 100 people in the store now and they are still coming in. She assures us that Stephenie is on her way and has just flown into a New York airport today. They also create this red taped line for people to stand on when the signing time comes. Mentally I think "I hope she has a lot of tape, because a 20 yard standard roll is not going to do it."

12:30  Stephenie arrives and the whole place goes dead quiet. She is whisked away into the back and (from what I think I overheard) fed lunch.

12:45  Begin eavesdropping in the crowd and hear a variety of things:

             "You think she’ll like my pictures?" (Girl next to be drew a really cool Alice and even cooler Victoria picture)

             "These guys came all the way from New Hampshire." (Made mental not e to catch them for a picture later)

             "It’s not really a vampire book, it’s not really a romance book, it’s…just read it…"( girl next to be trying to explain the book to her friend who had only just started the first chapter)

             "OMG! I just read Twilight two days ago and now I’m on chapter 6 of New Moon." (girl in front of me to six of her friends who are each more excited than the next)

             "Ok, how creepy is it that there are old guys waiting on line?" (Old mean approximately 30 and I seriously consider what they must think of me)

             "So have you guys ever checked out her website?" (Lean forward to hear more)

             "Oh yeah, there is a site with forums too, I love that site." (Rely on 30 years of theatrical experience to hold character and not go huzzah! and pump my arms in the air)

1:00   Stephenie comes out and is introduced by the store manager to thunderous applause. I soon realize that I am going to have to Photoshop most of the pictures because this Boarders is pretty dimly lit and the really high shelves block a lot of the light. Note to Boarders, personal opinion, this is not a visually welcoming store. The shelves, layout, and lighting make the place look cluttered and intimidating. Plus 30 seats for over 200 at a signing and lots of high shelves so people can’t see well when they have to stand, not a great layout. The best thing about the store were the staff who were really professional and enthusiastic, someone needs to give these guys a nicer work environment. Anyway, back to the report…

1:00-1:20  Stephenie does a question and answer with the crowd. No really new information was divulged, but she expanded on some points previously mentioned around the boards at the Lexicon and MySpace.

~ She did confirm that there would be a book four and that after book four was done she’d go back and publish Midnight Sun.

~She said she has worked on Midnight Sun a bit lately and is just about up to the section where Edward takes Bella to the meadow. As soon as she said that the entire room sighed. It’s a wonder no one was knocked over from all the oxygen being expelled.

~She also mentioned that all the vampires are totally unique characters not based on anyone in real life. However, Jessica and Lauren are both based on real people. 

~She gave people advice on becoming a writer stating that you should "first write for the joy of writing and not worry about being published."

~She said that characters often did what they wanted and not what you thought they wanted.

~ The one item she regretted cutting the most from Twilight was the shopping with Alice sequence.

~She has found fanfiction to range from the good, to the strange, to the truly scary.

~She recommended The Writers Market as a helpful website for those looking to break into publishing.

1:20   Stephenie concludes the Q & A and begins sigining books. At this point since I am in the seating area, we are the first to get books signed, Stephenie finally sees me. I work my way over and am introduced by her to Elizabeth, her publicist. I take a picture with Stephenie and me where I am thrilled that I look half way human (Elizabeth is hiding behind the book case in this picture). We make plans to talk after she is done with everyone.  She said she would have mentioned me in her talk if she realized I was there. I told her I was happy to be incognito. As I walk away from the table, I am suddenly aware of people looking at me with a mixture of awe, jealousy, and curiosity. Hadn’t occurred to me that I would become part of the story. So much for incognito.

1:30  I track down the girls who came all the way from New Hampshire to have their books signed. They also looked like they brought books from all their friends too. I introduced myself saying, "Hi. I help run one of Stephenie’s fan sites. I heard you came all the way from New Hampshire, is it ok if I take your picture and put it up on our website?" Well the Moms who were with them were thrilled, the girls were more thrilled. And then one of the girls says, "Wait, which site?" I managed to respond, "The Twilight L-". I never finished the word "Lexicon". All of a sudden her eyes were like saucers (I have to say I’ve heard that expression before, today was the first time I ever actually witnessed that type of expression) and this girl says, "OH MY GOD! ARE YOU ALPHIE?" I smiled and said "no, I’m the other admin, Pelirroja"  I explained what my online name meant and pointed to the red hair. One of the moms then asks if I will take a picture with the girls, I was surprised but I said sure.  They all kept saying how nice Stephenie was to all her fans and wanted to know if she was always like than and I said yes.

1:40  I go back in the store and take a series of pictures so I can show just how many people are on the signing line. Remember, a good 20 minutes has passed and the line is still this long. It’s a little hard to see heads over the five foot tall and in some cases seven foot tall bookcases and narrow aisles, but you get the idea.

1:45-2:15 I stand off to the side and decide to call Alphie on my cell and share the experience with her. We discuss a variety of Lexicon business and she says to me, "You know, in November last year when you were here in Nashville if anyone had told you almost a year later you’d be at this book signing and planning a major signing event in Nashville…" All I can say folks is my definition of surreal keeps getting replaced.  Believe me, a year ago, I would have laughed in the face of anyone who suggested that this is what would have been doing today.

2:15  As I continue to talk to Alphie I watch Elizabeth and Stephenie attempt to maneuver the heart shaped balloons surrounding the display. They try to put their faces in the middle of them for a picture that some delighted fan was going to take. Well, all I can say is, the balloons won. Bella plays badminton better than Stephenie and Elizabeth juggle balloons. In fact Bella looks downright coordinated next to Stephenie and Elizabeth or are seriously being clobbered by a bunch of balloons. My only regret is that since I was still on the phone with Alphie my camera was not at the ready.

2:20  I finally get to talk to Stephenie for a few minutes and we make plans for the next day. I go shopping in the mall and Stephenie’s ride whisks her off for some much needed rest at her hotel.

~Pelirroja~

I went in an added the links and a few minor changes to the bios for Rosalie and Jasper.  I also added what little information we have about Felix, Demetri, Heidi, and Gianna.

Alphie

Full Name: Heidi

Status:  Vampire

Date of Birth: Before 1550

Date of Transformation: Before 1550

Originally from:  Germany

Hair color: “Long mahogany hair [that is] lustrous” (NM21)

Eye color:  “Strangest shade of violet” from blue tinted contacts over vampire burgundy eyes (NM21)

Height: Statuesque (NM21) 5’10” (OIL)

Physical description: “Gorgeous, statuesque” and “exceptional, unforgettable” beauty (NM21)

Special Abilities: Overwhelmingly physically attractive and nearly impossible to resist especially if she is trying to attract you. (OIL)

Occupation:

Family members: Member of the Volturi Guard.  Once belonged to the same coven as Victoria.

Source of Change: Hilda

Personal history:  Hilda, the vampire who changed Heidi had a rather large coven which included Victoria.  She was accused of drawing too much attention to herself and nearly all of her coven was destroyed.  Heidi was thought to be penitent and was sparred.  (OIL)

Volterra has been their city “since the time of the Etruscans,” and the Volturi are very protective of it.  Since they do not allow hunting, they bring their food in.  (NM19)

After a large group of people pass in the hallway before entering the turret room, Demetri greets Heidi who is dressed to emphasize her beauty.  She is wearing the shortest of miniskirts that exposes her long legs darkened with tights.  Her red vinyl top is high necked, long sleeved, and close fitting.  Heidi responds to Demetri and looks at Edward and Bella.  Demetri then compliments her “nice fishing.”  Bella realizes that Heidi is the bait in her sexy outfit as well as the fisherman for the Volturi.  Heidi thanks Demetri, and he asks her to save a few for him.  (NM21)

Portrayed in the films by:  Noot Seer 

Prepared by: Anny

Full Name:  Gianna

Status: Human

Date of Birth: Late 1970’s

Originally from: Italy

Hair color: Black

Eye color: Green (NM21)

Height: 5’6” (OIL)

Physical description: Very pretty with dark skin (NM21)

Occupation:  Receptionist for the Volturi

Family members: 

Personal history:  Gianna greets Jane from a posh reception area.  She is not surprised to see Edward, Bella, and Alice.  She giggles when Felix winks at her.  (NM21)

Demetri leads Edward, Bella, and Alice back to the reception area and tells them not to leave until dark.  Gianna politely asks if she can get them anything.  Edward declines, and she leaves.  Edward explains to Bella that Gianna knows about the Volturi.  Even though it is possible that they will kill her, Gianna hopes that they will change her to a vampire instead.  Bella is shocked that she would want to join the Volturi after seeing groups of people be led to that “hideous room” to be killed.  After Alec says that it is o.k. to leave, Gianna gives Edward, Bella, and Alice directions on how to exit the building and pleasantly tells them goodbye.  Bella wonders “if her competence [will] be enough to save her.”  (NM22)

Gianna did not survive.  “That’s one of the problems with working for the Volturi. It’s a hazardous job.” (BD Concert Tour–LA Q&A)

Portrayed in the films by:  Justine Wachsberger

Prepared by: Anny

Full Name: Demetri

Status: Vampire

Date of Birth:

Originally from:

Hair color: Black hair that “waved to his shoulders” (NM21)

Eye color: Vampire burgundy

Height: Tall (BD36)

Physical description: “Hard and lean as the blade of a sword” (BD36) with a “slightly olive complexion [that] looked odd combined with his chalky pallor” (NM21)

Special Talents: Tracker that catches the “tenor of someone’s mind” and follows it (NM24)

Occupation: Volturi Guard tracker

Family members: Member of the Volturi Guard

Personal history: Aro sends Felix and Demetri to bring Edward back to talk again.  However, he politely declines and moves to protect Bella.  Felix and Demetri try to force Edward further into the dark alley to avoid a scene.  They are not happy when Alice shows up to even things up.  When Jane arrives, they further relax their positions.  They lead Edward, Bella, and Alice to the turret room.  (NM20)

While escorting Edward, Bella, and Alice out, Demetri motions to make room for a large group of humans that pass in the hallway before entering the turret room.  He welcomes Heidi and compliments her with “nice fishing.”  She thanks him, and Demetri asks her to save a few for him.  (NM21)  He leaves Edward, Bella, and Alice in the reception area with Gianna and tells them not to leave until dark.  (NM22)

After the fight with Victoria and the newborn army is over, Edward tells Bella that Demetri came with Jane.  Jane tells Felix to destroy Bree and then they leave.  (EC25)

The Volturi arrive at the clearing “with pageantry.”  They are in a “rigid, formal formation” that seemed to flow in “perfect synchronicity” — “it was the pace of the invincible.”  The entire guard, the wives, and their witnesses are also present.  Bella sees Jane and Alec next to Marcus with Demetri on their other side.  Aro has Felix and Demetri accompany him when he meets Renesmee.  Demetri comments to Edward about the “interesting company” that they keep regarding the wolves.  (BD36)  When Aro wants to question some of the Cullens’ witnesses, Renata, Felix, and Demetri move with him.  (BD37)

With the arrival of Alice and her witnesses, Aro casts the deciding vote and announces that he sees no threat from the “half-vampire children.”  He turns to the Volturi guard and tells them that they will not fight today.  The guard resumes their formation and departs along with the wives and their witnesses.  (BD38)

Portrayed in the films by: Charlie Bewley

Prepared by: Anny